Green Light

April 1, 2007 - GNER Livewire Magazine

Cottage Chic

Aislabeck is a collection of eight new eco-cottages overlooking Swaledale valley in the Yorkshire Dales. Just a mile from the market town of Richmond, the cottages are tucked away in 50 acres of private woodland and meadows, which are home to a variety of wildlife, including roe deer.

The single-storey buildings have a sloped, living plant roof and are south-facing, so lots of natural light comes in through the tall, glass-walled frontages. Drinking and bathing water comes from a natural spring further up the valley but there are plenty of home comforts, including stylish décor, a large-screen TV and DVD player, and an organic hamper on arrival, which includes a bottle of wine. Cosy up to a wood burner in the evenings after longs walks in the surrounding countryside - a path leads from the cottages to signposted trails that link up with the coast-to-coast road.