News
Kilnsey wins Rural Award
We’re delighted to have won the Rural Diversification award at this year’s Yorkshire Post Rural Awards. The award recognises the rural business that has demonstrated ingenuity and a real can do attitude in developing new opportunities. We’re proud to have been recognised for the sheer breadth of what we offer here at Kilnsey Park Estate – everything from fly fishing and nature walks to cream teas, weddings, pony trekking and holiday accommodation – not to mention the fresh rainbow trout that started our journey in 1978!
A huge thank you to all the staff past and present who have been integral to our growth and to the founders Anthony and Vanessa Roberts.
We’re also proud to have been the runner up in the Rural Tourist Attraction of the Year category.
News
In praise of a slipper
Sometimes it’s easy to take the most important things for granted. It’s been a dozen years since we were selected as a reintroduction site for the UK’s rarest wildflower, the Lady’s Slipper orchid. Since then we have been privileged to be part of a successful conservation story, playing a small but hugely satisfying part in helping the orchids to slowly establish themselves and to thrive. The two weeks when the orchids flower marks an important milestone in the year and is as eagerly anticipated as any celebration.
One of the greatest joys is to welcome so many visitors to our nature reserve, many of them plant-lovers for whom seeing the Lady’s Slipper orchid is a lifetime’s ambition. A recent visitor has written a lovely account of the orchid and its miraculous escape from extinction in this week’s Country Diary in the Guardian, which you can read here.
The Lady’s Slipper orchids on our reserve are now approaching the end of their flowering period for another year. We’ll be counting down the days until their unfurl their vivid slippers again.
News
Kilnsey Park on Countryfile
Great to see BBC presenter Adam Henson enjoying his fishing here at Kilnsey Park on this week’s Countryfile – before experiencing a delicious meal featuring our own rainbow trout smoked by Jake Buchan of our on-site Holy Smokery.
Adam was particularly impressed with the fresh, clean flavour of our fish – all thanks to the fact that they are reared in the pristine limestone-filtered spring waters of the Yorkshire Dales. It’s what we believe sets our rainbow trout apart from the crowd.
Why not find out for yourself? We offer fishing for all ages and all levels, whether you’re looking for something different to do with a young family, or keen to hone your angling skills. Find out more by clicking here.
Watch the episode of BBC Countryfile here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/…/episode/…/countryfile-spring-special …See more
News
Seeking Fishery Worker
We’re looking for an enthusiastic person who’s good with people, hard-working and loves the great outdoors to work at our popular fishery in the Yorkshire Dales.
Your main role will be to carry out the day to day running of our successful fly fishery, interacting with anglers, selling tickets and ensuring that the fisheries are always tidy and well maintained. You will be the welcoming face of our fishery, also helping first-time anglers on our family fishing pond. You will also be able to gain some practical experience of working in the aquaculture sector at our modern on-site trout farm.
Job details: The position is full-time and permanent, and the work will be varied through the year and very rewarding. The business opens 7 days a week, including from 7am until 7pm through the summer. Therefore the position will include evening and weekend work, with longer hours required in summer and shorter hours in winter.
The role will include:
- Welcoming anglers and ticket sales
- Helping first time anglers on our Family Fishing pond
- Developing new ideas and events to increase angler numbers at off peak times
- Maintaining fishing tackle
- General help and tidying around the fishery
- Responding to customer enquiries (email/phone)
Requirements:
- Friendly, approachable and good with people
- Hard working and reliable
- Qualification in fishing-related subject, or equivalent experience in working at a fishery
- Able to work flexible hours to meet the business needs (includes weekends, and longer hours in summer)
- Good standard of written English (for email responses etc)
- Own transport essential
For further details or to apply please email info@kilnseypark.co.uk with a brief personal statement outlining why you are the ideal person for the job.
