
Picturesque, pastoral and set in an area of peaceful isolation The Coniston Hotel and Country Estate is the ultimate place for an idyllic staycation in the Yorkshire Dales.
Set in a 1,400 acre estate, around 15 minutes drive from Skipton or Settle, this privately owned hotel is the jewel in the crown of the hotels in the Yorkshire Dales.
The Coniston has so much to offer its guests – a luxurious spa, off road Land Rover experiences, clay shooting, a plethora of woodland and lakeside walks and dining experiences. There’s so much to enjoy here – this is the place you can truly kick off your shoes and relax tucked away in a tranquil spot deep in The Dales.
Once through the gates its as if you have left the hustle and bustle of everyday life and found a piece of heaven on earth deep in Yorkshire’s beautiful countryside.
We parked our car easily and were impressed by how easy it was to check in and how friendly and accommodating the reception staff were – something that continued until we checked out next day – they couldn’t do enough for us and other guests.
The reception is large and airy and adorned with artwork which I found fascinating but the plus is the whole hotel is virtually seamless. No need to wonder around to find bars, restaurant etc – this 70 room hotel is so well planned and virtually nearly all on one floor.
Our Dales Room was certainly an indulgent place to escape to. The room was spacious with sliding doors onto our own private patio with views of the rolling hills. This was the ideal space to sit and chill – we had morning coffee, an aperitif and a glass of vino long after midnight just looking at the stars.
The king size bed was very comfortable with white crispy sheets and I loved the fact there was a pillow menu – which stopped any domestics about my choice of soft pillow and my partner’s love of a firm pillow.
The room had so many thoughtful extras. My partner loved the technology of the docking station and all the technical assets. Whilst I was more than impressed by the fact that as well as a Dyson Hair Dryer there was a set of tongs. Tongs are always the heaviest part of my luggage and this was bliss to find them here – something that even the largest five star hotels don’t have yet!
Fluffy gowns, slippers and high class toiletries, a mini fridge, coffee machine plus lots of other thoughtful extras were in the room. I loved the little treats of Yorkshire Crisps and Biscuits, sweets and chocolate bars such a great addition.
The bathroom was nice and large with a powerful rainwater shower and a deep bath and lots of good lighting for making up in – as a regular hotel reviewer this is always a bone of contention with me.
There was lots of comfortable seating in the room and a table to either work at or to eat room service if you so desired. To me the planning and design of this room was absolutely spot on.
If we had felt more energetic we could have booked an off road Land Rover Experience – but that’s something I am really good at regularly going off road in all sorts of terrain during the time I lived in Australia – and I know from other assignments shooting was out as I find it hard to lift a riffle never mind fire one!
But I did enjoy my look round of the shooting area which is one of the best in the UK and is often used by the All England Team. It’s a sport worth trying and they have a dedicated team of instructions who cater for first time shooters to those more experienced. But I must admit a budding Annie Oakley I aren’t more a Calamity Jane!!!
So we started our staycation with some ‘me’ time in the Nadarra Spa. Nadarra means Natural in Scottish Gaelic and set in the middle of God’s Own County’s countryside this is back to nature.
The Spa is set a little way from the hotel but exit down your corridor and cross a very short path and you are there. From the outside you can see the wonders that await.
Having been to more than 150 spas world wide over the last 17 years this impressed especially the two outdoor infinity pools that look out over the rolling hills, lake and forest – its like being alone with nature.
There are seven pieces of indoor thermal experiences round the pool and swimming in the indoor pool is a great experience with the floor to ceiling windows and glass roof.
The treatment rooms and relaxation area for those having treatments is superb and so relaxing. I did treat my partner to a massage as I had missed his birthday as it was during one of his long tours of duty at sea. He was well impressed by the facilities and felt so much better for this.
Earlier we had sampled the menu in the Blossoms Kitchen. This is in the Spa building and I was impressed by how sophisticated it was with its bright furniture and was so less clinical than most Spa eateries.
