BY ALLISON LEE
I had the pleasure of a two night stay at Swinton Park Hotel recently and it was a truly amazing experience. The hotel is a Grade II castle set in stunning gardens and parkland at the heart of the 20,000 acre Swinton Estate. It is the ancestral seat of the Earl of Swinton and the informal stately home experience makes this dog friendly hotel perfect for couples, families, and corporate events.
The list of activities on offer is extensive and covers a variety of outdoor pursuits together with cookery courses and spa treatments. Our stay coincided with the Great British Game Week so many of the activities were geared around that such as fly fishing and experiences teaching how to cook Yorkshire game. Menus focused around British game and I have to admit the game terrine I opted for in Samuel’s Restaurant was mouth watering!
The Autumn/Winter activity schedule is prolific with experiences ranging from clay pigeon shooting and wreath making through to willow workshops and Mexican cuisine cookery courses.
During my stay I opted for a spa treatment and two activities that I had never experienced before. The treatments offered at Swinton Country Club are a combination of modern and ancient therapies providing a high degree of relaxation which can be continued, after the treatment, in one of three relaxation rooms where you can relax in a starlit pod or switch off completely on one of the heated water beds. The Country Club offers a range of massages including the couples candle connection massage which I booked for myself and my husband. It was my husband’s first time experiencing a massage and I have to admit he was little nervous. However, he soon succumbed to the skill of the therapist who expertly worked to reduce any stress and tension.
Our second experience was a first for both of us and I experienced a mixture of excitement and apprehension as we walked the short distance through the hotel gardens, watching deer graze on the side of the lake, towards the Birds of Prey area for our falconry experience. Our guide, Mandy, was wonderful; her knowledge, experience and love of all the birds was obvious to see, and I felt myself being drawn into the amazing world of these beautiful birds. We were given a tour of the aviary which housed birds of varying sizes from the smallest of owls to the incredible Harris Hawk. Mandy explained about the birds’ natural habitat, what they eat, how they are exercised and she answered all my questions with knowledge and experience; making the whole encounter absolutely magical. We were allowed to handle the birds and they flew between the three of us giving us the experience of seeing these remarkable birds close up and in flight. Their strong wings, silent when in motion, powerful beaks and claws were truly remarkable and I loved every minute of it.
There are a variety of birds of prey experiences on offer on the Swinton Estate including an hour’s experience planned around families where children can handle the smaller birds. Falconry displays and photographic workshops are also offered and I am sure, now that I have got a taste of these wonderful birds of prey, that I will be back to experience more.
Our final activity of the weekend was the Luminescence Winter Light Trail. The trail opened for the first time on the 6th November so it was very much in its infancy when we experienced it just two days later, but I am sure it will be offered again as it is truly magical. The trail is just over one mile in length and it is perfect for adults and children. My husband and I walked it in less than an hour and, after the initial few steps at the start of the trail, the path is flat and step-free, making it perfect for everyone to enjoy. The mile long ‘loop’ starts at the Swinton Country Club and makes its way through the Walled Garden and woodland before taking you around Coffin Pond and then returning to the Hotel via the Terrace Bar and Restaurant.
The lights are arranged in various sections with my favorite being ‘The Galaxy’ a relatively simple, but extremely effective, display of planets and the solar system. Majestic deer, glittering chandeliers, stars and illuminated umbrellas and lanterns hung from trees make for a truly spectacular display that doesn’t fail to impress. The weather was kind to us but, with warm clothing and sensible footwear, the trail can be enjoyed whatever the weather. Warm drinks and snacks are available partway round the trail, at the Woodland Grotto, and these can be enjoyed around a blazing fire pit, making the experience all the more enjoyable.
Luminescence is a perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors in wonderful parkland, surrounded by nature, where the real deer are happy to gaze over the fence at their illuminated counterparts. It was a truly magical experience.
If you prefer not to indulge in the many activities and experiences on offer then you can simply enjoy the parkland at your own leisure. The hotel produces a handy parkland walking guide which clearly shows the routes around the four lakes, and dedicated walks around the estate, taking in the lake house and island and the deer house. Swinton Estate is a remarkable place to stay or simply visit and I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
Allison Lee is a smallholder from North Yorkshire who has written for the Yorkshire Times and other publications. Her website can be accessed here.