Farm Stay in the Yorkshire Countryside
What is best about staying on a farm in the countryside?
That sounds like the start of a running race, doesn't it?
Running is something that I have enjoyed re-discovering in the past twelve months, including taking part in a couple of running races. That moment before the race begins is so full of anticipation and preparation - making sure that your shoe laces are well tied and footwear secure on your feet; feeling the crowds around you in shared expectation of the race ahead; trying to tune-out any 'race fears' of others around you and keeping the focus on your own race.
So why am I talking about running, when we're thinking about holiday cottages?
What's it like at Newton Grange Cottages in Bank Newton?
Well, we love it! These are the things that make it a really special place and a beautiful setting.
There are gorgeous, stone built, listed buildings, and they are surrounded by rolling green pastures (the drumlin hills) where our sheep flock graze. The Grade II listed Newton Grange Farmhouse dates from approximately 1780 and is in Georgian in character.
One of this year's highlights was being asked to host some filming for the second series of "All Creatures Great and Small". Having loved watching the first series last Autumn, we were thrilled to be a small part of the production jigsaw this year.
What a fantastic week it has been in Yorkshire to enjoy time outdoors! Sunshine, abundant green spaces and simply beautiful summertime.
Our unique setting alongside the stunning waterways in Bank Newton opens up so many possibilities for fresh air and adventure right on the doorstep of Newton Grange Cottages and our sheep farm.
We hope that you'll enjoy our Adventure Video that we made in Spring - featured on our Facebook page.
The setting of Newton Grange Holiday Cottages, adjacent to one of the most picturesque sections of the Leeds Liverpool Canal that you'll find, is so often commented upon by our guests as one of the best parts of their stay.
From easy and level walking along the canal towpath, through to taking some precious time out, our cottages are a popular choice for those seeking time to spend doing more of the things they love. Be this walking, reading, painting, drawing, enjoying a leisure picnic with family, practising Tai Chi and movement, or paddling on the waterways - we warmly invite you to stay at Newton Grange Cottages.
This Spring we loved making a video all about Wellbeing stays, which can be watched on our Facebook page. A selection of photographs capturing the essence of it are shared below.
I wrote a poem today that I'd love to share with you.
There's a buzz about Bank Newton
I can feel it in the air
Celebrities descending
Our fields they wanted to share
There's something compelling about seeing the area you live and work in on screen. You see it every day and yet when you hear 'it's going to be on TV', an excitement bubbles within.
But why is this? Does it look better on screen than in real life?
Newton Grange Farm is a 240 acre working sheep farm that has been in our family since the 1980s. The farm is a mixture of grassland for grazing our sheep flock and woodland copses and shelter belts which support a range of bird life.
The farm came back in hand in 2000 when a period of restoration and renewal began, first updating the Grade II listed buildings – the farmhouse and the Chapel – and later converting some of the farm buildings in to self catering cottages.
Today is 'Tell a Story Day'. Here is a little about me and my story of what I love about living and working at Newton Grange.
Together with my parents Catherine and John, and with the fantastic support of my husband and family, I feel so fortunate to look after Newton Grange Farm and to welcome guests to stay here from all over the world.
Delighted to read our feature in this month's Aspire magazine - a great little resource for finding out more about the local area and businesses within it.
Newton Grange Farm has two listed buildings on it - Newton Grange Farmhouse and The Chapel House. Both are Grade II listed. We thought it would be interesting to look a little further in to local history - with the help of an archaeologist friend, we found out some interesting things.
It was a great lambing season at Newton Grange Farm this spring, with fine weather (mostly) and a fantastic team of Veterinary students from Glasgow and Nottingham Universities. Some of the students even featured in our local newspaper, the Craven Herald - great to see, and very well done on all your hard work. The lambs are flourishing in the fields.
What a delight to see the lambs out enjoying the sunshine today in the fields. I thought you'd like to see a few photographs of the new arrivals here at Newton Grange.
Five years ago, a team of Australian trail runners stayed at Newton Grange to take part in the first ever Oxfam Trailtrekker - a 100km route on foot from Skipton through the Yorkshire Dales, to be completed in teams of four in less than 30 hours. They won. In a time of 13 hours 26 minutes. Wow. And at the start of the 2013 Oxfam Trailtrekker the Sydney S.T.A.R.S remained the course record holders and the team to beat.
So we entered. And this year, on 1st June 2013, the Oxfam Trailtrekker course record was beaten by an incredible 26 minutes.
Last week it was a real joy to walk through the fields to see the new lambs out to play for the first time this year. The sun was shining and it was a lovely picture to see the young lambs and their mothers enjoying being outside.
Sitting around the fireside with the new year around the corner, my eyes are drawn to the bright flames dancing and jumping in their fusion of colour. The faint crackle in the room.
Sometimes I think I could watch a fire burn all evening. Then I realise I’ve been sitting for hours not minutes and my mind has been set free to dream.
As the new year approaches somehow I can’t help but think of all those good intentions we have - things we’d love to do, but don’t always find time for. Our search for a healthy and happy lifestyle.
As the sun goes down at the end of 2012, we reflect on what a momentous year it has been.
I love to bake. Ever since the long summer holidays at school when I used to practise different recipes for entry in the clases at Gargrave Show, I've enjoyed trying out new recipes. And this year, I thought it would be fun to bake for our B&B guests as I practise for Gargrave Show entries this year, but most importantly to really offer some local food produced by local people...
Rachael Berry returned to Skipton in June 2012 to join the family business. She brings with her a passion for hospitality and a love of rural enterprise. Some meticulous organisational skills and an enthusiasm to meet new people. And a depth of business experience from working in Cambridge, Leeds and London. Rachael is looking forward to continually improving the holiday accommodation at Newton Grange over the next few years, increasing the amenities provided to holiday makers and encouraging visitors to return time and again.