This cosy bijou cottage is nestled in a traditional farming area once frequented by Emily Brontë. Enjoy the private garden with its panoramic views across Ponden Reservoir and the Pennines or strolling in our 13-acre wood.
Off-the-beaten-track with spectacular walks on its doorstep. Walk on the Brontë Way to the historic village of Haworth 3 miles away with its cobbled main street and independent shops, cafés, micro-bars, galleries, restaurants, & the Parsonage.
* Hot Tub booking as addition
The space
Midden Cottage is a quaint and cosy one-up-one-down with an extension bathroom and has been renovated over the years using pine and warm fittings, to contrast with the old and give it a feeling of light and warmth.
It is an lovely old building and has been renovated to keep its old rustic charm, with the addition of some mod cons for ease and comfort.
We have renovated it how we like it and, if you book to stay, we very much hope you like it too.
We provide a 'welcome basket', including a treat for your arrival and provisions for a "Continental" style breakfast for you to help yourselves to - including fruit, a choice of cereals and something for toasting and a combination of either jam, marmalade, honey / marmite.
Tea, coffee, sugar and a pint of fresh milk will be at the cottage for you to have refreshments when you get there, and during your stay - and there is also a cafetière for ground coffee.
We take pride in providing whatever guests may require for when staying in a self contained cottage, and we also use the cottage ourselves so feel we have an idea of what is useful to have there. We like to make the cottage a home from home - having simple though quality necessities, along with the odd luxury.
* There is an optional hot tub spa on the patio area of the private garden adjacent to the cottage. . This is a Lay-Z-Spa hot tub, with an airjet massage system, which can be booked separately.
[Unfortunately Airbnb do not have the provision to add extra things on their bookings system so I have needed to do this independently.]…
* The hot tub is filled with spring-water and we have fairy lights in the garden for a magical evening ‘under the stars’.
* We offer the hot tub spa is an optional extra as not all guests want to use it and it’s a big job to get ready, heat & maintain.
The hot tub can be booked at an additional amount, which is a nominal amount towards the actual costs - and we hope this will seem very reasonable to have a private hot tub / spa to yourselves.
We only charge for the hot tub for your arrival day, other days you may also use it but we don’t charge for it.
Over the summer period this will now be £60.
(Because of the rise in prices over recent years we have needed to add an additional amount in the winter/colder months of November to April so, in the winter months the cost will be £80.)
Towels are provided. Towelling robes can be booked as an optional extra @ £25 for 2 people.
* Please message me if you have any queries or if you would like to book the hot tub. Payment for this are usually sorted with me via bank transfer.
[An additional £25 would be appreciated if more than two people are staying and, the same additional premium would be appreciated over Christmas & the New Year period].
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*** By booking the hot tub you agree to read the information provided about it at the cottage, and to follow the guidance instructions for its use. ***
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More about the cottage…
The downstairs has part-mullioned casement windows, period Yorkstone flooring with an Indian rug in the centre of the living/dining area and a wood-burning stove to cosy up to in the evening.
The pine open plan staircase leads up to the bedroom/upstairs lounge area, which has two exposed wooden beams and a high (for its size) apex ceiling with skylight.
The upstairs is a light airy room with a raised pine, built-in, king size bed - with a step stool, if required, to assist in getting up and down from the bed.
The upstairs room is carpeted and also has a thick cream Berber wool rug for additional comfort and an electric heater provides instant heat for when needed.
A super comfy mattress, luxurious down duvet & pillows and, a duel controlled electric blanket add the finishing touches of comfort for your stay “The bed was like heaven”.
The cottage has some mod cons and touches for comfort whilst keeping a simple rustic charm.
This isn’t a ‘show home’ and is an ongoing project, with something always on the priority list of needing doing!
It has been renovated gradually over the years, sometimes in a rustic way, to keep its traditional features.
It has all the necessary amenities and more however, with certain quirkinesses of an older rustic conversion and there always seem to be plenty of things on our ‘never ending’ diy ‘to do list’.
We have tried to portray the cottage as it is - and hope that if you decide to book you will love it's character, along with all it's quirkinesses, and our artistic touches - from some local artists and craftsmen.
Practicalities...
The extension bathroom, on the ground floor, has both a bath and shower.
The cottage has a very well equipped kitchen space with hopefully everything you would need, for those who enjoy 'home-cooking' whilst away. There is also a range of dried herbs and spices and even some fresh ones growing in window boxes / in the garden - and there is a BBQ/fire pit in the garden for those who like alfresco meals. The bbq is just a wood burning one. (Please bring your own if you prefer using coals)
We have put together a guest booklet at the cottage which provides information about the nearest shops; pubs; restaurants; places to visit and details of various local walks along with an OS map.
We have also created a few Guidebooks on our airbnb listing - on local walks; places to visit and places to eat.
