A tranquil welcome on the outskirts of York

Harmony House is a charming three-bedroom B&B just outside York, a substantial period property in a peaceful village setting. The three guest bedrooms are spacious and luxurious, all en-suite and beautifully appointed.

Harmony House is a charming red-brick property that dates back to the 17th century, with period features but very modern comforts. Accommodation is in three guest bedrooms in the main house. Cornflower is a double bedroom with both a walk-in shower and a vintage roll-top bath, while Great Burnet has a superking bed (that can also be made up as a twin), large bay windows and an extra-large ensuite shower. Both share views over The Green and Stillingfleet Beck, frequently patrolled by the resident barn owl. Poppy has exposed beams, a kingsized double bed and a sparkling ensuite shower room. In all rooms toiletries are by Cole and Lewis, bedroom furnishings by Willis and Gambier, TVs are all smart and silent fridges keep morning milk cool.

To maintain the relaxed, adult atmosphere children are only permitted in the main house if it’s a whole-house booking and dogs never are – though both are always welcome on a self-catering basis in the adjoining Willow Cottage.

 You’re not confined to your room. There’s a guest lounge downstairs and a reading nook on a gallery, and a sunny terrace that spills out from the Garden Room. Unusually, Harmony House leaves the choice of whether to include breakfast up to you, but if you do opt to stay on a B&B basis this is where breakfasts are served: delicious concoctions that use local ingredients to cater for every taste and diet. There’s a small lawned garden to the front of the house and a terrace to the side, with a further patio’d walled garden to the rear of the property. 

Through the day the Garden Room runs crafting workshops about once a month, so you can time your visit to pick up a new skill. See the full range of courses here. And if your skills fail on an unfamiliar venture Harmony House is licensed so you can drown disappointment in craft beers or selected wine. 

Despite being on the outskirts of York, Harmony House has plenty of easy walks from the door and superdark skies: on a clear night it’s a stargazer’s paradise.

Harmony House B&B suggests:

There’s further accommodation in Willow Cottage, a cute and quirky one bedroomed self-catered holiday cottage that’s adjacent to Harmony House. Unlike the main house this can accept dogs and, if they’re happy to sleep on a pull-down double bed in the lounge, children.