THE PERFECT HOST

Built between 1805 and 1825 and situated in the heart of the picturesque Yorkshire countryside, Bowcli e Hall is a beautifully diverse and extraordinary venue, o ering wideranging amenities and services for both business and pleasure.

From its exclusive private members’ club and stunning wedding and special events areas, to corporate entertainment, private meeting rooms and o ce spaces – Bowcli e Hall is truly distinctive in its o ering. The team at Bowcli e Hall is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and crafting experiences that are unique to each individual customer.

As one of the most breathtaking wedding venues in the region, Bowcli e Hall provides an utterly spectacular backdrop for weddings and civil ceremonies. Steeped in history, there are a number of locations onsite that are licensed for wedding ceremonies, meaning they can cater for you and your guests, no matter your requirements or size of wedding party – their dedicated team can create a uniquely-bespoke wedding package just for you, helping you to bring your dream wedding to life.

What’s more, there are a selection of beautiful reception areas to choose from, all featuring the finest interiors and decadent decor that provide a real wow factor – ideal for spectacular photographs to keep for life.

From meetings and conferences to team building days and private functions, at Bowcli e Hall they host a wide variety of events throughout the year, both indoor and outdoor. Located just minutes from the A1M near Wetherby, Bowcli e Hall Estate is incredibly easy to find and access for all guests.

Another gem Bowcli e Hall has to o er is its Drivers’ Club – one of Yorkshire’s finest and most exclusive private members’ clubs. O ered exclusively by invitation and to those who hold events at Bowcli e Hall, as well as tenants of the business premises available on the estate, members of the Drivers’ Club benefit from exclusive privileges available nowhere else.

From exclusive access to the privacy of members-only areas and use of the Drivers’ Club restaurant, members are also o ered the use of the Hall’s meeting rooms, priority booking of special celebrations and are invited to the exclusive members’ events that are held throughout the year, providing fantastic networking opportunities and the chance to host family and friends in the Drivers’ Club signature, opulent style.

The chefs in the Drivers’ Club restaurant boast a wealth of experience and produce mouth-watering dishes daily, all using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. What’s more, the Bowcli e Hall Drivers’ Club is available to hire exclusively for private or corporate events in the evenings or at weekends. With a capacity to cater for up to 85 standing guests for a drinks reception or 40 seated guests, the Drivers’ Club truly is a magnificent venue.

Bowcliffe Hall

More information on Bowcliffe Hall’s truly unique offering is available at bowcliffehall.co.uk Get in touch by calling 01937 541 111 or emailing events@bowcliffehall.co.uk to discuss your requirements

There is so much more here than first meets the eye in the small market-town of Skipton near the (sssshhh) Lancashire border. It’s well worth looking beyond its traditionally acclaimed assets, namely the magnificently preserved mediaeval castle, picturesque canal basin and the vibrant market straddling the High Street four days a week. While those famous features alone provide abundantly the vital ingredients for a grand day out or a short-stay break, Skipton has significantly more to o er when you delve beyond their obvious appeal.

First o , its location ticks several boxes for both residents and visitors alike. Dubbed ‘Gateway to the Dales’, it sits conveniently as a springboard for Wharfedale, arguably the prettiest of the Yorkshire Dales, with its distinctive limestone features and patchwork of drystone walls. From Skipton you can enjoy the proximity of the stunning National Park without the downside of staying in a tourist honeypot. It is a natural base for exploring the area.

Skipton is serviced by key roads, the A59 which runs east/west and the A65 running north/south. By rail it’s connected from Leeds and Bradford on up to Scotland via the iconic Settle-Carlisle railway.

Sheepish About Its Heritage

The name Skipton derives from ‘Sheeptown’ and it remains a champion of its woolly ancestry. At the busy auction mart, a sheepdog recently sold for a record-breaking £16k with local breeders attracting buyers from across the world. Annual events such as Yarndale and Sheep Day celebrate the trade and a High Street hostelry is called The Woolly Sheep; it’s one of a few spots around the town that is allegedly haunted!

Following its recently completed £4.7m refurbishment, the Town Hall is a multi-media venue and hub of Skipton’s cultural heritage with an extensive events programme. It is home to Craven Museum, a vibrant and interactive family-friendly museum which holds more than 60,000 objects including the amazing First

Folio of Shakespeare’s plays, printed in 1623. Who needs Stratford-uponAvon when you can visit Skipton?

Talking of plays, theatre lovers can enjoy regular drama, musicals and concerts at both the rustic Mart Theatre and the petite Skipton Little Theatre. There is also a vibrant live music and comedy scene in various bars throughout the town, which will be showcased in the all new Skipton Sounds Festival this August.

A Taste For The Best

The town is becoming a mecca for foodies with several excellent eateries ranging from fine dining restaurants like the award-winning Le Caveau, underground in a former 16th century prison cell, to a wacky pancake house and a dog-doolally café. There is an award-winning farm shop and an amazing independent wine shop. If craft beers are more your tipple, then there are plenty of bars featuring artisan ales. It’s really no surprise that the UK’s biggest annual food event now takes place in Skipton – the Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival is on 21-23 July this year, don’t miss it. You can pitch a tent for the duration and meet gastro gurus such as James Martin and the Hairy Bikers. Then, in August, the canal basin is the venue for the Skipton Foodie weekend on 12-13 August, a free event featuring local and specialty stallholders, including some of the best producers and artisan makers in Yorkshire. Another annual event is a focus for art and craft lovers. Art in the Pen at the Auction Mart 19-20 August features more than 200 artists and crafts. Throughout the year, you can enjoy art at Craven Arts on Otley Street, an artist-led centre for contemporary art. Two red telephone boxes outside the Town Hall have been transformed as art installations and Mill Bridge Gallery features a programme of exhibitions. This year for the first time, the Skipton Now Festival will take place, a monthlong programme of events throughout

August to celebrate all things culture and heritage starting with a Yorkshire Day celebration. From mural painting to music, puppet-making to pop-up cinema, it promises something for everyone.

Retail Therapy

Shopping in Skipton is a refreshing experience. Interestingly Thomas Spencer from Marks & Spencer came from Skipton originally; today the town has an M&S Food Hall and a few other popular household names. However, there are many more interesting independents here that are an absolute joy to discover. Explore the town to find independent, imaginative shops packed with something that little bit di erent.

Among the gems is C & H Brown. Established in 1974 this wonderful world of leather and marvellous millinery is about to celebrate its half century. It smells like a traditional old-fashioned shoe shop and is absolutely the place to go for quality English and Italian footwear and bags.

Fit For Purpose

There are a myriad of interesting and gentle walks around the town suitable for all ages and abilities, notably along the LeedsLiverpool Canal and its small tributary the Springs Canal, which winds its way past the towering castle walls and into the beautiful Skipton Woods. For those looking for a longer stroll, the 100 mile walk Lady Anne’s Way starts in Skipton and winds its way north to Penrith taking in many of the historic buildings of the Cli ord family en-route. A short distance from the town centre along the canal towpath you will find Aireville Park, a glorious rolling parkland flanked by a wild meadow. The park dates back to the 1830s when it was created by Henry Allcock as part of the Aireville Estate. Upon his death, wealthy Skipton mill owners, the Dewhurst family, purchased the estate. You can now enjoy everything from a gentle stroll to skateboarding or a BMX pumptrack.

It’s no small wonder that Skipton was deemed by the Sunday Times as ‘best place to live’ not so long ago, but really, don’t take our word for it – or theirs – but check it out for yourself.

To find out more before you leap in your car or onto the train you can visit welcometoskipton.com for more insights