Waingates Farm Huts in North Yorkshire is quite the place; one of the coolest and cosiest glamping experiences ideal for a romantic getaway. This is my collection of thoughts and photos after we escaped for a few nights with the dog ahead of the birth of our daughter.
I’m sure at some point in 2021 everyone will have felt with the easing of pandemic restrictions there would be a return to endless adventures, endless freedom with an opportunity to catch up on a significant portion of life. My wife and I were expecting a baby in 2021 and so, once we were able to, we made sure that we booked nights away to enjoy not only the pregnancy before our lives changed forever but also to rest and recover from the stress of our 9-5 jobs.
The key criteria for our October trip away were somewhere romantic, somewhere cosy, a bit of luxury in the countryside and, probably most importantly, somewhere dog friendly. It seems we lucked out massively as, not too far from York in the lovely market town of Boroughbridge, we stumbled upon Waingates Farm Huts and their luxury outdoor retreats.
Two nights in the Tayter Hut at Waingates Farm Huts were exactly what we needed.
BUMP & DOG FRIENDLY GLAMPING AT WAINGATES FARM HUTS
Waingates Farm Huts are a set of five very private and secluded huts in the Yorkshire countryside. There are smaller shepherd’s style huts but we chose to stay in the latest addition; a Nordic igluhut in its own tall-fenced garden. I think it was the black wood design that really sold it to us and, trust me, the look of this hut is even more beautiful in real life.
INSIDE THE TAYTER HUT
The spacious interior of the Tayter Hut was perfect for the two (I think I can get away with saying two and a half) of us plus the dog. The living area has a well equipped kitchen (a big hit was the stove top kettle reminding me to slow down a little) and dining area before leading to a kingsize bed in its own little area. We hooked up the laptop to the TV for a cosy Netflix night and spent many hours switching off with a good book in bed whilst the rain trickled down the window beyond our feet.
At the other end of the hut was the ensuite shower room complete with bath robes and natural bath products.
Despite there not being much of a break in the weather to escape outdoors (this is Yorkshire in October after all), the hut did not feel too small at all. There was plenty of space to relax and allow that mind to switch off.
OUTSIDE THE TAYTER HUT
The Tayter Hut is situated the furthest away from the small car park and it feels so secluded under an enormous tree which must have stood strong for at least a hundred years!
A tall fence encircles the hut, the distinctive patterned roof of which you can catch a glimpse of from outside. Once within the garden, you’ll never want to leave and, given that it’s fully enclosed, you can pretty much leave your dog to his/her own devices. Chester our cockapoo loved sprinting (constantly) around the garden despite the weather!
Before I get on to the star attraction in the garden, I have to admit that the garden geek in me loved what was going on with the planting. There has clearly been careful thought into the design and I loved the silvery green eucalyptus tree up against the black wooden exterior.
Anyway, less of the plant reviews, more of explaining what else there is to really make up a perfect romantic weekend away. The star of the show is the Japanese wood burning hot tub which comes complete with all the logs (and a firestarter kit) to heat the water right up. The hot tub does fit two but, unfortunately for Emma, her pregnancy meant it was only me that could take advantage and take advantage I did. I’m pretty sure at one point I almost fell asleep I was that relaxed.
For the summer months when things are a little drier, there’s a gas BBQ, a chiminea and a dining area.
RECOMMENDED THINGS TO DO NEARBY
Whilst we wanted to spend as much time in the hut itself (luxury trips away in the UK can be costly these days), we still tried to explore a little of the local area.
On the recommendation of close friends, we had a few drinks and a two course meal at the Grantham Arms alongside our little dog too. A little trivia time now; the Grantham Arms was actually featured on Channel 4’s Four In A Bed! For the meal, I went for the pork & chorizo scotch egg to start and the pan fried chicken – I didn’t actually have a burger for once!
Before we set off back home after checking out, we visited Yolk Farm and Minskip Farm Shop. It’s said to be the best place in the UK to experience amazing eggs; this is the world’s first egg restaurant based on a free range egg farm. I’m not sure you can get much fresher! I loved our breakfast here. I honestly think you can taste the difference when fresh and high quality ingredients are used.
I went for the classic English breakfast with a Yolk Farm egg, back bacon, pork sausage, confit mushroom in truffle & garlic, grilled tomato and butter & hot sauce baked beans plus toast. Emma went for the blueberry pancakes which were equally as delicious. At the time, I was venturing into my now fully fledged coffee addiction and I was really impressed by the Flat White on offer here.
It’s only a short drive from the huts into Boroughbridge so you could easily spend longer than we did (spoiler alert; it’s a beautiful market town) and you could have a few drinks in the many pubs or stroll alongside the River Ure. You could even spend the afternoon before check in like we did wandering the streets of York.
THE DETAILS
Waingates Farm Huts can be found just west of the A1, a few miles outside of Boroughbridge in North Yorkshire. Junction 48 will bring you right into Boroughbridge itself and you can stop off at what must be my favourite Morrisons ever to collect supplies.
In terms of pricing, we stayed two nights in October at a cost of £390. It’s fair to say that that is not cheap but such a luxurious glamping (I hate the term glamping but you know what I mean) experience is always worth it. With the benefit of the huts being dog friendly, I can certainly see us returning sooner rather than later with a little baby girl in tow.
Love it, well written and beautiful photography as always!
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