This guide to the best luxury accommodation in the Yorkshire Dales contains affiliate links.
The Yorkshire Dales are an unbelievably beautiful part of the UK.
Dominated by the vast Yorkshire Dales National Park and filled with miles of green hills, stone-built villages, ancient woodland and cosy pubs, the Dales are the perfect location to spend a windswept weekend.
Considering that this national park spans some 840 miles, it can be a little overwhelming deciding where to rest your head.
Where is the best place to stay in the Yorkshire Dales? Especially if you’re after boutique accommodation? And where is the best luxury accommodation in the Yorkshire Dales?
Having just returned from a family holiday here, I know just the answer.
A boutique private rental in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, and just a short drive from the romantic Lake District, Brownber Hall & House is not only the perfect base for exploring the wider area, but a gorgeous place to stay – encouraging its guests to kick back and relax (with some real ales, of course).
Overlooking the lush Howgill Fells and surrounded by ancient oak trees, a stay at Brownber comes with a warm welcome and even warmer wood-burning stoves.
It’s the perfect place for anyone looking for luxury and boutique accommodation in the Yorkshire Dales.
Below is our honest review of Brownber Hall and House.
What is Brownber Hall & House?
Brownber Hall & House sits on the wider private Brownber Estate, owned by Peter & Amanda Jaques-Walker.
Alongside Peter and Amanda’s home, you’ll also find Brownber House, the larger Brownber Hall and in a nearby village, Bullghyll Hut – a luxury stylish shepherd’s hut, a short drive from the House.
It’s a beautiful estate, tucked between the folds of the Yorkshire Dales and the soaring peaks of the Lake District. Home to miles of dry-stone walls, red squirrels and canopies of ancient trees, this is a poetically beautiful spot – and a place you’ll be reluctant to leave.
Brownber Hall
Brownber Hall, the heart of the Estate, is a stunningly decorated Victorian country house, decorated by Amanda’s sister – a former Soho House architect.
Prior to the epidemic, this was a luxurious small hotel (and was even named Hotel of the Year, by iPaper in 2019). However, and since then, it’s transformed into a luxury private rental – offering a more intimate experience for its lucky guests.
Ideal for large parties, sleeping up to 15 people across 8 guest rooms, the Hall is light and modern – yet still bursting with original features and and stylish rooms.
Boasting its own private south-facing terrace, guests can sit outside during the summer months and watch as pipistrelle bats and swifts dive overhead. It’s a modest, yet undeniably luxurious house, peppered with wonderful details – including William Morris wallpaper, antique books, old family photographs, modern prints and lovingly reupholstered furniture.
It has all the mod cons you’d hope – enormous Smart TVs, speakers and free Wi-Fi, whilst still remaining homely.
Given the size of the Hall, it’s unsurprisingly pretty expensive to hire – costing just over £2,400 for a four night stay during off peak season (October 2024). However, given that you can split that amongst a party of 15 people, I think that’s pretty good value (£167 each).
It’s a magnificent homestay and easily one of the best places to stay in the Yorkshire Dales.
The Hut
The newest addition to the Brownber Estate is the off-grid, yet distinctly luxury, Bullghyll Hut.
A short drive away, nestled in the village of Wharton (Cumbria), this beautiful little Shepherd’s Hut overlooks its own field and is the perfect place for a short break.
Here you can spend your evenings gathered around the fire pit and outdoor grill, cooking sausages as the sun fades over Wild Boar Fell. Free private parking is available, just a short walk from the hut itself.
This hut is the epitome of glamping – sleekly designed yet wonderfully cosy.
Prices begin at a very reasonable £250 for two nights, in July (peak season).
Brownber House
Now, onto Brownber House itself – the perfect luxury and boutique accommodation in the Yorkshire Dales and where we recently spent a week.
Once a Victorian farmhouse and now renovated to the highest of standards, the House is the perfect place for smaller family gatherings – sleeping 8.
