Fernhill Castle is one of Yorkshire’s finest and most important houses. Dating back to the fourteenth century, it nestles in its own fifteen-acre estate on the outskirts of Skipton, the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. The grade one listed fortified mansion was built by Edward De Fernhill to protect nearby Bolton Abbey from starving marauders who, having been defeated at the famous battle of Bannockburn, had travelled from Scotland to find food in the form of the cattle which grazed the Bolton estate. He was gifted the title Lord of the Manor for his loyalty. Throughout the centuries the house was beautified firstly in the seventeenth century and later in the twentieth, when master craftsman Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson of Kilburn created a rare and impressive panelled drawing room, with eight hidden carved mice, also on three of the four open fire places. It is considered one of his most important works in a private home. Fernhill has been carefully restored so you fully enjoy the Lord and Lady of the Manor experience. It has eight individually designed bedrooms in the main house, seven unique bathrooms and one separate WCs. In the separate annexe named The Coach House, there are two bedrooms, a shared bathroom and WC. All with bespoke toiletries and a house fragrance designed specifically for the castle. The carefully chosen bedroom furniture includes mattresses and duvets made from the finest Yorkshire wool and bedding woven from pure natural linen. Our welcome pack is brimming with the county’s finest produce. The kitchen boasts all modern equipment, including an AGA and separate oven. But for a truly relaxing experience we also offer a wide range of catered options from simple hors d’oeuvres and grazing platters, Yorkshire picnics, to five course fine dining experiences – all of which will be enjoyed in the magnificent 17th century dining room with a huge open fire and banqueting table seating twenty. Find your favourite spot in the castle, be it the cosy panelled snug, the formal sitting room with its gothic shutters and marble fireplace, or the fourteenth century hall with magnificent medieval arched windows. Or perhaps take a book and play traditional games in the ‘Mouseman’ Drawing room. All offering far reaching views of Yorkshire’s rolling hills and dales. Maybe unwind with your favourite tipple, which can be ordered ahead of your stay from our sommelier’s hand- picked list of fine wines, award winning Yorkshire spirits and ales. View the ancient turrets and try to discover the whereabouts of the secret priest holes said to have led occupants underground to the safety of Kildwick Church. Continue outside with a stroll in the sunken gardens or woods. Visit the wildlife and formal ponds. Walk around the walled kitchen garden or enjoy a barge trip along the Leeds Liverpool canal which borders the estate, which we are happy to arrange. Maybe play a game of chess on the original outdoor chess board or enjoy a massage from our list of home spa experiences. When evening comes the castle is even more magical. A time perhaps to enjoy a dip in the hot tub, toast a marshmallow on the firepit or cosy up next to the roaring fires.
If you want to venture further afield the castle is the perfect base from which to explore the glories of Yorkshire’s largest national park. Bolton Abbey, the Duke of Devonshire’s estate is a stone’s throw away, as is the picturesque market town of Grassington, where All Creatures Great and Small is filmed and historic Haworth, home to the famous Bronte sisters. The spa towns of Ilkley and Harrogate home to the famous Betty’s tearooms.
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