Duck Cottage

61 Customer Reviews

• "Duck Cottage was perfect for our needs."

  The owners went that extra mile to make it as welcoming as possible. The cottage is beautiful and so well equipped. The kitchen was so well stocked with pots, pans and utensils it was a lovely to be able to cook without struggling to find anything. The beds were comfy and our dog Leo loved the enclosed garden. We would highly recommend and will not hesitate to return. Stephen, Aileen and Leo the Lhasa Apso.

  Reviewed by Stephen4.7★Sep 2024

• "This is a lovely property and we’ve stayed here twice now."

  It’s a lovely location and very convenient for visiting Yorkshire and beyond. On the whole we enjoyed our stay but this time we were unfortunately disappointed with the cleanliness of the crockery, the grill pans were all greasy and bits of burnt stuff in them, the frying pans were all burnt and warped and the cupboard storing them was all broken. Both showers and the sinks did not drain properly and almost flooded over on several occasions and so we couldn’t properly shower or enjoy a nice shower .. since we stayed last time we felt the place needed a deep clean. All that said, this IS a lovely cottage and one in which the owners have obviously invested a lot of money in. The linen was all clean and fresh and there was a lovely welcome basket with doggy treats for our dog when we arrived which was nice. This property has nice amenities like a dish washer and washing machine, sky tv etc … it’s very comfortable although maybe the sofas could be freshened? The property is in an ideal location for setting off on day trips with the dales and the A1 nearby … all in all we enjoyed our stay and I have to say when I notified the owners about the issues above they replied promptly and said they were on to it. I hope they do because all this property needs is regular TLC and maybe renewing pots and pans every so often! Thanks for the stay x

  Reviewed by Andrew3.8★Sep 2024

• "Plumbing: both showers and the en-suite basin had blocked waste traps."

  Health and safety: the shower tray in the en-suite is on a plinth but there is no grab rail. The back patio has a dangerous step between levels - the edge should be painted white. Disturbance: building work is taking place next door on the left and a few doors away on the right. It should be made clear that tge village pub does NOT serve food,

  Reviewed by Andrew2.5★Sep 2024

• "The cottage was beautiful."

  It was cosy & comfortable & really well furnished. The area was pretty with walks close by & Richmond just a short drive away. The only negative & it’s a big one - the entry time at 17:00 & exit time at 10:00 is ridiculous. Sykes need to seriously consider easing these times.

  Reviewed by Keith5.0★Aug 2024

• "The name of the house "Duck" is not to do with the bird but to do with ducking under something!"

  in this case the back door out into the wonderful cute garden! REALLY REALLY REALLY great place and location. ABSOLUTELY loved it and was just right for 3 people who needed their own rooms! Was slightly put off with the downstairs toilet being right in the entrance way and the kitchen not connecting with the dining room directly - you had to go through the sitting room into the dining room. Only two minus points! Other than that WOW ...felt like it had only been newly furnished last week! Upstairs the bedrooms were great en suite in one case and the other two shared a wonderful spacious bathroom. Want some mats in the shower though or something to hold on to! And loved the warm towels even in summer!!! Would love some original pictures on the walls of the area or further afield. Something to go in search of! The local "pub" was a bit of a disappointment - more a bar so designated driver a must in order to go in search of a good place to nosh and wet the whistle. CERTAINLY would like to stay there again!

  Reviewed by Scobie-john4.4★Aug 2024

• "Beautiful cosy cottage nestled in a lovely quiet backwater of Melsonby."

  Duck Cottage was so well equipped and every comfort of home was there, including very comfortable beds where we all slept so well. The garden was the best garden we’ve ever had over many years of cottage booking. Very well established and so well cared for. Our little spaniel loved it. All in all a perfect stay - but be aware it’s called Duck Cottage for good reason. Husband still has the lump on his head to prove it.

  Reviewed by Gillian5.0★Jul 2024

• "This is a delightful well restored and well maintained cottage."

  Facilities are excellent and exactly as described, the welcome pack was a pleasant surprise. The garden is complete enclosed, so our two small dogs could wander safely. The heating is efficient and makes the house very comfortable. A small issue with the dishwasher which was resolved quickly by our hosts, who kept in touch and this was really appreciated. The village is very friendly, especially the local pub and the surrounding area is beautiful with walks, waterfalls and plenty of other attractions/ Strongly recommended, we hope to visit again soon.

