Offering heavenly interiors, incredible views over the Bolton Abbey Estate and room for eight, this converted chapel in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales is ideal for a group gathering.

Where is it?

Located on Bolton Abbey Estate in Wharfedale, North Yorkshire, Wesleyan Cottage is one of three self-catering cottages on the 12,000-hectare estate. Overlooking the River Wharfe and Barden Bridge, it's situated midway between Skipton and Harrogate.

What's the accommodation like?

Built in 1884 with 'snecked' stonework and topped with a Welsh blue slate roof, the former Methodist chapel has been thoughtfully reimagined as a unique place to stay and it's perfectly proportioned for our group of four grown-ups and three children. Upstairs is an open-plan living space with vaulted ceilings, towering gothic windows, a dual-sided log fire and a grand heritage kitchen. While the cottage's days of sermons and hymn-singing have passed, some key architectural details remain – the scar where the pulpit once stood is still visible, and two original stone fire surrounds are in situ.

Downstairs, what was once a space for school lessons now houses four whimsical bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. Hand-painted wallpapers and bespoke bedheads add to the sumptuous feel, while thoughtfully curated artworks, antiques and quirky vintage books make it feel like a home away from home. 

What did you eat and drink?

Self-catering is the name of the game here, and the cottage is well equipped to cater for large numbers. Everyone gets involved in cooking communal breakfasts in the spacious open-plan kitchen with its large central island, Aga cooker and adjacent dining table. In the evenings, we head outside to the back of the chapel where a spacious terrace with barbecue, dining area and hot tub provides a secluded spot for enjoying grilled feasts with panoramic views.

On days out exploring the estate, we pack picnics to eat on the banks of the river, but we do pop into the riverside Cavendish Pavilion for ice cream and coffee. At the entrance to the estate, opposite the Devonshire Arms Hotel, the kids marvel at their Yorkshire-size portions of scones, apple pie and milkshakes at Abbey Tea Rooms, a popular resting spot for hikers and cyclists.

What is there to do?

Wesleyan Cottage is surrounded by accessible countryside walks, ideal for those with small children, but there are plenty of well-marked trails for ramblers looking for a challenge. We enjoy a riverside trail that snakes through the ancient Strid Wood to Bolton Abbey Priory, passing pretty stone bridges. Our kids are captivated playing make-believe drums on butterbur leaves the size of umbrellas, skimming stones across the water and taking in the Strid, a section where the river narrows dramatically to thunder its way through a slim channel cut into the rock. We spot roe deer peeking out from behind the trees, watch rabbits bounding across the hills and marvel at herons taking flight. 

The kids have fun on the estate's Welly Walk, a free self-guided woodland adventure trail with slides, mazes and more to tick off along the way. It ends at Bolton Abbey Priory, originally built in the 1300s as an Augustinian priory, which is reached via 62 stepping stones that cross the water. Once the route of monks on their way to the priory, it's a fun, wobbly way to get to the ruins, but there's also a bridge for those who don't want to risk toppling in.

Lasting memory?

We hoped that the trip would be more about green time than screen time, but we underestimated just how many wildlife spotting opportunities would present themselves – even from the cottage carpark! On arrival, we inadvertently pull up alongside the entrance to a rabbit warren masquerading as an ordinary mound of earth. It was like a scene out of Watership Down as we cut the engine – a flurry of rabbits with fluffy coats and cottontails darted into the warren, popped up out of hidden bolt holes, and bounded across the rolling hills. A farmer's worst nightmare but magical for city kids emerging from a car after a six-hour journey.

Sainsbury's magazine insider tip

Don't forget your swimsuit – after days exploring the estate, we all looked forward to coming back to the cottage to soak tired muscles in the hot tub overlooking the estate. There's something euphoric about sitting in hot, bubbling water while all around you is still and silent – and there are even shatterproof flutes so the adults can enjoy a 'glass' of bubbly in the bubbles.