All creatures great and small!

Come and explore the twelve acres of ancient woodlands, mill ponds and meadowlands that make up this beautiful valley and see what wonderful creatures you can spot lurking within the long grasses...

A really rather magical thing happened to me the other day whilst I was going about my daily tasks at Bents Mill - as I emerged from the tunnel through the mill I came face to face (within 10m anyway!) with a beautiful baby deer who was strolling around the car park.  The moment of mutual acknowledgement felt to last for minutes rather than seconds as we took in each others presence with a mixture of surprise and awe.  The fleeting paralysis was broken as the deer took flight and skipped across the grass towards the mill pond.  Unfortunately, over the past few weeks, the inclement weather has provided ideal conditions for the blanket weed and the surface covering was almost complete - even this wonderfully intuitive animal could not sense the water that was hiding beneath this grasslike blanket.  With one giant gisselle sized leap the deer rose into the air and promptly disappeared into the water.  My husband, Joe, was working in his waders in one of the other mill ponds at the time and was most bemused at my panicked insistance that he should leap in after the deer in a desparate rescue attempt.  The deer, of course, required no help from anyone, waders or no waders and quickly made its way through the bog garden, over the wall and into an adjoining field.  These chance encounters with the wild inhabitants of the valley really do make for magical memories. 

Fresh from this wonderful experience I decided to take my 9 year old son, Max, on a creature hunt - armed with a great new digital camera we had a fantastic couple of hours hiding in the long grasses listenning to the tantilising sound of nearby grasshoppers and watching the butterflies and damselflies flitting from flower to flower - heaven on earth!  For more photos of the wildlife that share this beautiful valley with us and our guests check out our facebook page!

Holidays in Hewenden - Whatever the weather!

Although we have everything crossed for a blazing barbecue summer, even the most optimistic amongst us have to admit that the recent weather patterns suggest that something a little more unsettled might be in store.  The unusually wet spring does not, however, seem to have dampened the spirits of guests who have stayed in the valley over the last few weeks, many of whom have commented on the amazing amount to do and see in the local area. Yorkshire has a rich cultural heritage, a fact reflected in the plethora of museums, art galleries, historic buildings and old market towns. The diversity of attractions provide for all weather eventualities with so many wonderful places of interest giving welcome shelter on those inclement days.  I thought it might be useful for those considering a visit to the valley to offer a few wet weather suggestions, but a chance conversation I had with a guest who arrived amid the pouring rain yesterday, also reminded me of another way in which Hewenden is ideally placed to offer the perfect all weather holiday.  Surrounded by ancient woodlands, mill ponds and glorious gardens, our warm and cosy cottages, houses and apartments are a perfect retreat for those seeking the ultimate escape - surely the gentle pattering of summer rain on the arched mill windows only adds to the atmosphere in which a good book and a glass of wine can be truly savoured.  Maybe rain is simply a heaven sent excuse to stay in, put your feet up and indulge in some serious R & R.  Enjoy your time in Hewenden - whatever the weather!

Salts Mill, Saltaire             Keighley and Worth Valley Steam Railway, Haworth

The Bronte Museum            Skipton Castle      Eureka Children's Museum, Halifax

National Media Museum and Imax, Bradford    Cliffe Castle, Keighley

East Riddlesden Hall (National Trust)       The Climbing Barn, Bingley

The Royal Armouries, Leeds      The Turkish Baths, Harrogate