3 Star Reactive Dog Rated
2 Star Reactive Dog Rated
Kirkdale Cottage | Helmsley Dog Friendly Cottage | 3-Star Reactive Friendly
🏡 Kirkdale Cottage – A Charming Yorkshire Escape in Sproxton
Welcome to Kirkdale Cottage, a beautiful stone retreat where historic beams and big Yorkshire skies meet modern dog-friendly luxury. Tucked away down a quiet private road in the hamlet of Sproxton, you are less than 2 miles from the bustling, famously dog-friendly market town of Helmsley.
Kirkdale is our “big sister” on-site, sleeping up to five guests across three bedrooms. Whether you’re here to tackle the North York Moors, explore the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey, or simply watch the sunset over the valley with your pack, Kirkdale offers a tranquil sanctuary to recharge your batteries.
🌟 Why Pack Members Love Kirkdale:
🌳 NEW Enclosed Garden: Fresh for 2026! Your own private ‘L’ shaped garden with 1m high stone walls and fencing right outside your door.
🐕 Double Paddock Fun: Shared access to two large exercise paddocks (115cm high) for off-lead zoomies and stress-free play.
🥾 Walk to Helmsley: A picturesque bridleway at the end of the drive leads you straight to the Ebor Way and into town (approx. 1 hour walk).
🚿 Muddy Paws Welcome: An outdoor cold-water dog shower with towels and shampoo provided.
🔥 Cosy Log Burner: A rustic lounge with a log burner —perfect for humans and hounds to enjoy.
🔌 EV Charging: Type 2 “Plug and Go” charger on-site for a stress-free trip.
- Short breaks throughout the year and flexible with arrival and departure dates!
Additional information
| Barbeque on Site | Barbeque |
|---|---|
| Beds | 4 Beds |
| Dogs | 3 Dogs |
| Garden | Enclosed garden to 1.2 metres (see through) fencing and lockable gate |
| Location | North Yorkshire |
| Bathrooms | One Bathroom |
| Parking | Off road parking for 2 cars |
| Reactive Friendly Dog Rating | 3 Star Reactive Dog Friendly (see below) |
| Secure Dog Paddock | Two paddocks 115cm high with 5 wooden horizontal beams |
| Sleeps | Sleeps 5 |
| Smoking | Smoke Free Property |
| WiFi | Broadband & WiFi Available |
| EV Charger | EV Charger on Site |
| Grooming | Outside cold water dog shower |
Reactive Dog Guide
Kirkdale Cottage is a great choice for many reactive or sensitive dogs, thanks to its peaceful rural setting, enclosed spaces and walking opportunities from the door. Here are some key points to help you decide if it’s suitable for your dog(s): Position and Outlook: Kirkdale Cottage is tucked away down a private road. It feels quiet and tranquil, with big skies and a strong sense of being in nature. There is farmland and open fields around, so you may see livestock and farm traffic. Garden Accessibility and Fencing: Kirdale Cottage has its own private enclosed garden, with approx 1 metre stone wall / fencing and lockable gate (new for 2026). Suitable for most dogs who are used to standard garden fencing. Guests are also welcome to use the shared courtyard garden and grounds and the enclosed dog exercise paddocks. The paddocks are fenced and gated and offer a large space to run, play and burn off energy, but are not “escape-proof” for determined jumpers or climbers or small dogs Neighbouring Houses: Sproxton Hall Cottages sit slightly away from the main village, on a private lane with a working farm opposite. There are 3 other holiday cottages on site with shared use of grounds including the paddocks plus the owners cottages. Passing Traffic There is some coming and going from other cottage guests and the owners, plus farm vehicles along the lane, but there is no through-traffic and the setting feels very peaceful. Quiet Walks from the Doorstep From the cottage, you can walk straight into the countryside along the Ebor Way, including to Helmsley. The cottage contains walking guides including nearby forest trails that are ideal if your dog prefers quieter walks away from crowds and traffic. In early November or New Year holidays, this rural setting is a tranquil escape from firework displays – though, as always nothing can be 100% guaranteed. If you have specific questions about a very reactive dog, please get in touch and we’ll happily talk through suitability in more detail.
Accessibility guide
Kirkdale Cottage is a traditional countryside cottage: Parking is on a flat gravel parking area and disabled guests are welcome to park closer to the cottage in the courtyard.Headline points:Parking is on a flat gravel drive/courtyard close to the cottage entranceAccess is via a short walk from the parking areaInternal layout includes standard cottage features (doorways and circulation typical of an older property)Stairs are present inside the cottage (all bedrooms and the bathroom are upstairs)If you or a member of your party has particular mobility needs, please contact Gail before booking so we can check whether it is suitable and answer any specific questions.
Location & Directions
Making Yourself at Home
When you arrive, follow the private lane through the stone pillars—it feels like you're entering a secret world! You can pull right into the courtyard to unload your luggage and the dogs. The ground floor has hard floors throughout, so you don't have to worry about a bit of Yorkshire mud.
Living & Dining
The living room is a real showstopper with its massive historic beams and original 18th-century stonework. It’s the kind of room that feels like a warm hug. You can fire up the log burner (we’ll leave you a basket of logs to get you started) and sink into the comfy sofas while the dogs snooze.
The kitchen is lovely and spacious—perfect if you've brought the whole family. It's got everything you need for a long stay, including a dishwasher and washing machine. There’s a nice big dining table for mapping out your next moorland hike over breakfast.
Bedrooms & Bathroom
Heading upstairs you’ll find:
The Master: A generous King bedroom (we can split this into two singles if you prefer).
