Category / Lifestyle

At Grassfield Hall, we’ve played host to many amazing photo shoots and video demos. From bridalwear to maternity clothing, jewellery, and food, we’ve opened our doors to both local and national brands looking for beautiful backdrops to display their new product lines.

If you are currently looking for a photoshoot venue and are wondering if Grassfield Hall could be right for you, then read on to find out why we could be a perfect fit…

A dreamy backdrop

Grassfield Hall is a venue steeped in history and charm, but with modern features and stylish interior design, it appeals to a wide range of target audiences and age groups. Our picturesque hall boasts sprawling green landscapes and enchanting woodland areas for you and your crew to embrace, and inside you can make use of our fabulous aviation-inspired bar, our stylish lounge, and our elegant Hanley Room with flattering reflective glass and ornate chandeliers.

Size and space

The size of the venue and the space available are likely to be really important when planning your shoot. Luckily, there is more than enough room here for your equipment, props, and the people involved in the shoot without feeling cramped. With 8 bedrooms – all with ensuite bathrooms –  your models or actors can have all the space they need to chill and relax in between shoots or scenes.

Amazing lighting

Natural light is often preferred for photoshoots, and all our rooms have ultra-high ceilings and huge windows allowing for ample natural light sources. Our grand hall entrance has a double-height ceiling with the opportunity for bird’s eye view photography from the balcony above.

Versatility and variety

Grassfield Hall offers a variety of settings and backdrops to provide diverse options for your photos. From the impressive entrance hall with marble flooring, grand piano, and stunning high ceilings to our decadent dining room and master suite featuring chandeliers and an emperor sleigh bed, the backdrops hold no limits when it comes to the creative process. Our space is ready to be brought to life with models, props, and floral displays.

All the amenities

With a large, modern kitchen with an Aga, multiple bathrooms, and a fully functional utility room, we have you covered when it comes to the amenities needed for your shoot. Plus, with 7 bedrooms on site, you can work over several days if required.

Ambiance and acoustics

The ambiance and atmosphere of your chosen location should align with the concept and style of your photoshoot. Grassfield’s sophisticated yet friendly vibe is sure to positively enhance the overall aesthetic of your shoot, helping you to create imagery that is authentic and captivating. If audio is important for your project, our hall also has great acoustics and due to our secluded location, there is little disturbance or background noise to worry about.

All seasons and any weather

We are a perfect year-round venue with an array of magical and inspiring settings both inside and outdoors. If you’re shooting outdoors, you can make use of the beautiful rolling hills of North Yorkshire as your backdrop, as well as the array of nature within our estate grounds. But, if bad weather should strike, there are plenty of solutions inside the hall as well as under our outside pergola area.

Location and accessibility

Within easy reach of Harrogate, York, and Leeds, Grassfield Hall is perfectly placed as a five-star Yorkshire photoshoot venue. Whether you are arriving by road, air, or train, we can help organise your onward travel arrangements, as well as crew catering if needed. We have oodles of parking and are close to local amenities in Pateley Bridge.

Privacy

It’s likely that privacy and security may be essential to create a comfortable and focused environment for your shoot. With a private drive and secure entrance, we can ensure that you will have all the privacy you need to carry out a safe and successful project.

Availability

If you are interested in finding out more or want to check date availability, then please email Lisa at info@grassfield-hall.co.uk or call  07958 038134.

We know, we know, it’s far too early to be mentioning the C word, but the truth is, if you want to secure the best suppliers for your Christmas party, then you must begin to confirm some elements now.

There’s really no better way to spread the festive cheer and boost office morale than by planning an unforgettable office Christmas party. Whether you’re a HR manager or an enthusiastic colleague volunteering for the task, a well-organised office holiday party can create lasting memories for years to come and foster a sense of togetherness among your colleagues.

