THE ART HOUSE - rural idyll set in the Dales National Park

Imagine if you could step inside a painting? Here is your chance, courtesy of Yorkshire landscape artist, Kitty North

The surrounding landscape is just as arresting - a beautiful old village deep, deep in the Dales

The idea behind The Art House is that you can live inside a painting. Decorated with original artworks by the successful Yorkshire artist Kitty North, it's both a comfortable stone cottage and a vibrant wonderland, one where there's always something on hand to gaze at or stir your imagination.

Sheep stare here. Hares leap there. Also depicted are birds and fish alongside classic local scenery - bumpy hills, iconic Ribblehead Viaduct and the surrounding village of Arncliffe - letting you continue experiencing the Dales even after returning home from days spent exploring.

There's little hint of such quirkiness from the outside. One of 20 listed stone buildings arranged around Arncliffe's quaint green, The Art House has a white-painted traditional facade and, partly terraced, a large, lawned back garden. Enclosed by typical stone walls, this gazes far across the valley of Littondale below a vast expanse of sky.

Inside, however, creativity and colour reign. Yet so too does a distinct sense of homeliness. That's true of the beamed, open-plan living and dining space, warmed by an open fire, and of the snug kitchen whose own round table enables more casual breakfasts.

There's one double bedroom on the ground floor, accompanied by a bathroom with a tub and shower over, then two king-sized sleeping quarters upstairs, one of them en-suite.

Set up for al-fresco dining or drinks, a patio at the property's front looks onto that green. Visible too is Arncliffe's classic-style Falcon Inn, which might seem familiar - it doubled as The Woolpack when the longstanding TV series Emmerdale was filmed here. More recently, the pub and wider, oh-so-pretty village featured in the recent adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small. Another highlight is Kitty's own Prospect Gallery, to which you might like to arrange a visit.

Beside its beauty, Arncliffe boasts a superlative southern Dales location. Here you're just south of cheese-making Wensleydale and its Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves waterfalls. You're just west of Nidderdale, where wild, wondrous moorland holds sway. To the east is that Ribblehead Viaduct, on the famous Settle-Carlisle railway line. Journey south and you'll come to ever-popular Skipton with its weekly market and famous high street.

Closer by, walks to mighty Malham Cove or gentler River Skirfare rambles begin close to the cottage; look out for deer and falcons. More adventurous tracks over the fells to the likes of Pen-y-Ghent and The Three Peaks are all within easy reach too, as are designated Dark Sky Discovery Sites at Malham and Buckden.

You'll never forget the Dales — and nor this one-off base within them.

GROUND FLOOR
Front entrance door to open-plan living and dining area with sofa, armchair, Smart TV with Freeview and an open fire (with an initial supply of logs provided). Dining table with seating for up to six.

Separate kitchen with electric oven and hob, fridge with ice-box, microwave and dishwasher. Breakfast table and chairs.

Boot room with additional freezer and hanging space for walking gear. Please note there is no washing machine available.

Ground floor bedroom with a double bed suitable for one adult or two children

Ground floor family bathroom with bath and shower over, WC and basin.

Stairs to first floor - please note that, due to the age of this Grade II listed property, the steps have a steep incline.

FIRST FLOOR
Bedroom one - master bedroom - with king size bed, chest of drawers, bedside tables and hanging hooks.

En-suite bathroom with walk-in shower, WC and basin.

Bedroom two with king size bed, bedside tables, chest of drawers and hanging hooks.

OUTSIDE
There is an attractive lawned garden to the rear of the house which is fully enclosed for the safety of children. There is a terraced patio for dining with garden furniture provided.

To the front of the property is a small patio area overlooking the village green.

PARKING & EV CHARGING
Free on street parking is available to the front of the property and around the village green.

We kindly ask that you do not use mains electric at this property to charge electric cars. The nearest car charging points are the Yorkshire Dales National Park car parks in Kettlewell and Grassington.

BABIES & CHILDREN
Children are welcome at The Art House.

DOGS
Sorry, dogs are not allowed.

GUEST AMENITIES
The beds are made up with high quality Egyptian Cotton bed linen. Bath and hand towels are provided for guests along with basic toiletries.

One hairdryer is supplied.

WI-FI & MOBILE COVERAGE
Wi-Fi is available and mobile coverage is reasonable on most networks.

HEATING
There is central heating throughout the Art House and there is also an open fire in the sitting room with an initial supply of logs provided.

GUEST PRIVACY
On occasion a window cleaner or gardener may attend the property to carry out their usual round. Where possible this is on change over day. Please be assured they will always keep disruption to a minimum.