Experience Nature on your Doorstep at Sproxton Hall Cottages
Posted on March 25th, 2026 by Sproxton Hall Cottages
Nestled where the North York Moors National Park meets the Howardian Hills National Landscape, Sproxton Hall Cottages offers more than just a place to stay. It is a sanctuary for wildlife and a gateway for explorers. We believe in sharing our space with the local inhabitants. Our grounds are managed to put nature first, giving you a front-row seat to Yorkshire’s finest flora and fauna. Enjoy far reaching views and big skies for bird watching and star gazing.
Two dog paddocks: our outdoor space includes a lower paddock that is left uncut (except for a meandering path) to encourage wildlife such as hares, pheasants, deer, buzzards and owls.
The Ebor Way & beyond: Step out of your cottage and onto a picturesque bridleway that leads directly to the Ebor Way and onwards to Helmsley and Harome. Our walking guides also include Pry Rigg/Ampleforth woods – a short drive to forest trails.
Top Tips for Bird Spotting: check out our beginners guide focusing on our local area and the Merlin app you’ll be amazed at what you hear (we have recorded over 75 species in the area). Listen out locally – we’ve heard woodpeckers, buzzards, yellow hammers, curlews and owls without leaving our cottage garden, and often get to double figures in the paddocks.
Watch out for the local barn owl at dusk – sweeping over the paddocks or resting on the fence.
Bird Friendly Hospitality: We don’t just host humans and dogs – our dove cote and nesting box are always open for “holidaying” birds, free of charge!
Pollinator-Friendly Planting: From the lavender borders in the courtyard to the buddleia in Bilsdale’s enclosed garden, our planting is designed to hum with the sound of bees and butterflies.
Dark Skies Discovery: Thanks to our specialised dark-skies lighting and expertise of the Howardian Hills National Landscape team), we protect our nocturnal neighbours and provide guests with breathtaking, unpolluted views of the stars.
Guest information: Our Touch Stay digital guide suggests what to pack, while our website includes seasonal nature based articles, e.g. the 31 days/plants of May.
Each cottage has guide books, leaflets, nature spotting books and maps to help you discover nature – from the rolling moors of the National Park to RSPB Bempton Cliffs, and from the forestry of Dalby Forest to the red squirrels in the Castle Howard Arboretum.
Feel Refreshed: After a day of exploring in the fresh country air, use our outdoor shower for bikes, boots, and paws. Kirkdale Cottage has its own washing machine.