Tyas Cottage

Tyas Cottage is located in a small hamlet within the idyllic local beauty spot of Merrydale, on the site of the first water-powered mill in the Colne Valley, near Slaithwaite and 7 miles from Huddersfield. Apart from sound of falling water, the property is quiet and rural. It is at the end of a steep and ancient cobbled packhorse route. We are able to keep this accessible in the winter. Our guests seem to particularly enjoy the quiet, secluded, location. They often walk up through the woods on the ancient packhorse route that leads to the Rose and Crown with its delicious beer (this path is not suitable for the old and infirm). Guests sometimes hike onto the adjacent moors with Cupwith Reservoir as their goal and the Colne Valley Circular Walk includesTyas Lane. It is a pleasant walk along Merrydale Clough down to Slaithwaite Village. Tyas cottage is furnished with very special antique furniture, much of it brought over from South Africa. This includes a hand-carved Georgian mahogany 4 poster bed. The spiral staircase can be made safe for young children. The gardens contain several sculptural features and the metal pods that hang from a tree next to the millpond are very well used and admired by guests. Your booking will include full access to the adjoining gardens (featured in the Magazine 25 Beautiful Gardens). These contain an ancient millpond, are bounded on one side by a river with its ancient waterfall and bridge and are surrounded on three sides by free-to-roam woodland. Merrydale hamlet has its own delicious spring water (which used to be sold and is now UV treated). This is a particularly "green/eco-friendly" property. As it has solar panels, wood pellet heating, spring water and massive insulation it is entirely carbon neutral. There is an EV charging point. Our guests seem to particularly enjoy the quiet, secluded, rural location. They often walk up through the woods on the ancient packhorse route that leads to the Rose and Crown with its delicious beer (it is not suitable for the old and infirm).  Also much commented on is our steep, narrow, cobbled access lane. We are happy to ferry guests up and down the hill when there might be snow or ice on the road, but even large ambulances are able to get up and down in normal weather. In effect there are 2 living rooms in the cottage because the kitchen is so spacious and has a corner sofa in it, as well as the large circular table. The upstairs living room is also very spacious and opens onto a small balcony from which steps lead down to the paved barbecue area. The gardens contain several striking, sculptural features, most of them by the well-known sculptor, Brian Fell. The metal pods that hang from a tree next to the millpond are very well used by guests. Your booking will include full access to the adjoining gardens (featured in the Magazine 25 Beautiful Gardens). These contain an ancient millpond, are bounded on one side by a river with its ancient waterfall and bridge and are surrounded on three sides by free-to-roam woodland. It is a pleasant walk along Merrydale Clough down to Slaithwaite Village. There are 3 properties within Merrydale hamlet. Ours (Tyas House), our holiday let (Tyas Cottage) and our neighbours' house and barn which adjoins Tyas Cottage. Although the houses are clustered together, they all have separate entrances and complete privacy. We are retired, so are usually at home. Slaithwaite is a vibrant village and definitely "on the up" and contains wonderful little shops and restaurants. It is a lovely walk down Merrydale to Slaithwaite (about 25 minutes). On the site of the first water-powered fulling mill in the Colne Valley that was built in the late 1600's, Tyas Cottage is located in the heart of the industrial revolution. The topography of this district is very varied with its tight little valleys nestling between vast heather-clad moorland. There are loads of varied and interesting walks in the area. Tunnel End could be a destination if one were to walk along the canal from Slaithwaite to Marsden. The Pennine Way is quite near to Tyas Cottage. Our spiral staircase can be made safe for toddlers. There is a conventional staircase outside for taking large suitcases upstairs. We are on spring water (which we have been drinking for 48 years without ill effect). Our steep, cobbled access drive (an ancient packhorse route) can be challenging in the winter. We are happy to ferry guests to and from the top of our hill. Under normal weather conditions full sized ambulances have used it, but it would be kind to arrange to collect Ocado deliveries from the top of the hill. Our spiral staircase can be made safe for toddlers. There is a conventional staircase outside for taking large suitcases upstairs. We are on spring water (which we have been drinking for 48 years without ill effect), but it is now lazer treated. Our steep, cobbled access drive (an ancient packhorse route) can be challenging in the winter. We are happy to ferry guests to and from the top of our hill. Under normal weather conditions full sized ambulances have used it, but it would be kind to arrange to collect Ocado deliveries from the top of the hill. Pets cost an additional £30 per pet per visit, payable as cash on arrival.