Last revised: March 08, 2008

Time for a Cuppa!

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Have a Cuppa! with Mike

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Mike's visit to:

Dalegarth and The Ghyll
Buckden, Upper Wharfedale

Award winning holiday cottages

I was delighted when I received an email from "David and Susan Lusted" suggesting that I visit their holiday cottages, as not only did it give me an excuse to get away from the computer for a while, but also a chance to revisit one of my favourite places, the "Yorkshire Dales National Park".

The brochure advertising "Dalegarth & the Ghyll holiday cottages", boasts; "Dalegarth is a unique cluster of eleven cottages aimed to provide the highest standard of home comforts, as well as creating an atmosphere of tranquillity. The Ghyll cottages were designed such that special consideration has been given to the needs of those with mobility problems.

A week later, I decided to take up their kind offer, to see if the brochure did indeed offer the facilities that it described.

With my constant companion, my daughter Lesley, we left our village of Guiseley and took the A65 road towards the village of Addingham. It appeared that it was going to be a dull day as the dark clouds loomed overhead. At this time of year, it is supposed to be continuous sunshine as June has always been referred to as the "blazing month."

Approximately 17 minutes later, we reached the outskirts of Addingham where we turned right on to the country road of the B6160 heading towards Grassington. As we drove along, I was glad that the weather was so far keeping fine, as a visitor to the dales can fully appreciate the beauty it has to offer. The road that we were on (B6160) was the normal winding country road that any Yorkshire person would expect it to be, but to the unfamiliar tourist, then this road would test their driving skills to the full.

Taking the scenic route, we passed through the village of Grassington, (and those who are interested what Grassington looks like, can take a look at my page containing "Andrew Gilmour's" drawings), I made a mental note to visit there on our way back.

As we arrived at the quaint village of "Buckden" approximately 1 hour after we had left Guiseley, we entered "Dalegarth" with its immaculately kept gardens, and I was impressed. My first surprise was to be greeted personally by David Lusted. I'd hardly had time to get out of the car when I was warmly greeted by a jovial and friendly smile, "Good afternoon Mr C." My first impression was that I like this person, as he knows how to make his visitors feel welcome. David introduced his lovely lady wife, Susan, who also carried a cheery smile and made us feel as though we were old friends. For a while we chatted in general before going up to the cottages.

David suggested that we make our way the 150 yards to the cottages, by car, as it was a little hilly for a wheelchair. I explained that we preferred to make our own way by chair, so that we would know exactly what a wheelchair user could expect to face.

Entering the tiny village, we first had to cross a bridge, and then turn right and up the short hill. Lesley rested for a short while, and while she was resting, I listened to the tuneful skylarks flying overhead. To my near left I noticed the swallows, the house sparrows and the starlings all singing away merrily. Immediately to my front was a cute dark brown rabbit dashing quickly across the road heading for the safety of the nearby meadow. So maybe the weather was going to stay fine after all? The village of Buckden lies in a valley surrounded by luscious green hills. David was right, it was a little hilly for a wheelchair, so it would be advisable for a wheelchair user to take transport to the Ghyll cottages. Otherwise some assistance would be required to get to there on foot so to speak.

At the cottages, David left us to our own devices to get the feel of the place. We entered "The Ghyll" cottage and my first impression's was of how clean and cosy it was. I manoeuvred my wheelchair on my own, as I wanted to see if indeed this place was fully wheelchair adapted as the brochure described. I had no problems in getting through the first and second door, and I found myself in a spacious and comfortable dining room, and a sitting room that was easily wheelchair friendly and contained not only a coloured television and video recorder, but also had a video library as well.

My next stop was the bedroom, and this was my second surprise. I stopped in the doorway and looked in awe at the six-foot wide bed on my right. The only other holiday residence where I had seen such a wide bed was in Cyprus. I would have no problem with this bed, as it was level with the seat of my chair. I was informed that if a disabled person required assistance, then all disable facilities were made readily available including a hoist for getting in and out of the bed. Personally, on looking at the comfortable bed, I was surprised that anyone would want to get out of it.

