Discover the Settle Carlisle Railway on your Yorkshire holiday
Did you know that the Settle Carllisle Railway line can be easily accessed from Newton Grange Cottages?
Did you know that the Settle Carllisle Railway line can be easily accessed from Newton Grange Cottages?
Our holiday cottages in Bank Newton, North Yorkshire, enjoy a wonderful, waterside location.
They are situated in a very special location by the Leeds Liverpool Canal.
The canal is a haven for wildlife, with many swans, geese, oyster catchers and more to be seen on a stroll towards East Marton.
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?
When you're here you could...
- Explore Gargrave Green and Stepping Stones over the River Aire
We strive to look after our holiday cottages as if they were our own home, keeping standards up and presenting beautifully clean cottages.
Our guests often comment how they could relax straightaway after they arrive and settle in to their sparklingly clean holiday home.
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.
We have six cottages and twelve bedrooms here at Newton Grange Farm, with space for 24 people to stay.
Take your pick, from one cottage or several, and enjoy spending time amidst the rolling drumlin hills of Bank Newton.
A new year is upon us, full of hope and promise and perhaps ideas of things we'd love to be doing more of.
Taking time out for ourselves and our wellbeing has never felt so important. The past (almost two) years of the Pandemic have left many people feeling more worn-down than they might otherwise have been, with a need to renew energy levels.
Have you ever thought about practising Tai Chi?
Are you thinking ahead about where to visit during your stay here in North Yorkshire?
Harlow Carr Gardens in Harrogate is a super place and something with broad appeal across the generations.
On a recent visit this September, we enjoyed admiring the sculpture displays that have been added this year.
When you travel on holiday (or indeed set off from your own doorstep), do you delight in finding somewhere new or prefer the familiarity and predictability of places visited before?
I guess for many of us it's a mix. If we're taking a true staycation, that is to say, we are having a holiday at home - and perhaps enjoying days out together, often the excitement of the holiday comes in discovering somewhere new. This was exactly what we found on one of our summer holiday staycation weeks this year.
We travelled north east to the Himalayan Gardens and Sculpture Park - just over 1 hour's drive away from Newton Grange Cottages and located just outside the village of Grewelthorpe.
I found it captivating and atmospheric, and a place I could definitely have lingered longer.
There are so many words to describe the spectacular scenery in the limestone landscapes around Malham in the Yorkshire Dales.
Something that I discovered again for myself on a morning walk today in the autumnal sunshine. Setting off early is always a good plan for Malham. It meant that I had the footpaths pretty much all to myself - certainly for the first hour of this short 4.5 mile route, and it was bliss.
Tucked away in Wharfedale, near the pretty settlements of Appletreewick and Skyreholme are Parceval Hall Gardens.
We discovered them one Sunday afternoon this summer. It was really to wonderful to be immersed in so much greenery.
It had been a number of years since I had visited, and at that time I had only seen the more formal gardens adjacent to the Hall itself.
This visit was entirely different.
With just over a week to go until the Cheese Festival in Yorkshire, it's not too late to plan your outing to one of the fabulous food and drink establishments that the Yorkshire Dales has to offer. Tuck in to some delicious cheeses. Try something new. Discover what products are made locally and select your favourite.
The festival takes place between Thusrday 7th and Sunday 10th October 2021.
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.
Our holiday cottages on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park near Skipton are a wonderful choice for groups of friends or extended families, to book their own cottage and have the chance to meet up together outside. Together time, and time to explore individually too.
Which cottages would I pair together?
Summer hay meadows, did you say? But it's December. Quite.
But I like to think back to six month's ago in June and midsummer days because even on the greyest of days, it cheers me up. I remember that sure enough spring appears leading in to those long summer days that I so cherish.
Daily bread.
Many local food and drink businesses are offering vouchers as gifts for those looking to enjoy food and drink together - what better way to support local this Christmas.
Wharfedale is one of the closest Dales to us, home to the majestic River Wharfe and some idyllic villages.
This classic view of Upper Wharfedale is taken from the hill above Kettlewell. It is one of my favourites and a walking route including the views from this hill is included in our Cottage Walking Folders, helping you to have plentiful ideas of where to walk and discover during your stay.
I highly recommend a visit to Castleberg Outdoors off the Market Place in Settle.
We visited recently for a new walking boot purchase for my husband, and then discovered the short walk and joy of climbing up Castleberg Crag for aerial views of this charming little town. A precious few hours just the two of us, followed by selecting some locally produced food in Booths to cook for our tea. Bliss.
Read on for inspiration about activities to do from the doorstep of Newton Grange and those within a 10 minute, 20 minute and 1 hour drive.
There are some great activities to do in the Yorkshire Dales this February Half Term. Here’s a sneak preview of some of our favourite suggestions:
The Yorkshire Dales is a wonderful outdoor playground for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Here are a few ideas for ways to enjoy the fresh air and outdoor landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales.
Why not start with geocaching? Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. To take part you seek to navigate to a set of GPS coordinates and try to find the geocache (container) hidden there. Check out details for fun Geocaching in Yockenthwaite.
August is marching along and there's still time to enjoy exploring the Yorkshire Dales this school holidays. I had a think about some of the lovely things to do in the area, and soon came up with these. In no particular order...
Take a walk through Strid Wood on the Bolton Abbey Estate and meet the Bodger, a skilled craftsman who makes traditional tools out of woodland products.
For those looking for a UK Cycling Holiday, Yorkshire and the Yorkshire Dales are ever more on the map, and for good reason. The county has a wonderful variety of landscapes to experience up close. Cycling is a perfect way to enjoy them. When planning a Yorkshire cycling holiday or just a family cycle ride and day out, where do you go to seek inspiration?
Here is our favourite website for inspiration, and three cycle routes in Yorkshire that showcase the landscapes close to home that we love.
If you're looking for a UK holiday on a shoestring this year, then why choose Yorkshire?
Planning a three day break in Yorkshire without your car may seem like a headache - and not a holiday at all. But I usually find that many things in life can be achieved with a good dose of common sense, a sense of adventure and a little planning.
So first of all, what are your fears if you leave your car behind?
We're delighted to be sponsoring the Dales Discoveries Treasure Hunt this summer. With entries open from this week, it's time to get out and explore the Dales like never before!
The chug-chug of the train and connection to our industrial past, a great appeal to visitors enjoying a trip on the famous Settle Carlisle Railway. So popular is it that tickets are booked up several months in advance. So what is its appeal?
There is something precious about historic steam trains and the survival of the railway line that connects rural places together on this fantastic corridor from the Southern Dales through Cumbria and north to Carlisle.
Having returned from the inspirational Y13 conference this morning, we are reminded of the variety and abundance of things to see and do in Yorkshire. We heard about the fantastic journey so far of the team working behind the scenes on the 2014 Grand Depart of the Tour de France, a world class event on our doorstep. We're looking forward to it with great anticipation.
Newton Grange is ideally placed to enjoy the outdoor activity and adventure that the Yorkshire Dales provide, with the famous limestone scenery at Malham and Settle just a 20 minute drive away.
We are thrilled to be part of Do it in the Dales, and would encourage you to visit their website to find a useful resource of all things outdoorsy. But it’s more than ideas, navigation and signposting. It’s the real thing. Finding out the practicalities of where to hire bikes, find a walking leader and photography teacher and really experience the Dales, guided by the very people who live here.