Moor Royd House

Moor Royd is a hamlet of five dwellings off the Barnsley to Manchester Road (A628), just beyond Millhouse Green, to the west of the Pennine market town of Penistone. Approached down a track from the main road, and surrounded by fields, it is accessible but private.

Moor Royd House is the last house along the lane, which ends in my courtyard. The house was originally a farm, known as Bank Bottom Farm, by which name it is identified on some Ordnance Survey maps–ref. SE 21380182. In the 1970's, the majority of the land was sold, leaving the farmhouse and its buildings in about 2 acres of land. The surrounding fields remain in agricultural use.

It is possible to enjoy a holiday at Moor Royd without a car, as has been proven by some visitors who have done so, and have been prepared to do a little walking on the road and/or take a bus to reach the starting points of the many and various walks which exist in the area. For those who are happy with these slight restrictions, arrangements can be made to meet them at Penistone Railway Station.

For those who come by car, Moor Royd is an ideal base for a holiday. Within easy driving distance are the glorious country areas of Derbyshire, North and West Yorkshire, as well as the much less well known but equally beautiful rural areas of South Yorkshire. For sightseeing excursions, one is “spoiled for choice,” with Holmfirth (“Last of the Summer Wine” country), Barnsley, Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham, Wakefield, Huddersfield and Halifax all offering their own amusements, historical sites and other attractions.

Visitors who are in the area is for business purposes find Moor Royd a very good base, with easy access to the M1, offering a really relaxing “home” to which to return at the end of a working day. For those who bring work with them, a private telephone line can be made available in “The Old Farmhouse”.

There are two self-contained, self-catering units at Moor Royd which meet the standards required by the Yorkshire Tourist Board. “The Old Farmhouse” is based on the main rooms of the original farmhouse, is cottage style and can accommodate four adults, plus one or two children. "The Other Side", so called because it is across the courtyard from the main house, sleeps two people in a studio apartment. In addition, a smaller self-contained unit, the “Guest Suite,” is also available.

Most places in Yorkshire are within travelling distance for a day's outing. The cities of Manchester, Leeds and York are easily reached for any city-based activities not met by the places listed above.

The north boundary of the Peak District National Park is one mile away. It is becoming increasingly popular but is still delightfully uncrowded compared with the better known areas.

Self-catering marketing needs can be met locally. Millhouse Green has two shops (one a Post Office/general store), between them catering for all basic foodstuffs. Penistone, the well-known high market town, has more shops, including two supermarkets and a petrol station, and is about five minutes drive along the back road.

A wide selection of tourist literature is provided in the self-catering units and some maps and guide-books are available on loan from the house.

A little over a mile away I have two terraced houses in Millhouse Green, The Small House 293 and The Small House 295. Each has recently been fully refurbished to a high standard.