Originally a family home, Eastfield Lodge now welcomes a huge range of guests staying for so many reasons, for a variety of occasions and seems to adapt to cater for almost any scenario.
When Henry and I first arrived at the Lodge in 2015, it was primarily a Bed & Breakfast and a walking lodge. We continue to this day to host the walking groups, either through Colletts Mountain Holidays or Walking Clubs from around the country, some who plan and lead their own walks and some I am lucky enough to join and to suggest some “off the beaten track” routes.
Many of the other groups opt for a guided walk so that they can simply walk and talk without having to plan or navigate. There’s nothing I enjoy more than to listen to the frantic chat of those who reunite after time apart and have so much to catch up on as they wander through the spectacular scenery of the Dales.
Increasingly the Lodge is filled with those on reunions. Several recently have been people who meet up every year, often at a different venue each time, to reminisce about their time at school or university. It’s wonderful to see these friendships that have lasted decades.
Cycle groups are attracted by the secure bike store and the classic but challenging routes made famous in God’s own country by the Tour de France in 2014 which truly put the Yorkshire Dales on the map for those on two wheels.
Small businesses have found the house ideal for planning meetings, whilst also being able to walk together and build team bonds, discuss future plans for the company and have rare social time together, especially now that so many of us work from home.
Special family occasions are a joy! We get to see several generations all excited to celebrate together. Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries all bring families and friends to the Lodge and some groups are really quite imaginative with their planning. They have historically organised gin trains, ghost hunts, llama trekking, wild swimming and even horse racing days. Many indulge in the fantastic local produce ordering in pastries from the Two Dales Bakery or booking a local chef to serve a fine dining three course meal for all the family.
Some more unusual groups have included a wig making company, a Mexican family who stayed a whole week and swapped their sombreros for flat caps, a riding stables annual horse trek and a film crew shooting a series from Bolton Castle.
There’s never a standard group. Everyone who visits the Lodge brings something new and therefore something special and it’s such a pleasure to welcome guests from all over the country, from across the world, from all generations, backgrounds and characters. We never tire of it and are looking forward to what 2026 might hold.