It started with just one woman! Set within 1,400 acres of beautiful woodland and parkland, The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa has been family run for over 50 years. Starting out as a local farm shop it has grown to become one of North Yorkshire’s premium destination hotels. Boasting award-winning fine dining, a luxury spa and bedrooms with far reaching views of the Yorkshire Dales. The hotel and grounds have a range of exceptional facilities: one of the best shooting grounds in the country, a 4×4 off-roading experience and a plethora of event spaces, perfect for weddings and conferences.
The Bannister family bought the 1,400-acre Coniston estate over 50 years ago in 1969. Coniston Hall (still the family’s private home) was in a state of disrepair and had to be rebuilt using stone from the original servants’ quarters. Mr & Mrs B moved in with their young family and brought the estate back to life. One of their sons, Tom Bannister, started a fish farm and smokehouse, selling smoked fish to all the top restaurants in London. Locals started to ask “Why can’t we have some?”, which led to Mrs B opening a farm shop (the first one in the district) in an original 17th century barn on the estate. Mrs B ran the farm shop with Mandy, who is still a valued member of The Coniston team in her role as F&B Supervisor. As the business grew, people wanted to stay for a bite to eat, so the tearooms were opened. The barn which housed the fam shop is now Winston’s Barn, one of our function rooms, and is often referred to as the heart of the hotel, due to its history.
Louise Bolton, Director
Our Director, Louise Bolton, joined The Coniston in September 1998 as a 17-year-old, in the role of Trainee Receptionist. The then 20-bedroom hotel opened in December of that year. She spent 15 years working her way up the ladder and was made Director in 2013. She has seen lots of development at the hotel, which has gone from strength to strength, and now boasts 70 bedrooms. Louise says “I consider myself extremely lucky to have been involved in this incredible journey. Despite our growth, The Coniston remains a very special place, with the cornerstones of the Bannister family values remaining. The family led influence really does support and enhance the overall growth and innovation of the business.”. Louise’s advice for anyone coming into hospitality is “It’s really easy to get sucked into all the administrative reporting, paperwork and day-to-day details of running the hotel. So I schedule some ‘guest time’ and ‘staff care’ into my day. It makes me happy and reminds me why I got into this role in the first place.”
Rachael Duffy, Guest Services Manager
“After nearly 20 years in the hotel I’m still as passionate about it as when I first started. The Bannister family have always been an inspiration, providing support and guidance, and enabling me to progress across a variety of roles. Every day at The Coniston is different and I get to deal with such a variety of customers, each with their different needs. I enjoy making a difference and helping them enjoy their stay. The teamwork shown across all departments is second to none, and we all share the same goal of exceeding customer expectations and ensuring they have a fabulous time. My current role constantly gives me the opportunity to learn and grow and I love watching my team flourish in their roles, often watching them spread their wings and progressing into more senior roles across the business.”
Alicia Jerger, HR Manager
“As a people professional at The Coniston, I am constantly reminded of the unique joys and challenges that come with this line of work! The hospitality sector is a people focused environment and we are all united by a shared goal of pursuing service excellence. People are at the heart of everything we do, whether that’s guests or staff. Within the hotel team, there’s a strong sense of solidarity and belonging – it is the true meaning of a family. From celebrating achievements together to overcoming challenges together, the bonds that are formed are truly special and make coming to work each day a fabulous experience! No two days are ever the same at The Coniston! We are privileged as an independent hotel to have all departments based at one site, making us an amazing place for personal and professional growth. Whether it’s through structured training programmes or cross-departmental collaborations, there’s no shortage of opportunities to learn and advance. I take great satisfaction in supporting the team to identify their career goals and supporting them on their journey to success.”
Melissa Magson, Marketing Manager
“Having joined the business just over 7 months ago, I have felt welcomed and valued as part of the Coniston Hotel family since day one. Working closely with the Bannister family and engaging with every department, from the Spa to the Restaurants, Weddings & Events to the Shooting Ground and Land Rover Experience, I’ve been continually inspired by the dedication and pride exhibited by all of our teams. Witnessing their commitment to crafting exceptional guest experiences that align with the hotel’s values has been truly motivating. In this ever-evolving and growing environment, I thrive on the encouragement of creativity, innovation, and collaboration, making every day fulfilling. This environment empowers me and my team to create compelling campaigns that capture the unforgettable experiences our Yorkshire hotel, country estate, and spa provide to guests.”
Michelle Wood, Corporate & Events Manager
“I’ve only been here for three months, but I feel very lucky to work in such a beautiful part of the world – where better to spend your week than a 1,400-acre estate in the Yorkshire Dales?! The Bannister family are an inspiration, especially Mr Bannister, who still comes to work every day despite being 90! The business has a great culture, so positive and inclusive, with the Bannister family and our Director, Louise Bolton, leading the charge. They promote work-life balance and really look after the team, with many people progressing through the business into different areas and roles. In the events team every day and every event is different – I love working with a wide range of customers, and tailoring each event to their specifications.”
Set within 1,400 acres of beautiful woodland and parkland, The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa has been family run for over 50 years. Starting out as a local farm shop it has grown to become one of North Yorkshire’s premium destination hotels. Boasting award-winning fine dining, a luxury spa and bedrooms with far reaching views of the Yorkshire Dales. The hotel and grounds have a range of exceptional facilities: one of the best shooting grounds in the country, a 4×4 off-roading experience and a plethora of event spaces, perfect for weddings and conferences.
The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa, Coniston Cold, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 4EA
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