Author: mark

What an interesting discovery made on a day out trip to the Embsay steam railway line.

A mere twenty minutes drive from Bramble Cottage Hetton and ten minutes from The Bolton Abbey Estate we boarded the steam train at the quaint Embsay station.

https://www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk/

Run by volunteers it cost £12 for adults and £5 for children ( June 2022 ) for the return ride. These tickets cover the journey but they do offer afternoon teas on board in the first class carriages and certain themed food trips throughout the year as optional extras.

Parking is free, the journey up to Bolton Abbey Station takes approximately 30 minutes through the rolling Yorkshire countryside and the same on the return.

It has to be said that the Bolton Abbey station is a poor second to the well kept and pretty Embsay station and a little shabby in places although in reality just a reflection of the continual funding needed to maintain and improve the attraction.

A good cafe and outside picnic tables at Bolton Abbey Station mean you can stop to eat or venture on from the station to the Bolton Abbey Estate.

Approximately 20 minutes walk to the Devonshire Pub and a further 10 minutes to visit the Priory.

The stations biggest claim to fame must be its May 1918 visit by King George V via the railway from Sandringham, complete with his horse Jock. Accompanied by his wife Mary it was a visit to shoot with the then Duke of Devonshire on the estate and more importantly to visit the locality and local factories as a rallying call to raise morale during World War One.

Fascinating !

It is the middle of June and a warm sunny afternoon here at Bramble Cottage.

We are about to enjoy a glorious G&T on the patio after a day out in Skipton, The Gateway to The Dales.

The roses are just coming out, the digitalis is on its way and the garden is looking gorgeous.

Take a staycation break with us in the Yorkshire Dales at Bramble Cottage Hetton near Malham Cove and you too can experience the pretty cottage garden and patio.

www.bramblecottagehetton.co.uk/availability

We have climbing roses, clematis and honeysuckle creeping up the stone walls. The beds are bursting with lilac, alliums, verbena, lupin, foxgloves and salvias making this private cottage garden a treat. The campanulas that borders the patio are just glorious when out.

Our gardener Georgie does a splendid job of keeping it at its best for your stay and we are currently working on a planting plan to pack even more colour and interest through the seasons so you will not be disappointed whatever time of year you pick.

An adult-only restful retreat, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales and only 20 minutes from Bramble Cottage. The Devonshire Spa is housed in an ancient barn, adjacent to the hotel on the Bolton Abbey Estate.

We took advantage of the ‘Mid Week One’ ( £145 for two ) and can not recommend it enough…

Retreat to an exclusive spa hideaway for the day in your own personal cosy bell tent with complimentary refreshments, private dining area, vanity area, log burning stove and outdoor loungers.

Your spa day includes:

• Rasul chamber experience for two
• Light lunch of soup, sandwiches and cakes, served in your private bell tent sanctuary
• Spa access with personal itinerary and facility allocation to ensure safety and social distancing
• Towels, robes and slippers

Available Monday to Thursdays.

Additional spa treatments include,

Relaxing full body massage. £80 | 60 Minutes

Bespoke prescription facial for your skin type. £70 | 60 Minutes

To book call 01756 718 142 or email spa@thedevonshirearms.co.uk , Monday-Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm.

The beauty of the Dales extends below ground as well as above. A day trip up the Dale to Ingleton and the White Scar Cave is a scenic 45 minute drive from Bramble Cottage Hetton.

The cave was created by carbon dioxide rich water dissolving limestone deposits and has resulted in formations of stalagmites and stalactites. Thousands of which are in the Battlefield Cavern which was formed over two hundred thousand years ago. At more than 100 metres long and up to 30 metres high, it is one of the largest caverns in Britain.

Current entry prices are ( February 2022 ) £13 adults and £9 children. Tours start from 10.00am

The guided tours last 80 minutes and cover approx one mile.

First discovered in 1923 the cave has had further discoveries since then including The Battlefield. The White Scar cave remains one of the largest known cave chambers in the UK.

• 

• 

• 

• 

After cave exploration you could pop into the on-site cafe for tea or visit The Masons Freehouse in Ingleton and enjoy traditional pub food and selection of cask conditioned ales. https://masonsismoran.co.uk/

Note.

There are a few tight and/or low points to negotiate in the cave as well as plenty of steps towards the end but they are well lit and suitable for most levels of fitness bar the very infirm.

Hard hats are provided !

Keelham Farm shop on the outskirts of Skipton and just 6 miles from Bramble Cottage Hetton invokes memories of food shopping from a bygone era brought bang up to date.

Along with a butchers, cheese and bakery counters you can pick up fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers and artisan gift products.

Working with 250 producers in Yorkshire and sourcing much produce locally it really is great place to shop.

With gift ideas, beers and wines, dry goods you really can shop for your stay at the cottage here.

The restaurant is open daily for great food from 8.30-5.30 Mon-Sat and until 4.00 on Sundays. From full breakfasts through to light snacks they offer a varied selection including vegan options. We stopped in for lunch, two roast beef baps, fries and a beer… delicious !

Take advantage of this years double bank holiday 02 and 03 June 2022 and take a vacation in The Yorkshire Dales.

Super comfortable accommodation with a lovely cottage garden to enjoy in the heart of the National Park.

Get away from the madding crowd and relax for seven nights at just £995

Reserve here http://bramblecottagehetton.co.uk/availability/

Make the most of May. Take four days off work and enjoy a week in the spring sunshine in The Yorkshire Dales.

This is how we look on a May morning, daffodils out, sheep grazing and blue skys !

Book the May Bank Holiday week 30April – 07 May 2022 here, http://bramblecottagehetton.co.uk/availability/

Have Easter Sunday and Monday up in the Yorkshire Dales relaxing in our delightful cottage. Nestled in the small village of Hetton but only 10 minutes from Skipton, “The Gateway to The Dales” Bramble Cottage is the ideal spot to explore the region.

Malham and Bolton Abbey are on the doorstep. Kettlewell in under an hour and Harrogate an hour and 30 minutes away.

Visit some of the local traditional pubs, ramble in the countryside and head home totally recharged.

Easter week Saturday 16-23 April 2022 available for £702 reserve here https//:bramblecottagehetton.co.uk/availability/

Come and enjoy the beautiful Yorkshire walking countryside.

Picturesque vistas, Word famous landmarks, cosy village pubs and your own rental cottage for a week right in the heart of it all.

Tastefully furnished, all amenities to make it home from home and an open fire to come back to after a day exploring. Cotton bedding throughout in super comfortable beds will ensure a great nights sleep too!

Winter weeks available from £613 reserve your week herehttp://bramblecottagehetton.co.uk/availability/

A day in York and afternoon tea at Bettys is a fantastic start to early December.

Heading out of Skipton on the A660 out through Otley and Tadcaster or the via the A59 through Harrogate either way will take approximately 90 minutes to get to the historic town of York for a great day out strolling through the Shambles, visiting the Minster, take in The Viking museum and of course Bettys the famous tearooms.

Early December means the Christmas decorations are up the and the Christmas stalls are out which means a magical festive backdrop to the Christmas stalls and walk around the city walls.

The Minster has been at the centre of Christianity since the 7th century and is a wonderful 800 year old building. 

The Norvick Viking Experience has 1000 year old artefacts and a ride which takes you through Viking York whilst the 2.1 mile medieval city walls are the most complete example in the UK and take approximately one hour to walk. 

Shambles is one of York’s most famous landmarks and one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe. A stroll here is ideal to pop into the now famed ghost shop at number 6 Shambles.

Complete the day with a visit to Bettys, founded in 1919 it remains a quintessential British favourite.