Local Area
Our major local town Skipton (8 miles) is known as the Gateway to the Dales. A popular tourist attraction, it boasts a magnificent castle, busy canal, and a vibrant market.
Grassington (6 miles) is a delightful Dales village, famous for its Arts Festival in October and its Dickensian weekends during December.
Knowles Lodge is handy for several excellent pubs, restaurants and places of interest. We have compiled a list of our own favourites to acquaint you with the local area before you arrive.
Places to see
Skipton Castle (www.skiptoncastle.co.uk)
Over 900 years old, Skipton Castle is one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England and is well worth a visit at any time of year.
Bolton Abbey Estate (www.boltonabbey.com)
The Yorkshire estate of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire covers 30,000 acres of beautiful countryside in the Yorkshire Dales. There are medieval buildings to explore and 80 miles of moorland, woodland and riverside footpaths.
Stump Cross Caverns (www.stumpcrosscaverns.co.uk)
This 500,000 year old cave holds a superb collection of stalactites and stalagmites. A video is shown after the cave visit. Animal remains discovered in the cave are on display in the visitor centre.
Places to eat
The New Inn, Appletreewick (01756 720252)
This local pub is only twenty minutes walk away along the River Wharfe. Phil & Carol, who recently took over the New Inn have started a refurbishment programme as well as raising the quality of the food which is now better than ever.
(Food served Mon-Sun lunchtime and Fri & Sat pm)
The Red Lion, Burnsall (01756 720204)
In a wonderful setting next to the bridge at Burnsall, the Red Lion offers very good food in both it's restaurant and bar.
The Clarendon, Hebden (01756 752446)
Approximately 4 miles away the Clarendon, thanks to Rachel Younger, serves exceptional food for a country pub.
The Brasserie, at The Devonshire Arms, Bolton Abbey (01756 710710)
Informal and hugely popular for it’s vibrant atmosphere and good food, and less than a ten minute drive from Knowles Lodge.
The Angel, Hetton (01756 730263)
Twenty five minutes away is this award winning pub/restaurant which provides outstanding food. It’s worth looking out for their ‘Beaujolais Nouveau’ evening in November. They also do a very well priced ‘early bird’ meal in the evening.
The York Arms, Ramsgill (01423 755243)
For special occasions, The York Arms is about half an hour's drive and it too has a Michelin Rosette.
The Priest House, Barden (01756 720616)
No more than a mile away, the Priest House stands next to Barden Tower, a former fortified hunting lodge and offers excellent value menus for lunches Thursdays to Sundays, and dinners on Fridays & Saturdays.
“Everything spot-on. Spoilt rotten. See you again!”
Rich & Tess Murdoch