The food in Blossoms Kitchen is Yorkshire inspired with an Asian flavour, its attractive and nutritious. They serve brunch, lunch and a very unusual Asian inspired afternoon tea.
I decided on the Chicken and Sesame Skewers with a chilli and orange dipping sauce. The chicken was tender on the three large skewers whilst my partner enjoyed the Crispy Beef with Sesame Sloe and Teriyaki Sauce – a real tasty dish.
We shared a plate of Spring Rolls, which were quite spicey,Soy and Garlic Mushrooms, a delight of a dish and Crispy Belly Pork with pickled carrott.
The sweets excel in here the Lemon Drizzle Cake I ordered was beautifully light, warm and must have been home-made whilst my partners choice of Fresh Fruit and Coconut was so well presented he was loathed to start to demolish it.
My partner being a Londoner is always astounded by the beauty of Yorkshire and adores it. I tell him its not all coal mines, back to back houses and industrial revolution architecture! So we had a short walk around the grounds before getting ready for dinner on one of the shorter paths I must admit.
Before dinner we indulged in a cocktail on the terrace outside The View restaurant. Its large and spacious and has wonderful views of the lake – in warmer weather its perfect to dine alfresco.
The View Restaurant has floor to ceiling windows on one side and has some great features. Where-ever you can share the views from the windows. The restaurant is well choreographed table wise so, although it’s a large space you have your own share of privacy.
The menu is inspiring to say the least. Every dish is so well presented it’s a work of art and really it’s a shame to put your folk into it – but needs must.
For starters my partner had the Chicken Liver Parfait with Cherry Chutney and Savoury Tuille this came presented in an egg shell with melba toast. I chose a dish called Tomato and I never knew the humble tomato could take on so many guises.
It consisted of a Tomato and Sumac Sald, Olive and Wild Mushroom Soil, Tomato Crisps, Tomato Ponzu and Black Garlic Puree which added an extra zest to the dish.
For mains my partner chose the Ribeye Steak it was tasty and succulent and the chips were well cooked and crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
My choice was the Sea Trout served with new potatoes, smoked bacon and avocado which added flavour to the dish. With this I had a mixed leaf salad.
I had to tell the waiter that the portions were massive for all courses and also the sides. He smiled and said “They are Yorkshire portions”.
The Courtyard Cheese Board with chutney and crackers was my partners choice and again it was massive so much so that I helped him finish it when we moved to the bar.
But the absolute crowning glory of my meal – and the best dessert this pudding expert has tasted was the Meringue with gooseberry and honey. This was no ordinary Meringue but one worth of a culinary Oscar!
It was amazing it was covered in white chocolate and filled with gooseberries and honey. Totally mind-blowing and the best dessert I have tasted for a long long time. Compliments and accolades to the chef who designed it.
We retired to Macleod’s Bar and Lounge. This is a warm welcoming spacious place with a small bar adjacent. Its perfect for any time of the day and I loved the décor modern but rustic.
After finishing off the cheeseboard with the obligatory glass of port we decided to retire to our room with some wine and sit out on the terrace and watch the stars and catch up on what we both had been doing over the last few months as my partner travels the world in the course of his job.
Next morning it was time to sample the Coniston’s breakfast menu including a Yorkshire Breakfast or for those who like other things there were Eggs Florentine, Benedict and so on and even a Smoked Haddock Rarebit!
The Yorkshire Breakfast was for us and we really enjoyed the flavour of all the items including locally produced Sausage from nearby Cracoe.
Soon it was time to pack up and leave The Coniston as my partner wanted to see Malham Cove and Gordale Scar only 20 minutes away and I wanted to shop in Skipton – a great little market town with some amazing shops.
So it was goodbye to the Coniston after one of the most relaxing staycations I have had this year.
The Coniston Hotel Country Estate and Spa, Coniston Cold, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 4EA. Tel: 01756 748080 Email: info@theconistonhotel.com
Website: theconistonehotel.com
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