To access these, just below the map click on ‘Show more…’ then click on ‘Show host guidebook’ (or do message me and I can send you a link to them).
The main heating in the cottage is the wood-burning stove in the living/dining area. There are also oil ‘radiators’ both in the living and bedroom areas and the bathroom has a good sized heated towel rail.
The cottage is on spring water so the taps have lower pressure than mains taps. The cold water in the kitchen can sometimes be the most affected, though we provide bottled spring water too, to cover any eventuality.
The shower has a pressure pump so it isn't as affected by the low pressure!
The private garden is to the side of the cottage with fantastic views over Ponden reservoir and the Pennines. There is a partially covered gazebo area in the garden and there are cushions inside the back door, for the garden seats, bench, and the reclining wooden chairs.
The cottage comes with access to 13-acres of broadleaf, deciduous woodland* including Beech, Ash, Birch, Oak, Alder, Rowan and Sycamore - with the odd veteran tree in excess of 300 years. We are currently engaged in a programme of increasing the woodland's biodiversity and allowing the natural rewilding process to occur. It is listed as a conservation area and has its own stream and is ideal for picnics.
Ponden Wood is also home to a Forest School and individuals or groups can book sessions in archery, axe-throwing, foraging, woodland well-being, fishing (fishing is not on the land) and more. Search online for "withinthewood Stanbury"
* Access to the woodland is allowed when sessions aren't taking place. Session times will be left at the cottage so you know when you can / can't go onto the land. (If you would like to know specific times in advance, do message me).
When sessions are taking place you can still sit out at the top area of the land (by the wood) where there is a picnic bench for guests to be able to use at any time, which is just through the gate at the top of the woodland.
Midden cottage is a small quaint cottage ideally suited for two and has one raised king sized bed)
If friends and you would like a 2nd bed, there is also a narrow single sofa bed that can be made up, upstairs. Please let us know in advance so the appropriate beds, duvets and linen can be prepared. (This would be an additional rate, and we would normally just set it up for stays for 3 nights minimum)
The bookcase has a selection of carefully chosen books - some relate to the local area; nature; art; the Bronte's; topical novels and books with various other areas of interest.
There's also a bird-spotting book on the bookcase.
Cards and a few games are provided - ideal for a cosy evening in by the fire.
We have more recently added a smart TV which currently has terrestrial tv channels. We have Fibre Optic Broadband too so, if you have subscriptions to other networks yourself, you could also access them at the cottage.
A wireless speaker is provided for guests to use, which is compatible with bluetooth smartphones, Mp3 players and laptops.
There are also adaptors both downstairs and upstairs with two USB charging points in each.
Please let us know if you’re wanting to use the 'small work desk' (the cottage's dedicated work area) during your stay, as we only get this out on request.
If you decide to book, we hope you enjoy your stay at our cosy rustic and quirky cottage, with its artistic touches.
Guest access
There is parking for one car in front of the cottage and a place for a second car at the bottom of the hill (or by arrangement by the cottage).
There is a regular, hourly, bus (B1) from Keighley & Haworth to Stanbury (which is 1.5 miles from the cottage) and, there is a not so regular bus (K16) to Scar Top, by Ponden reservoir (which is 0.5 miles from the cottage).
If you are arriving by public transport please let me know, as I would be happy to meet you from the bus in Stanbury and give you a lift to the cottage or, you could order a taxi...
The local taxi company is Bronte Taxis (Devonshire St, Keighley)
Directions:
Mobile/Satellite reception is patchy in this area so you may wish to print these directions...
Midden Cottage is situated just off the Haworth – Colne Road B6142 three miles from Haworth.
After passing through Stanbury Village, the road continues down past The Old Silent Inn, then up the hill on the other side.
When it levels out there is a chapel and a row of cottages on the left. Immediately after the cottages there is a Ponden Reservoir sign on your left. Turn left and drive across the embankment of the reservoir to the far end. This is a blind corner.
Pull carefully out at the T-junction and turn right, then with the reservoir on your right, follow the road around the side of the reservoir and then up a short steep hill.
Pass a house on your left, follow the left bend in the road, continue past the large building immediately on your right (Ponden Hall), and immediately after, also on your right, the small, two-story building in the "courtyard" is Midden Cottage with its parking area for one car at the front. There is parking for a second vehicle at the bottom of the hill.
You could also use the what3words app for locating Midden Cottage. Our designation is: arrive[dot]composers[dot]autumn [Type a full stop where I've written "dot" because airbnb won't allow what looks like a web address.]
Other things to note
A 'welcome hamper basket' awaits you, including a treat for your arrival and provisions for a "Continental" style breakfast for you to help yourselves to - including fruit, a choice of cereals and usually either croissants, crumpets or bagels. We also provide a selection of some of the following - either jam, marmalade, honey or marmite for breakfast.