The Guest Rooms: A comfortable double and a sweet single bedroom.
The Bathroom: A modern family shower room with a walk-in shower cubicle (no bath).
🌳 Garden & Paddock Life
We are so excited about the NEW garden for 2026! Directly in front of Kirkdale, you have your own private, 'L' shaped enclosed space. It's a mix of paving and gravel, surrounded by a 1.2 metre fencing / wall with a lockable gate.
Beyond your private garden, you have access to the two large exercise paddocks. These are gated and fenced to 115cm with 5 wooden beams. It’s a huge space where you can let the dogs off the lead. In summer, you can even enjoy a game of outdoor table tennis on the large shared lawn! There is a BBQ area in the shared grounds too.
🐾 Reactive Dog Guide
Kirkdale is a 3-Star Reactive Friendly property. It’s located on a private lane with no through-traffic.
Safe Arrival: You can park in the courtyard right at the door to unload, keeping things calm.
Quiet Walks: The Ebor Way is right there, and we can point you toward quiet forest trails just a short drive away if your dog prefers to avoid the crowds.
🦴 For Your Pack & Hoomans
For Dogs: Up to 3 dogs stay free. We provide sofa throws, dog towels, bowls, drying mitts, and poo bags.
For Humans: Free Wi-Fi, bed linen, fluffy towels, and a welcome pack of tea, coffee, and sugar.
🗺️ Exploring Helmsley
Dining Out: Helmsley is dog-friendly central! Try the Beadlam Grange Farm Shop for a local deli treat or The Feathers for a pint.
Attractions: Helmsley Castle and the Walled Garden are must-visits. For a longer stroll, take the Cleveland Way to Rievaulx Abbey.
❓ FAQs
What time is check-out? Check-in is from 4pm, and check-out is by 9.30am to allow our team to get the cottage sparkling for the next guests.
Is there a freezer? Yes, there is a full-size fridge freezer in the kitchen—perfect if you need to store raw dog food!
Outside
Guests at Kirkdale enjoy:
The fully enclosed NEW garden which is directly in front of the cottage. There is a stone wall on one side (1 metre high) with a wooden entrance gate (1 metre high). The remaining enclosed area is fenced around completely. The garden is 'L' shaped and will be grassed and paved.
Use of the garden area outside the cottages
Large lawned area with picnic benches
Access to two enclosed dog exercise paddocks (see below)
Outdoor dog shower with towels and shampoo
- Enclosed dog exercise paddocks – two large, fenced and gated area where dogs can enjoy off-lead time while you sit and enjoy the views. The paddocks are enclosed, but not guaranteed escape-proof for determined jumpers, climbers or small dogs, so please ask if you need more details. The perimeter fences on the two dog paddocks are 115cm high and have 5 wooden horizontal beams. The dividing fence between the two dog paddocks is lower (80-86 cms). The paddocks are V meshed fencing.
What We Provide
A Warm Welcome
- Hard floors downstairs
Bed linen & towels
- Central heating
Tea towels
Tea, coffee, sugar and basic kitchen essentials
Free WiFi
- Welcome basket of logs and lighters for the woodburner
Heating & hot water
- Books and board games, walking guides and books / maps
Cottage Facilities
Oven & hob
Microwave, toaster, kettle
Full-size fridge freezer
Dishwasher
Washing machine
TV
Cot & high chair (on request)
Log burner
Central heating
Parking for 2 cars
EV charger (Type 2)
There is a small supermarket less than 2 miles away, plus a bakery, delicatessen and a farm shop at Beadlam Grange. Helmsley has a wide range of shops, pubs and cafes.
And for Our Dog Guests
We are truly dog-friendly:
Up to 3 dogs (free of charge). We welcome dogs everywhere in the cottage, other than in bedrooms
Access to two enclosed dog paddocks
Outdoor cold water dog shower with towels & shampoo
Throws for sofas
Dog towels, bowls, drying mitts & poo bags
We can also point you towards:
Dog-friendly walks from the door
Quiet forest and moorland trails a short drive away
Dog-friendly pubs, cafes and beaches within driving distance
Out and About
- Guests who have stayed, have enjoyed Michelin star dining in nearby Harome, Oldstead and Hovingham.
- York is approximately 20 miles away and has been voted Britain's most popular city due to its castle, walls, museums, shops and Minster; it is particularly popular with our guests whatever the weather.
- The picturesque steam railway from Pickering crosses Goathland/Heartbeat country to the coast at Whitby.
- Following in the footsteps of James Herriot, guests can visit the museum at his former vets surgery in nearby Thirsk, admire his ‘finest view in England’ at Sutton Bank and explore the film locations on a day out in the Yorkshire Dales.
Please Note
Non-smoking property
Dogs welcome throughout the cottage except in bedrooms
Dogs may relax on sofas with provided throws
- The cottages are surrounded by farmland in an agricultural community, so expect typical farm sights (including livestock) sounds and smells
Dogs must be on a lead in shared grounds except in the paddocks
Please clean up after your dogs
No fireworks or lanterns due to livestock
If you’re travelling with reactive or nervous dogs, or a larger pack, just ask and we’ll help advise.
For grocery deliveries, use:
Bransdale Cottage, Sproxton, York YO62 5EQtable
Book Now
Available start dates are in blue circles. To book please select your desired start date.
This calendar shows you all our up to date availability for all properties and you can use the scroll forward to look at future months availability. Click on a start date to see the price. If you are looking for a different arrival date or not too sure what you are looking for, do give me a call or email me gail@packholidays.co.uk / 079 353 75899
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