THE SWINTON ESTATE – ONE OF THE UK’S TOP CHOICES FOR FAMILIES THIS SUMMER

Kids’ cookery courses, falconry, electric bikes and even accommodation in Meadow Yurts are all part of an adventurous offering for families at the Swinton Estate this summer. Situated in the heartland of the Yorkshire Dales – just 2.5hrs by train from London, 35 miles from Leeds and only 32 miles from York – the Swinton Estate will keep even the most intrepid families entertained. 

ACTIVITIES

CYCLING 
Cycle the route of the 2014 Tour de France 'Grand Depart' 
The route of the Grand Depart of the 101st edition of the Tour de France includes a four-mile route which will ride through the heart of the 22,000 acre Swinton Estate in the Yorkshire Dales. The hotel has bikes for hire – normal and electric for those that want to take it easy - helmets, storage and even “cyclist massages” in the spa for Mum and Dad! 
HOW:  Electric bikes are £15 for a half day and £25 full day. Or mountain bikes are available for adults and children at £25 per day. 

FALCONRY 
Summer holiday Falconry Club
Kids will love getting up close and personal with hawks, owls, eagles and falcons at the Swinton Park Bird of Prey Centre. They’ll learn from experienced falconer, Sophie Abbott, all about the conservation of Birds of Prey, their natural habitats and the day to day skills required for flying the birds and caring for them.
HOW: 6th 13th, 20th and 27th August 2014. 10.30am – 11.30am, £15 per child (minimum age 8 years). 

COOKERY 
Teenagers 2-day Cookery Bootcamp (15+ yrs)
Charismatic Michelin‐trained Chef Director Stephen Bulmer runs this two day course, providing older teenagers with a total immersion in cookery skills. If they are going away to university, travelling on a gap year or setting up home on their own, this course will equip them with the basic knowledge to buy, prepare and cook meals for themselves. They will learn how to put a balanced, nutritious menu together; how to budget a shopping list; safe knife skills; and how to prepare simple student-friendly meals!
HOW: Monday 7th July 2014 to Tuesday 8th July 2014 each day from 10am to 3.30pm with a light lunch included. £220 for the two day course. 

Basics For Beginners cookery course (10-14yrs)
Maggie Harvey also runs this course, designed to build confidence in the kitchen. Older children will learn techniques they can try at home include bread making and basic knife skills. A fun ‘Viva España!’ cookery theme is on offer this summer, with participants learning to make Albondigas en salsa (Spanish meatballs in tomato sauce), Arroz con Pollo (Spanish chicken and rice), Patatas bravas (spicy potatoes) and Chocolate mousse!
HOW: Tuesday 27th May 2014 or Tuesday 26th August 2014. £60 per half day. 

Mini Chefs cookery course (6-9yrs)
Prize winning baker and former BBC Country Show Cook Off winner, Maggie Harvey, runs the cookery school’s kids classes. This course is aimed at budding young chefs who will enjoy lots of hands on experience and master the basic skills. In this half day session, kids will have fun cooking up treats like Chorizo and Red Pepper Tortilla, Cheesy Flatbreads, Blueberry Pancakes, Marmalade Muffins.  
HOW: Monday 26th May 2014 or Monday 25th August 2014. £50 per half day. 

EQUESTRIAN
Riding and Trekking with friendly horses and ponies
Pony rides, lessons and treks are available for children (with or without lead reins) and adults at the Masham Riding and Treking Centre, at the heart of the 20,000 acre Swinton Estate. There are 18 horses and ponies, which include pure bred highlands, Welsh mountain ponies and a Shire horse. The riding centre accommodates all levels of riding skill and all ages of rider. 
HOW: Treks begin at £8 and lessons at £18 (£13 for groups of 2-6).

FISHING
River or lake, fly or rod fishing across the Estate
Stretching from the river valley in Wensleydale to the moorland Dales, the Swinton Estate offers a wide range of fishing options. A two-mile stretch on the River Ure can be fished for wild brown trout, grayling and salmon whilst Leighton Reservoir is stocked with rainbow trout. Dry fly, wet fly, upstream nymph and Czech nymphing can all be used to great effect. Otherwise, do as the locals do and opt for the famous Yorkshire Spiders!
HOW: For a £50 refundable deposit, Swinton Park guests have use of Orvis fly rods and flies, jackets, waders and coarse rods. Fishing licenses must be obtained. 