  Reviewed by Gary5.0★Jul 2024

• "The dishwasher was broken, but everything else was fantastic"

  Reviewed by Alison4.7★Jun 2024

• "A cosy cottage in a beautiful area of Yorkshire."

  Very nicely furnished and well equipped for a comfortable stay.

  Reviewed by Elaine5.0★Jun 2024

• "Duck Cottage has been beautifully renovated and decorated."

  The kitchen is well equipped and we appreciated the provision of dishwasher tablets and washing up liquid. I was somewhat concerned by the idea of electric heaters (after a negative experience in a previous holiday rental home), however the house was very warm - we didn't need to switch the heaters on upstairs and often turned them down downstairs! We didn't use the wood burning stove as the cottage was so cosy without it. The doorways within the house reflect it's age - I think this adds to the charm, but you will have to remember to duck if you're tall! The road in front of the house is narrow and parking is right outside. Lots to do and see in the area including a number of waterfalls (our favourite!) within an hours drive. Overall we would highly recommend this as a holiday rental.

  Reviewed by Maeve5.0★Apr 2024

• "The cottage has been beautifully restored and decorated."

  The three bedrooms are all of a good size as was the bathroom and en-suite, however there really wasn’t enough room downstairs for 6 adults and the kitchen was really only large enough for one person to cook/clear up etc. I would certainly recommend this cottage, but maybe only for a maximum of 4 adults.

  Reviewed by Norma3.8★Mar 2024

• "Duck Cottage is a lovely cozy place to stay."

  There are very steep steps up to the garden which our older dog and members of our party found a little difficult. The Cottage is easy to find and is very well equipped. We got a lovely welcome message from the owners on our first night and the welcome pack wad a lovely touch. Really enjoyed our stay

  Reviewed by Joanne4.4★Mar 2024

• "Gorgeous cottage, very well equipped and exceptionally clean."

  It's in a lovely village in the Dale's and very accessible as just minutes off the A66. Would definitely book again. Parking is bit of an issue as very narrow lane but there is space one road over and cars visible from the cottage so not a big challenge. Richmond really close and lovely market town worth a visit.

  Reviewed by Lesley5.0★Mar 2024

• "Our main issue was the very late check in time."

  I do not know if this a Sykes or Owner mandated time. Pre COVID it was always 1500, then 1600 due to longer cleaning times and now 1700. In winter this is way too late. It's dark, the key pad is unlit and there is insufficient time to go out and get anything essential if needed. Other than that, the cottage was absolutely fine and just as described. A minor observation is that there was only one hand soap in the kitchen and none in the 3 bathrooms. But there was washing up liquid and dish washer tablets, so overall it was OK. We had a minor issue with the washing machine which the owner swiftly fixed - someone had turned off a second water flow tap! We would definitely recommend this cottage and rent again when we next need a week in Melsonby.

  Reviewed by Peter5.0★Nov 2023

• "The main bathroom shower was very weak flow and the toilet flush so ..."

  The main bathroom shower was very weak flow and the toilet flush so temperamental we couldn’t use it which was a problem at night , also the skylight next to the toilet leaked rain +++ during a storm Very well equipped kitchen however having a power cut due to a storm a torch / tea light or candle would have been very useful Very comfortable and warm cottage otherwise Shame the pub didn’t do food as it was lovely and friendly

  Reviewed by Nigel David4.1★Nov 2023

• "Had a wonderful time at duck cottage."

  Really comfortable and we'll presented. Black bull pub just a short walk is brilliant Neil really looked after us. Richmond town is well worth a visit and castle to would definitely return.

  Reviewed by Vicky5.0★Sep 2023

• "A splendid little cottage with all facilities."

  Reviewed by Patrick5.0★Jul 2023

• "Really lovely, comfortable cottage with nice outdoor space that worked well with the dogs."

  One of the best equipped cottage’s we’ve stayed in. The only negatives is that the dining room felt too cramped to really use and the tumble drier was a bit weird. Would definitely recommend this cottage to others - we had a lovely relaxing break.

  Reviewed by Kirsten4.7★Jun 2023

• "We have stayed in quite a few cottages and this one was one of the best we have stayed in, it had everything you could wish for to make your stay as comfortable as possible and is a credit to the owners."

  Reviewed by Graham5.0★Jun 2023

• "The property was great really enjoyed the cottage and our stay."

