I recently returned from another wonderful stay with Classic Cottages. While last time I visited one of their Portscatho holiday properties (a beautiful cottage in a rural part of Cornwall), this time I headed up north to Yorkshire with my family. In a remote part of North Yorkshire, you’ll find Garden Cottage. I always love staying with Classic Cottages because they’ve been doing what they do best for over 45 years, and each of their property portfolio is carefully curated to showcase only the most idyllic holiday homes for a wonderful stay in the UK. I thought I’d show you around my stay at one of the loveliest cottages in North Yorkshire, Garden Cottage.
Where is Garden Cottage?
You’ll find Garden Cottage, part of the Habton House Farm estate, 4 miles north-west of the market town of Malton in North Yorkshire. It’s around a 40 minute drive from York, on the edge of the North York Moors. It’s also within reaching distance of the gorgeous spa town of Harrogate, and the east Yorkshire coast, and spots like Scarborough and Whitby.
What’s Garden Cottage like?
Garden Cottage is a beautiful two-bedroom cottage that’s part of a 200 year old listed farmhouse. It’s really rural which I loved – in fact, you have views across the fields of a fully functioning farm, and you pass horses and sheep while driving onto the estate. It’s a short drive from the tiny village of Little Habton, which has a couple of pubs and eateries, and the North York Moors are within easy reach for wholesome walks through the countryside.


The Grounds
When arriving to Garden Cottage – one of the most beautiful cottages in North Yorkshire – the first thing you’re struck with is the beautiful exterior. It’s a gorgeous ivy-clad cottage. Having visited in mid-September, we were lucky to see the leaves change colour for all the autumn feels. Paired with the log fire in the cottage’s living room, it makes for the perfect cosy break in Yorkshire. Garden Cottage is set on the edge of the Howardian Hills which is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so it’s little surprise the garden’s grounds are so pretty.

Garden Cottage is so well equipped. As arrived to north Yorkshire on the tail end of September’s heatwave, we clocked the barbecue when we arrived. We headed to the nearby market town of Malton to pick up some barbecue food and were lucky enough to get treated to this beautiful sunset with a cold glass of wine while it was all cooking. A perfect end to the summer! You have your own courtyard area with some patio furniture – it’s a lovely sun trap that looks across at the fields.


Thanks to the cottage’s rural setting, it’s truly the perfect retreat for those with busy lifestyles. It feels remote (but not too remote), and allows you to have a relaxing break within its cute cottage interior. I took my book and enjoyed reading in the peaceful garden overlooking fields of sheep with a coffee in the mornings. If you fancy something a little more active, you can enjoy some of the many walking routes from the cottage.


The Facilities
I feel like welcome baskets really set the tone when you’re visiting, and I was thoroughly impressed with arriving to this beauty. Everything is well considered throughout the cottage, from the fancy coffee machine to all the cooking tools you could possibly need. Starbucks Coffee and a biscuit were just the ticket after a long drive to the cottage in North Yorkshire. The owners were really lovely and friendly too – they checked to make sure we settled in OK, and to see if we needed anything. As they’re onsite, it’s helpful to know someone’s near if you need recommendations or advice.

I’ve long lusted after a cottage of my own, and while I might not have achieved that yet, I absolutely loved the cute, cosy cottage aesthetic of Garden Cottage. There’s plenty of seating for 4, a log fire, and board games to keep occupied in the evenings. You’re greeted with beautiful views from the windows in the cottage, no matter which room you’re in.


The living room is so cosy with its comfy chairs, and the wood burner came in handy one evening when the weather was a little cooler. Conveniently, there’s a little downstairs bathroom nearby so you don’t need to keep going upstairs to use the loo too.

Garden Cottage has a contemporary Shaker-style kitchen with literally everything you could need. As well as an entrance hall complete with washer drier, there’s a dishwasher and virtually all the utensils you need to cook up a storm. There’s a cute dining area perfect for enjoying meals too. The little utility area is perfect for popping your muddy boots after a long walk around the countryside.

The Bedrooms
Upstairs in Garden Cottage, you’ll find two lovely bedrooms in contemporary yet classic country cottage style. One of the bedrooms is a double, and the other is a zip and link (super-king bed or a twin), meaning it comfortably sleeps 4. Both bedrooms have lovely views across the estate’s grounds, and there are comfy mattresses and bedding for a good night’s sleep. Thanks to the peaceful location, it was so quiet throughout the night. Apparently it makes for amazing stargazing too!


