Welcome to Gearstones
Nestling in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and central to the Yorkshire Three Peaks, Gearstones Lodge and Cottage provides an ideal accommodation base for both groups and families wishing to explore the area.
Nestling in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and central to the Yorkshire Three Peaks, Gearstones Lodge and Cottage provides an ideal accommodation base for both groups and families wishing to explore the area.
The lodge is ideal accommodation for families or groups wishing to either take a relaxing break or indulge in such activities as fell walking, rock climbing, pot holing, mountain biking... just a few of the activities on offer in and around this area of the Yorkshire Dales.
Formerly an old shooting lodge, the buildings have been converted into a comfortable and spacious outdoor activity centre, providing accommodation for up to forty persons on a self catering basis.
The lodge also provides a peaceful setting for course and field work.
The Lodge carries a minimum charge of £320 per night for the first 20 guests.
Additional guests are charged at £16 each per night up to a maximum of 40.
Please check the availability of the lodge below.
The converted barn, which adjoins the Lodge, is decorated in traditional Dales style and provides self catering accommodation for up to six people, suitable for families or small groups.
The ground floor has a large fully equipped kitchen and a correspondingly large sized dining room. An open plan staircase leads from the dining room to the upperfloor lounge area, the bedrooms and bathroom.
There are two bedrooms, one sleeping four people in bunkbeds while the other equally sized room contains a double bed. The ground floor is flagged in heritage stone and the upper floor is fully carpeted. The whole cottage is centrally heated throughout.
The current cottage price is £100 for 1 night,
£140 for 2 nights,
£70 per additional night.
Please check the availability of the Cottage below.
"Crossing a ford, Mr. Blakey led me to a public house called Griestones, the seat of misery in a desert".
This extract drawn from the diaries of Lord Torrington in 1792 is, to date, the earliest documented reference to the existence of our hostel.
He goes on to paint a very sombre picture of what can best be described as a den of iniquity (hovel - his words).
His diaries confirm our previous belief that the Inn was the focus of cattle and corn markets, being frequented by drovers attracted to the seasonal fairs, and the patronage of gentlemen by the opportunity to shoot "grouse in their abundance" [Lord Torrington].
Construction of the Settle to Carlise railway link, in particular the Ribblehead Viaduct, marked another significant period in the history of the Lodge.
Providing lodgings and succour for "navies" building the viaduct the lodge seems to have been lucky to have survived this turbulent period, when one George Young, in a fit of pique, tossed onto the fire "priming caps and a portion of Nobel's patent safety powder" in 1873.
The earliest record of ownership found to date is that recording sale of the property by a Francis Whalley to J.W. & O.Farrer. The Farrer family are still prominent in the Dales today, with Dr. Farrer owning much of the land adjacent to Gearstones Lodge.
Appreciated by many, the environment surrounding Gearstones presents to the traveller a peaceful, if at times lonely, bleak panorama. The area is, however, one of great historical and geological interest. There is physical evidence of the many differing cultures that have inhabitated the area, the "hill forts of Ingleborough", the Celtic fields and pastures of Ribblehead, along with the roads and camps built by the Romans. Gearstones sits astride the Roman Road joining Ingleton and the fort at Bainbridge. Many place names bear the influence of early Angles, Danish and Norse settlers.
Industrial development presents a wealth of interesting sites to be explored throughout the area, rope mills, lead mines, coal mines, quarries and lime kilns are but a few. Geographically the area is ideal for both the "academic" and the "athlete": properties that create the study for one offer a personal challenge to caver, climber and walker.
Around 1911 the Dales experienced great social change. Gearstones became a shooting lodge of some prominence and still holds today a national record for the sport.
Physically the building went through a prolonged period of decline until being rescued by the people of Mirfield under the auspices of Gearstones Lodge Charitable Trust. The trust, through the generosity of Mirfield, was able to purchase the property in 1972.
We are currently working through a rolling development programme, designed to secure Gearstones for the long term to the greater benefit of the community.
Throughout its history Gearstones has played a prominent part and has been a focal point in the Three Peaks Area, and as we approach each New Year the Management Committees sights are firmly set to provide a place of excellence and maintain our historical heritage.