  The main toilet caused our disabled son some issues as the flushing mechanism was faulty but apart from that our stay was great and we would recommend it to future customers.

  Reviewed by Steven4.7★May 2023

• "A beautiful cottage, very comfy and cosy."

  Well equipped and with lovely outdoor space. Surrounded by picturesque countryside and interesting villages.

  Reviewed by Elaine5.0★May 2023

• "Beautiful cottage and extremely comfortable."

  Village is peaceful and friendly locals. Welcome pack was well thought about and included treats for our dogs. We would love to return one day and highly recommend to others.

  Reviewed by Nicola5.0★Apr 2023

• "Beautiful cosy cottage with lots of character."

  Very well equipped and furnished. Great place to stay with our small dog. It wasn’t the right time of year to fully enjoy the outdoor areas but well appointed too. Generous welcome pack of groceries and wine. Lock box makes arrival and leaving very easy. Well positioned for some lovely days out in Yorkshire and County Durham

  Reviewed by Anna5.0★Apr 2023

• "Lovely cosy cottage with all facilities available, very comfortable and clean."

  The welcome pack was great even included dog chews.

  Reviewed by Roberta4.7★Mar 2023

• "Delightful cottage: warm, cosy, comfortable and well equipped."

  Very pleased to receive the wonderful welcome pack. Prompt and friendly help from owner John when we had a minor problem. We really enjoyed our stay.

  Reviewed by Ian5.0★Feb 2023

• "A lovely cottage in a fab location."

  Small issues for us are the cleanliness of the furniture and general smell of “dogs”. Carpets and settees needed a thorough deep clean. Overall good but could be fantastic.

  Reviewed by Mark3.1★Feb 2023

• "We had a wonderful time, the locals and the area were so welcoming and friendly."

  The cottage itself was beautiful although for 4 adults 2 children and 2 dogs it was a bit of a squeeze. Not much room for footwear in the winter months, enough for 1 pair per person however at this time of year you need to be prepared for the elements. it's been a lovely week, we would certainly return although this would likely be as a smaller group. A perfectly relaxing week, home from home with no hassle. X

  Reviewed by Susanne3.1★Nov 2022

• "Thank you for our stay at Duck Cottage."

  It is a really comfy and homely cottage, which was perfect for our short stay with our dogs. The garden was safe - it was a shame we didn’t stay longer so we could make the most of the outside facilities too. We will certainly recommend Duck cottage to friends.

  Reviewed by Claire5.0★Oct 2022

• "Lovely cottage clean and very cosy people around were very friendly the welcome ..."

  Lovely cottage clean and very cosy people around were very friendly the welcome pack was really appreciated would recommend it to all our friends

  Reviewed by Philip5.0★Oct 2022

• "Lovely cottage."

  Outside area was great but we weren't able to use it as much as we'd like because of the weather. Our dog really liked the garden. Comfortable and can't really think of anything that was lacking. Low beams as always in a cottage but warnings in the welcome pack restricted hitting door frames too often! Good location for getting out to other parts of Yorkshire. A guide to more local dog walks would have been helpful

  Reviewed by Allan4.7★Sep 2022

• "A beautiful cottage in a lovely, friendly village."

  The cottage had everything we needed and more!! It was of the highest quality and standard and was an ideal base for exploring. After a busy day out it was lovely to come back and relax in such a gorgeous cottage.

  Reviewed by Rachel5.0★Aug 2022

• "Beautiful Cottage, wonderfully equipped and stylishly furnished."

  Excellent base for touring both the Dales and the Moors. HIGHLY recommended!

  Reviewed by Richard5.0★Aug 2022

• "We thought Duck cottage was lovely…very peaceful and with a beautiful secure garden which is hard to find in holiday lets for small dogs."

  That made a big difference and would encourage me to book the property again. The cottage was very clean and well finished with lovely character features. The owners replied to any queries we had very quickly. Overall we really enjoyed our time and I’d recommend it to anyone. If asked for any slight negatives, no cleaning cloths were provided to wipe surfaces and we forgot to pick these up in the local supermarket. I also thought it was unusual to be asked to strip the beds before we left. We’ve never had to do that in holiday cottages before and it was just an extra thing to do whilst trying to get packed up. These are just small things though. Overall its a beautiful property in a very peaceful and picturesque village and we hope to return.

  Reviewed by Estelle5.0★Jul 2022

• "This was a beautiful cottage in a lovely, peaceful village."

