Nehir Glean 10/11/2025 Nehir Glean 10/11/2025

A Restful Weekend at The Coniston Hotel, Yorkshire Dales

Welcome to the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.

*this article discusses a PR stay

Tucked away in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa offers that perfect balance of countryside calm and modern comfort. I visited in late September, courtesy of Bloxham PR, and from the moment I arrived, it felt like stepping into a pocket of peace.

Exploring the Estate

The hotel sits within 1,400 acres of rolling hills and lakeside views, a landscape that instantly slows your pace. I spent my first afternoon wandering the estate, watching the light dance on the lakewater and breathing in that unmistakable Dales air. It’s the kind of place that makes you exhale all stresses and worries away.

The Nàdarra Spa Experience

Then it was spa time. At Nàdarra Spa, the staff couldn’t have been kinder, I was quickly wrapped in a robe and shown to my treatment room for a head, shoulder and back massage. Tension melted away, and afterwards I lingered in the relaxation room, a dark, cocoon-like space with soft music and mood lighting. It was perfect for a few minutes of stillness and cucumber water before re-joining the world.

Dinner at The View Restaurant

As the afternoon light faded and evening came, I headed to The View Restaurant, which lives up to its name with sweeping scenes of the lake and hills. With game season in full swing, I chose dishes celebrating the best of the estate, starting with, Cured Coniston Lake Trout, Estate Shoot Game Terrine and juniper chutney. The main was a standout Gamekeeper’s Venison Loin with beetroot, blackberry and woodland mushroom polenta. Each dish felt rooted in the land, beautifully presented and paired with a glass of house red.

By the end of the day, I craved total rest and loved that The Coniston offers restaurant service to your room. My Chocolate Tart with home-made malted ice cream arrived right at my door. I enjoyed it in bed with a cup of tea and my current Netflix binge, which felt like pure indulgence.

Early Morning Serenity

The next morning, I was up early to beat the spa rush and slipped into the outdoor heated pool at 7am. Steam rose off the water as the sun broke over the hills. Just me, my coffee, and complete silence. It was simple, beautiful, and exactly what you hope for on a countryside escape.

After a refreshing shower, I went for another stroll through the grounds, sharing the path with pheasants, geese, and the occasional horse. At first they darted away, but after a while, they relaxed and carried on as though I weren’t there.

Breakfast and Countryside Adventures

Breakfast back at The View was a vegetarian full English with a pot of tea, enjoyed while watching the mist lift from the lake. Reluctantly, I packed up and loaded the car, but my morning wasn’t over yet. Down on the estate, The Coniston offers a range of outdoor experiences, from the thrilling Land Rover adventure to the traditional clay shooting I’d booked that day.

Inside the Shooting Lodge, I sipped coffee by the fireplace beneath a proud stag’s head and it felt like a proper countryside hunting lodge. Soon I was fitted for a gun that suited my frame, and my instructor led me out for an hour of clays. The session was exhilarating; a perfect blend of focus, laughter and fresh air.

A Perfect Yorkshire Dales Escape

As I finally drove away, sunlight spilling over the hills, I realised how seamlessly The Coniston brings everything together: wellness, adventure, and the wild beauty of the Dales.

The Coniston Hotel captures the very essence of the Yorkshire Dales: restorative, breathtaking, and quietly unforgettable.

Quick Travel Notes

Location: Coniston Cold, Skipton, North Yorkshire
Best for: Spa breaks, couples’ getaways, and countryside retreats
Don’t miss: The View Restaurant’s seasonal game menu
Spa tip: Take an early swim in the outdoor heated pool for the best sunrise views

Nehir Glean 19/04/2024 Nehir Glean 19/04/2024

Lord Crewe Arms

A weekend in northern England’s countryside.

My family and I have long been visitors of Blanchland. Being only an hour away from my home city of Sunderland, it was always a great day trip away. There is something truly magical about this honey-stone village. It feels like a world away, despite it being so close to major cities, and I think it's down to the fact that the area has been established since the Mediaeval period. Blanchland Abbey was founded in 1165, by Walter de Bolbec and in 1327 King Edward III stayed at the village during his campaign against the Scots. The cobbled streets and winding lanes lead you to the heartbeat of Blanchland, the beautiful hotel that is the Lord Crewe Arms. Initially built as a guest house for the neighbouring abbey.