Deadline for applications – FRIDAY 29th MARCH
www.kilnseyfishing.co.uk
News
40 years on – how we’ve grown!
away (you can’t get fresher than that!). There wasn’t a café in those early years, but you could buy hot drinks and snacks from a small caravan. As well as fly fishing, you could feed the fish and ducks off the pier or visit the freshwater aquarium in a nearby barn. In 1994 the main café and farm shop was built, along with a smokehouse. And let’s not forget the red squirrels, rare orchids, alpacas and other furry friends who have been such an important part of the story.
News
Kilnsey Park nominated for ‘Rural Oscar’
News
Kilnsey Show is coming
One of our favourite days of the year is approaching, as Kilnsey Show rolls into town this Tuesday.
It’s the 122nd year since the show first came to this spectacular part of the Yorkshire Dales in 1897, and this year promises to be a brilliant showcase of sports, animals, food & drink, country traditions and a great way to spend a day surrounded by some of the greatest landscapes on God’s green earth.
Kilnsey Park will be open for business as usual, so why not join us for some family fishing, walk our nature trail and enjoy a spot of lunch in the Cafe by the Lake?
News
Kilnsey hosts first outdoor wedding
Couples wishing to get married in the great outdoors can now exchange their vows at a brand new venue in scenic Upper Wharfedale.
Kilnsey Park Estate recently became the first place in Craven where civil ceremonies can take place in a haymeadow.
The family-run Estate and visitor attraction, once owned by the monks of Fountains Abbey, recently hosted its first outdoor ceremony and wedding. Mat and Lucy Evans from Leeds were the first lucky couple to tie the knot.
‘We were so lucky to be blessed with warm blue skies for our first ever outdoor ceremony,’ says Kilnsey Park owner Jamie Roberts. ‘Many guests commented that it was an unforgettable wedding made truly special by the beautiful location.’
Afterwards the wedding guests partied in a giant Teepee on the banks of the River Wharfe.
‘We’ve already had many enquiries from couples who love the peace and tranquillity of the Yorkshire Dales and to celebrate their wedding in it,’ says Jamie Roberts. ‘And where else can you have alpacas as wedding guests?’
To enquire about outdoor weddings at Kilnsey Park Estate call 01756 752 150 or email info@kilnseypark.co.uk
Events news, News
The Tour is coming – latest details
The Tour de Yorkshire rolls through Kilnsey on Sunday 6th May
Is it really 4 years since the Tour de France captured our hearts here in the Dales, put Yorkshire on the world stage and triggered an astonishing revival of recreational cycling?
The visit of the Tour de Yorkshire – featuring some of cycling’s biggest names – to Kilnsey is an opportunity to revel in the excitement and re-live fond memories.
The first intermediate sprint of the 2018 Tour (and with the word ‘sprint’ you just know that Mark Cavendish will be in the hunt) is taking place beneath the towering Kilnsey Crag, here in Upper Wharfedale.
Kilnsey Park is an ideal place to watch the Tour carnival pass through some of the most spectacular scenery in Britain. Plus you can make a day of it, enjoying some family fishing, kids bushcraft activities and a spot of lunch or tea in the cosy Cafe by the Lake.
Why not join us for a grandstand seat?
What you need to know
Date: Stage 4 of the 2018 Tour de Yorkshire visits Kilnsey on Sunday 6th May.
Road closures: The main road through Kilnsey is expected to be closed from 1pm to 2.35pm – so we recommend that you reach Kilnsey by not later than 12.30pm. We’re open from 9am and our activities will be in full swing by 11am.
Tour information: the best source of visitor information about the Tour de Yorkshire is here.
News
Summer opening hours
Cafe and visitor attraction move to summer opening times
Kilnsey Park Estate and the Cafe by the Lake are now on their summer opening times.
The Cafe by the Lake is open from 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week.
Kilnsey Park Estate attractions (family fishing, Discovery Trail) are open from 9.30am to 5pm, 7 days a week.
The fly fishing lakes open from 7.30am to 5.30pm.