Christmas tree dresed with red and gold baubles in the Long Barn Living Room
Lit Christmas Tree in tne West Barn

Spending Christmas or New year self-catering away from home is a great solution to organising a family gathering. Especially at this festive time of year. The North York Moors is a wonderful wintery backdrop to a Christmas holiday. We can’t promise snow (although we have had it) but we can promise spectacular views and a different pace of life. If only for the time that you stay here.

The Long Barn is the perfect cosy place to hole up for the festive season. Whether it’s celebrating Christmas, or seeing the New Year in.  Plenty of space to spread out in, and also to come together to celebrate. There is no sitting on wonky camping chairs squeezed around a table. We have more than enough space to seat 14 comfortably around the table in the vaulted dining room.

We happily welcome up to 4 well behaved dogs, so your furry friends can come too. And there are lots of fabulous walks from the door.

Lit candles in a christmas lanter dressed in red and gold baubles
Long Barn courtyard in snow against a blue sky
Christmas table dressed with red runner, candles and tulips

The kitchen is fully set up to easily cook a perfect Christmas dinner. There are masses of pans, roasting tins, dishes, crockery and glasses. You’ll find a hostess trolley in the dining room to heat plates up in as well as keep food warm. And clearing up afterwards is easy with two dishwashers.

We love decorating the Long Barn for Christmas. You’ll find real trees (from nearby Dalby forest) along with all sorts of Christmas decorations in every room (including the bedrooms) Both barns feel really festive, especially once the log burner is lit. Relax in front of the log burner after a bracing walk, with a glass of sloe gin. Which you’ll find in the welcome basket along with lots of other goodies.

Moors in dressed for Christmas with trees outside at night.
Advent window showing a partridge in the pear tree

There are always lots of local activities and events taking place over the Christmas period. From Christmas markets, to festive lights, to other holiday activities. This year, Castle Howard’s theme is Alice’s Christmas Wonderland. With a new Betty’s pop up shop, it’s bound to be popular.

The Moors Inn comes into its own over Christmas, with delicious food and open fires. Local churches hold Christmas carol concerts and services, including our very own in Appleton. This year will be the 5th Appleton Advent Calendar. Through December, a different household decorates a festive window, with one being revealed every day up until Christmas. Walk down through the village as it grows dusk, and admire the village creativity.

We’re here to help make sure Christmas and New Year are extra special. We’ve helped guests find the best place for their Christmas food (we recommend a veg box from Newfields Organics in Fadmor) We’ve hidden a children’s bike on behalf of Father Christmas. And we’ve been on hand to lend baking tins for mince pies.

Christmas and New Year always book up in advance;  New Year 2024 was available due to a cancellation but has now been rebooked.

And the calendar is open for Christmas/New Year 2025 if you want to be super organised.