  The cottage had everything we needed, and more, and provided the perfect place for us to base ourselves in whilst exploring the area. Overall, the cottage was beautifully clean and comfortable; however I did give the microwave a quick once over before I was happy to use it and the pot provided in the main bathroom to keep toothbrushes in had some stale water in the bottom so I just moved it out of the way.

  Reviewed by Sarah4.7★Jul 2022

• "Although sleeping accommodation was fine for 6 people, it would have been a squash for 6 adults to comfortably sit in the living room."

  A lovely cottage and great contact with the owners. Well positioned to visit numerous attractions and towns in the area. A very friendly village. It would have been really helpful to have an ordnance survey map of the area to help with finding foot path routes for the dog walk.

  Reviewed by Darren4.4★Jun 2022

• "Fantastic cottage."

  Very clean. Very well appointed. Could not fault it.

  Reviewed by Jason5.0★Jun 2022

• "The cottage exceeded our expectations."

  It was comfortable, well equipped and had plenty of space. The garden was really attractive and provided a secluded, relaxing place to enjoy the sunshine and birdsong.

  Reviewed by Xenia5.0★May 2022

• "Best cottage we have ever stayed in, has everything you could possibly need, the welcome pack is such a lovely idea."

  The cottage has been renovated to a fantastic standard, didn't want to leave. Would highly recommend and would definately love to stay again.

  Reviewed by Victoria5.0★Apr 2022

• "We were very happy with our stay at Duck cottage."

  The cottage was very comfortable and had everything that we needed including a lovely welcome pack which included a bottle of wine which was very enjoyable. The village was lovely and there was a pub within a few hundred metres of the cottage. Would certainly recommend Duck cottage.

  Reviewed by Tony5.0★Apr 2022

• "Lovely cottage in a lovely village, handy for touring around Yorkshire or just chilling out ."

  Only downside was the narrow road outside the cottage. I have a small car , was parked up on the gravel off road and still got my car dented and scratched along the wheel arch and door by someone squeezing past.Not that they let me know . Just be careful of this and maybe park along at end of road .

  Reviewed by Julie5.0★Mar 2022

• "We had a little problem with a water leek , the owner was quick to sort it , it was no one fault just one of those things."

  Cottage was lovley

  Reviewed by Judith5.0★Feb 2022

• "The property had wood worm the beams in bedroom was dropping wood on to us in ..."

  The property had wood worm the beams in bedroom was dropping wood on to us in bed meaning we had to sleep on the sofa the out building seats were moldey heater didn’t work wasn’t clean to our standard on arrival then after leaving accused of smoking in the property which is absolutely rubbish because we had candles they assume we were smoking we would not recommend anyone after this

  Thankyou for your feedback and we are sorry that you felt inclined to post this after staying in Duck Cottage. We hope that anyone reading this will make their own judgement based on the overall feedback on the quality of Duck Cottage. We want ALL of our guests to enjoy their stay at this property and request NO SMOKING to avoid the unpleasant and VERY distinctive stale odour which remains and can spoil the experience for future guests. The house is a Grade 2 listed property. All the wood beams have been treated and retained to keep the character of the property which we know many guests have enjoyed and hope many more will continue to enjoy. In relation to the infra-red heater in the external den, we have checked and this is working fine. It is an external covered area which is expected to be used more to enjoy long summer evenings rather than in the middle of winter. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Jane1.3★Jan 2022

• "Duck Cottage is absolutely beautiful and we had a lovely stay."

  The owners were super quick at communication and nothing was too much trouble. We would love to stay again.

  Reviewed by Laura5.0★Dec 2021

• "Such an amazing cottage, very clean, well equipped, great location ( the lane it’s on is a bit tight tho) the outside chill out barn is fantastic, heating in there too."

  Bedrooms are roomy, en suite lovely, bathroom very roomy

  Reviewed by Colin5.0★Nov 2021

• "Lovely cottage."

  One of the best we have stayed in. Renovated to high standard. Warm and cozy. We had a great time, walked almost everyday in the stunning Yorkshire Dales. Loved the Fish and Chip van on the Thursday evening. Loved the outdoor space as did our Labrador puppy. We will definitely return to Duck Cottage soon.

  Reviewed by Timothy5.0★Oct 2021

• "High spec cottage."

  Very comfortable. In a lovely village with easy access to main roads and Richmond.

