West Yorkshire Holiday Let Named Best Farm Stay

Local holiday homeowner, Kay Spencer, is celebrating after picking up an award for her property in the West Yorkshire town of Holmfirth.

Long Ing Farm, a stone-built cottage that sits on Kay’s working sheep farm, scooped gold in the Best Farm Stay category of Sykes Holiday Cottages’ national travel awards.

Sykes saw a significant number of entries from across the UK and Ireland – with Long Ing Farm beating off tough competition to take home the trophy.

As part of their stay at Long Ing Farm, guests can immerse themselves in farm life by visiting the animals and even watching the live birth of lambs in the Springtime. The property is home to an outdoor dining pod and hot tub which allow staycationers to absorb the surrounding farmland views, while electric car chargers, solar panels, and an individual water source ensure visitor stays are more environmentally friendly.

Kay decided to diversify her farm and take the leap into holiday letting in December 2018 and has reaped the rewards of a surge in staycations to West Yorkshire ever since, with Long Ing Farm nearly fully-booked throughout 2023.

The Sykes Gem Awards first launched in 2017 and aim to celebrate the best people and properties in the UK’s holiday let sector - judged by a panel of industry experts including Sykes’ CEO Graham Donoghue and COO Bev Dumbleton, as well as The Sun’s Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski.

Properties were judged using owner entries and guest feedback, alongside details like photos, occupancy figures and property amenities.

The judging panel were impressed by the style and facilities on offer at Long Ing Farm, along with guest feedback on cleanliness, comfort and value for money.

Long Ing Farm owner, Kay Spencer, said:
“It’s absolutely fantastic to be recognised for this award and I think the win is a testament to how successful my partnership is with Sykes. I love working with them to welcome my guests to Long Ing Farm, helping groups and families from far and wide make everlasting holiday memories.

“Alongside my farm, holiday letting is my passion and I take pride in offering guests a fabulous experience, from making sure I greet everyone individually to adding personal touches such as decorations and cakes on special occasions. It’s very satisfying for this to be acknowledged!”

Graham Donoghue, CEO of Sykes Holiday Cottages, added:
“We’re excited to have relaunched the Sykes Gems to recognise and reward some of the best holiday lets across the country.

“A lot of work goes into running a successful holiday let so it was a difficult decision amongst so many wonderful properties, but our final winners are those consistently going above and beyond to deliver unforgettable breaks for their guests.

“Staycations are as popular as ever in 2023, with many Brits having rediscovered their love of a holiday at home during the pandemic. Because of this, those with a second home in West Yorkshire might be tempted to turn it into a holiday let – with our Gem Award winners offering plenty of inspiration for those who need it!”