Swinton Bivouac is a luxury sustainable site on the Swinton Estate near Masham in the Yorkshire Dales. Swinton Bivouac is all about luxury glamping. Swinton Estate is one of my favourite places to visit, and this time I wanted to return with my family to experience Swinton Bivouac. This luxury glamping site with tree lodges is in a woodland Yorkshire setting. There is also the option to stay in a Yurt on some grasslands. There is also the option for some outdoor hot tub views.
It opened in 2012 and includes the Bistro Café, toilets, and showers in the restored barn, six tree lodges, eight meadow yurts and a cosy bunk barn with 12 beds. We were staying in one of the tree lodges with the four of us.
We chose to stay in a treehouse lodge. If cooking is not in your diary then I could also enjoy food from the Café Bistro. Many outside guests come here with their pets to enjoy the views. Swinton Estate is set on 22,000 acres of divine views of Yorkshire woodlands.
Access
To drive to Swinton Bivouac is an adventure in itself as I was driving around the estate walls. The wildlife is beautiful to look out for especially at 7am in the morning. So drive carefully and enjoy the stunning views and woodland drive. On this occasion, I had two cars with me the brand new sonic red LexusLC500 and the Audi SQ2. The road is bumpy and there are parts where I had to drive across a ford with water. I chose to leave the LC500 in fine hands back at Swinton Estate.
I then wanted to test the new Audi SQ2 which was the perfect car to drive around the Estate without worrying about damage to the car. This is an entirely personal decision to make regarding what car to take up here. The road is more than fine but with luxury sports car I would not recommend it.
Swinton Bivouac Café Bistro
The food here is fresh locally sourced and the setting is second to none. Its breakfast options are plenty and the portions are generous. The cakes are far too enticing to ignore.
Swinton Bivouac also hosts groups (there’s a larger Loft sleeping 10) and organises woodland weddings at the Druid’s Temple, a 200-year-old folly set among the woodlands. It is a unique place for celebrations and perfect for outdoor fanatics.
Druid’s Temple
Tree Lodges
The Tree Lodges are set in the forest and there is a few hundred yard walk to get your luggage there. There is easy path access and you can wheelbarrow your luggage in. The kids thought this was funny. I would recommend backpacks to avoid any stress.
We are here with the nippy Audi SQ2.
The setting is stunning and the views all day long is a wellness break I certainly needed.
Nope, no ‘electricity’ in the woods, this was going to be fun. As the light faded we managed to light the log burner, our only source of heat for us. For lighting there was the chose between candle light and some battery-operated Christmas lights. For the log burner, there is plenty of firewood available. Those mobile phones and laptops either have to be fully charged at the cafe or like us we chose not to use them for the duration of our stay. If you are here with children I would highly recommend keeping the digital equipment home. There is so much to explore and the children loved chasing after the sheep or playing in the forest at the druid’s ruin.
The facilities in the tree lodge were excellent with a good hot water shower, a kitchen with a stove and plenty of pots and pans and a comfortable seating area. I was impressed and as a first-time glamper, I could definitely do this again. The treehouse quality is of a high standard and was very warm throughout.
Cooking
An open plan kitchen area, containing the wood burner, sink and shelving for crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils, sits adjacent to a comfortable and homely lounge area where we all lounged around and enjoy the warmth from the fire.
Bunk Beds
The mattresses are very comfortable you can sleep a total of seven people here. If you really want glamping like us, we were a family of four which meant I had the top bunk to myself and partner, and my daughter had the bottom bunk with plenty of private play time when she closed the curtains, it was very relaxing.
My view looking out whilst lying down. The was lovely when the moon was full and bright at night and in the morning hearing the wildlife and waking up to natural light was bliss.
Swinton Estate Spa
There is the option to pop down for a brilliant relaxing Spa pampering. The spa has four treatment rooms, including a double treatment room and an exclusive-use relaxation lounge with sauna and cedar hot tub, where you can relax in total privacy. This has to be one of my favourite spas in the UK. It’s glamping after all, right?
Transport options are not an issue here at Swinton Estate, with permission you can land your helicopter and have some lunch.
Conclusion
If camping is not your thing, then Glamping at Swinton Bivouac is the experience one needs to be seeking. The 22,000acre setting offers endless entertainment for anyone staying here. The access to modern amenities means one does not ever have to suffer a lack of hot water, electricity (not in the tree lodges), cakes and let alone afternoon tea. The set up is brilliant and if team building, or family uniting is what you are seeking then plenty of walks, horse riding and jacuzzi’s are available.
Entrance to Swinton Estate heading to Swinton Bivouac
Details
- Room reviewed: Tree Lodge
- Website: www.swintonestate.com/bivouac/
- Address: Swinton Bivouac, Masham, Ripon, Ilton, Ripon HG4 4JZ, United Kingdom
- Phone: +44 (0)1765 535020
