Location:
Tucked away in the picture-perfect village of Burnsall, North Yorkshire, The Fell Hotel enjoys one of the most enviable settings in the Yorkshire Dales. Surrounded by rolling green hills, dry stone walls and winding country roads, it feels wonderfully remote without being difficult to reach. Burnsall is located 12 miles from Ilkley and approximately 28 miles from Leeds.
Arrival and check-in:
The approach to the hotel set the tone for our stay beautifully with its sweeping countryside views. The hotel has a country house appearance that instantly felt welcoming rather than overly formal. There was ample car parking to both the front and the side, with access from the side avoiding the flight of steps up to the entrance.
Check-in takes place in the open plan lobby where we were greeted by Johnny and Jane, both genuinely friendly staff who struck the perfect balance between professionalism and Yorkshire warmth. Formalities took only a matter of moments and soon we were being shown up to Skyreholme on the first floor. Each of the 16 rooms are named after local villages such as Appletreewick, Cracoe and Kilnsey.
The Room:
Our room perfectly matched the surroundings, being comfortable and stylish without losing its countryside character. Think duck egg blue walls, muted soft furnishings and tasteful décor which created a calm and restful atmosphere. With two large windows framing beautiful views across the Dales landscape and flooding the room with natural light, it was really nice.
The beds were exceptionally comfortable with their deep mattresses and crisp white bedlinen making it easy to sink into after a day exploring the hills. The room came equipped with a table and two armchairs, a dressing table, large television, bedside tables, wardrobe and a heritage style telephone. One corner was laid out with a varied selection of teas, coffee pods, hot chocolate and home made ginger biscuits with both a kettle and a Nespresso maker. Fresh milk was readily available on request from the bar.
Moving into the bathroom, this was traditionally styled befitting the property with a bath with shower over, bathrobes, thick, fluffy towels and the hotel’s own luxurious Chatsworth toiletries which guests are able to purchase from reception. With fragrances including Jasmine and Wild Pear and Sweet Basil and Citrus, they were divine.
Dining:
Dinner: Dining at the hotel was one of the highlights of our stay. The restaurant boasts two AA Rosettes, embracing local produce and hearty Yorkshire flavours with a modern touch. As it was such a beautiful Spring evening we opted to dine in the conservatory where we were shown to a window table overlooking the fells. Meals can also be taken in the main restaurant which affords sweeping countryside views too. Although larger than the conservatory this also has an intimate feel but with more room for larger tables.
Both the waiter and waitress looking after us were professional while still being friendly. We perused the menu which offers classic dishes alongside more contemporary options, utilising seasonal ingredients wherever possible.
Whilst sipping Pinot Grigio we worked our way through three courses, starting off with tiger prawns and charred asparagus. Moving onto mains, I opted for the fish of the day which was Plaice served with Jersey Royal potatoes and seasonal greens. I’m so pleased that I went for the fish as it was cooked to perfection and tasted very fresh. Across the table, my son enthused about his sirloin steak and naturally I couldn’t resist pinching one of his thickly cooked chips which tasted wonderful. After a short rest between courses we were then ready to tackle desserts, I plumped for the lemon meringue profiterole as I’d not come across one of these before. This was a different take on the usual chocolate choux bun and quite nice for a change but I have to admit to being in ‘dessert envy’ with my son’s Basque cheesecake as it was definitely the star of the show. For a change of scene, we then moved into the lounge bar for our after dinner coffees, relaxing in a pair of comfortable armchairs.
Breakfast the following morning was equally enjoyable. This takes place in the Dalzell Room to the other side of the entrance foyer. As we went down shortly after 8.00 a.m. we were able to select one of the window tables which was bathed in morning sunlight, affording us with more gorgeous views of the local area. After ordering our tea and coffee, we helped ourselves to fresh fruit and pots of baked yoghurt, which were light and creamy. Hot dishes are made to order and with a wide selection, we were spoilt for choice. I adore mushrooms and poached eggs so decided on creamy mushrooms and poached eggs served on a bed of spinach and sourdough. This tasted delicious and made a perfect start to my day.