Although not as large as its neighbour Brownber Hall, this is not – by any means – a small house.
Dominated by large sash windows, spacious hallways, a sweeping staircase and vast bedrooms, this is a wonderfully large family home.
We visited as a group of 6 – four adults and two toddlers, and were blown away by just how much room we had. Each of us had large double bedrooms (two had en-suites), and we also shared a large family bathroom and a luxury shower room.
Our toddlers even had their own walk-in-wardrobes (although this was largely used for hide and seek, rather than hanging clothes).
Each room had its own character (the tiled fireplace in my own room was stunning), and all were flanked by beautiful views across the rolling Dales. Luxury and thoughtful extras were found throughout the house, like white fluffy towels and luxury Bath House products.
We had so much room to play, rest and eat – and the kitchen was the real heart of our stay. Not only boasting all the latest gadgets, this was a wonderfully warm and homely spot to sit, chatting over cups of teas as the kids watched the cows from the window seats.
When we arrived, we also found a large hamper filled with goodies, including sourdough bread and a large cake. We soon found out that Amanda, one of the owners of the Estate, trained at the prestigious Leith’s and Peter makes a mean sourdough – hence its very welcome inclusion in our hamper.
The large dining room was perfect for family dinners and the lounge (with an enormous Smart TV) was a great place to watch a film each night, once the kids were in bed.
Brownber House also has its own garden, which reaches up a steep hill. At the top, you’ll find two perfectly positioned deck chairs, with views across the hills. Next door (and to our toddlers’ delight) were goats and chickens, who poked their head through every now and again.
We had the most incredible stay at this beautiful House – not only enjoying our time inside, but exploring its surrounding area.
With plenty of horses, sheep, goats and cows surrounding the House, we enjoyed plenty of evening walks with our toddlers – even spotting red squirrels running up the trunks of ancient trees. From the House you can also access an almost unlimited number of walks (and runs) – including over to the nearby viaduct.
The walk to the nearest cosy pub, the King’s Head in Ravenstonedale, takes around 30 minutes and there are also numerous wild swimming spots close to the Estate, including in Ravenstonedale.
Brownber House is not as expensive as Bronwnber Hall, although it’s far from budget accommodation. A four night stay in September will currently set you back £1,640.
However, split amongst 8, this again isn’t too bad – costing £205 per person.
Great Things to do Near the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District
So, you choose to book the beautiful Brownber House – what next?
Aside from enjoying the beautiful accommodation, what else is there to do in the local area? What are the top things to do in and around the Yorkshire Dales?
Thankfully, Brownber House’s perfect location – with one foot inside the Yorkshire Dales and another in rural Cumbria- means that it’s surrounded by an almost infinite number of things to see and do.
Below are just a few of the things we got up to during our stay at this luxury and boutique accommodation in the Yorkshire Dales.
1. Enjoy the Carlisle to Settle Railway
Thought to be the most scenic railway line in the UK, the Carlisle to Settle Railway is a fantastic way experience the stunning Cumbrian landscape – and a dream come true for train mad toddlers.
Opened in 1867, this 72 mile line takes passengers over 20 beautiful viaducts and through 14 tunnels. It’s a stunning journey that takes you from the rugged North Pennines to Carlisle – a border city between England and Scotland, and the gateway to the North Lakes.
If you stay at Brownber House, you can hop on the train at nearby Dent, Garsdale or Kirkby Stephen – all just a short drive away.
Tickets cost £9.40 for the full journey (Settle to Carlisle) – just be sure to book ahead during the summer months.
2. Explore the Coast to Coast Path
A legendary hike, the Coast to Coast Path begins in East Yorkshire’s Robin Hood’s Bay and stretches to Cumbria’s West Coast and St Bees.
Although it does stretch a whopping 192 miles, it’s handily split into sixteen sections – all of which offer multiple short cuts, to help shorten the walks.