One of the bedrooms has its own en-suite shower rooms, and the other bedroom has the master bathroom, making it perfect for friends and family members to stay in the cottage. The master bathroom has a bath – perfect for an evening bubble bath with a glass of wine. Each bathroom has gorgeous Bath House toiletries, and fluffy Egyptian cotton towels. Rain head showers feature in each, as well as under floor heating for the cooler months.



Garden Cottage is without a doubt one of the loveliest cottages in north Yorkshire to stay while you explore this beautiful part of the country. It’s the perfect retreat, and ideal for exploring the many sights nearby – York, the Yorkshire Moors, and seaside towns like Scarborough, to name but a few. There’s parking for two cars, making it ideal for two couples or a family to stay.
Cottages in north yorkshire – FAQs
What’s nearby at Garden Cottage?
There’s so much to see nearby! We explored for a lot of the time we stayed at the cottage in North Yorkshire, and still we barely scratched the surface. Here are a few things I had on my list to see and do in the local area:
- Visit Castle Howard. Fans of Bridgerton will likely recognise Castle Howard’s magnificent stately home and gardens that date back to the eighteenth century. There are over 1,000 acres of gardens and woodland across the beautiful Howardian Hills. Enjoy a lovely lunch or coffee afterwards in one of the many onsite cafes afterwards. Kids will love Skelf Island adventure playground too.
- Enjoy a food tour and tasting. Malton is known for being Yorkshire’s foodie capital, so make sure you check out the local food scene. There are plenty of artisanal producers, breweries, and food festivals to discover, with food tours and tastings.
- Hike the North York Moors. The North York Moors National Park offers stunning scenery and hiking trails. Here, you can enjoy hiking, cycling, and wildlife spotting to your heart’s content.
- Walk along the River Derwent. You can enjoy a relaxed stroll along the beautiful River Derwent, with its peaceful atmosphere and picturesque scenery. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a morning coffee at Garden Cottage.
- Visit the coast. We were blessed with beautiful weather when we visited, so wanted to head straight for the coast! We spent the day exploring Scarborough, Robin Hood’s Bay, and Whitby, taking long beach walks and having some delicious seafood at Whitby’s iconic Magpie Cafe.
- Visit the nearby towns and cities. Historic York is a short drive from Garden Cottage, as is the beautiful spa town of Harrogate. Don’t miss an afternoon tea at Betty’s if you visit Harrogate!

Where is there to eat and drink near Garden Cottage?
One of the best things about staying in cottages in North Yorkshire is your proximity to some incredible food and drink in the area. Here are some of my picks for the best food and drink near Garden Cottage:
- The Queen’s Head Cantonese Restaurant and Pub – just a short drive from the cottage, you’ll find The Queen’s Head, a pub and authentic Cantonese restaurant. Serving a great selection of drinks, the Chinese cuisine is fantastic. Feast on dishes like crispy beef in barbecue sauce, and duck spring rolls.
- La Trattoria – this Italian bistro and pizzeria brings an authentic taste of Italy to Malton in North Yorkshire. As well as a cocktail bar, the bistro serves incredible food all day. Opt for some cicchetti (Venetian tapas), or choose a tasty main like fennel sausage ragu with linguine, or a tasty range of pizzas.
- El Gringos – for a hearty meal packed full of flavour, head to Malton’s El Gringos restaurant. Serving a wide range of Mexican and Tex-Mex food, you’ll be greeted with generous portions. The chimichangas are to die for.
Are dogs allowed at Garden Cottage?
Unfortunately not – no pets are permitted in Garden Cottage.
Is Garden Cottage suitable for children?
Absolutely! And I’m sure kids would love seeing all the different animals on Habton House Farm itself. The cottage has a cot, high chair, and stair gate should you need for your stay.
Why stay with Classic Cottages?
As well as being Which? recommended, I’ve always had a wonderful experience with Classic Cottages. Each of their properties is handpicked, and that was no different when it came to staying in one of their cottages in north Yorkshire. I also really like how you are sent a PDF before your trip with all of the essentials – how to get to your holiday cottage, a cottage inventory so you know what to pack, and some recommendations from the owners on where to visit and where to eat during your stay. This was my second stay with Classic Cottages, and I feel like nothing is too much trouble – if you have questions, you can give them a call, even if it’s for suggestions on the area where you’re staying. Discover Classic Cottages’ holiday cottages in Yorkshire for yourself.
I hope you enjoyed my review on one of the most beautiful cottages in north Yorkshire, Garden Cottage. If you have any questions, let me know in the comments and I’ll do my best to help.
This post was written in conjunction with Classic Cottages, although all opinions are my own.