The good folk from Martin and Co were in touch this week to point out that we’ve been tootling around town for a while and wouldn’t it be nice to do something on country properties… after all, we are blessed with lovely villages and beautiful countryside right on our doorstep. What’s more, with summer coming on, rural life really does come into its own.

So, we asked, do you have a property in mind? Funnily enough they did… And a delightful property it is, too, tucked away nicely in West Lilling, a lovely village around ten miles out of York and close to Sheriff Hutton.

Rose Cottage is a delightful character-filled detached, ‘quirky’ property in a village which has an excellent primary school nearby and is within the catchment area for highly-regarded Easingwold schools. The charm begins with an entrance hall with a split staircase and a glass slanted roof; there’s a super farmhouse kitchen/diner with range, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, utility room with washing machine and dryer. There is a large open plan through dining room/lounge with Inglenook fireplace and wood-burning stove and patio doors. There’s also a family room, again with patio doors, a ground floor bathroom, three bedrooms (two doubles – one with a four poster bed – and one single). Then there is a master bedroom with en-suite bath and shower. This delightful property is completed by a cottage garden with patio area and gravel driveway parking. Available on an unfurnished or part furnished basis, the rent is £1,150pcm.

With the theme for this week firmly established, we set about finding other examples of country homes to rent.

And we soon found a smashing two- bedroom terraced cottage in South View, Newton on Ouse, another delightful village less than ten miles from York city centre. Offered to let furnished or unfurnished, the cottage includes an open plan lounge/dining room and modern kitchen (with oven and gas hob, washing machine and fridge/freezer). To the first floor are two bedrooms and a house bathroom. There are also mature gardens to the front and rear, a garage and off street parking. It is offered by Ashtons at £650pcm.

Letters of Distinction, meanwhile, were quick to sing the praises of a four-bed detached house in Nidd Way, Tockwith, eight miles or so west of York.

The village has a good range of amenities including a doctors’ surgery, village shop and post office, snooker hall, sports club, two pubs and a well–respected primary school. The property offers pleasant rural views to the rear. Highlights here include a master bedroom with fitted wardrobe space and an en–suite shower room and three further bedrooms and a fifth bedroom/study and house bathroom. There’s a large living room (some 27ft long) with a patio door to the rear garden and a dining room and family room – and a smart conservatory. There’s a smart, fully fitted kitchen. Off street parking for multiple vehicles completes the package for which the letting agents are seeking £1,395pcm.

If it is a character home you are seeking then The Grainary, at Bolton House Farm, Wilberfoss, has lots of charm. It is, as the name suggests, a converted grainary which has lots of original features including wooden flooring and beams. There’s a fantastic breakfast kitchen and a separate utility room. A smart sitting room, four double bedrooms (one with en-suite) and a family bathroom ensure there’s lots of room for all the family. The property has been converted to a high standard, says the letting agent Quantum, and is ideal for anyone wanting a rural setting still within easy reach of all amenities. It is offered at £1,200pcm.

There’s a similarly conveniently located property in the shape of a modern detached bungalow overlooking open fields in Long Ridge Lane at Upper Poppleton (rural but great for commuting routes). Here, there is a spacious reception room with patio doors, a kitchen and utility room. There are two double bedrooms and a house bathroom with bath and shower cubicle. A small patio area and driveway complete the offering for which Letters Ltd are asking a rental of £675pcm (including water rates).

Next, moving out to Dower Park at Escrick, we find a four-bed family house which offers a front reception room, a study/snug, dining room and dining kitchen which comes fully fitted with appliances including double electric oven, electric hob, fridge and dishwasher. There is also a super conservatory with French doors leading out to a patio and enclosed garden. The master bedroom boasts an en–suite shower room and fitted wardrobes and there are three further double bedrooms. This property is offered by Linley and Simpson at £1,350pcm.

This week’s round-up is completed by a pretty pair from Stephensons who have a good number of rural retreats on the books.

The first is a charming detached lodge cottage in delightful rural position between Little & Great Ouseburn which has been recently redecorated and had new carpets fitted. It offers an entrance hall, dining kitchen with cooker, a good lounge and recently refitted bathroom with shower; two double bedrooms complete the internal offering while outside there is a large garden. The rent is £675pcm.

Stephensons are also marketing a delightful stone built farmhouse enjoying an elevated position in Oulston, to the north of Easingwold. This is an ideal property for those who like lots of space inside and out. It is a big and roomy home with a spacious lounge, a dining room and fitted kitchen with oil-fired Aga. The master bedroom has an en-suite and dressing room and there are three further double bedrooms and two bathrooms. Outside there are gardens, a pony paddock and orchard, a range of boxes and an open garage. The rental here is £900pcm.