Part of it handily passes by Brownber House and Hall, tracking close to Kirkby Stephen. Pack a flask of tea, some sandwiches and set off on part of this hike – enjoying some of the UK’s most stunning landscape as you go.
3. Visit Beatrix Potter’s House
Although not in the Yorkshire Dales, Brownber House is tantalisingly close to the beautiful Lake District and with it – the home of Beatrix Potter.
We visited this National Trust property a few years ago and had the perfect day. We couldn’t wait to return with our toddlers – who are big fans of Peter Rabbit.
Officially known as Hill Top House, this special place is where Miss Potter’s many characters came to life – Peter and his friends running through her vegetable garden and across the surrounding countryside.
The House is designed as it would have been when she lived there – and features many of her own possessions and furniture. It’s a beautiful place to visit and includes some dress-up bits for kids (my son loved dressing up as Jemima Puddle Duck).
The gardens are gorgeous and there’s a great coffee cart now, offering great snacks (including Peter Rabbit shaped biscuits) and hot drinks.
The drive from Brownber House is just under one hour, so not too bad.
The House is free to visit if you’re a National Trust member, or £15 for non-members (adults). Again, be sure to book ahead.
4. Enjoy World Famous Gingerbread
Found in the Lake District, the pretty village of Grasmere is famous for two things.
Firstly, it is home to the bucolic Dove Cottage, where Wordsworth and his sister, Dorothy, once lived. Secondly (and possibly more excitingly), it’s also home to the ‘world’s best gingerbread’ – housed inside the impossibly tiny and sweet, Grasmere Gingerbread Shop.
Invented by Victorian cook, Sarah Nelson, in 1854, this iconic gingerbread has been prepared and made inside this idyllic waterfront home for over a century. Slightly spicy, and somewhere between a cake and a biscuit, this gingerbread is absolutely delicious – and it’s worth buying simply to visit the tiny house where Sarah once lived.
There are also some great independent shops in Grasmere and some lovely cafes, including the fantastic Freda + Ray Cafe.
5. Spend A Day at Brockhole on Windermere
If you’re looking for a great day out with kids near the Yorkshire Dales, or in the Lake District, then head to the fantastic Brockhole on Windermere.
Found on the grounds surrounding a handsome lakeside Arts and Crafts villa, Brockhole is a great attraction for families looking to enjoy not only the house and its immaculate gardens, but a whole host of other activities.
Offering boat hire (the villa is right on the area’s most famous lakes – Windermere), archery, kayaking, mini golf, an adventure playground, treetop nets, axe throwing and a tree top trek, there is enough at Brockhole to fill an entire day.
We visited here for the morning and our kids loved the adventure playground, throwing stones into the dark waters of Windermere and the drive-on tractors.
One thing to note, while it’s free to visit the gardens and park, you will need to pay for additional activities. As a result, a day trip here can end up being pretty expensive (row boats are £30 and motorboats £50 to hire, for example).
6. Visit a Chocolate Factory
Found very close to Brownber House, and in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, is the loveliest little chocolate factory and shop – Kennedys.
Found in the village of Orton, we popped here for mugs of very decadent hot chocolate – while watching the staff make delicate little chocolates through the factory windows. It’s a great place to come on a rainy day and we spent ages watching the manufacturing process, before choosing our own selection of mouth watering chocolates.
7. Visit the (Now Legendary) Barnard Castle
When it comes to top things to do in the Yorkshire Dales, it’s worth hopping over into the neighbouring Durham Dales.
Evoking long-suppressed memories of lockdown and a certain Dominic Cummings, Barnard Castle is found in County Durham and makes for a great family day out.
A lovely market town, featuring a 12th century Norman castle, a trip to Barnard Castle affords fantastic views over the neighbouring Tees Gorge, and access to plenty of history, antique shops and timbered pubs serving good food.
