Category Archives: Events news

All good things come to those who wait – and we can confirm that our rare and precious Lady’s Slipper orchid is now coming into flower here at Kilnsey Park Estate. The blooms usually last a couple of weeks so catch them whilst you can – we have a guided walk this Sunday 26th May at 2.30pm and the nature reserve is open to the public 7 days a week from 10-4.

You can find out more about the Lady’s Slipper orchid and why it is important by clicking here.

We will be open as normal this Sunday as the Tour de Yorkshire passes through the dale. The Tour organisers are advising relatively minor road closures between 13.45 and 14.45. A special sprint involving riders such as Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish is due to take place at Kilnsey around 14.15.

If you’re coming from the Skipton direction you just need to be aware that the road closures are predicted to be slightly earlier there, from 12.55 to 13.55 – although that’s only the centre of Skipton, so the bypasses will be unaffected.

To ensure a grandstand view of the action we recommend you get to Kilnsey by 1pm at the latest.

The best way to avoid any road closures is by checking the official website here: http://sites.yorkshire.com/tdy

Maybe we’ll look back on 2018 as a once-in-a-generation ‘perfect summer’ or maybe it’s a sign of things to come – either way it’s been a perfect year to get married outdoors.

This was the year in which Kilnsey Park Estate became licensed to hold outdoor ceremonies, and already we’ve seen some inventive couples create unforgettable memories for themselves and their loved ones.

We thought it would be good to share one of those stories – the wedding of Emily and Pete in June. They proved that inspiration and a passion for keeping things simple can create a truly unique wedding that guests will be talking about for years to come. Click below to read about their experience of organising their big day, and some of the things they learnt in the process.

Thoughts now turn to our the 2019 wedding season, and may it be as idyllic and sun-kissed as this one!

If you want to find out more about our unique outdoor weddings, please contact us at info@kilnseypark.co.uk

Love in the Dales | Emily and Pete’s Countryside Meadow Wedding in Yorkshire

We’re so excited to be welcoming our favourite bug hunters Roger and Rosy back to Kilnsey Park on Saturday 11 August so they can lead their famous summer minibeast hunts at 11.30am and 2.30pm.

They’ll have lots of nets and pooters and other bug-enticing kit so all you need to do is bring your sense of adventure and enthusiasm!

Please note this activity was originally scheduled for Sunday, but the weather isn’t looking so bug-friendly on that day whereas Saturday looks ideal.

The first of our spectacular Lady Slipper orchids has come into flower.

The orchid is the rarest wildflower in Britain and its one remaining site in the wild is a closely guarded secret.

Here at Kilnsey Park Estate we have over a dozen Lady Slipper orchids, which were reintroduced as part of a conservation recovery programme in 2008.

Some of the orchids can be seen from the publicly accessible nature walk.

If you want to get close up to the Lady Slipper orchid and learn its fascinating story, there  is a guided walk on Sunday 27th May at 2.30pm. Normal Estate admission applies.

The first of our rare orchids has flowered in time for Wild About Orchids month.

The flowering of the Lady’s Slipper orchid is a special bookmark of the natural year here at Kilnsey Park Estate, alongside the arrival of swallows and the migration of the curlews.

The orchid usually flowers in late May to early June, so it seems like the relatively warm dry weather of the past few weeks has brought them into flower earlier than usual.

Wild About Orchids month runs from Sunday 14th May to Sunday 18th June, which is the best time to see the wide range of orchids and wildflowers on the reserve. You can view the Lady’s Slipper orchid from the roped walk at any time, or join one of our guided wildflower walks on the following days:

Sunday 21 May – 2.30pm

Sunday 4 June – 2.30pm

Sunday 18 June – 2.30pm

The guided walks are led by Jamie who looks after the nature reserve. You will get to learn what’s special about Kilnsey Flush and the stories behind some of the different wildflowers – as well as meeting the star of the show, the Lady’s Slipper orchid and hearing its incredible tale of decline and recovery.

TV personalities Larry and George Lamb visited Kilnsey Park this week to learn how to catch and cook the freshest fish in the country. The father and son duo, who are making a new travel series for Channel 5, learnt about what makes our Kilnsey trout so special from Jamie Roberts before Dad Anthony taught them the art of fly fishing.

We are delighted that George caught a fine rainbow trout with virtually his first cast, and Larry was soon fishing like a pro despite having not touched a fishing rod for over 50 years. They both had a great time perfecting their back cast and learning how to pick the ideal fly.

Larry and George rounded off their action-packed day at Kilnsey Park by throwing their freshly caught fish on the bbq and having a relaxing picnic on the lakeside in the late afternoon sun.

This is what we’re all about at Kilnsey Park – turn up having never fished before, experience the thrill of catching your first fish, then pop it on the bbq for the freshest most delicious melt in the mouth meal you can imagine.

If you’re thinking of something special for the Dad in your life, there are still a few places left on our Father’s Day Catch & Cook on Sunday 18th June – details in the Events section of the website.