STANDING in the freezing cold night watching enthusiastic enactors bashing the living daylights out of each other – presumably in an attempt to keep warm – a thought occurred.

Here in York, the end of the Viking festival traditionally signals the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

It might not have felt like it on Saturday night but warmer days and nights really are on the way. In which case you will need your own Valhalla in which to enjoy the better weather. A nice light and airy family home with some decent outdoor space for barbecues and parties or just a spot of al fresco living.

And so this week that is exactly what we’ve found for you… Starting with a sunlight-soaked semi-detached in Edgware Road, Fulford (the photographer must have called on a rare recent sunny day).

This home certainly makes the most of the light – particularly with its delightful dining conservatory which opens onto a good-sized garden with lawned and patio areas, mature trees and shrubs and mix of running around and seating areas.

“Ideal for families,” is how Martin and Co describe the property and with its three bedrooms (two doubles and a single) and a modern bathroom upstairs and with a lounge with wood-burning stove and a large well-fitted contemporary kitchen downstairs it does seem to fit the bill.

It’s in a good spot, too, with easy access to York city centre, the university and the A19 and A64. Martin and Co are looking for a rental of £950pcm.

Another “great family home,” according to Letters of Distinction, is our next pick – another attractive semi, this one in Tamworth Road, York. Here you can welcome the spring and summer into a generously-sized conservatory which has good views of (and opens on to) the rear garden.

The house also has a living room with focal feature fireplace, a fully fitted dining kitchen with appliances including gas hob and electric oven, washing machine, dishwasher and fridge freezer.

The master bedroom has an en-suite shower room, there is a further double bedroom, a single and a house bathroom. There is a garage along with the gardens and if you have a family pet you may be able to bring it along (not the case with many rental properties). Letters of Distinction are looking for a rental of £925pcm.

Staying with semis, we now pop out to Leven Road, Dringhouses, where we find a property ideal for those who like a bit of space to play with outside – and the garden here certainly has a touch of character with raised, decorative pebble beds in a stone-flagged section running down to a good-sized lawned area.

The house itself has a front reception room with bay window seating and another living room to the back while there is a newly fitted and well-equipped kitchen. Upstairs there are two double bedrooms, both with fitted wardrobes, and a single bedroom and bathroom. This one is offered by Letters Ltd at a rental of £825pcm.

Looking for a bit more bedroom space? A big and beautiful home family home can be found in Teachers Close, off Tadcaster Road. This recently constructed house is in an ideal spot close to the A64 and with easy access into York city centre.

It has – in very brief terms – a sitting room, dining room, breakfast kitchen (with a good range of appliances) and a ground floor cloakroom. There is a master bedroom with en-suite shower room and two further double bedrooms sharing a Jack and Jill bathroom on the first floor before you stretch up to the top to find a second floor bedroom with en-suite bathroom and a useful study/home office.

The house has open views to the front and an enclosed rear garden with patio area and an integral garage. An executive property for which Linley and Simpson are asking a rental of £1,850pcm.

The same agents have supplied us with our last but definitely not least property – this one a smart detached house in Malt Kiln Lane in the sought-after village of Appleton Roebuck (in the catchment area for the highly regarded Tadcaster Grammar School.

Lots of upmarket character touches here including hardwood flooring in the living room along with a feature fireplace in a dark wood surround – this is a light and airy room, too, with dual aspects to the garden.

There is a second reception room and then you have a delightful, spacious dining kitchen with integrated double oven and a good range of appliances. On the first floor the master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and there are three further double bedrooms and a family bathroom. Outside, large gardens to all sides complete the package for which Linley and Simpson have set a rental of £1,595pcm.