Introduction to Drawing Holiday in the Southern Yorkshire Dales
Learning to draw as an adult is not only possible but much easier than you think. Designed for beginners, this creative holiday is filled with exercises and techniques that can be implemented into your drawing routine. Not only will your expert tutor introduce you to the basics of shape, form, and texture, but they will boost your confidence and help you to progress. Relaxed and fun sessions take place inside our country house or outdoors in the gorgeous grounds.
What you’ll love
- Learning to develop interesting compositions and ideas
- Drawing a range of still life subjects with pencils and drawing pens
- Taking advice and guidance from an expert tutor
- Expressing yourself through art
- Gaining confidence by using various techniques
- Working in small groups of 15 people or fewer
What’s included
- Expert tuition
- Loan of wooden A3 art boards
- Comfortable en-suite accommodation in our country house
- Cream tea on arrival day
- Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
- Daily packed lunches
- Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee
- Easy-to-follow routes, maps, and information available in our Discovery Point if you want to explore independently
Trip Notes
Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date.
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Your room will be ready from 2.30pm onwards (1pm for better and best rooms). Afternoon tea will be provided so you can meet your fellow guests and leader. Your leader will talk you through the holiday, including its timetable, on the first evening.
Our leader begins by showing us how to get started if we’re a complete beginner and advises us on how to develop our skills if we already have some accomplishments in drawing. We’ll cover simple techniques and advice about the use of materials and how to tackle a variety of subject matters.
A number of still-life objects are on hand from which we can produce some preliminary sketches. There’s time to cover the ‘fun’ aspect of drawing during the day to help those amongst us who are nervous about making marks on paper!
Today we’re learning more advanced techniques, including an understanding of perspective in drawing. Great encouragement is given to individual approaches to drawing and how to develop our personal style. Weather permitting, our group will be encouraged to go into the grounds of the Country House to create drawings outdoors.
Today we spend some time with exercises on sketching techniques, using a variety of drawing materials and cover subject matter such as drawing people and animals. We’ll produce more finished drawings and to round off a splendid holiday, our leader offers us time for a valuable question and answer session.
Depart after a leisurely breakfast.
Sometimes things happen beyond our control. If we need to adjust your holiday programme, for whatever reason, your leader will help smooth the way.
Newfield Hall
Looking every inch the baronial mansion, Newfield Hall sits in two acres of grounds near the village of Malham at the southern base of Yorkshire Dales National Park. Given it was this very landscape which inspired Wordsworth to write a sonnet and Charles Kingsley to pen The Water Babies, the countryside views are as gorgeous as you’d imagine. You’ll also have plenty of sightseeing greats within easy travelling distance, most notably Malham Tarn, Janet's Foss, Gordale Scar, Malham Cove, and The Dry Valley of the Watlowes. And then, of course, there’s Yorkshire’s famous trio of summits: Pen-y-ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough, collectively known as the three peaks. Stay at Newfield Hall and experience the exceptional service of a VisitEngland ROSE award winner. Find out more about the latest accolade awarded to our country house in the Southern Yorkshire Dales by reading our latest blog.
Rooms
Designed with your comfort in mind, Newfield Hall has 46 well-appointed guest rooms available in three categories: Classic, Premium, and Superior.
Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV.
Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
Superior Rooms are even more spacious en-suite guest rooms offering upgraded views of the surroundings*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
We love: The guest rooms spread across the main building and the tastefully converted coach house. Rooms 3 and 6 are both corner rooms offering original features and large bay windows overlooking the gardens and beyond (Room 6 has its own telescope).
The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply.
Check in & check out
You are welcome to check in from 4:00pm at the earliest. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team.
On the day of departure, we kindly ask all guests to check out by 10:00am. You’ll be asked to settle your bill prior to leaving. You may, of course, make a charitable donation to our HF Holidays Pathways Fund if you wish. Please note that we only accept card payments.
Room supplements
| Superior | Premium single | Premium double/twin | Choose your room |
| £25 pppn | £20 pppn | £20 pppn | £30 per room |
*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location
About your stay
A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out).
Evening entertainment
While evening entertainment varies from house to house, the HF Holidays Big Pub Quiz held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays Leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided walking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.
Walks talks
Our HF Holidays Leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s walking delights (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.
The walking day
Prior to setting off on walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house.
Food & drink
Led by experienced chefs, we serve a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. We always aim to source the best produce available and use home-grown herbs and vegetables from our own gardens whenever possible. Additionally, we have a licensed bar with beers, soft drinks, and a superb selection of spirits. Full-board comes as standard and includes a cream tea on arrival and a hearty breakfast on departure day.
HF Holidays understands the importance of managing allergens effectively to ensure food is safe for guests with food allergies. Whilst we are always able to confidently inform guests which allergens are present in our ingredients and dishes, we are unable to guarantee absolute freedom from the 14 main allergens in our kitchens. Vegetarian and vegan menu choices are available. If you have allergies, food intolerances, or any special dietary requirements, please inform our reservation team at the time of booking.