If your team is small, then you have the fortune of being able to plan a delightful and intimate experience, and we are well-versed in hosting these at Grassfield Hall in North Yorkshire. To get you started, we’ve suggested some ideas below to help you get the vital parts sorted in advance…

The Venue:

When planning something special and unforgettable, your venue is everything. Hosting your party at a beautiful and elegant venue with lots of character means that you don’t really have to think too much about décor because it’s already there for you to enjoy.

Having a small group also means that you can incorporate a stayover as part of the celebration so that your guests don’t have to worry about transport or getting home late. It makes things extra special and luxurious being able to check in to a glamourous hotel room with plenty of space to relax and get ready in.

We love hosting Christmas parties at Grassfield Hall because it’s a very special time of year for us. We dress the hall with luxurious decorations, trees and accessories, and enjoy sharing happy memories with everyone who comes to stay.

The Date:

The festive season is hectic with so many parties and family gatherings to work around, and that’s without thinking about the client deadlines to meet before the office closes for the year.

Therefore, try to pick a date and time that work for the majority of your colleagues. Avoid scheduling the party too close to Christmas, as many people may have prior commitments then, and consider mid-week dates which might be easier for colleagues with children and weekend commitments. Thursday nights are a popular choice for parties here as they allow for a transition into a long weekend with the option to ‘work from home’ on Friday when there are likely to be some rather sore heads!

The Vibe:

Once you’ve got your dates and venue sorted, you can relax a little as the hardest parts are now sorted!

Choosing the vibe of your party is the best part. Perhaps you want a wellness theme complete with yoga lessons, a countryside hike and a smoothie bar to revitalise your colleagues after a busy year. Or, maybe music, dancing and amazing food are on the cards to celebrate a season of success. Either way, we can help you to create the perfect event without the stress and organisation from your side.

Themed parties are lots of fun and will give you a point of focus for the event’s finer details (invites, décor, dress code, catering etc.) Ideas such as Winter Wonderland, Vintage Glam, or Old Hollywood all offer that sophisticated and luxurious edge and are easy to interpret with minimal fuss but maximum effect.

The great thing about Grassfield Hall is that it caters to everyone and every theme; a stunning mirrored dining room for private dining, a cool bar area for cocktails and mingling and a cosy lounge area with plush seating around a roaring fireplace for guests to relax and re-charge.

The Entertainment:

Hiring caterers or a private chef will make your evening extra special and super slick as your caterer will take care of everything to make your dining experience seamless and restaurant-grade, including waiter service, drink service and clearing away at the end of the night.

And, when it comes to the food choices, festive menus don’t have to include the generic prawn cocktail or turkey options. You could opt for a Middle-Eastern banquet or mouth-watering platters of seafood and mezze spread across the table to share. White chocolate fountains are always fun and work brilliantly if you go for the Vintage Hollywood theme, as are champagne towers featuring stacked vintage coupes.

During or after dinner, you could also consider some extra entertainment to keep the evening flowing and your guests engaged. A professional magician, a tarot card reader or a caricature artist, for example, would be great choices. You could also opt for a casino night with roulette tables and blackjack, or even a murder mystery theme for more immersion and intrigue. For something a little lower maintenance, but equally as enjoyable, you could choose a cocktail-making or wine-tasting session with a knowledgeable sommelier from the local area, which most people tend to enjoy.

Ensure you remember the occasion with a photo booth complete with theme-appropriate props or hire a professional photographer to capture the fun and games.

Let’s get started!

We hope that we’ve now inspired you to start planning your festive office party at Grassfield Hall.

We still have a small selection of one-night stays left at the end of November and the beginning of December, so get in touch with Lisa to find out if your date is available.

We would love to help you host THE party of the year with your friends and team members. We have a wide range of amazing contacts in the Yorkshire area that we can call on to ensure that every detail is perfect for your special occasion.

Contact Lisa for more info on hosting your Christmas party 2025 at Grassfield Hall:

Tel: 07958 038134

Email: info@grassfield-hall.co.uk

Here at Grassfield Hall, we are big fans of a midweek wedding. So much so, that we offer an exclusive £1,000 discount on all 2-night midweek weddings in our venue.

