Throstle Nest · Nidderdale
Farmstay
Three families. One farm. A few days to make it your own.
The Idea
Your own private farm for a few days
Farmstay at Throstle Nest is not simply somewhere to sleep.
It is the chance for a small group of families to come
together and make the farm their own base for a few days.
Think muddy boots rather than polished shoes. Wet-weather
gear by the door. Children disappearing into the woods.
Ponies in the yard. A fire being lit before supper.
The accommodation is part of the experience, but the farm
itself is the reason to come.
Home Farm
Bringing the centre of the farm back to life
Throstle Nest Cottage was once the home at the centre
of the farm and, for many years, my grandmother’s house.
The Farmstay concept brings the Cottage, the Lodge,
the yard, woods and river together again as one place:
somewhere families can stay separately, spend time
together and experience the farm as a whole.
Days on the Farm
The farm is the itinerary
Some things need organising. Others simply happen
because there is space, woodland, water and time.
01
Ride
Bring a pony, ride from the yard or spend time
around the horses and the farm.
02
Aim
Archery and supervised air-rifle shooting
bring a little rural competition to the day.
03
Explore
Find rabbit tracks, watch squirrels, build
dens and see what is living beyond the path.
04
Make camp
Pitch a bell tent, make a campfire and turn
part of the woodland into base camp.
05
Get wet
Walk down to the Nidd, paddle, swim and
discover the river at the bottom of the farm.
06
Retreat indoors
When the weather closes in, the activity room
provides table tennis, snooker and somewhere
to regroup.
Outside
Ride. Explore. Build. Aim. Swim. Light the fire.
Places to Stay
Separate spaces. Shared experience.
The aim is to accommodate up to three families,
roughly 12–18 people, with enough independence
to retreat when wanted and enough shared space
to come together.
The Cottage
Throstle Nest Cottage
The former family home at the centre of the farm,
to be renovated as relaxed, characterful
accommodation with the feel of a simple
French country gîte rather than a formal hotel.
The Lodge
Throstle Nest Lodge
Additional accommodation within the old
farmstead, incorporating Yeomans Retreat
and the remaining part of the Lodge as
the Farmstay develops.
Woods · River · Nidderdale
Enough space to disappear for a while
Woodland, fields, tracks and the River Nidd form
the wider setting for Farmstay.
Nature
No petting zoo required
This is not a manufactured farm attraction.
There are no pens of animals waiting to be fed.
Instead, there are woods to explore, birds to listen
for, rabbits to track, squirrels overhead, insects
under logs, muddy paths, changing weather and the river.
The idea is simple: give children enough freedom
and enough landscape, and let the farm provide
the adventure.
The Pump House
River below. Sauna above.
Down beside the River Nidd sits the old Pump House.
The concept is to restore it as a simple riverside
spa: sauna, hot tub and plunge pool, creating a
quieter counterpoint to days spent riding,
walking and exploring the farm.
Cold water. Hot timber. River mist. Somewhere to
end the day.
Farmstay at Throstle Nest
Still taking shape.
We are bringing together the houses, woodland, river,
riding and rural activities into a new way to stay
at Throstle Nest.
Watch this space.