Accessibility
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Newfield Hall
Getting to Newfield Hall
Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.
More InformationAddress
Newfield Hall
Airton
Skipton
North Yorkshire BD23 4AA
Tel: +44 (0)1729 830235
By train
The most convenient station is Skipton. Gargrave station is closer, but there’s no taxi service from here.
Check National Rail for routes and times.
By shared transfer
If you’re travelling to or from Newfield Hall on Mondays or Fridays or over the festive period, you can join our group transfer from Skipton Railway Station.
2024 prices are £22 per person for a return transfer or £11 per person for a single transfer. 2025 prices are £30 per person for a return transfer or £15 per person for a single transfer.
Outward journey: Depart Skipton Railway Station at 16:10; arrive at Newfield Hall at 16:35. Return journey: Depart Newfield Hall at 09:15; arrive at Skipton Railway Station at 09:40.
Places are limited so booking is essential. We recommend booking at least 14 days in advance by contacting:
HF Holidays Sales and Support Team
Tel: +44 (0)203 974 8865
Email: reservations@hfholidays.co.uk
By taxi
Skipton to Newfield Hall is 8 miles, which takes around 25 minutes.
For pricing, please contact Station Taxis directly.
Station Taxis
You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended company, Station Taxis*. We recommend booking your taxi at least seven days in advance by contacting:
Tel: +44 (0)1756 700777
Email: stationtaxis@hotmail.co.uk
A return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the HF Holidays House Manager at Newfield Hall.
*Station Taxis is not owned or managed by HF Holidays.
By car
From the south, follow the A65 from Skipton to Gargrave. Leave the A65 by Eshton Road, signposted to Malham and pass Eshton Hall on the right. Newfield Hall is approx. 2½ miles further on, on the right and before the village of Airton. There is a stone pillar and a wooden sign at each side of our driveway. (Please note: The next right turn has a post box at the bottom of the lane and leads to a private farm access ONLY.)
From the north, exit the M6 at junction 36 and take the A65 towards Skipton. In Coniston Cold village take a sharp left into a narrow road between houses, signposted to St Peters Church and Bell Busk and Malham. Pass under a railway viaduct, then after a mile bear right over a small bridge. After a further mile turn right at the junction, cross the narrow bridge, pass a left turn with a post box at the bottom of the lane (which leads to a private farm) and then shortly after, turn left through the gateway onto the drive of Newfield Hall. There is a stone pillar and a wooden sign at each side of our driveway.
There is free parking with the grounds of Newfield Hall.
By air
The nearest airport is Leeds Bradford Airport.
From the airport
Take the bus to Leeds train station from where there are direct trains to Skipton taking about one and a half hours. Check Transdev for bus times and National Rail for train times.
From Manchester International Airport there are direct trains every hour to Skipton with one change at Leeds. You’ll need to allow 2.5 hours to reach Skipton.
Flying to London Heathrow airport is another option but you’ll have a longer onward train journey – about 4.5 hours. From Heathrow, first take the Piccadilly line to London Kings Cross station and from here take a train to Skipton (with one change at Leeds).
If you have to buy anything, your leader suggests that you buy the best quality you can afford for all your equipment.
- Drawing pencils – HB, 2B, 3B and any others you have
- Pencil sharpener or craft knife
- Soft eraser or putty-rubber
- A3 Sketch pad (e.g., 150gsm+ cartridge paper)
- 30cm/12" clear plastic ruler
Wooden A3 drawing boards are available to borrow from the country house
Newfield Hall Calendar
- Guided Walking
- Self-Guided Walking
- Special Interests
- Unavailable to Book
Alison Carr
When looking for a spark of creativity in her art, Alison takes inspiration from the awe-inspiring scenery she sees on her frequent walks in the countryside. Experienced with a range of mediums, she wants to help guests capture the beauty of the places they’ll visit on one of our art holidays.
Guest reviews
All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.
Non-member fee: £30 per person.
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take an alternative route, or vary the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Holiday prices
| Date (Start - End) | Itinerary | Double / Twin Room | Single Room | Notes / Offers | Trip Notes | Book | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ||||||||
|
18 Nov - 22 Nov 2024 4 nights |
Art
Single Call to Enquire
Double Call to Enquire
|
Call to Enquire | Call to Enquire |
Trip Notes
|
||||
| 2025 | ||||||||
|
17 Nov - 21 Nov 2025 4 nights |
Art Single from £549 £504 Double from £549 £504 pp |
from £549 £504 pp |
from £549 £504 |
Early Booking Offer Save £45 Per Person |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | ||
4 nights
from
£549pp
£504pp
On offer
or call 020 3974 8865
65Kg of CO₂e
Average carbon footprint per person Learn More