Aside from the cost savings, we believe that there are many other tempting benefits to having a mid-week wedding, as opposed to the more traditional weekend wedding.

Here are five of our favourite reasons….

1. Cost savings

It has to be said that one of the biggest benefits of having a mid-week wedding is saving money. As well as discounted rates for your wedding venue, you can often negotiate better discounts with your other suppliers too. This can result in significant cost savings for you and your family, allowing you to allocate more budget to other aspects of your wedding or even put more in the pot for your dream honeymoon!

2. Better availability of suppliers

Since weekends are peak times for weddings, your first-choice venue, caterer, florist and wedding band may already be booked months or even years in advance. However, mid-week weddings are less common and more likely to have availability. This gives you a wider range of options to choose from, which can be particularly advantageous if you have your heart set on lots of specific details to make your day even more special. This can result in a more personalised day for you both.

3. More intimate and relaxed

Mid-week weddings tend to be smaller and more intimate compared to weekend weddings. And, with fewer guests in attendance, you can really spend more quality time with everyone present, creating a more relaxed and personal atmosphere. These intimate connections and meaningful interactions with loved ones are sure to make your wedding experience more memorable and special for everyone taking part in the celebration.

4. Flexibility for guests

Even though certain members of your wedding party may need to take a day or two off work to attend, midweek weddings can actually offer more flexibility for guests. Travel is usually easier during the week, avoiding busy weekend tourist traffic and higher train fares. Plus, guests may find it easier to take a day or two off during the week compared to taking a whole weekend off depending on their occupation. Additionally, mid-week weddings can allow guests to plan a longer period in the area to enjoy the event beyond just the wedding day. Guests might consider extending their stay in the area or taking a minibreak, making it a unique and more memorable experience for them as well.

5. A break from the norm

Who wants to blend in with the crowd anyway? Mid-week weddings stand out and show that you are daring to be different. They tend to be more memorable due to their unconventional nature and offer a break from the traditional weekend wedding routine. It’s likely that your midweek wedding will come as a refreshing change for both you and your guests to reflect your individual personalities and style.

If you are open to a non-traditional approach to your wedding and are looking for potential cost savings, unique experiences, and more flexibility, a mid-week wedding can be a great option.

Get in touch with Lisa to discuss our latest midweek availability and discount details.

Grassfield Hall
Low Wath Road
Pateley Bridge
Harrogate
North Yorkshire
HG3 5HL

Tel: 07958 038134
Tel: 07956 577303

Email: info@grassfield-hall.co.uk

Deep in the heart of Nidderdale, but only a short drive from Harrogate, Grassfield Hall is the perfect location for an active weekend.

Nidderdale is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and as such, offers plenty of outdoor attractions to satisfy even the most energetic travellers, whether you’re a walker, thrill seeker or looking for some family fun.

We’ve come up with our top 10 activities to keep you entertained on a weekend here at Grassfield Hall. And the majority of them are under 30 minutes drive away.

And after your fun-filled day of cycling, hiking or zorbing? What better way to relax than back at Grassfield Hall in our large, comfortable beds, double Jacuzzi baths or in our cosy lounge with a cup of Yorkshire tea.

1. Climbing at Brimham Rocks

A dramatic outcrop of weird and wonderful ancient formations, Brimham Rocks is the perfect place to release your inner child. Young and old alike will love squeezing through the tight passages and clambering on top of the rocks to be rewarded with fantastic panoramic views over Nidderdale.

If you want to up the thrill factor, you can try your hand at bouldering, climbing or abseiling on various days held throughout the year. Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk for dates.

2. Canyoning at How Stean Gorge

Fancy abseiling, climbing, sliding and jumping your way down England’s highest cascading waterfall? Cautley Spout is 650ft high and taking it on is sure to be one of the most memorable (and wettest) adventures you’ll experience.

You’ll need a moderate level of fitness and experience of abseiling to take part. But on the day, you’ll learn skills such as rope work and get to take on a huge abseil directly down a waterfall. Don’t worry, you’ll be in the safe hands of a qualified instructor the whole time.

