While many people will fly abroad for some school holiday fun, there's no shortage of places to visit for a UK staycation. We did just that this Easter with a short trip to North Yorkshire and it couldn't have been more relaxing. Our home for three nights was the idyllic Rose Cottage, at Sands Farm Cottages in the village of Wilton and on the doorstep of the chocolate box village of Thornton-le-Dale, regarded as one of Britain's prettiest places. Surrounded by rolling farmlands and overlooking the vale of Pickering, it's hard not to fall in love with this site, which features seven cottages in all, including a four-bedroom one inside a renovated chapel. (Image: cottages.com) Popular with couples and families - especially those on multi-generational trips wanting to hire a few at once to have their own space - ours was a large dog-friendly three-bed with its own hot tub, which we thankfully had nice enough weather to use. And the glorious weather meant we got to explore the area at its most beautiful. There's not much to do in the quaint village of Wilton itself, although we did get to sample its popular fish and chip van, which attracted quite a crowd on its weekly stop near the picturesque St George's Church. And we enjoyed some delicious sausages from The Horny Cow farm shop at the nearby Home Farm. Join our Family WhatsApp group HERE But the site, on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, is perfectly positioned to explore the wider region, including Robin Hood's Bay, where our dog got the chance to have a paddle before we stopped off for drinks and cake at The Cove cafe, a former chapel with a unique seaview location. (Image: Manchester Family / MEN) An old fishing village, it's well known for its rock pools and ancient fossils and its narrow, twisting cobbled streets and alleyways attract tourists from far and wide. The beautiful Thornton-le-Dale was even closer, just a five minute drive from the site and the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon wandering around the independent shops including its own Chocolate Factory and walking alongside the bubbling beck that runs through it. Known for its picture-postcard beauty, the 17th Century Beck Isle Cottage, set back from the main street and just beside the beck, is one of Yorkshire's most photographed landmarks, often appearing in postcards, posters and calendars. (Image: Manchester Family / MEN) Here we found another lovely cafe, Baldersons, which is a bakery, tearoom and gift shop all rolled into one, with a dog-friendly tea garden tucked away at the back and an Ice Cream Parlour just next to it on the main street. The rest of our meals were enjoyed in the cottage itself though, which was fully equipped with everything we needed and has outdoor seating too for when the barbecue season arrives. It was a little too warm for us to make use of the open fire, but it's a lovely touch in the cosy wooden beamed living room, where we found a box of giant dominoes and that all-important TV. (Image: Manchester Family / MEN) The kids also enjoyed time in the games room, which was conveniently located next to our cottage and housed a pool table, air hockey and table football. There's lots of grassland around to play real football or other outdoor games and there's a wooden climbing frame with swings for younger ones to use. We packed as much as we could into our short stay and Rose Cottage made the perfect base for exploring such a beautiful part of the country. (Image: Manchester Family / MEN) Travel factfile Emma was a guest at Rose Cottage at Sands Farm Cottages with cottages.com. Sleeping six with three bedrooms and accommodating one pet, seven nights costs from £1,130. Rose Cottage is furnished to a high standard and is surrounded by rolling farmlands and overlooking the vale of Pickering. With a private hot tub and shared courtyard with BBQ and external games room, it is the perfect place to relax. The cottages are perfectly positioned for exploring the area with the bustling market town of Pickering, home of the North York Moors Steam Railway, some four miles to the west and the lively coastal resort of Scarborough 14 miles to the east. Thornton-le-Dale, Dalby Forest and the North York Moors National Park are all within two miles, whilst the historic city of York is within a half hour drive. Book online at cottages.com or call 0345 268 0766.