There’s something about warm spring and summer evenings that changes the pace of the day.
The big days out to the coast, the North York Moors or places like Malton and Helmsley are wonderful, but often it’s the quieter moments back at the cottages that become the memories people talk about afterwards. Sitting outside with a drink. Children disappearing off to play hide and seek. The smell of the barbecue drifting across the gardens. One more game before it gets dark.
This week we’ve added a couple of traditional garden games to Cliff House Holiday Cottages, including quoits and kubb.
Quoits will probably be familiar to many guests already. Simple in principle, surprisingly competitive once you start, and one of those games where people quickly become convinced they are “just getting their eye in” before another round begins.
Kubb, though, was completely new to us.
If you’ve never come across it before, kubb is a Swedish lawn game sometimes described as a cross between skittles, chess and throwing sticks at blocks of wood. The rules take a little getting used to at first, but once it clicks, it becomes incredibly good fun.
We spent a sunny evening up by the Orangery learning as we went along. The sort of evening where nobody is checking the time too carefully and the light hangs around longer than expected.
Even Hurricane, one of our chickens, decided she ought to inspect proceedings halfway through the game.
That’s part of what we love most about life here.
The gardens at Cliff House Holiday Cottages are designed to be used properly. Not just looked at from a window. Across the two acres of grounds there are places to sit, picnic benches tucked away in quieter corners, woodland paths, play equipment, the meadow areas, and spaces where families can simply spread out and enjoy being outdoors together.
Adding a few garden games felt like a natural extension of that.
One of the things we hear regularly from guests is how much children enjoy the freedom here. After spending time in the car or exploring busy attractions during the day, they can come back and just play. Meanwhile adults can slow down properly for a while too.
The games have already become part of that atmosphere.
A casual game of quoits before heading to the pub. Kubb played badly but enthusiastically in the evening sunshine. Friendly rivalry developing between cottages. The sort of holiday moments that don’t appear on itineraries but often become the bits people remember most.
And the best part?
No screens required.
As we head further into the warmer months, we’re looking forward to seeing more guests making use of the gardens in the evenings. Whether that’s with the new games, around the fire pit, watching the sunset with a glass of wine, or simply enjoying the slower pace that comes with being in the countryside.
Sometimes holiday memories are made from the smallest things.
A sunny evening.
A wooden throwing baton.
And maybe one more round before dark.
Stay at Cliff House Holiday Cottages
Cliff House Holiday Cottages is a collection of five self-catering holiday cottages on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, perfectly placed for exploring both the Yorkshire coast and countryside.
Guests can enjoy:
- Two acres of gardens and woodland
- Indoor heated swimming pool
- Games room
- Dog-friendly cottages
- EV charging
- Fast Starlink Wi-Fi
- Plenty of things to do within 20 minutes of the cottages – less traveling, more fun
Whether you’re planning a family holiday, a couples break or a getaway with friends, there’s plenty of space here to slow down and spend time together.