Visit https://www.howstean.co.uk

3. Hiking around Fewston Reservoir

Whether you fancy a gentle stroll or you want to take it up a notch, there’s some great walking to be had at Fewston, where you can enjoy   fantastic views of the water, rolling hills and an impressive dam. The reservoir is four miles round on relatively flat ground, or veer off halfway and head upwards through pastures and woodland plantations to Beecroft for panoramic views of Fewston and its neighbour reservoir, Swinsty.

Insider tip: It can get busy, especially at weekends, so head here early to beat the crowds.

Visit https://www.yorkshirewater.com

4. Road biking in Nidderdale Valley

With its challenging climbs, sweeping bends and stunning vistas, Nidderdale offers many great cycling opportunities. So good in fact, it formed part of stage one of the Tour de France in 2014, as well as the Tour de Yorkshire in previous years.

From the killer climbs of Trapping House and Two Stoops or the family-friendly Nidderdale Greenway, whatever your riding predilection, there’s a route to cater to it. And plenty of picturesque villages to stop at and have a well-deserved slice of cake or refreshing pint.

Most routes will involve a climb (this is Yorkshire, after all!), so why not consider hiring an e-bike to take the strain for you. They’re great fun and will power you over those hills so you can enjoy the beautiful countryside without breaking as much of a sweat.

Visit https://nidderdaleaonb.org.uk

5. Strolling in Fountains Abbey

With a deer park, Cistercian monastery and Georgian water garden, you can spend an entire day exploring Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal and marvelling in their splendour.

The monastery’s ancient ruins form a dramatic silhouette against the skyline. Take your time to wander in and out of the ruins and marvel at their splendour. The cellarium is particularly breath-taking and plays host to various live music events during the year, so it’s worth checking out what’s on when you visit.

Next, it’s time to venture on into the beautiful grounds of Studley Royal with its UNESCO World Heritage Site designated landscaped water garden, not to mention a realm of curiosities to discover, such as statues, follies, tunnels and woodland paths.

Visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk

6. Golfing at Masham Golf Club

Founded in 1895, Masham is one of the oldest golf courses in the UK and even claims to have been a favourite of Bing Crosby!

Made up of sloping greens and undulating fairways, it’s dissected by the river Burn and surrounded by picturesque countryside, offering fabulous views from each tee. Although it’s a 9-hole course, most people play the round twice, with at least five of the holes offering a good challenge.

Visitors are warmly welcomed and the clubhouse terrace offers a view overlooking the river, making it the perfect place for après-golf refreshments.

Visit https://mashamgolfclub.co.uk/

7. Clay pigeon shooting at Hazel Bank

Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or you’ve always wanted to try, you’ll have a great experience at Hazel Bank.

With a 3.4 acre site, they offer an excellent facilities for experienced shooters, with 5 pegs designed to be both testing and fun. You’ll also find a DTL (Down the line) range where you can practice your consistency.

Never shot before? Hazel Bank offer lessons to beginners as well as those who’d like to hone their skills. Their experienced instructors will have you hitting clays right from the start.

Visit www.hazelbankshooting.co.uk

8. Body zorbing at Ripley Castle

If you haven’t rolled around in a giant inflatable ball with only your legs dangling, have you ever really had fun?

Set in the impressive grounds of Ripley Castle, body zorbing is a brilliant way to have fun, work up a sweat and bond (or maybe establish healthy competition!) with your nearest and dearest.

Once you’re secured in your zorb, you can run, roll, bump and bounce around the course and into each other. Instructors will be on hand to ensure you get the most out of your experience, whether that’s a football match or long-forgotten playground games like British Bulldog.

Visit www.live-for-today.com

9. Outdoor yoga 

Ready for some downtime? Take your yoga mat outside in our glorious gardens and do your own practice, or alternatively, we can arrange for a private yoga instructor to come to the hall for a special lesson.

