Guests say
Toad Hall is a charming, characterful cottage in an excellent location close to the centre of Helmsley, making it ideal for exploring North Yorkshire. Guests consistently praise its cosy atmosphere, well-equipped kitchen, comfortable beds, and convenient parking. The private terrace and garden are appreciated bonuses. Some guests note that the bedrooms, particularly the double, are small and may not suit four adults. A few maintenance and safety concerns are mentioned, but overall, the cottage offers a delightful and memorable stay for couples or small groups.
The cottage is frequently described as very clean and well-presented, with comfortable beds and quality bedding. A few minor issues with cleaning supplies and waste disposal were noted, but these did not detract significantly from the overall impression.
The location is highly praised, with guests loving the proximity to Helmsley's centre, local amenities, and the scenic surroundings. The cottage is ideally situated for exploring the town and the wider North Yorkshire area.
Guests find the cottage cosy and the beds comfortable, but several mention that the bedrooms, especially the double, are quite small and may not be ideal for four adults. The low ceilings upstairs may be an issue for taller guests.
The cottage is well-equipped and benefits from good parking and outdoor spaces. However, some guests experienced issues with heating controls, lack of certain cleaning equipment, minor maintenance niggles, and raised concerns about fire safety and boiler servicing.
The owner is described as friendly, responsive, and helpful, with prompt communication and assistance. While guests appreciated the warm welcome, there is no mention of gifts or special extras, so these cannot be guaranteed.
About this property
Toad Hall is a Grade II listed cottage yards from the main square in the heart of Helmsley, with private parking and enclosed patio..
Ground Floor:
Living room: 32" Freeview TV, Open Fire
Dining room: (2 Steps), French Doors Leading To Garden
Kitchen: (1 Step), Electric Oven, Induction Hob, Microwave, Washing Machine, Fridge
Bathroom: Bath, Toilet
First Floor:
Bedroom 1: Double (4ft 6in) Bed
Bedroom 2: 2 x Single (3ft) Beds
Shower Room: Cubicle Shower, Toilet.
Gas central heating, electricity, bed linen, towels and Wi-Fi included. Welcome pack.. Garden and enclosed patio with garden furniture and summerhouse. Bike store. Private parking for 2 cars. No smoking. Please note: There are steps to the walled area.. Toad Hall is a delightful Grade II listed cottage built from Helmsley castle stone, just yards from the main square in the centre of the beautiful market town of Helmsley, within the North York Moors National Park. Toad Hall has oozed character for over 350 years: from the moment you step inside, low doors and beams. The cosy living room is furnished with antique furniture and offers an open fire for those cooler nights. There’s comfortable seating around the fire for four people with two extra seats, allowing additional seating for visitors to enjoy a drink or cup of tea around the fire. To the rear of the property is a well-appointed dining room which then leads through to a bright and modern kitchen with electric oven and induction hob. The ground floor accommodation is completed with a family bathroom. On the first floor is a shower room tucked under the eaves, and two bedrooms which offer both twin and double/single accommodation. The double room is compact and very cosy and lies next to the shower room, it has a tall chest of drawers & hooks for hanging; the twin has a chest of drawers & a large cupboard/wardrobe where travel bags can be stored. These attractive cottage bedrooms have traditional low windows and beams and are in keeping with the era of the cottage.
From the dining room French doors lead out to an enclosed patio, which is the perfect location for an al fresco breakfast or an evening meal. From the patio there are steps leading up through a pretty garden. At the top of the steps you will find a sunny walled area with a summer house, a tranquil place for a drink in the evening sun or to enjoy your book. The stone shed provides storage for bikes, please bring your own padlock to secure. At the rear, next to the grassed area, there’s ample off-road private parking for two cars. Helmsley has excellent amenities all within a few minutes’ walk of the cottage. Visitors will be spoilt for choice with a fine selection of delis, restaurants, cafes and inns. Helmsley also has a reputation for great Yorkshire hospitality, and the market square is a focal meeting point for walker, cyclists and locals alike.
A visit to the walled garden, castle and the stately home of Duncombe Park, home to the National Bird of Prec Centre, are a must whilst visiting the area. With miles of footpaths and trails across the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors this area really is a walker’s paradise. Within easy access to York and its many world-renowned attractions as well as the east coast towns of Whitby, Filey and Scarborough, this cottage is sure to delight every visitor. This pretty cottage is ideally placed for a romantic break away for those looking to explore this stunning area by car, foot or bike. Toad Hall would also be an excellent choice for smaller families with children.
There are steps within the property.
There are steps to external facilities.
There are low ceilings, doors and/or beams within the property.
Grade II listed property
Fuel for the open is not provided, if you wish to use this facility please bring your own.
Nearby points of interest
- Rievaulx Abbey
- Nunnington Hall
- Ryedale Folk Museum
- Flamingo Land
- World of James Herriot
- Eden Camp Modern History Theme Museum
- Mathewsons Classic Cars
Reviews (17)
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Confirmed Guest
Toad hall is lovely, much charm and quirkiness in excellent location. The low ceilings upstairs were a problem, however, for my husband who is 6ft tall. All in all though a beautiful olde worlds cottage has charm in abundance, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay there.
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Rosemary Brain
A very cosy cottage with all necessary equipment - lovely comfy beds, and in an excellent location, and it was fantastic to have such good car parking.
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Confirmed Guest
In my opinion this property has serious issues with the almost total lack of fire detection equipment. Kitchen, dining area, lounge, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Only ONE smoke detector to cover all this with no evidence to indicate the detector is being routinely tested. I would have thought that a holiday let property should have a heat detector in the kitchen, smoke detectors in the lounge, dining area and both bedrooms as well as the stair landing. The stair is the only escape route from the bedrooms on the first floor and I believe it should have emergency lighting. The windows in both bedrooms appear to be jammed shut leaving the stair the only escape route. There is no door between the kitchen/dining area and the stair, to protect this critical escape route. I would have expected a 30min fire door. A document in the information pack appears to indicate that the gas boiler for hot water was last serviced on 22/01/25 and should have been serviced on or before 22/01/26. If the boiler has not been serviced it would suggest that the carbon monoxide detector has not been checked either. To be honest we were relieved to be leaving this property and going home. We would not return to this property in its present condition and could not recommend it to anyone.