The historic city of York is about 1 hour and the UNESCO World Heritage site at Fountains Abbey is about 20 minutes drive away.
History
The Swinton Estate is one of the largest estates in England, situated in North Yorkshire and stretching from the River Ure in Wensleydale up onto the moorland Dales. Comprising 20,000 acres, about two thirds of the land is forestry, reservoirs and farmland and one third open moorland, and there are upwards of 90 properties situated both within the charming market town of Masham and the surrounding countryside. The Estate borders The Yorkshire Dales National Park and falls within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Mashamshire is recorded in the Domesday Book and there is a rich history dating back to the early Britons, with a fine Norman church and the remains of a Saxon cross in the churchyard.
The Estate has been in the ownership of the Cunliffe-Lister family since the 1880’s, when Samuel Cunliffe-Lister bought the estate on retiring from his mill in Bradford, Manningham Mills.
His grand-daughter Molly and husband Philip Lloyd-Graeme then took the family name on inheriting the estate and the family home, Swinton Park, and Philip was appointed Earl of Swinton in 1955.
Molly’s grandson Nicholas is the current Earl of Swinton, and his son Mark the Baron of Masham. Mark is now responsible for the running of the Estate, and he and his wife Felicity converted the family home into a hotel in 2001.
Food & Wine
Our chef, Simon Crannage, enjoys an enviable reputation for the quality of the food served at Samuel’s. Swinton Park’s 3 AA rosette Restaurant. The restaurant has been awarded membership of the esteemed Chaine de Rotisseurs association, and is listed in Hardens as a “Top Scorer”. The hotel has also been awarded membership of the Tea Guild, in recognition of its excellent quality of service and high standards.
The emphasis in the restaurant menu is on seasonal and local produce inspired by the fruit, vegetables and herbs grown in the hotel’s four acre walled garden (the largest hotel kitchen garden in the UK), and the menus change accordingly. The hotel is also surrounded by a 20,000 acre estate stretching from the River Ure in Wensleydale up onto the moorland Dales and estate venison, rabbit, smoked trout and game are a few examples of the local ingredients sourced from it.
SWINTON PARK SPA
Located within the castle at Swinton Park, amid 200 acres of tranquil landscaped grounds, few spas can boast such a glorious location. While we don’t actually offer massages in the woods, the Parkland offers the opportunity for a refreshing, mind-clearing stroll before and after treatments, as well as walking and running tracks for the more energetic.
Bedrooms
All thirty one rooms are on the first or second floor, with double or twin accommodation, and are equipped with direct telephone and modem points, CD player, flat screen TVs, trouser press, complimentary Raisthorpe Manor Sloe Gin and coffee/tea facilities. There is complimentary WiFi access throughout the hotel.
