The Coniston Hotel and Country Estate sits amid 1,400 acres of luscious Yorkshire countryside. Privately owned by the Bannister family, the centrepiece of its rural setting is the 24-acre lake, which can be seen from most of the hotel’s 70-plus bedrooms.
This grand estate, situated alongside the busy A65, is not only a perfect spot for corporate events, wedding receptions and other special occasions, but perfect for enjoying a short or longer holiday break.
I visited with my wife and two children, aged eleven and five, and ended up wishing we could stay longer. The Coniston – which offers plenty of parking spaces – scores highly in so many areas, beginning with location: nestling between the market towns of Skipton and Settle, it’s an ideal base for exploring the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
And what a comfortable base it provides, too. Twenty years ago, nothing more than a farm shop stood on this spot before a tea room was added. Next, ten luxury rooms were built to provide accommodation – that number has now increased to 71, thanks to the recent addition of 22 luxury rooms. But that’s not the end: plans are afoot to open a spa in 2014. Bedrooms offer all the mod cons you’d ever need, including free wi-fi, and a spacious balcony overlooking the lake – oh, and what a view!
When it comes to dining, there is a choice between the more formal Macleod’s Restaurant, where we eat, or the more casual Huntsman’s Lodge, a spacious brasserie-styled room enjoying views down to the lake and furnished with a variety of comfy armchairs for those enjoying a drink or table and chairs for anyone eating. Despite being a family of vegetarians, which can often lead to difficulties – even in 2012 – when eating out at restaurants, we experienced no problems choosing suitable dishes from the menu; even modifying our choice slightly caused no difficulties for the restaurant staff, all of whom were exceptionally friendly and welcoming.
In fact, we felt welcome from the moment we arrived at The Coniston. Everyone was not only helpful but wanted to do their utmost to ensure our stay was pleasurable. When I experienced a minor problem connecting to the wi-fi, this was dealt with expeditiously; I even received a follow-up call to check everything was OK. It’s little touches like this that can make the difference.
Even though the rolling landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales are on the hotel’s doorstep, such is the variety of activities on offer at The Coniston that you could easily stay put. Choose from, among others, clay pigeon shooting, fishing, archery, Land Rover safari or falconry. We decided on falconry and enjoyed every minute of it: it was great fun – and very informative – for all the family.
The Coniston is a top-class hotel and one I strongly recommend if you’re ever in North Yorkshire or planning to visit this beautiful corner of England.
Further information:
Coniston Cold
Skipton
North Yorkshire BD23 4EA
Tel: 01756 748080