Rough Top Cottage Yorkshire

Dogfriendly Magazine Review

Read our comprehensive review of this listing printed in our bi-monthly magazine.

Rough Top Cottage
Review by Lucinda Herbert

After a year of counting dog hairs on the carpet and barely venturing further than the local park, I was looking forward to a change of scene. I had drawn up plans for long rambling escapades through woodlands and waterfalls, but the weather was not on our side.

We arrive to an unseasonable swale of snow, hail, and wind, and I shiver beneath a wrap of dense winter woollies that in better years would be slumped in the back of a drawer by now. I am not built for these harsh conditions and what we end up having is a rather lazy relaxing break away from civilisation, which suits us nicely. Having exchanged several emails with the owner, Sandra, we meet upon arrival for a grand tour of the property. After a big sloppy kiss from their affectionate Golden Retriever, Jasper, we were left in peace.

My top priority when travelling is knowing that my dog will be treated as one of the family, and that is definitely the case here. Dogs are not just an afterthought, and there’s a large storage box filled with bits and bobs you may need during your stay – poo bags, shampoo, bowls, towels, and, very importantly, a hose by the front door for cleaning them up after those long muddy walks. Despite bringing an adequate supply of toys, the fresh tennis balls provided are just too much for a Springer Spaniel to resist. And what better way for her to lure me into the garden for a game of fetch. There is a decent-sized garden area provided especially for the dogs –it is completely fenced off with a secure gate.

The cottage is spacious with a traditional rustic interior that gives a real flavour of the countryside. The log fire is a gorgeous statement piece in the lounge, and the furniture is both comfortable and homely. There is a smart TV and DVD player, and a well-stocked bookcase full of films, books, and box-sets. As the snow comes down thick, it’s the perfect opportunity to load up the log fire and bask in its romantic glow with (locally filmed detective series) Happy Valley running in the background. We instantly feel at home in this cozy farmhouse cottage, and snuggle under a blanket on the sofa. It almost feels like Christmas, with Poppy curled up on the red rug. I imagine a stack of wrapped pressies under a tree with yuletide carols playing on the stereo. Poppy hasn’t seen snow like this for a long time and as I let her out for her evening ritual she dances as she catches snowflakes on her tongue and rolls on the frosted lawn. The spectacular scenery makes this a perfect place to get inspired if you’re of an artistic disposition. It’s worth noting that the landscapes in this area have inspired many a poet and painter, and it is also a popular location for film and television production.

You need only shuffle around the garden to appreciate the unspoiled greenery and endless rolling hills that flank the farmhouse from all directions. The majestic towering rocks of Bridestone moor are literally a stone’s throw from the driveway and tempt my partner, Brian, to head out with his Nikon DSLR camera with the bouncy Springer for company. Be prepared to keep your dog on a lead in some areas; there are more sheep on the road than cars and if you’re used to city life it will feel like a trip back in time. If you have an appetite for adventure and a good pair of walking boots, then the circular walk to Redmires Waterfall is a must.

The double bedroom is spacious with plenty of storage including a double wardrobe and chest of drawers and a traditional rocking chair. There is also a twin room and a single downstairs bedroom, both tastefully decorated and all with en-suite shower/WC. Dogs are not allowed in the bedrooms without prior agreement, so if your dog is used to sleeping in the bedroom (guilty!) then I would recommend speaking to the owners in advance. I quickly found they were very accommodating, and Poppy slept soundly in the blankets/throws provided.

The kitchen/diner is stylishly equipped with modern appliances as well as everything you need for a self-catering break. There’s room to seat eight at the large dining table and if you’re lucky enough to visit when the weather is fine you can open the patio doors and fire up the barbecue in the outdoor dining area. There is a small study area and Wi-Fi is provided at no extra charge.

Day two dawns, and while Brian visits Pennine Trout Fishery for a fruitful morning of fly fishing, Poppy is quite content to snuggle under the desk while I boot up the laptop for that work-from-home, away-from-home experience. As the sun threatens to emerge, we drive to Hebden Bridge for an afternoon of retail therapy. If you’re looking for familiar high street stores you won’t find them here – it’s the place to find sustainable brands, locally sourced produce, and perhaps discover something new. We pass a traditional pub called Shoulder of Mutton, over which hangs an oversized banner that reads ‘We Love Dogs’ – so expect a warm waggy welcome!

Locals shiver as they pretend to enjoy the al-fresco dining experience (no indoor dining permitted at this time), and despite the restrictions, the town is buzzing. Almost all the shops welcome dogs, and Poppy makes a game of getting store owners to part with biscuits and sausages by raising her paw. Heart Gallery are very liberal with gravy bones, and I love the creativity on display from local artists. BookCase is the place to sniff out quirky local interest books, from walking guides to ghost stories. I love clothes shopping and it’s so much more fun with my BFF (best furry friend) by my side! I find some gorgeous boutiques, including Fleur And Fauna which sells some of my favourite dog friendly clothing brands including Joules, Brakeburn and Lily & Me. I love the stylish range of bags, scarves, and jewellery at Tall Poppies, and Poppy seems to like it in here too. We also call in to traditional pet shop Menagerie – handy if you need any emergency supplies. When Poppy jumps on the counter I treat her to a pack of sausages, which she burns off with a run on Alder Holmes Park.

Overall, we had a pleasant and relaxing two nights at Rough Top Cottage. We didn’t have the action-packed adventure we’d planned, but the unexpected rest and relaxation was a very welcome change of pace. I would absolutely recommend Rough Top Cottage for a dog friendly Yorkshire break – we’ve already put down a deposit for a seven-night stay later in 2021.

Rough Top Cottage, review by Lucinda Herbert and appears in DogFriendly magazine issue 67.  For more information on the DogFriendly magazine visit https://www.dogfriendly.co.uk/magazine