THE Dairy at Newbiggin-in-Bishopdale, already recognised as the best self-catering accommodation in the Dales for people with disabilities, has won national acclaim less than two months after welcoming its first customers.

The cottage, owned by Diane and Andrew Howarth as part of their small, yet prestigious holiday property portfolio, has taken second place in the national Blue Badge Style awards.

First place went to a boutique Georgian hotel in London’s West End, the Zetter Townhouse in Marylebone. The Dairy, by contrast, is a single-storey building, which the Howarths converted and designed themselves, alongside their own home, Eastburn Farmhouse, in the Bishopdale hamlet.

The awards, announced in London, recognise “exceptional venues with style and accessibility,” and The Dairy was up against competition from the best in the country.

It was nominated in the best boutique hotel/resort category by the London company, Motionspot, which provided some of the features in the Dairy’s fully accessible wet room.

“We are completely amazed to be recognised at national level, all within two months of accepting our first guests at the Dairy,” said Diane. “It’s a hugely prestigious award and we’re delighted.”

This week the Howarths also learned that The Dairy has been chosen by VisitEngland as a video case study to highlight the benefits of good, accessible design and how it can benefit the tourism industry nationally.

Fiona Jarvis, founder of Blue Badge Style, said: “Our awards are about promoting stylish venues which also have good access and facilities.

“Too often people with disabilities don’t go on holiday because they don’t know what to expect when they get there and staff don’t know what to do when they arrive.”

The Howarths’ other holiday cottage, The Byre, also in Newbiggin, was named best self-catering property of the Year in the VisitEngland awards 2017 and Yorkshire cottage of the year in the White Rose awards in 2016.