Six reasons to visit Newfield Hall, Southern Yorkshire Dales

Perched at the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Newfield Hall is less than a 15-minute drive from Malham’s famous cove and within easy distance of the spectacular Gordale Scar and Janet’s Foss Waterfall. The surrounding area boasts dramatic limestone scenery of cliffs, crags, and scars and some spectacular walking routes.

Built in 1855 on land once belonging to the Lambert estate, the first resident of Newfield Hall was retired Skipton lawyer William Nicholson Alcock, whose father was a partner in founding the Craven Bank in 1791. On his death in 1878, the estate passed to his nephew, William - a captain in the Yorkshire Yeomanry.  

He immediately advertised for a tenant in the August 1878 edition of The Manchester Guardian, describing the house as ‘a commodious family mansion’ complete with grounds ‘laid out with great taste’. It sparked little rental interest and eventually sold to retired worsted spinner and manufacturer William Illingworth in 1890 and then to JW Morkil, future High Sheriff of the West Riding, in 1901. It has been part of our HF Holidays lineup since 1934.

In September 2023, Newfield Hall was awarded a prestigious VisitEngland ROSE Award in Recognition of Service Excellence. This esteemed accolade is awarded annually to 100 accommodation businesses that go the extra mile to provide excellent customer service.  

Owen Heath, House Manager at Newfield Hall, said: “Winning the ROSE award is an absolute honour. For HF Holidays to be recognised by an outside organisation is hugely commendable, and it’s a great source of pride for me in knowing that my team are going that extra bit further to make Newfield Hall and HF Holidays the very best it can be”.

Open from February to November and during the festive season, there are 46 well-appointed guest rooms in three categories (Classic, Premium, and Superior) spread across the main building and the tastefully converted coach house. You’ll also find two lounges, a licensed bar, a light-filled dining room for a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients, and a multi-purpose activity room used as an artist’s studio and games room.  

Elsewhere, there’s a handy boot and drying room, free on-site parking, an EV charging point, and well-kept grounds. Many of the original interior design features remain, including the pillared entrance, impressive hall, and sweeping staircase. There’s also a Discovery Point offering easy-to-follow routes, maps, and information for self-guided walks as well as a heritage room with displays of old HF Holidays brochures, photographs, walks programmes, and other memorabilia.

A 15-minute drive from the village brings you to Malham Cove - a huge curving amphitheatre-shaped cliff formation of limestone rock. Also easily accessible is Gordale Scar, an impressive limestone gorge that’s one of the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s oldest (and most awe-inspiring) natural landmarks. Further highlights include Malham Tarn, England’s highest lime-rich lake, and Janet's Foss - an enchanting waterfall named for a local folk tale that cites the small cascade as home to Janet, Queen of the Fairies. 

If you’re planning a big family get-together, long overdue catch-up with friends, or company away days, you can exclusively hire Newfield Hall to make the most of being able to spend time together and in the great outdoors, too.

Whether you’re enjoying one of our guided or self-guided walking holidays, there’s plenty to see and do within easy travelling distance of Newfield Hall. Here’s some of our favourites: 

Skipton: A 20-minute drive away, this market town is famous for its ruined priory and cobbled high street. The highlight is Skipton Castle, a 900-year-old fortress that withstood a three-year siege during the Civil War. Don’t miss the atmospheric dungeon and watch tower.  

White Scar Cave: Just a 40-minute drive away, Britain’s longest show cave was discovered by a Cambridge undergraduate in 1923 and opened to the public two years later. The underground tour reveals spectacular caverns, waterfalls, stalagmites, and stalactites.  

Brontë Parsonage Museum: The home of authors Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë, this fascinating museum is a 45-minute drive away. The rooms used to write their literary masterpieces are filled with clothes, furniture, and personal possessions. Exhibits change annually.  

Keighley And Worth Valley Railway: Running heritage steam and diesel trains from the market town of Keighley to the Brontë Country of Oxenhope, this five-mile branch line railway is a West Yorkshire highlight. Keighley station is a 35-minute drive from Newfield Hall.  

Settle To Carlisle Railway: A 20-minute drive from Skipton station, this 73-mile-long railway route crosses both the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines. British Rail ran the line down in the late 1970s, but campaigners finally saved it from closure in 1989.  

Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden: An hour’s drive away, this designated World Heritage Site is home to the country’s largest monastic ruins. The adjacent water garden created by John Aislabie in 1718 impresses with ornamental lakes, canals, temples, cascades, and several follies.  

Brimham Rocks: Set above the valley of Nidderdale, this astonishing collection of rock formations is an hour’s drive away. Managed by the National Trust, many of the rocks have been given apt names such as The Sphinx, The Watchdog, The Camel, The Turtle, and The Dancing Bear.  

RHS Garden Harlow Carr: A 50-minute drive away, this 58-acre showcase of horticultural excellence is open year-round. Highlights include the kitchen, streamside, and scented gardens. There’s also an excellent shop selling books, gifts, and a large selection of plants and flowers.  

Harrogate: Just under an hour’s drive away, this charming spa town rewards with fabulous shopping and glorious gardens. Must-dos include spending time at the Royal Pump Room Museum, visiting the Harrogate Turkish Baths, and queuing for tea at Betty’s (it’s worth the wait).

With valley-laden scenery as impressive as this, walks in the Yorkshire Dales never lose their capacity to enchant. Our 7-night Southern Yorkshire Dales Guided Walking holiday makes the most of your time with a choice of up to three guided walks each day. If you fancy a quick getaway to the countryside our 3-night self-guided walking holiday allows you to get out into the great outdoors and explore at your own pace or simply relax and enjoy everything Newfield Hall has to offer. Alternatively, lovers of bridge can escape on our Stay & Play Bridge Holiday.