Nearby is the Bowes Museum, which we visited a few years back. A French style public museum, this vast museum is overflowing with treasures and timely exhibitions – from artists, collectors and fashion designers across the world.
8. Visit the Famous Ingleton Waterfalls
In terms of the best things to do in the Yorkshire Dales, a visit to the stunning Ingleton Waterfalls is definitely one.
The falls’ trail first opened in 1885 and has remained immensely popular ever since. Guiding visitors 4.5 miles through historic oak trees and alongside waterfalls aplenty, this is a great activity for all the family (just remember to pack your anorak and sturdy walking boots).
One of the best sights is definitely the Thornton Force, which plunges some 14 metres over limestone rocks.
I’d definitely recommend taking the trail in the summer. Pretty long, taking between 2 -4 hours to complete, walking this on a wet and windy rain could be quite hard going. Furthermore, there’s so much more nature to see come the warmer summer months, including the Dog Violet flower and Grey Wagtail birds.
You do need to pay to walk the trail, with adults costing £10 and children under 16 paying £5.
9. Visit Book Loving Sedbergh
A short drive from our luxury accommodation in the Yorkshire Dales is every bibliophiles dream –Sedbergh.
Classed as one of the UK’s ‘book towns’, Sedbergh rivals the famous town of Hay, for its abundance of secondhand and antique book stores, alongside its yearly book festival.
The town is home to an enormous bookshop, housed within a former cinema, that is filled with some 70,000 different titles. Alongside this, lots of the local shops also have little book nooks selling a real blend of reads, and there are dozens of very sweet book cafes throughout the town.
Alternatively, head to The Thirsty Rambler micropub for a quick pint after a busy day browsing the shelves.
It really is the most amazing town if you love books and definitely one of the best things to do in the Yorkshire Dales.
10. A Surreal Family Experience
If you’re wondering about things to do with kids in the Yorkshire Dales, then look no further than The Forbidden Corner.
(Self) declared the ‘strangest place in the world’, The Forbidden Corner is a unique play experience, set within a four acre garden. Offerings its guests the chance to explore follies, chambers and tunnels, this slightly wild experience includes a towering glass pyramid, filled with winding passengers and dead-ends.
A cross between a maze and a theme park, this bonkers place has received nothing but great reviews – and is a great family day out in the Yorkshire Dales.
You can even stay on site if you wish, and there are a few places to eat, including a cafe, the Potting Shed and the Tower Fort.
Children under 4 go free and adults will need to pay £17.60.
Final Thoughts – Discovering the Best Luxury & Boutique Accommodation in the Yorkshire Dales
The Yorkshire Dales are a beautiful part of the UK and an area that often flies under the tourism radar.
However, visit here once and you’ll most definitely return.
The sheer size of the place, its phenomenal sunsets and its proximity to other wonderful parts of the UK, including the Lake District and Durham, make the Yorkshire Dales an ideal place to stay.
Add to this the luxury and boutique accommodation in the Yorkshire Dales, and you have yourself an unforgettable trip.
In our opinion, you really cannot beat what Brownber Hall (and House) has to offer. Tucked away from the hubbub of life, yet still a short drive to some of the area’s major towns and attractions, Brownber Hall is the ideal location to stay during a long weekend in the Yorkshire Dales.
Refurbished to the highest of standards, blending imitable style and design, with a genuine welcoming and homely feel, our time at Brownber House was just perfect.
As a group of six, with two very noisy toddlers, we never once felt that overstimulating chaos that so often comes from travelling with small people. Instead, the house offered a haven of space and calm – a place to spot red squirrels, take early evening walks and enjoy glasses of wine around the kitchen island.
Our kids loved the access to the wildlife and animals outside; watching tractors and diggers regularly passing by. And we grownups enjoyed the luxury space, fresh air and chance to explore a part of the UK we had yet to visit.
A truly special place, we could not recommend Brownber House more. In fact, we’re already planning our return – this time to its larger sibling – Brownber Hall.
We cannot wait.