A derelict farmstead that has been brought back to life by a Brandesburton family to provide luxury self-catering accommodation has been awarded VisitEngland's highest accolade.
The Dean family, including 25-year-old Sarah, spent four years rebuilding Pasture House and converting a stable block to create Pasture House Holiday Cottages and have been rewarded with a 5-star award for the accommodation, hospitality and friendliness and a supplementary Gold Award in recognition of exceptional quality.
In his report, the Inspector from the national tourism body noted: "The extremely well-presented Pasture House and converted Stables have been restored to the highest of standards and the owners should be congratulated. The attention to detail noted throughout is impressive. Sarah is clearly passionate about the property and her continual hard work and investment will maintain the extremely high standards, the 'Wow' factor and ensure guests have an amazing stay."
A graduate in agri-business from Harper Adams University, Miss Dean returned home to work on the farm and to project manage the final phase of the development of Pasture House Holiday Cottages in 2020.
"The development of Pasture House Cottages has been a real labour of love that has included carefully deconstructing the original house so that we could salvage and reuse some of the materials, rebuilding, decorating and finishing and furnishing both properties.
"We're over the moon to be awarded Five Stars and a Gold Award at our first attempt and are looking forward to wowing our guests," she said.
Pasture House Cottages' first guests concurred with the VisitEngland feedback. A couple from London, who returned to East Yorkshire to get married at Beverley Minster, chose Pasture House Cottages to share their wedding weekend with 14 members of their extended family and friends.
Feedback from the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Usher included: "The house made our weekend," "The inside is exquisite, matched only by the views out of each window" and "Sarah, we cannot thank you enough for everything - you were so accommodating."
Set in open countryside, Pasture House and The Stables are surrounded by farmland and wildlife including deer, birds of prey, foxes and rabbits, and yet are only a short drive from the historic market town of Beverley and a 10-minute drive to the beaches of Fraisthorpe and Hornsea. They are also ideally situated to explore East and North Yorkshire's cities, villages, countryside and coastlines.
Pasture House comprises six luxury en-suite bedrooms spread over three floors, living areas with panoramic views, a handmade kitchen and an outside dining area featuring two hot tubs, a barbeque, pizza oven and sun loungers. The Stables is a single storey renovated stable building that sleeps four and boasts a luxury dining kitchen and living area with handmade kitchen and log burner, original beams, open brickwork and views of nearby farmland.
"Pasture House and The Stables can be hired individually to sleep 12 and four respectively, or 16 together and is the perfect place for family and friends' gatherings," concludes Miss Dean.
VisitEngland plays a unique role in building England's tourism product, raising Britain's profile worldwide, increasing the volume and value of tourism exports and developing England and Britain's visitor economy.
