We were en route to Newcastle for the Great North Run, but chose to sabotage all training by sampling the delights of Rookery Cottage and our charming hosts, Ursula and Ronnie.
East Witton is a quintissentially northern english village, nestling in a beautiful Dales landscape. This is horse country, with the racehorse training of Middleham just up the road.
Rookery Cottage is perfectly located, across the lawn from the famous Blue Lion Inn. Ursula greeted us with warmth, genuine hospitality and a glass of good Rioja, which we quaffed as we fussed two friendly dogs and exchanged anecdotes.Then we eat splendidly at the Blue Lion, helpfully arranged earlier for us by Ronnie.
Our room, neat and clean, overlooked the beautiful garden and the Dales landscape beyond, and I was able to unwind before the stress of the GNR with a good soak in the clawsfoot iron bath, surrounded by loads of soft towels and fragrances.
Breakfast in the panelled dining room was superb. Ursula had been to Leyburn market earlier that morning for kippers and smoked salmon, which we enjoyed after a bowl of her gorgeous home made fruit compote.
We were charmed by our hosts, and left feeling uplifted and refreshed, as though we were leaving the company of good friends.
English B and B at it`s best, good value, a little quirky, slightly eccentric and memorable.