We loved our stay in Great Ayton and highly recommend a stay at The Old Forge. The house is towards the end of a private road, south facing at the front, overlooking the river and small public park. However, the leafed bushes round the front garden make it private. The step by the double lounge doors is quite a sun trap in the afternoon - we took camping chairs to sit out there. We managed to park two large cars at the front fairly easily (recommend reversing through the gate) as long as you are tucked in by the fence and wall, to allow driving access to the neighbour's garage. There was also parking nearby off the high street, even during a bank Holiday weekend.
The accommodation is spacious with a downstairs shower room and wc off the front door hallway hall. The upstairs bathroom is fabulous and you can watch TV whilst relaxing in the jacuzzi bath! The three upstairs bedrooms are all doubles. The downstairs bunk bedroom off the rear of the lounge is small and dark, but we only had one teenager sleeping in this, so it was fine for him.
The kitchen could do with lightening up as the dark worktop, red carpet and dark table & chairs make the room seem gloomy even on a sunny day, especially as the lounge is quite light. The property is well equipped with extra touches like toilet roll, hand wash, washing up liquid etc. It could perhaps do with a few more knives and thicker curtains in two of the bedrooms.
The location of the property is great, away from the hustle and bustle of vehicles and people on the main road but within a minute's walk of most of Great Ayton's amenities including the Co-op, Coupland bakery, coffee shops, three takeaways, post office, pub etc. Suggitts selling homemade vanilla ice cream and sweets is at the end of the private road of the property. More facilities are available in nearby Stokesley or Guisborough.
Everything relating to Captain Cook in the village is within walking distance. We walked up to Captain Cook's monument from the village and there is also a nice circular walk through the fields and back through Great Ayton, starting on the other side of the weir. We saw owls, bats and a bird of prey at dusk in one of the fields. Saltburn-by-the-Sea and Whitby etc are within easy driving distance and a hike up Roseberry Topping is definitely worth it on a clear day, for the amazing all round far-reaching views.
Overall a great place to stay for both young and old.