On my left was the immaculately clean en-suite bathroom, and on entering, I found that everything was easily accessible. Again David informed me that everything for the disabled person's needs had been thought of. For the more mobile guests who are able to get in and out of a bath, there is a Jacuzzi, and there is a wheelchair provided for the guests who use a shower.

My next visit was the kitchen and I was delighted to find that the worktops with its microwave oven and the main cooker hob had been designed with the disabled person in mind. The kitchen also contained a refrigerator, dishwasher and a food processor. In fact I personally thought that it was a well-designed and well-equipped room. Most cupboards were easily accessible and any wheelchair user not requiring assistance should quite comfortably be able to make a meal.

The cottage was designed to accommodate six people two in the downstairs bedroom, and four in the upstairs bedrooms. So the cottage was not only designed for the disabled person in mind, but also for the comfort of their able-bodied carers, family and friends should it be required.

Both David and I had our pictures taken by Lesley, after which he thanked us for our visit and suggested that we should try "West Winds tearooms" in the village, though he wasn't sure if it was completely wheelchair friendly, but ensured us that the proprietor was a great cook and made great meals as well as lovely fresh cakes, and then he would see us again before we left.

It was well past my time for a "Cuppa!" So we took him up on his suggestion.

At West Winds tearooms, and after some assistance from Lesley, we gained access through the side gate. We were confronted with some minor removable objects, such as milk crates, but after moving the objects, I still didn't think that we would be able to enter the tearooms. I was a little disappointed, and we were about to leave when the proprietor came out and apologised as she had been on the telephone. She immediately made us welcome and offered us into her establishment via the kitchen, which after a little more assistance from Lesley; we entered the "cosy" dining area.

The service at "West Winds" was quick, and the delightful quiet spoken young lady, who served us, was very polite and patient as I looked through the menu trying to decide which of the tempting meals I was going to try. I opted for the cheese sandwiches and salad, while Lesley decided upon the baked potato with cheese filling and salad.

Afterwards I had a piece of the most mouth watering coffee cake that I had tasted in a long time and everything was reasonably priced for the time of year. David was right, and I was impressed with the meals and service. We thanked the proprietor for the meal and headed to where the car was parked to say farewell to David and Susan. Once again they came out of their home to greet us and thanked us for the visit and invited us to come back again soon.

Mike's Observations:

The Ghyll Cottages: Excellent service and friendly and homely atmosphere. One hundred per cent disabled facilities available and highly recommended. I could stay here with no problem at all.

Price: £300 - £400 pounds a week in season, £282 - £309 out of season which is not bad for the excellent service that is on offer. There is not much of a difference between the out of season prices and the in season prices.

Buckden Village: From Dalegarth to the Ghyll cottages, a bridge without a footpath has to be crossed. So care must be taken and a watchful eye kept for oncoming traffic. The short hill up to the cottages requires assistance for the wheelchair users so it is advisable to take transport the 150 yards.

West Winds tearooms: Excellent service, great tasting food and is highly recommended for every visitor to try.

Entertainment: There is an indoor heated swimming pool, with a small Gymnasium and a Sauna. In the village area, and for the adventurous wheelchair user, there is pony trekking, sailing or ballooning. There is also trout fishing or painting.

Nightlife: There are the local village pubs, but besides that I couldn't find anything for an average active teenager?

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit, and I personally could stay at "The Ghyll" cottages with no problem at all. With the village of Buckden being situated below hills, mobile phones are unlikely to work, but I have been informed that this is being sorted out and that one of the telephone companies are intending to build a mast shortly. It is an ideal place for getting away from the hustle and bustle of town and city life, and the village is ideally situated for other tourist places in the Wharfedale, and further afield, Rydale area.

If you are searching for a tranquil countryside holiday, then this is the place to visit.

Mike's recommendations:

Some sort of nightlife entertainment for teenagers would be ideal?

The prices could be more specially rated in the out of season period to allow a disabled person on a pension, with one carer to visit Dalegarth & the Ghyll cottages and enjoy its hospitality?

Mike Coatesworth

My novels can be seen at

http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/onetear1.htm

http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/cuppa1.htm

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