*The beautiful stonework of these buildings.*

I have already expressed that for my family, this hotel and village has sentimental value. My father and brother are obsessed with one of their ales, Best Bitter. We have been known in the past to drive down specifically just for that! So, when the wonderful LCA team and Bloxham PR invited me for a PR stay last month, this was bigger than the already amazing opportunity! Thank you to both of them again for helping me achieve a childhood dream! I had always wanted to stay at the hotel, ever since we had first visited back when I was a little girl. This was also my first ever PR stay and to be able to experience this for the first time in the north east, was the icing on the cake.

So, I am going to break down what you can do in 48 hours at the Lord Crewe Arms. I would love for you to journey here and experience the wonderful staff, to soak up the amazing history and experience my favourite county of England - Northumberland.

DAY ONE

You awake refreshed from the best night’s sleep in the Radcliffe suite. The stresses of city life rolls away as you open the windows overlooking the abbey and listen to birdsong. If you live in London, then you understand that high water pressure is liquid gold, so you stand in the shower and breathe out all of life’s pressures.

Your room has an abundant selection of teas and coffees, with shortbread and fudge sweet treats as well. So, pour yourself a mug and breathe. Head down to the restaurant for a good breakfast. I opted for the avocado on sourdough toast, with poached eggs and feta cheese.

Time to explore, so get those wellies on! March this year was wet and windy, but no such thing as bad weather, only bad attire! Plus, you are in northern England darling, expect the sun to be few and far between. No excuses though, put your field coat on and get wandering. You can enjoy circular walks around the village and there are river trails that are also perfect for dog walkers. Nearby, there is Slaley Forest which is great for woodland trails too. Once you have tired yourself out, it’s time to head back for food.

And why not opt for the afternoon tea?

The afternoon tea menu is seasonal and you can opt for a champagne version, as well as amend for any dietary requirements. Beyond delicious were the small bites of heaven desserts. My favourite was the pistachio and rhubarb cake. The sweetness mixed with torte felt like a burst of springtime! The sandwiches were stuffed perfectly with filling. A mixture of chicken coronation, egg salad, cheese and chutney, and tuna mayo. Fair to say, I inhaled them!

The evening concludes with the world’s longest soak in the roll top bath. Full disclosure, I am not a bath person. I am a shower get-in-and-get-out kind of gal. The idea of lying in water for hours is just not my vibe. BUT, when in Blanchland…I took a deep breath and submerged. Hearing the gentle birdsong and refusing to look at my phone meant I was conditioned to just sit and soak. And when sitting was a little too much, I read. I actually read a book and it has been a while (I have succumbed to reading from a screen). I felt so at peace. No distractions. The simple joy of a book and bath.

DAY TWO

Arise on day two and enjoy those simple quiet moments you have before the world (i.e. your mobile) interrupts it. Head downstairs for breakfast and this time, I opted for granola, with fresh fruit and yoghurt. The highlight was the berry compote and I was not the only guest to say so!

Time to explore the historic Blanchland Abbey, because essentially, we wouldn’t have the village without it. Walking around, under those huge pillars, you will marvel at how humans built this impressive place of worship, and boggle at how it has stood for centuries, close to a 1000 years. Blanchland Abbey is humble in its décor and unassuming in its artworks. A chapel in Rome, it is not! But that’s what makes English churches, abbeys and cathedrals so interesting and diverse in its architectural design.

Onwards with our exploring of the village. Meet some of the locals along the streets and let them share stories of their home and the magic of this place. Step back in the Lord Crewe Arms for a well deserved lunch and soak in that glorious tub once more (I only have a shower back home)!

If you have journeyed to stay over the weekend, then do not pass up the opportunity for a Sunday roast. This was glorious! A classic meal to dine on with family and friends. Who can resist those giant Yorkshire puds either?!

But like all meals and time spent, it is just as much about the company you keep. I opened with this article and I wanted to highlight once more, how special this place is for my family and I. As an urbanite, it is so hard to switch off and disconnect from the outside noise, but so necessary. As I get older, I appreciate these moments even more.

I have to give my family a special shout out too - they were fully invested in shooting content with me. So much so, they were arguing on who received more close ups in the final version of my reels! And that is what ultimately made this trip so special. I can count on my family to help support me with making media content, to make me laugh as we battled through the rain and cold, and to guide me in these new experiences like PR stays, even if they don’t quite get it sometimes! I am grateful for being on this life journey, and being able to share it with the ones I love.

Whether you venture here solo, with family or friends, you will have the ultimate experience at the Lord Crewe Arms. The team there are an absolute credit to the hotel. Let this magical become your home away from home. Book now!