Guests in the nest

Turning a family self-build into a top holiday let ensured that Claire and Andrew Partridge’s property continues to make happy memories. Sharon Dale reports.

Built by her parents in 1984, the Feathered Nest in Harmby, near Leyburn, has enormous sentimental value for Clare Partridge, so keeping it in the family has always been a priority. When her parents moved out of the property in 2001, she and her husband Andrew bought it and lived there before spotting the potential to turn part of the garden into a self-build plot for a new family home.

“We built our own house and my parents moved back into the Feathered Nest, where we were on hand to care for them when they needed it. It worked out really well,” says Clare.

When they passed away, she and Andrew came up with a plan that has ensured that the much-loved home is still occupied and is still creating happy memories.

“We decided to modernise it and let it for holidays and the long-term plan is that we may eventually downsize back into it when our sons, Scott, 19, and Tom, 17, leave home,” says Clare, who has enjoyed putting her hospitality skills to good use.

A retired restaurateur and former owner of Giovanni’s in Leyburn, she makes sure that, along with essentials such as milk, juice and eggs, guests have homemade cake.

Meeting and greeting those who have booked a stay and informing them about the area is also a pleasure, though they can see how glorious Wensleydale is from the windows.

The house sits halfway down a hill and has outstanding views of historic Middleham, Penhill and Witton Fell.

Turning the property into a holiday home meant modernising it first, though Clare and Andrew went much further than they initially planned. They completely redesigned the interior and decided to go all out in pursuit of a five-star gold rating from Visit England.

“We, or should I say our son, Scott, took down almost every internal wall,” says Andrew, a financial adviser.

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