  Reviewed by Colette5.0★Oct 2021

• "Beautiful cottage, very clean and comfortable, had everything we needed."

  Welcome pack was a nice touch. Would definitely stay here again.

  Reviewed by Amanda5.0★Sep 2021

• "Great cottage,Dog safe lovely little village."

  Only Downside had to travel to get to any restaurants and shops across A66.Nice friendly pub in the Village but no food .

  Reviewed by David4.1★Aug 2021

• "Lovely house, brilliant pub."

  So friendly and nice. Really nice dog walks through the fields.

  Reviewed by Andrew5.0★Aug 2021

• "Lovely stay in this cottage - although as the name suggests a few bumps on the head due to the low door height."

  Comfy beds and good quality towels. Plenty of equipment in the kitchen and the wine cooler came in handy. Outdoor space super, although we did keep our dog on his lead due to being able to get onto the outdoor shed roof. Village very friendly and a lovely park for the kids.

  Reviewed by Jane5.0★Jul 2021

• "Best cottage we have stayed in ideally situated in a pretty village easy to ..."

  Best cottage we have stayed in ideally situated in a pretty village easy to access all areas of the dalesand moors beautiful ateaysprvyaculst scenery

  Reviewed by Verity5.0★Jul 2021

• "Duck Cottage has been renovated to an extremely high standard & was cleaned thoroughly before our arrival."

  Comfortable beds & sofas and all crockery & utensils thought of. Melsonby is an ideal base for exploring the area. The parking in front of the house is okay as long as you pull in as close to the property as possible or you’ll block the road for other residents. The local pub, The Black Bull is a nice place & the locals are really friendly.

  Reviewed by Debbie5.0★Jun 2021

• "You listed King Size Bed with en-suite which is one of the reasons i booked the cottage, we ended up with small double bed with en-suite."

  My family are tall and ended up hitting their heads on small doorways and openings constantly throughout the stay, this should have been in description. No shops nearby, had to travel across busy roads to shops. Will not be visiting Melonsby again.

  Reviewed by Margi2.8★Jun 2021

• "The cottage is beautiful, the village is friendly, the local pub is the cleanest i have ever seen."

  Lovely area lovely people, cant wait to go back.

  Reviewed by Jacqui5.0★Jun 2021

• "Beautifully renovated and comfortable cottage in a quiet village with easy access to Richmond, Barnard Castle and the coast."

  Reviewed by Susan5.0★May 2021

• "This was a great cottage."

  A local shop would have added to it but know the circumstances of that. Lovely area and could not fault

  Reviewed by Sally4.4★May 2021

• "Duck cottage was so lovely!"

  The whole house was beautifully decorated and furnished. Comfortable sofas in the living room and spacious. Well equipped kitchen, with a lovely welcoming hamper, and even butter and milk in the fridge. Such a lovely touch. Also doggy treats and a dog bed, bowls and food mat where provided. Spacious dinning room. All bedrooms where beautifully furnished and very comfortable beds, with plenty of pillows. The bathroom was very nice, with a lovely large shower and slipper bath. Lovely garden, especially good for dogs, secure and plenty of room. The summer house was nice to relax in, with a heater and comfy seating. Everything was spotless and we felt very welcome. If you are looking for a relaxing break in a comfortable, stylish cottage, then Duck cottage is perfect for you. Highly recommend, and would definetly stay here again.

  Reviewed by Michael5.0★Apr 2021

• "Wow what an amazing cottage!"

  Totally exceeded our expectations and the welcome basket was a lovely touch. The cottage was spotless, very cosy and our dog loved zoomies in the beautiful garden. We did some great walks in the area and Richmond was a lovely day out. We will 100% return later this year. Thank you!

  Reviewed by Vanessa5.0★Apr 2021

• "The Cottage was simply stunning and I could live in it!"

  Home comforts with a little welcome pack was wonderful plus the village was so quiet and all residents very friendly. I would book again in this stunning and homely cottage.

  Reviewed by Adrian5.0★Dec 2020

• "Best cottage we have ever stayed in, so cosy and had everything you needed!"

  Reviewed by Lyndsay5.0★Oct 2020

• "Fantastic place better than we ever expected."

  The black bull pub well worth a visit loads of places to visit not to far away. Dog friendly nearly every where we went too

  Reviewed by Richard Grant5.0★Sep 2020

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