Useful Information

Our aim is for guests to feel totally at home at The Old Vicarage and we do our best to anticipate the sort of things that will make your stay as easy and comfortable as possible.

We also think it is useful to know what you will find before you get here – it helps with the packing and planning! However, if you have any questions or need to discuss anything then please get in touch. 

Bedding and towels

Good quality linen and towels are provided and each bed is made up with a luxury duvet and two pillows per person, with additional cushions and throws. If you have any allergy issues, please contact us in advance to see how we can help. Waterproof mattress covers are also available at the property, so please call us either before or during your stay if you feel they may be needed.

Please bring your own sports/swimming towels. 

Toiletries

Complimentary toiletries such as handwash, shampoo, conditioner and moisturising lotions are provided in each bathroom. 

Welcome hamper

When you have been travelling, we know how nice it is to be able to make a refreshing drink or snack when you first arrive at a holiday destination. For this reason, we have put together a welcome hamper with our compliments. Typically, this will contain: tea, coffee, cereals, local bread, butter, cheese, jam, chocolates and biscuits, as well as juice, milk, and a selection of fresh fruit. We will also pick some fresh flowers for you. 

Luxury hampers

If you are looking for the ultimate in treats, why not order a luxury hamper or selection of local food to dip into during your holiday? Weetons of Harrogate stocks over 1,000 lines of finest Yorkshire produce and supplies a range of hampers to suit all tastes. For more information, visit: www.weetons.com

Catering and household

As well as having a dishwasher, fridge, gas range cooker and microwave, the kitchen is well-equipped with crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils. The adjoining utility room has a washing machine, tumble dryer and freezer. We supply washing-up liquid, dishwasher tablets and general cleaning equipment but you are asked to bring your own detergent for the washing machine. 

Outside catering

Sometimes – especially for a big group – it’s a relief to hand over the catering to someone else, either as a one-off treat or if you are celebrating a special event such as a birthday or anniversary. There are several professional catering firms locally who can serve quality food to meet your requirements.

• Henny's Kitchen - Henny is a freelance chef specialising in private dinner parties and also group lessons, chocolates and fine dining. Tel 07711 016567. Email:yum@hennyskitchen.co.uk. www.hennyskitchen.co.uk
• The Yorkshire Party Company – One of the region's top catering companies and known for imaginative food served by professional staff. They provide a tailor-made service and will help you design a menu or party theme. Telephone: 01765 641920.  www.yorkshireparty.co.uk 
• Lady G (Georgina Anderson) - Georgina is a trained cordon bleu chef who specialises in holiday catering. This can be a special lunch or dinner party, cooked and served for you with waiting staff provided or a drop-off service. Telephone: 07957 144467.  www.ladygscookery.co.uk
• Edwina's Cakes - Based in Richmond, this shop stocks a range of birthday and novelty cakes and will also create something to your own specifications. Tel: 01748 826622.
• Angel's Share - based in The Station at Richmond, Alex and her team at this award-winning bakery and delicatessen prepare delicious quiches, pies and scrumptious desserts. Great if you don't fancy cooking but you are in a large group. At least a couple of days notice is needed. Food is presented on boards and boxed for easy transportation. Tel: 01748 828261. www.theangelssharebakery.com

Online groceries and supermarkets

We know that when you are packing to go on holiday, the car can get pretty full. This is why some of our guests like to pre-order their groceries using supermarket delivery services. One of the attractions of The Old Vicarage is its rural location but this also means that the nearest supermarkets of any size (Lidl at Richmond, Tesco at Catterick, or Campbells at Leyburn) are 7-10 miles away, although there are smaller local shops at nearby Reeth, where you can buy basic groceries.

The nearest large supermarkets are Lidl at Richmond and the Tesco store at Catterick. Campbells at Leyburn is also a useful independent grocers and has a good butchery and an amazing 'off licence' department .

Tesco, Sainsburys and Asda all deliver to The Old Vicarage. If you would like any help organising a delivery service then please call us . Also, usually on Friday (your day of arrival), we can arrange to be available to receive the shopping on your behalf.

Markets

Richmond has an outdoor market on Saturday with an additional Farmers' Market on every third Saturday of the month. Here you can buy fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese and fish. Market day in Leyburn is Friday.

Photographers

Maybe you would like your special celebration to be recorded by a professional photographer? A recent guest used Gareth Seaborne from Bedale (07760827140) and loved his approach. We can help you locate others as well if necessary

Heating and electricity

Heating, electricity and logs for the fire in the living room are included in the cost of your holiday. 

Young children and babies

We can provide a highchair and travel cot if you are travelling with a baby, although we ask that you bring your own cot bedding. Please let us know when booking so that we can have items in place for your arrival.

Pets

We don’t make a charge for bringing dogs to the property and have converted an annexe adjoining the utility room into a special pet room for them to occupy. It opens onto the courtyard which is enclosed on three sides by buildings and a gate, and on the fourth by a wall and bank. This room has a clean linoleum floor, water tap just outside the door, window and secure external door. It is also equipped with a dog basket and heated pad, although owners may choose to bring their own. In the interest of hygiene, please bring your own soft bedding. 

We pride ourselves on the fact that The Old Vicarage is beautifully furnished and most of our guests are more than happy to respect our policy of no dogs in the house itself – other than in the room allocated. This ensures that things are kept fresh and allergy free for all visitors. Guests are also respectfully asked to clean up after their dogs in the pet room and outside the property and make sure that they are fully supervised when in the garden. 

If you would like to bring another type of pet then please discuss this with us at the booking stage so that we can advise you on whether or not the accommodation is suitable. 

We have had many happy dogs at The Old Vicarage, who appreciate the wonderful open spaces and no neighbours!

Smoking policy

Smoking is not allowed in the property at any time. If smoking outside, please dispose of your cigarette ends in the recycling rubbish container in the shed.

Recreational equipment

At some point during your visit, you will probably want to spend some time in The Old Vicarage’s spacious garden. There are plenty of seats and facilities for al fresco dining, together with football nets for an impromptu game. There is also ample room in the outbuildings to store bikes or other outdoor gear that you bring with you. 

At our pool, there is a comprehensive collection of inflatable swim toys plus all the usual aids for swimming and aqua aerobics. We also provide tennis rackets and balls. 

Study/business facilities

Tucked away on the ground floor is a separate study – ideal for a bit of undisturbed reading or writing. Free Wi-fi also makes it possible to catch up on any essential business with the outside world.   

Sky television

Sky television is available together with a blue tooth speaker and BOSE CD/radio in the dining room.

Telephones

Mobile telephone coverage is patchy in this part of the Yorkshire Dales, depending on the network you subscribe to, but you will probably find some coverage for your network around the property - please experiment on arrival! However, for emergency use only, The Old Vicarage has a telephone which also takes incoming calls. The number is: 01748 884514.

The Wi-fi is good at The Old Vicarage and therefore you can successfully phone out or take calls on your mobiles using What's App and FaceTime. This is also the case at the leisure facilities.

Access and parking

One of the best features of The Old Vicarage is its fabulous location at the heart of stunning rural countryside. Set within its own grounds, it is surrounded by flowering meadows and woodland, and you can enjoy perfect peace and tranquility.

When arriving by car, the very last section of the approach is via an unmade farm track. This is perfectly navigable but does require careful driving at slow speeds, especially during the winter months. There is ample parking at the property and you are able to get your vehicle close to the main entrance of the house.