A couple of mornings ago I went out early to walk the dogs and noted that there was something laying on the lawn.

...........we have just replaced 8 of our 9 mattresses (don't worry, the 9th was new earlier this year!).  Comfortable and clean they will aid you to the quality of sleep that will set you up nicely for a big breakfast and an active day.

In addition to this, our Lilac room is awaiting a new carpet this week and a mini re-furbishment with new curtains and bed dressings.  This lovely room with great views across open countryside to the south will now echo the colours of the lilac blossom outside.  Bliss.

A few entries from our guest book in the hall – they do show that a warm welcome awaits all at Elmfield House.

“ Thank you. Lovely welcome (from mum in law). Brilliant b’fasts plus Astra’s special touches all make for an excellent 3 day break in a lovely home.”

Maureen and Roy, Burnley

“Lovely rooms, spacious, comfortable. Excellent breakfasts – a real find.”

Sue and Richard, Cornwall

“Great stay. Warm welcome. Tea and cake much appreciated after a long journey. Thanks.”

Jan and Alan, Essex

“A perfect place to stay after our wedding. Thanks for everything.”

Emma and Mathew, Darlington

“Once again, a wonderful relaxing break. Many thanks.”

John, Nottingham.

“Lovely clean rooms. Friendly welcome.”

Pat and Trish, Chesterfield

“Still the same. Charming! As ever.”

Chris Chittell, “Emmerdale”

“Really delightful. There was one problem…..we only stayed one night. Thanks x.”

Lesley Dunlop, “Emmerdale”

“Very friendly. Fantastice accommodation for a disabled person.”

S Lister, Skipton

“Thank you for a very restful few days, best nights sleep I have had in a long while. I felt very welcome, like a second home and fantastic breakfasts.”

Gill, Potters Bar

We always offer our guests a little something on arrival - a cup of tea and a slice of home-made cake, a fresh scone, a plate of home made or locally produced biscuits and cookies.  Yum.  Alternatively, we offer a complimentary glass of wine - maybe a warming red in winter or a crisp, cool white in the garden for summer.   Someone has to test all this cake ...........................

and that someone is me.  It is one of my favourite tasks to research cake recipes and then test them as well as spotting locally made items which are also delicious.  So this summer we have a selection of cakes and you could be greeted by any one of them on arrival.

Our list this year  includes the ever popular, and sometimes mystifying to the none Yorkshire folk, Yorkshire Parkin - a delicious sticky, ginger number which can make a great pudding as well with banana and custard.

The second cake that we have used for a few years is a fruit cake which includes in its ingredients a tin of crushed pineapple.  This is not a pineapple flavoured cake but it does make a lovely, moist, luscious fruit cake.

Appearances are also made by my Elmfield Dundee style cake which has a good wallop of very untraditional Cointreau - yummy and it is so popular I have sent guests home with the recipe more times than I care to remember!

We also love a good Victoria Sponge which allows us to reflect the changing seasons with different jam fillings.  We use a lot of locally produced Rosebud Preserves jams and my favourite summer filling is Gooseberry and Elderflower Jam with whipped cream laced with a hint of elderflower cordial.

Scones make a regular appearance as well - good old fashioned fruit and my personal favourite of Apricot and Amaretto.

I am happy to share recipes with guests and they go all over the world.  I have an apple and walnut cake made with olive oil that is doing the rounds in the south, the Isle of Wight and Guernsey with my name attached to it and a Lemon Drizzle Cake which has gone to Slovakia as Astra's Cake!!

We look forward to greeting you with a teapot in one hand and a plate of cake in the other.