The Luxury Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa

Last updated on July 28th, 2020 at 10:39 am

Have you ever been to Skipton? No, neither had I until… I was introduced to the Coniston Hotel Country Estate and Spa there. 

Last weekend, we got a rare date night opportunity for Mr P and I. We had a babysitter overnight, another rare thing for us and we had an action packed itinerary to make the most of our one night away. I am so excited to share with you all the activities we got up to at the Coniston because I haven’t seen beauty like this place in a really long time. It blew us away and we can’t wait to go back again, maybe take the kids next time too.

It’s easy to make a two day trip feel like a whole week vacation when you have numerous activities planned. We like a relaxing and yet adventurous holiday so this was right up our street. So I thought I would share with you our itinerary for the two days, one night stay to inspire you to plan a date night away with your partner or perhaps a family evening away and make it feel like a grand holiday.

SUNDAY

We arrived early on the Sunday morning for some brunch. Who doesn’t love brunch? We were greeted with a friendly smile in the Huntsman’s Lodge and seated in the window over looking the lake. What a view! 

Time to check into our beautiful luxury suit with a view. The deck was lovely to sip a coffee on and look onto the lake. You could hear the ducks and swans from our room which I love. It was nature at its best. 

The sun was out there was no clouds in sight so we really got lucky with the weather. It was time for our woodland walk around the lake. I was so giddy. I could see at breakfast the path that lead around it and the swans and ducks swimming about too. Autumn is the perfect season for beautiful walks with all the trees changing color. We got bundled up because without cloud cover it is freezing. We chatted about the new baby coming and how our lives would change and sometimes we didn’t chat at all but just walked hand in hand. It was nice to have so much time together just the two of us. I think it’s so important in a marriage.

All that cold air and walking we were ready for lunch. We arrived in the Huntsman’s Lodge for some soup and sandwich for me and Mr P went for a chicken roast. It was delicious. The soup did it’s trick and unthawed me and the sandwich came with the most delicious chutney. Up until recently I have never ate chutney boy, was I missing out. I am in love with them now.

We had coffees to warm our fingers and toes back up before Mr P took to the 4×4 experience. I was so sad to miss out but pregnancy doesn’t really agree with 4×4 through the woods. He absolutely loved it too. While he was off roading, I took the thermal spa area for some R&R. There is a hot tub inside and outside. The outdoor hot tub is an infinity edge over looking the lake. The pool was refreshing to swim some laps to burn off my big brunch and late lunch. 

Mr P joined me in the spa for some hot tube and steam rooms for him while I read my book by the pool and enjoyed the quiet. The pool did get very busy before dinner time with families but that never bothers me, I sat thinking how much my kids would have loved to come here with us. A few hours in the pool, hot tube and steam rooms, reading, and even sleeping in some spa lounge beds, we headed back to the room to shower and get ready for dinner.

That evening we dined in Macleod’s Restaurant this time. It was fine dining at it’s best. The live pianist was a treat. The food didn’t disappoint either from starters to desserts. My steak was so good I can’t stop thinking about it. I have a thing for beef at the moment in this pregnancy. It satisfied me and baby perfectly.

We took our dessert drinks (virgin cocktails for me) to Macleod’s bar with the fireplace blazing it was so cozy. We looked around at all the sporting events on the wall. The Coniston Hotel is a working farm all around it, owners house is on the lake, on site, and they are very much into their sports. They have so many various events at their hotel. 

Time for bed….

Hotel bed was so comfortable and we were gladly invited in to snuggle into fluffy soft, pillows and catch some zzzz’s. With no kids with us we took the liberty of sleeping in as late as we could before the next action pack day called for us.

MONDAY

We had breakfast this time in Macleod’s Restaurant for a Full Yorkshire plate. I love all the fresh fruit at breakfast buffets with yogurts too. We filled our stomachs so full it hurt. What I like about Macleod’s Restaurant is at night for fine dining they shut half of it off make it atmospheric and romantic than come breakfast time they open the conservatory style side up and it’s a room beaming with light and a gallery of paintings so it feels like you are in a different restaurant from the previous night. Great touch.

We had a massages booked in at the spa. I have never had a pregnancy massage and I think I might have to make a habit of them surely growing a human deserves pampering? Hubby went for a deep tissue and said it was the best one he ever had because she really got deep into the muscles which some people just can’t do. He was very pleased about that. 

After our massage it was time for a tour of the estate. The guy was so lovely and had so much history of how the hotel got started from a little farm shop. How it’s still all in the family and he even took us around the owners residents and the working farm fields behind. I love history and hearing how a family business got started. 

We were ready for our Afternoon Tea in the Huntsman’s Lodge by the time our tour was over and we had walked a bit of the grounds one last time. The afternoon tea was delicious and since hubby is a picking eater the chef quickly altered something else instead of sandwiches for him. I love when a restaurant goes above and beyond for their customers. I found the sandwiches and desserts equally divine. Afternoon Tea is one of my favorite meals. 

Stuffed beyond belief it came time for our last experience before we hit the room in time for the school run. It was falconry time! I was SUPER excited and hubby was NOT super excited. He was scared. I couldn’t stop laughing. I couldn’t wait to hold a golden eagle not just because it was my mascot in grade school either. I find wild animals fascinating. 

We started off small with the wedding owls (barn owls) that can actually fly your wedding rings to you if you get married there. OMG! That’s so amazing. They are beautiful and sweet. Then we had a larger owl which I thought was just beautiful. I want one now! Next it was the hawk. Mr P so far was ok with the owls and worked up the courage to do the hawk. That was until the hawk decided he preferred my head to my hand and landed on me. Mr P was slightly nervous and I kept shouting, TAKE A PICTURE, stop worrying about it. lol But the grand finale to our trip and our falconry experience was the golden eagle. Mr P refused to hold him and my little arm was not strong enough so with some assistance though I held him in the end. They are SO heavy but so amazing up close too. 

Phew…. 

What a packed two days but what an amazing night away. It felt like we had a whole big holiday together. It was so special and we definitely will be back with the kids next time too. I can’t rave about it enough, it met all our expectations and more. Even the drive there was beautiful.

We loaded the car up and checked out. It was time to go pick up the kids from after school club.

Thanks Coniston Hotel Country Estate and Spa for creating not just a hotel and spa but a true oasis to escape to, full of activities and outdoor life. It was amazing. 

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*We were invited to stay for the purpose of this review but all photos and opinions are our own.