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Inside of The Old Vicarage

Special occasions

Many of our guests book The Old Vicarage to celebrate a special event such as a birthday or anniversary.

Something to celebrate?

Many of our guests book The Old Vicarage to celebrate a special event such as a birthday or anniversary.

We can arrange additional services to make your stay extra special, such as professional catering and tailor-made birthday cakes, treatments, bikes and so on. Or how about flower deliveries or champagne on arrival? In the summer months, guests often like to extend the party out of doors and make use of the beautiful gardens.

So if you are planning a celebration, let us know and we will do our best to make your event perfect in every way.

Outside catering

Sometimes – especially for a big group – it’s a relief to hand over the catering to someone else, either as a one-off treat or if you are celebrating a special event such as a birthday or anniversary. There are several professional catering firms locally who can serve quality food to meet your requirements.

Henny's Kitchen - Henny is a freelance chef specialising in private dinner parties and also group lessons, chocolates and fine dining. Tel 07711 016567. www.hennyskitchen.co.uk

The Yorkshire Party Company – One of the region's top catering companies and known for imaginative food served by professional staff. They provide a tailor-made service and will help you design a menu or party theme. Telephone: 01765 641920.  www.yorkshireparty.co.uk 

Lady G - Georgina is a trained cordon bleu chef who specialises in holiday catering. This can be a special lunch or dinner party, cooked and served for you with waiting staff provided or a drop-off service. Telephone: 07957 144467. www.ladygscookery.co.uk

Edwina's Cakes - Based in Richmond, this shop stocks a range of birthday and novelty cakes and will also create something to your own specifications. Tel: 01748 826622.

Angel's Share - based in The Station at Richmond, Alex and her team at this award-winning bakery and delicatessen prepare delicious quiches, pies and scrumptious desserts. Great if you don't fancy cooking but you are in a large group. At least a couple of days notice is needed. Food is presented on boards and boxed for easy transportation. Tel: 01748 828261. www.theangelssharebakery.com
 

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A warm Yorkshire welcome awaits

The combination of double, twin and single bedrooms make for flexible sleeping arrangements and the three bathrooms mean that it is often possible for each group to have their own separate facilities.

The communal rooms are spacious enough for people to be together - for instance everyone can fit around the dining table or sit together in the lounge - but there are also plenty of other quieter areas for people to find their own space.

Use of the adjoining leisure facilities means there are lots of activities on site to suit all ages and energy levels, from the large indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi to the fully-equipped gym, table tennis, table football and outdoor tennis courts. The grounds are excellent for sitting in with a book, enjoying a group barbeque, having a kick around with the kids or just quietly taking in the spectacular views. The private stretch of river that runs just below the house extends this natural 'playground' even further!

Looking outside the parameters of The Old Vicarage, the Yorkshire Dales are also an excellent holiday destination for group holidays, with quite literally something for everyone. There is an abundance of attractions, activities and places to visit which can be explored further on this website.

Your escape to the Dales starts here

Positioned in a quiet spot overlooking the River Swale, this spacious country house accommodates up to nine people (ten by arrangement plus a travel cot on request). It is surrounded by flowering meadows and woodland and is set in enclosed spacious grounds, with its own private stretch of the picturesque River Swale. The views from every room are breathtaking and provide stunning panoramic vistas of Swaledale.

Latest news from The Old Vicarage

Stay up to date with the latest news from The Old Vicarage, from our picture postcard home to the surrounding activities.

What our visitors say

Guest from past and present share their feedback, following a stay in our luxury accommodation.

  • "the views are spectacular. The house is spacious and feels like home. We have filled every hour and are sad to leave. The facilities and the pool are second to none. Lots of games in the cupboard."
    The Lock Family
    September 2026
  • "We all very much enjoyed our stay at the Old Vicarage. Your hospitality, and the superb facilities on offer, were outstanding. A long weekend is not sufficient to take advantage of all the facilities both on site and off site, and if we return ( and everybody is trying to come up with a reason to do so ) it would hopefully be for at least a week. This was definitely the right place for a multi-generational celebration of my birthday, with the onsite spa and recreational facilities proving their worth, on a weather miserable Sunday. Once again many thanks, Julia"
    The Abbott Family
    May 2026
  • "We had an amazing time this weekend. It was fabulous to relax in the pool and sauna area then have cosy evenings by the fire. We have loved it!"
    The Nutting Girls' Trip
    February 2026
  • "What a wonderful way to celebrate my 70th birthday with all my family in this fabulous house. We loved the leisure facilities, the setting and the welcome hamper. Julia - thank you for being a communicative host with all your helpful information. The Sky Sports was also a bonus!"
    The Archer Family
    February 2026
  • "A wonderful Autumn week. beautiful house and surroundings in a fantastic area. Thank you so much Julia. It's been amazing."
    The Jackson Family
    October 2025
  • "Fabulous surroundings, beautiful house. Perfect for family gathering. Leisure area fantastic. Never slept better! Hope to return during the summer. Thank you Julia for being the perfect host!"
    The Black Family
    October 2025
  • "The location of The Old Vicarage is absolutely stunning. Being surrounded by green fields, far reaching views and wonderful skyline is a real tonic. Seeing the sheep graze, watching the many varied bird species flit in and out of view, cattle making their way up and down the fields and topped off with getting close up and personal with some of Julia's Highland Cattle for a grooming session, what's not to like?! We have enjoyed many walks around the fields with the dogs and had a great time down by the river. Every day has been full on. Going home tired but very happy with such fond memories of Julia and The Old Vicarage."
    The Glancey Family
    July 2025
  • "Thank you Julia for welcoming and looking after us. We've had a wonderful time at The Old Vicarage and will take many happy memories away. The time has passed so quickly and we are sorry to leave."
    The Russell Family
    July 2025
  • "This is certainly one of the most beautiful locations we've stayed at. From the scenery to the serenity of the countryside to the impeccably furnished house, we have had a very comfortable stay. We also enjoyed seeing the cattle around us, walking by the river, and using the leisure facilities."
    The Almahri Family
    June 2025
  • "We have had a lovely week to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary with our family. Superb welcome hamper on arrival and really appreciated the garden flowers on the table. Leisure facilities were amazing and enjoyed by all from baby Reggie to the 'older folk'. Thank you Julia for all the help and information."
    The Newdick Family
    June 2025
  • "Thank you very much Julia for a splendid week in your beautiful house. We all really enjoyed it - everything from the fishing on the river, swimming in the amazing pool, going for walks, and just sitting admiring the wonderful views across the dale. The children will have amazing memories."
    The Lack Family
    May 2025
  • "We've had a fantastic, special week here at The Old Vicarage to celebrate Mum's 70th birthday. The house is so well equipped and the setting is beautiful, so serene to look out at all times of the day. The kids have thoroughly enjoyed watching the cows, sheep, lambs, hares and rabbits going about their business in the Dales. Pool and leisure facilities are second-to-none and a highlight of our visit."
    The Nicholson, Rapaport & Halls Families
    April 2025
  • "I stayed with my family in February and it really is as lovely as it looks in the pictures. The facilities are also on a par with any luxury resort and, as an extra bonus, you get them all to yourselves!! Seriously, if you can, make a booking. You won’t regret it"
    The Lewis Family
    February 2025
  • "Yet another fabulous holiday at The Old Vicarage. Brilliant times in the pool and tennis courts as well as very competitive rounders and the lovely sunny evenings."
    The Rhodes Family
    August 2024

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