Exciting times at Grassfield Hall as the end is in sight!

 

The end of the build that is, and the start of what we have been working towards for 6 years.
When we walked up the drive of the Hall in May 2010, we knew what it could be, we knew it needed to be loved again, and it needed to be taken on by people who would not let it down. I talk about it like its a person, that’s because it is a part of our family now. Its been like the naughty teenager who was constantly testing us and throwing more problems our way, but we have never stopped loving it regardless.
When I look back, to the amount of hours that we have had to work to support the build, and the times when we were over faced and overwhelmed, I’m not sure I could do it again, but now that the end is in sight I literally get butterflies in my stomach thinking of what will be.
The best part is here, planning the rooms final look, the opulence of the Bridal Suites and the finishing touches that will make everyone look at it as we have done since we first walked up the overgrown driveway.
So my first purchase was for the Bridal suite, “its just a chair” was someone’s reaction as I was getting quite over excited about my first piece of furniture….Its really not just a chair, its the chair that the bride will sit on and get ready for the biggest day of her life, its the first piece of furniture to be bought for the hall.
I had no idea when I left my last career of being Cabin Crew that I would have the opportunity to learn so many new things, and develop new skills… from interior designer to wedding planner, I’m not sure what I am more excited about, but I do think that if Grassfield Hall could talk it would have as much enthusiasm as me about the next phase of our lives.

 

Grassfield Hall Wedding Venue

This week I’ve had a  a succession of meetings with people who work in the wedding industry, all of which are just as excited as me about using Grassfield Hall as a new venue for weddings. I was under the impression that it was a cut throat industry, and I’m sure it can be, but my experience this week couldn’t have been further away from this.  I feel like I have a support network around me whom are all as enthusiastic as me that this new venture succeeds. I have learnt so much from these people already that it is hard to imagine what lies ahead….

 

The history of Grassfield Hall is what makes it feel like it has a personality

Since I started my Grassfield Hall social media 18 months ago, I have had several enquiries from local residents enquiring about using Grassfield Hall as their wedding venue. What I have come to realise is that this hall means so much to so many….everyone has a story about a Christening or a Wedding that they attended here,  or even having their first date with their husband here, so it should come as no surprise that local people to Pateley Bridge want to see the hall up and running again.

A new year

Its time to think about the past year, everybody does it, thinks about what they have achieved and could have done differently. Our project has at times been very overwhelming and exhausting, and of course at the start of a new year we reflect on this, but this new year is different, as the end is in sight, we have looked back with pride with the achievement so far, it was worth it, and when my guests tell me that they have loved their stay and will be back, I know this project was meant to be.

So to look forward, lots of exciting things in the pipeline, the landscaping of the gardens, designing the bedrooms and finishing the function rooms. The difference this year is that alongside the build runs our now successful B&B. It’s an absolute pleasure to meet all our new customers, and hear their appreciation  for our house, they all want to know its story, and how we found it.

My aim for the next month is to let people know about our B&B, as a business it has been closed for many years so its not on the radar so to speak. As my previous career was as cabin crew, marketing was not part of my job, but I like a challenge, so that’s the aim, and I don’t like to be beaten when I set my self a challenge. Happy new year to you all.

Our Bed and Breakfast is finally Open

After over a decade of being closed and close to ruin, we finally re opened our doors at grassfield hall in July. After four years of hard work we accomplished the first part of our dream. Our luxury Bed and Breakfast in spectacular Nidderdale.

We have had a busy couple of months, and after so long being closed to the public we expected a slow start, but to our amazement people are very interested in our progress and want to stay with us and see our beautiful house and how our restoration project is developing.  The  feedback has been incredible, far better than we could have imagined and that makes it all worth while, all the months and years of living on a building site was worth it. We have tried to think of all the little things that will make our customers come back again and again, and as ex cabin crew I have had more than my fair share of nights in a hotels so have a good idea of what I would expect, and what I would be impressed by! As winter approaches we will be offering deals both on twitter and Facebook to encourage people to our lovely Yorkshire dales, plus we will be starting on phase two of our project…

It’s a new era for Grassfield Hall

For over a decade it stood empty, falling further into decay. Four years ago when we first set eyes on this beautiful building we knew we had to restore it into the beautiful house it used to be. Since then we have worked tirelessly to put the love back onto Grassfield Hall and last weekend we finally opened phase one of our project, the Bed and Breakfast. It’s restored with its past in mind and we have used the house’s own history to guide us in our restoration project.
The local support we have had has been very important to us, and their encouragement is key to our success. After the Tour de France, our beautiful town of Pateley Bridge has been highlighted and everyone has seen the beauty the Yorkshire Dales has to offer, we add the history and character of Grassfield Hall and we hope to have a successful business.