By Millie Earle-Wright
Published: Jan 24, 2023More by Millie
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England's Avalon
In the foothills of the Yorkshire Dales – a landscape full of ribboned glens, windswept hills and thundering waterfalls – is a 3000-acre country residence, formally known as Broughton Estate and now known as Broughton Sanctuary. This new title is a move that puts its philosophy up-front and centre – one that believes in taking the best of the past and blending it seamlessly with the most innovative of the future.
A world-class regenerative space for people and the planet, the heart of the estate is a Georgian country manor known as Broughton Hall. Available for exclusive use, it’s the perfect place for a luxury escape, a transformative retreat, or simply a long-weekend getaway. Enhance your stay by the private hire of one of the UK’s leading retreat centres and by immersing yourself in one of the many engaging activities the Sanctuary offers. A visit to this beautiful, peaceful part of Yorkshire will surely be an experience worthy of its name.
The House
The 16th century Broughton Hall has been the home of the Tempest Baronets for over 900 years. The historic house and estate are now in the care of Roger, the 32nd Tempest in a long recorded line dating back to the 11th century. The great stone house that glows in the late afternoon light is impressive and classical in appearance, the interior having been recently refurbished and exquisitely decorated. Comfortably accommodating 32 guests, Broughton is the perfect place for special occasions, family gatherings and recreational retreats. There are 17 bedrooms split over two floors, each striking the perfect balance between decadent and intimate. From deep clawfoot baths and huge marble showers, to Elizabethan four-posted beds and historic stencilled wall decorations, each bedroom has a crowning feature designed to delight.
Outside of the bedrooms, there are multiple rooms to relax in. With a roaring fire in the hearth, the library houses a collection of over 5,000 books, which guests are encouraged to borrow from the shelves during their stay. The Hall also offers a billiard room, an opulent dining room and a glass conservatory that blooms lush and bright and green. After a relaxing soak in a rolltop copper bath, you could easily spend a lazy afternoon sipping champagne as you wander from room to room to room.
Outwith the manor, Broughton Sanctuary also offers another 16 beautiful properties which are available for exclusive use.
The Grounds
Leaving the view of the ornate box hedging, the inviting monochrome keys of a perfectly polished piano, and the tranquillity of the indoor chapel behind, heading out into the grounds of Broughton delivers more treasures. A wellness centre, Avalon, offers nurturing, nourishment and support for the mind, body and spirit. The centre includes studio space, relaxation chambers, therapy rooms, a gym, and a pool with undisturbed views of nature. There is also a fire temple, where bonfires burn, and fairy lights twinkle like fireflies in the forest’s darkness. Further exploration reveals tennis courts, a croquet lawn and an orangery.
The grounds surrounding the Hall are beautiful and private. With a focus on rewilding, the Sanctuary is home to a Nature Recovery Project and, therefore, a lovely mix of moorland, woodland and rolling meadow pastures. Access Broughton’s meticulously kept gardens through wrought-iron gates, as grand old trees dapple a mosaic of sunshine and shadow onto the wildflowers and rhododendrons below. For keen wild swimmers, there is a wooden jetty that juts out over a mirrored lake and a wood-clad sauna to warm up in. Fields are grazed lazily by woolly sheep, as the dales beyond climb high into the gentle press of a quiet English sky.
The Details
- Broughton Hall sleeps 32 guests, with an additional 16 beautiful holiday homes offering over 100 beds across the estate.
- Offering the highest level of personal service, enjoy being looked after by a house manager, in-house chefs and full catering team.
- Home to Avalon, the UK’s leading retreat centre, relax in the sauna, swim in the pool and work up a sweat in the gym.
- Spend time in the peaceful grounds, enjoying a myriad of activities from moon bathing to foraging, mountain biking to wild swimming.
Come evening – after a game of croquet, a swim, or perhaps a hike along one of the estate’s many scenic trails – enjoy aromatic cocktails in the orangery or a champagne reception on the lawn. Afterwards, make your way into an enchanted woodland glade for a meal of seasonally sensitive, fresh local produce. Or, as winter snow blows against the window and the spiced smell of mulled wine wafts from the kitchen, choose to gather by the open fire for an evening filled with laughter, chatter and dancing.
Designed to be both indulgent and nourishing in equal measure, Broughton’s in-house chefs cater the menu for any dietary requirement or request. Looked after by a full team of staff who are discreet yet attentive, it is easy to wind down and relax when you know that every detail of your stay has been conscientiously taken care of. Offering an authentic experience of English high-society living, a stay at Broughton Sanctuary will undoubtedly be a unique and memorable experience.
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Enhance Your Stay
Off-Road Land Rover Experience
For those who fancy a thrill, head out into the hills for an off-roading adventure. Whether you fancy an introductory course or a full day of tackling Yorkshire’s rugged terrain, enjoy learning new skills while surrounded by breathtaking views.
The Fire Temple
A beautifully constructed fire temple is set deep within the heart of one of Broughton’s old woodlands. Perfect for gathering everyone together, enjoy an evening of story-telling, music, dancing and performance. With outdoor heaters, a lovely bar, warm rugs and twinkling fairy lights, it’s a wonderful place to spend an evening.
Wild Swimming
There is nothing quite like swimming in the wild. Whether you jump, wade, or dive in, enjoy the invigorating experience of total submersion in cool, clear water. With a choice of two private lakes on the estate, warm up in a beautifully designed sauna or take a picnic and relax in a hermit hut tucked away on the banks.
Foraging
Join an expert forager as you identify, gather and cook seasonal wild food. Connect more mindfully with nature as you learn how to forage sensitively and ethically, discovering the joy of locally gathered food. Learn how to cook a fantastic lunch from your finds, celebrating your harvest with a roaring fire and a delicious meal.
Getting There
Broughton Sanctuary is located on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales just outside the small market town of Skipton. There is a railway station in Skipton, and the train takes 3 hours to arrive from London Kings Cross.
Manchester Airport and Leeds Bradford Airport are 55 miles and 24 miles away respectively.
Enquiries
Broughton Sanctuary is the ultimate holistic retreat, encompassing an elegant country mansion within 3,000 acres of secluded estate. Nestled on the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, this is an unforgettable escape from a busy life.