Tea, coffee, sugar and a pint jug of fresh milk will be at the cottage for you to have refreshments when you get there, and during your stay - and there is a cafetière for ground coffee.
Eating out...
The local pub, The Silent Inn, is only a 10-15 mins walk away. There are a wide range of places to eat in Haworth, which is just a 10 min drive - or you can order a take-away, light the wood-burning stove, and have a cosy evening in and eat at the cottage.
See our ‘Guidebook of places to eat’* for some recommendations and website links.
* To access this, just below the map click on ‘Show more…’ then click on ‘Show host guidebook’
For takeaway deliveries, look up online at ‘Just Eat’ - Posh Nosh in Haworth do a good range of pizzas.
Convenience stores...
The nearest shops are in Haworth, 10 mins drive / 3 miles away. From the end of the reservoir turn right and the road takes you through Stanbury into Haworth - at the bottom of the hill in Haworth there is a co-op on the left and, a bit further along, a Spar on the right (just before the train station).
The cottage has a fast internet connection with Fibre Optic Broadband.
Local walks...
There are a number of walks from the cottage, information and an OS map are included with our guest book at the cottage. One of the most popular is following the Bronte Way which is a meandering walk up to Top Withens, then circling round to The Bronte Falls and continuing on into Haworth, where you'll probably be ready for a welcome cup of Yorkshire tea or some well deserved lunch, in one of the many cafes. A map is at the cottage.
See our ‘local walk guidebook’* for recommendations of local walks.
* To access these, just below the map click on ‘Show more…’ then click on ‘Show host guidebook’
Places to visit…
There is brief information below about the location and possible places to visit. The places mentioned below, along with photos, are also in our ‘Places to visit guidebook.’*
* To access this, just below the map click on ‘Show more…’ then click on ‘Show host guidebook’ (or message me and I can send you a link).
• Midden Cottage is on the Pennine Way. (Edale is 53 miles south, Kirk Yetholm 220 miles north). 60s Rock legend PJ Proby lived here in the mid-80s. Ponden Hall, next door, was a regular haunt of Emily Brontë and was reputedly the inspiration for "The Heights" in her famous novel.
• Top Withens, reputedly the atmospheric inspiration for the geographical location of “The Heights” in Emily's novel, is a short, invigorating walk away across the moors.• The local pub and restaurant, The Silent Inn, is within 20-minutes walk.
• Stanbury is just over a mile away, with three pubs - the nearest is 3/4 of a mile so a nice pub to walk to from the cottage. There are also hourly buses to Haworth and Keighley.
• The historic village of Haworth is just 3 miles away. Meander down its cobbled main street and browse its independent shops, cafés, micro-bars, galleries, restaurants and the Brontë Parsonage - It's a must for both Brontë and steam railway enthusiasts. There are also special themed weekends in Haworth ie the 1940's weekend and the Steam Punk festival.
• The Victorian spa town of Ilkley is half-an-hour's drive away, where the renowned Betty's and other tearooms, riverside walks, and, of course, Ilkley Moor with the famous Cow & Calf Rocks, all contribute to the pre-war atmosphere.
• Harrogate, a bit further along from Ilkey, is home to the old Victorian Turkish Baths, and a choice of two Betty's renowned tearooms, both in the centre or at Harlow Carr gardens.
• Revitalised Bradford, 14 miles away, offers the National Science and Media Museum and a wide range of Asian shops and restaurants. The exciting David Hockney exhibition at Salts Mill Gallery 1853 at Saltaire, A World Heritage site.
• Market town Skipton, gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, is 15 miles away. Attractions include a mediæval castle, narrowboat trips on the Leeds/Liverpool canal and many unusual, attractive shops. Hot air balloon rides can also be booked through Balloon Journey, Skipton.
• Halifax is a superb example of a Yorkshire mill town: visit the Piece Hall to see galleried terraces of shops and cafe's or drop into Eureka, the National Children’s Museum or weekend market. Dean Clough art gallery and cafe is housed in one of the largest old mill buildings in the area.
• Hebden Bridge offers a wide range of alternative-culture shops, organic cafés and the fabulous restored cinema “The Picture House”, tucked below towering terraces of houses built into the hillside. And Heptonstall, an unspoilt weaving village, is just a stone’s throw up the hill.
• The Brontë Way passes Haworth, Ponden and Wycoller which, with its ford, old bridges and ruined Hall, is a lovely place to picnic.
• Ponden Reservoir is the home of sailing and windsurfing.
• Midden Cottage’s woodland, adjoining the reservoir, slopes down to the stream and has ideal spots for picnics - there is also a picnic table for guests to be able to use.
If you're travelling to or from the M1, The Yorkshire Sculpture Park near Wakefield is a lovely place to visit with parkland and sculptures outside or various art exhibitions and has a cafe and shop inside.
