Family homes to rent in and around York

The reason? Because, apparently, January is the month when the number of couples separating reaches a height.

This has a lot to do with Christmas bringing tensions to screaming-over-the-turkey stress-busting levels (and the least said about the office party effect, the better).

We did consider, then, providing some examples of flats for those finding themselves in a newly single situation. But we just could not bring ourselves to do it. Just too miserable an idea with which to start the New Year… Let us, instead (and with apologies to the separating couples) go for happy families – with some happy family homes to rent in and around York.

Starting with, appropriately, a well-matched couple on the books of Linley and Simpson.

The first is a delightful detached house in Main Street, Great Ouseburn, a superb village home with open views across the surrounding countryside. The highlights of this house include a dual aspect living room, a country style breakfast kitchen with AGA and patio doors leading to the garden, a separate formal dining room, a snug and a large utility room and cloakroom.

That’s a good spread of family accommodation on the ground floor while upstairs there is a master bedroom with an en-suite, two further double bedrooms and a house bathroom. A double garage completes a lively package for which L&S are seeking a rental of £1,200pcm.

Upper Poppleton is another popular village and it is here we find another charming property, in the shape of a detached house in Willow Croft, one which enjoys a good plot with pleasant, enclosed gardens to all sides and with a summerhouse and shed.

The house itself has an entrance hall with cloakroom off, a living room with cheery open fire and patio doors out to the garden. There is a beautiful bespoke dining kitchen with oak units and granite worktops and a full range of integrated appliances, underfloor heating and French doors to the garden. There is also a separate dining room/playroom and a study.

Lots of room downstairs and lots upstairs, too, with the master bedroom having fitted wardrobes, an en-suite shower room and a steam and shower cabin (how cool is that!). There are three further double bedrooms and a house bathroom. Another fine family home, for which Linley and Simpson are seeking £1,550pcm.

Ashtons, meanwhile, have a splendid mid-townhouse property to offer in Fountayne Street, off Haxby Road, a popular location within walking distance of the city centre and handy for Nestles and the hospital.

Presented to a high standard, it offers a number of character touches, starting with parquet flooring in the entrance hallway. The living room has a bay window to the front while the dining room has original storage cupboards. The bright and breezy modern kitchen is well equipped with a good range of appliances including gas cooker and hob, washing machine and fridge-freezer.

The ground floor also has a study/bedroom three with the light-bringing bonus of French doors leading to the rear garden.

There is a large master bedroom to the first floor and a second double bedroom – and a luxury bathroom with bath and large shower unit.

An enclosed, lawned rear garden completes the package. Ashtons are looking for a rental of £1,250pcm.

Next, we are off to Coningham Avenue, Rawcliffe, another location with easy access to York city centre (as well as the inner ring road and commuting routes).

Soon to be redecorated for its next tenants, this is a smart example of a modern townhouse with a lot to offer. We begin, logically, on the ground floor where we find a lounge/dining room – a spacious reception room with French doors to the garden. There is then a fitted kitchen with a good range of appliances including oven and hob, fridge-freezer and washer-dryer. There is also a cloakroom to this floor.

Heading upstairs we find two bedrooms, one with a Juliet balcony with door to the front aspect, and a house bathroom.

And then comes a super master bedroom occupying the whole of the second floor and with fitted wardrobe and an en-suite shower room.

A pleasant lawned rear garden completes the picture. This home is offered by Reeds Rains at a rental of £995pcm.

Our final pick is not, strictly speaking, a family home (unless you’ve a small family or are just a couple thinking about it) but we could not resist its charms.

There is certainly plenty of character on show in Sadlers Cottage, off Heslington Road, within walking distance of the city centre and the university. “Unique,” is how Ashtons describe this property – and we have to agree, it is a lovely, individual cottage home.

Sitting in a small and smart courtyard development, Sadlers Cottage has an interesting layout with two double bedrooms, both with fitted wardrobes, and a bathroom on the ground floor (along with a cupboard area housing washing machine and freezer).

Stairs lead up to a first-floor dining kitchen which combines original features including a cast iron fireplace with modern appliances such as fridge, electric oven and hob and dishwasher – and then steps from here take you up to a comfy-cosy lounge.

Ideal for those who want somewhere with something different and with city life on the doorstep. Offered by Ashtons at a rental of £825pcm.