SHOOTING
Clay-pigeon shooting with expert tuition
Expert tuition and a great range of targets for all standards is available at the Warren Gill Shooting School. The school is run by CPSA-qualified professional coaches. All prices include gun hire, cartridges and clays with all bookings allocated a personal instructor. 
HOW: Individual beginner’s lessons start at £65 with a special ‘couples’ rate of £80 available.

GOLF
Nine hole course at Masham Golf Club
This attractive, mature parkland golf course offers nine and eighteen hole options during the week and at weekends, with expert tuition available from PGA Coach, Andy Marshall. Develop your swing and short play or just enjoy a round or two in the glorious surroundings of the Yorkshire Dales.
HOW: £22 midweek/£27 weekend per player for the full 18 holes. Tuition starts at £32.50 for adults and £19.50 for under-18s.

WALKING
Take in Druid’s Temple, Ripon Cathedral and Hackfall Woods on a range of rambles
Numerous footpaths run through the Swinton Estate with several well-trodden trails that pass popular landmarks. The 50 mile Ripon Rowel loop walk runs along the River Ure, taking in the Dales and Ripon, with rustic accommodation at Swinton Estate’s Bivouac camping. Longer and shorter routes run through the Estate, meaning trails suitable for all levels. 
HOW: Rates at the Bivouac start from £20 per person per night in the Bunk Barn, £65 per night in the Yurts and £93 per night in the Wooden Shacks. 

CORACLING
Keep calm and coracle!
Coracling is the perfect way to keep cool this summer. For those who don't already know, a coracle is a special lightweight boat – somewhere between a kayak and a bathtub – and it has a fascinating 10,000 year history. Expert coracle-maker, Dave Purvis, runs courses on the lakes of the Swinton Estate, lasting from an hour to a full day. 
HOW: £30 per person for the first hour, then £20 for each additional hour.

OPEN AIR THEATRE
Swinton Bivouac hosts open-air theatre from The Handlebards this summer. Their interpretation of Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors is a bicycle powered rambunctious farce of mistaken identity and an abundance of twins, performed by a chipper troupe of cycling players.
HOW: Thursday 10th July, performance starts at 7pm, gates open from 5pm. Picnics available to order and a licensed bar is on site. Tickets are £12.00. 01765 535020 or hello@thebivouac.co.uk

ACCOMMODATION

Bivouac at Druid's Temple: Luxury camping in Woodland Shacks, Meadow Yurts or the Bunk Barn
Located in the heart of one of England’s most beautiful natural settings, Bivouac at Druid’s Temple has fun accommodation options entwined within a historical setting. Situated in the heart of the 20,000-acre Swinton Estate in North Yorkshire, on the edge of an historic 18th Century folly, accommodation consists of six hand-crafted Wooden Shacks, eight Meadow Yurts and a 12 bed Bunk Barn, all with stunning views.  Rustic and simple with a luxurious twist, the core principle behind the Bivouac site was to combine natural style with practical comfort. There is also a Café, Shop and Hot Tub on site. Family-fun activities taking place at Bivouac this summer include a Teddy Bear’s picnic, a Crochet Masterclass, and Busking at the Bar!
HOW: Rates at the Bivouac start from £20 per person per night in the Bunk Barn, £65 per night in the Yurts and £93 per night in the Wooden Shacks. www.thebivouac.co.uk 

Swinton Park luxury castle hotel
Nestled in 20,000 acres, Swinton Park in the Yorkshire Dales is a castle hotel like no other. The ancestral seat of the Earl of Swinton, and owned by the Cunliffe-Lister family since the 1880s, Swinton Park is more of a lavish home than a hotel. Each of the 31 bedrooms and suites have been individually designed and all have generously-sized bathrooms and superb views across the estate.  The hotel has won many awards for its Samuel's restaurant and quality of service and most recently featured in Trip Advisor’s top 10 best UK places to stay. 
HOW: Room rates from £195 per room per night on a B&B basis. www.swintonpark.com