A former jail cell in North Yorkshire has been named the best historic holiday property in the UK by travel experts. The Cells, located in Ingleton, won gold in the historic category of the Sykes 2025 Gems Awards.
Dating back to the 17th century, the property was once a wing of a former courthouse. It retains original features including a prison door leading to the bedrooms and a jail window in the master bedroom, alongside exposed brick walls and a wood-burning stove.
The holiday let sleeps up to three guests in two bedrooms, with prices starting from £323 for a seven-night stay. Guests have described it as 'full of character' and a place where you can 'feel the history' upon entering.
One visitor who stayed last Christmas commented: 'Lovely decorations and a generous assortment of goodies to welcome us to the cells for Christmas. We were much more cosy than some of the former inmates would have been!'
Other historic properties in the North East include West View - The Old Chapel in Northumberland, a converted chapel, and Tyne Valley Granary, a former granary loft. The Sykes awards also recognised Granary Cottage in Bellingham as the top North East property, followed by The George in Whitley Bay and St Aidans in Alnwick.
