Specialists with cranes were called in to clear the garden. "There were some interesting ferns left behind, some ramonda and a juniper tree, and some beautiful cushion saxifrage, but not as much as you would think," says Angela. Warm, comfortable, spacious, comfy beds, great decor and a very well equipped kitchen. Lots of walks from the house and lots to do nearby. Some reviewers have mentioned the traffic noise, but we didn't find this intrusive. We would love to return. Hawes is a popular market town in the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire and is regarded as one of the honeypot tourist attractions of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Standing between Buttertubs and Fleet Moss, the town is an excellent centre for walking and touring Wensleydale and the adjoining dales of Swaledale, Cotterdale, Dentdale, Garsdale, Wharfedale and Chapel-le-Dale. Take a walk around the Hawes Town Trail, Millennium Walk, Pennine Way or along the River Ure, which is nearby. In 1998 Hawes was awarded the English Tourist Board Silver Award for the "Best Day Trip Out". Modern traffic has long replaced coaches and horse drawn wagons along its narrow streets, but market day (Tuesdays) in Hawes is as busy as ever, with a farmers’ auction attracting sheep farmers from all over the north of England. Traditional shops, cafés and inns now cater for a variety of Dales visitors as well as the local community. The award-winning Wensleydale Creamery, made famous by the animated Wallace and Grommit films, is now open to visitors so that they can see the famous cheese being made and sample the end product in a welcoming café. In the old station yard you will find the busy National Park Centre and Dales Countryside Museum. The Museum is home to the magnificent collection of Dales artefacts by the two great Dales historians and writers, Marie Hartley and Joan Ingilby. If you are thinking of getting the extended family together - this is a wonderful place to do it. Already recommended it to friends.

There's lots of money out there, lots of grants, but it's quite soul destroying trying to get it. After all, who's going to give money to an individual to do up their garden?" The accommodation was really impressive, we loved the antique furniture and the decor in each room was all so tastefully chosen. Within accessible reach is also Ingleborough Cave, Malham Cove, Kilnsey Park and Scaleber Force Waterfall, all offering an abundance to see and do! We stayed here over the Bank Holiday weekend for a family getaway to celebrate my sons first birthday."

About the location

Although James died in 1869, his company flourished as it became fashionable to create Alpine corners in the grounds of stately homes. The company's best-known construction is a 30ft high replica of the Matterhorn mountain in a garden in Henley - the late Beatle George Harrison was its last owner.

If you can tear yourself away, begin your adventures at Hardraw Force Waterfall, before heading to the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes; here, you will also find plenty of pubs and restaurants so you can refuel before continuing on with your itinerary. John has been so enthusiastic from the start,” said Mrs Anderson. “But it is a big responsibility looking after it all the time. The people in Aysgarth have been so supportive.” Sayer-Graham was also a keen horticulturist. He planted fields of tulips and daffodils as well as at least two plantations of trees around Aysgarth, and set up his own nursery next door to his home, Heather Cottage. The hamper, which was left out for us, was such a nice gesture, too. We stayed in the gothic room, and the bed was so comfy!

Features

The garden was listed in 1988 and since then, its owners have raised the funds to restore the garden it to its former glory. Directions We've just received Listed Building consent to install Heritage wooden frame double glazing which should resolve any road noise concerns ,and keep us warm in the Dales winters , and this should be fitted by next year. It continues to be open to the public but with the request that social distancing is observed. The public enter at their own risk and it is unsuitable for disabled or wheelchair access due to the narrow and uneven paths and steps. Admission is free and there is a donation box near the entrance which is at the west end of Aysgarth village.