Weather permitting, you’ll always be able to find a quiet space to lay out, listen to the birds and find your zen.

10. Laser tag at Stockeld Park

Like paintballing, but without the mess and the pain, laser tag at Stockeld Park allows you to indulge your competitive spirit, work as a team and get a workout without realising it.

Armed with state-of-the-art laser tag guns, you’ll get the run of a woodland course with a bomb shelter, dugout and abandoned vehicle to help you overpower and outmanoeuvre the other team. Want to make it interesting? The losing team has to buy the drinks afterwards.

Visit www.stockeldpark.co.uk

Get in touch with us to plan your active outdoor weekend at Grassfield Hall. Email  info@grassfield-hall.co.uk

Throughout the year, we play host to many private parties and celebrations here at Grassfield Hall. From Christenings and birthdays to engagements and retirement parties, there are so many reasons to book the hall for the weekend.

The hall sleeps 17 people, so why not contact us to get your date book in, and then you can make a guest list of all your favourite people that you would like to invite.

Here we have put together a special how-to guide featuring ideas and inspiration for your private party, whatever the occasion is.

Make it personal

One of the loveliest things we see when people host their parties here is the amount of personalisation and detail that goes into the planning. Customising the hall for your guest’s arrival shows that you have really put a lot of effort into the celebration and that you really care. It really makes a big difference.

We’ve helped guests with everything from personalised helium balloons to photo walls, and seating plans for dinner. We can produce name cards, have your favourite hobby turned into a birthday cake, and even put together goodie bags to be left on your guests’ beds when they arrive.

Want to capture the whole event without having to worry about taking pictures on your phone? We can also organise for a private photographer to come and photo or film your weekend so that you have memories to remember forever.

Let a private chef do the cooking

Preparing meals for a large group of people can be overwhelming for even the most confident of home cooks. Therefore, why not allow a private chef or caterer to take care of the cooking? Private chefs take the stress out of dinner and make your celebrations feel even more special. And, in fact, they might not be as expensive as you think. We have a long contact list of amazing local chefs and caterers that we’ve used over the years and who create beautiful, homemade dishes using locally sourced ingredients. From grazing brunch platters to 3-course sit-down dinners, you can choose the option to suit you.

Another huge benefit of using a caterer or chef is that they take care of the clearing away too. Most companies provide waiting staff who will make sure glasses are topped up and everyone is happy, as well as doing the dishes when everyone has finished. It’s like a restaurant experience in the comfort of your own private house.

Create a sophisticated ambiance

Our Hanley Room is the perfect backdrop for a stylish and intimate dinner party. With its wooden floor, paneled walls, tinted mirrors, and crystal chandeliers, it doesn’t really take much dressing. However, when it comes to the finer details and table decor, you can really add to the wow factor of your evening.

Vintage crockery, cut glass drinkware, and gilded napkin rings all add to the glamour, and depending on your theme, you can also incorporate coloured tablecloths, chair coverings, and napkins too. For more inspiration on table décor, take a look at some of our recent table décor setups here.

Think of a theme

The theme of your party might come automatically from the type of celebration you are hosting. For example, a golden theme for a 50^th wedding anniversary or an aviation theme for a retiring pilot. However, if you need some alternative ideas for themes, we would be really happy to brainstorm some ideas with you.

Recently we have hosted murder mystery parties, casino nights, and magic shows. We can organise private yoga classes, painting workshops, and outdoor bootcamp sessions in the garden. Whatever your group is into, we can tailor something perfect for your weekend of fun.

After-dinner entertainment

Many of our guests are not ready to go to bed once their private dinner has finished. So, guests can either retire to the bar or lounge for further drinks, socialising, or board games, or we can arrange for our resident DJ, Craig, to come and play your favourite tunes while you enjoy a little boogie on the dancefloor!

Alternatively, recently we’ve seen a rise in the number of people booking a silent disco at the hall, where you and your guests dance to music listened to on wireless headphones, rather than using a speaker system. We use a company to provide all the equipment so you can be your own DJ for the night without any external noise pollution!

