On the other side of the fence hens potter, ducks waddle and sheep graze. Head for the garden with a pint of Helmsley Honey and lap up the countryside. If the setting is peaceful, the building is special: a Gothic Revival chapel restored to full glory. Spangles of light filter through windows of stained glass, Nordic insulation keeps you cosy, and the curved ceiling soars above.
You sleep in a large bed by the altar enclosed by the original screen, and snuggle up on sofas by the wood-burner. A beautiful new wing houses a sunny kitchen where a welcome basket awaits, while the sofa-bedded sunroom (sleeping two) opens to a garden for breakfast on warm days.
St Aidan’s lies at the gateway to the heather-covered North York Moors, and the coast (Staithes, Whitby, Robin Hood’s Bay) isn’t much further – perfect yomping ground for you and your dog. Helmsley, a historic market town, is a walk through the woods. The Star, a revered pub, is a ten-minute drive.
If you’re looking for a quiet base from which to explore the North Yorkshire Moors you will not find a better place. The annex is fully modern and spotlessly clean; the church itself has been lovingly restored to its Gothic Revival splendour. The host provides a welcoming array of provisions (bread, marmalade, wine etc.) and is prompt with her correspondence. Fresh eggs are available from the farm next door. St. Aidan’s is quite possibly my favourite spot. You will need a car despite the close proximity of Helmsley.