Elmet Farmhouse Hebden Bridge
You saw it here first. We're chuffed to report that one of our fave self-catering places, the fabulous Elmet Farmhouse has been shortlisted in the prestious White Rose Awards. Fights have broken out in the past over this coveted category but owner Lesley Jackson is too cool and collected for that kind of malarky. She just smiled. Fingers crossed for the final in October - it will be a well-deserved win. Tempted to a long weekend? Here's a reminder of what's on offer ...
If mid-century modern Scandi-cool in a rural location is your bag we've found the mothership. Author and design historian Lesley Jackson is a world authority on the era and she's converted this splendid Grade 11 listed farmhouse and filled it full of THE most desirable furniture and objects. I stumbled round, slack-jawed, my magpie tendencies off the scale. Vintage addicts and design buffs will love the furnishings, which include Ercol furniture and fabulous 1950s and 60s textiles - Lesley has written on everything from Ercol to Robin and Lucienne day - a shelf in the immaculate, huge, brilliantly equipped kitchen is devoted to her books.
Elmet is perched on a hillside a mile or so out of Hebden Bridge and the views from the 'found' window seat in the cosy wood-fired sitting room across the valley to Heptonstall are breathtaking. Throughout the house (there are three bedrooms) Lesley's attention to detail is extraordinary - everywhere you turn, another lovely period piece, or vintage fabric wall hanging, or iconic framed line drawing. I particularly LOVE the vibrant green lino in the bathrooms and local artist/maker Hannah Nunn's wonderful lamps. Lesley lives next door and is on hand if you've any queries - what she doesn't know about the locality isn't worth knowing - she's a keen walker and she'll share her top tips. A really special spot.
How Much: From 383 for 3 nights to 959 for 7 nights
Kid's Stuff: Children of all ages are welcome
Well Placed: Hebden Bridge and all its delights is a couple of miles down the valley. You'll find groovy independent shops, a great cinema, theatre and music venue. The Calder Valley is a hiker's paradise - the Pennine way threads through it - the place to start is Heptonstall, the historic, atmospheric cobbled village once home to Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath. Plath is buried in the churchyard here. The National Trust's Hardcastle Crags and the Bronte's Haworth are nearby.
Good Grub: One of our top ten restaurants, Gimbals is just along the valley. There are a number of good cafes in Hebden, including Muse Cafe and Love Grows. If you're looking for authentic Mediterranean food, head for The Olive Branch - or for an exciting, original menu, the glorious Shibden Mill Inn is the spot.
Pecket Well, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire HX7 8QY
Tel 01422 842026www.elmetfarmhouse.co.uk
Part of Stay West Yorkshire
Review by Mandy, 16 July 2016
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