We hope this guide has filled you with inspiration for your private party. We still have some limited availability for weekends in 2023, so get in touch asap to secure your dream date. We look forward to hosting you and your guests soon.

Just as we get ready to say goodbye to 2022, we look forward to a whole new wedding calendar, full of love, joy, and creativity.

Here at Grassfield Hall, we are always looking for new ideas and inspiration to pass on to our couples. Therefore, here we’ve put together a guide to 5 of the biggest trends we expect to see during the 2023 wedding season…

The mid-week wedding

The cost-of-living crisis is leaving a big hole in all of our pockets, but that doesn’t mean that our couples need to delay celebrating the greatest day of their lives!

We’ve definitely seen mid-week weddings growing in popularity at Grassfield Hall, and it’s certainly something to think about if you are considering getting married in 2023. Firstly, your wedding will certainly be considerably cheaper if you choose a non-weekend wedding date. Not only will your venue hire be less expensive (we offer a £1000 discount for a 2-night Wednesday wedding), but also you will find that caterers, florists, and entertainers might be cheaper too, as these dates are less in-demand. Worried about your guests not being able to attend? Generally, you will find that your friends and family will be more than happy to book a day off work to come and celebrate with you, plus with flexible working schemes, it’s now easier than ever to enjoy mid-week fun.

The twilight wedding

Once you have confirmed the day of your wedding, it’s time to start thinking about what time of day you want to hold your ceremony and celebrations. Twilight weddings are currently having a moment, and the trend is set to continue well into next year and beyond. Gone is the necessity to have a traditional 12 o’clock or 1 pm ceremony, as many couples are now seeing the benefits of a later kick-off time.

In the spring/summer months, twilight weddings generally kick off about 5 pm or 6 pm, which is a totally romantic time of day to get married with all that evening dusk appeal and pink/orange skies above. Not only that, but a later wedding also allows you longer to get ready during the day and takes the pressure off to meet your pre-nuptial deadlines. Plus, as guests will be arriving later in the day, you could save costs by only having to serve one evening meal or perhaps opting for canapes/bowl food, without the need for a full wedding breakfast.

The outdoor wedding

The Covid restrictions saw lots of couples opting for outdoor weddings and temporary permission was granted to allow licensed venues to host ceremonies outdoors – whether they had a structure outside or not. This proved to be so popular that it’s now permanent and providing your venue has a wedding license, you can marry in any location outdoors.

Getting married alfresco allows you to be creative and embrace the natural surroundings. Here at Grassfield Hall, we are blessed with a stunning backdrop of North Yorkshire countryside, which makes the ultimate setting for an outdoor ceremony and beautiful wedding photographs too.

The intimate wedding

There used to be so much pressure to invite the whole world and their wives to your wedding, but luckily, the trend is now moving to smaller, more intimate weddings, with only a few special people. After all, the day of your marriage should be about the love you two share and celebrating that with the people who you absolutely love the most.

As well as the obvious budget implications a smaller wedding solves, it also creates a much more relaxed and intimate setting. It means you can spend more time with your close friends and family and enjoy a more personal and unforgettable experience overall. Sorry, Great Auntie Sheila, but you just don’t make the cut anymore!

The eco-friendly wedding

We are all conscious of how we can make a difference to reduce our carbon footprint and help reduce climate change. Therefore, we are seeing more and more couples trying to reduce the impact that their wedding has on the environment.

From recycled wedding stationery to eco-friendly favours, there are many creative ways to make your wedding more sustainable and environmentally friendly. You could consider renting your wedding dress instead of buying a new one (which could mean wearing a designer that would usually be way out of your budget) and be sure to talk things through with your caterer to choose a menu that is locally sourced, sustainable, and seasonal.

For more information on weddings at Grassfield Hall, or to check dates for your 2023 wedding, please get in touch with Lisa on 07958 038134 or email  info@grassfield-hall.co.uk