Across the table my son tucked into the full Yorkshire which came complete with locally reared pork sausages and dry cured bacon. After lingering a while longer over more hot drinks and an irresistible pastry, we popped our coats on for a morning stroll along the riverbank to work off our morning feast.
The Facilities:
The communal spaces in The Fell Hotel are particularly well designed, with inviting lounges, outdoor seating areas and plenty of quiet spots to enjoy the scenery. The bar is open throughout the day and is surrounded by comfortable sofas and armchairs. I spotted a pile of board games and books in one corner which would be especially useful on long winter evenings.
The gardens and terraces are a delight, allowing guests to sit outside with uninterrupted views across the hills. Wi-Fi was reliable throughout our stay and parking easy and convenient. More than anything, the hotel’s greatest “facility” is the atmosphere it creates being peaceful, understated and very comfortable.
An added bonus of booking a stay at The Fell Hotel is that guests are welcome to make use of the splendid spa facilities (pool, sauna, hot tub) at The Fell’s sister hotel, the Devonshire Arms in Bolton Abbey, six miles away. Additionally, guests are provided with complimentary parking passes for the Bolton Abbey estate car parks as the walking trails between the abbey ruins and through the Strid Wood are beautiful (see below).
Guests and non-residents can take advantage of the newly launched summer all day dining menu with food served daily from 12.00 noon until 6.00 p.m. Featuring fresh, seasonal dishes, this offers excellent value at just £22.50 for two and £27.50 for three courses per person.
Out and About:
Burnsall
Burnsall is one of the Yorkshire Dales prettiest villages and staying at The Fell places some of the region’s best scenery right on your doorstep. The village is steeped in history, with a Norman church, a 17th century stone arched bridge, village green and traditional stone cottages all adding to its charm.
The Dales Way 80 mile long distance footpath starts in nearby Ilkley and extends to Bowness-on-Windermere in Cumbria. Most walkers spend their first night in Burnsall, so for anyone looking for a touch of luxury, then The Fell would be an excellent choice.
Grassington
The charming village of Grassington lies just four miles away and is an absolute delight with its small independent shops, cafes and pubs. Fans of All Creatures Great and Small will recognise the village square as it is the main filming location and known as Darrowby in the television series and films. The Devonshire pub even goes by the dual name of The Drovers Arms.
Appletreewick
Appletreewick is just a couple of miles from Burnsall and either an enjoyable walk or a quick hop in the car. I recommend visiting Parcevall Hall Gardens which covers 24 acres with both woodland and formal sections. The gardens were laid out from 1927 onwards by Sir William Milner who was an architect, horticulturalist and plantsman who designed the gardens to be totally in harmony with the surrounding Yorkshire Dales landscape.
Bolton Abbey
Visiting Bolton Abbey whilst staying at The Fell is an absolute must. The famous abbey ruins are full of history with many people enjoying walking around them and taking photos. One of the most popular attractions are the stepping stones across the river where visitors can carefully cross the water and enjoy the view. A walk through the Strid Woods is very peaceful and relaxing and afterwards one can pop into the Cavendish Pavilion for lunch, coffee or an ice cream. As mentioned above, remember to collect a free parking permit which also entitles guests to a 10% discount in both the cafe and gift shop.
Overall:
From the welcoming service and beautifully designed rooms to the excellent dining and spectacular Yorkshire Dales setting, our stay was an absolute delight. Whether visiting for a romantic weekend, a walking holiday or simply a peaceful escape from everyday life, The Fell Hotel fits the bill perfectly.
Details:
The Fell Hotel, Burnsall Village, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 6BT
We were guests of The Fell Hotel and as always all views and opinions are entirely my own.
If you have enjoyed this post you may also like:
Love Travelling Blog 
Leave a comment