Imagine a rejuvenating break in magnificent Wensleydale whilst at the same time learning and enjoying the relaxing art of Malt Whisky drinking!

If the idea seems like heaven, then why not book your place on our next introduction to whisky tasting at the Stone House Hotel, comprising of ten classic malt whiskies over two nights.

The evenings will be hosted by a keen whisky drinker of some experience who will guide you through the malts with their various differences and complexities, the history and manufacture of malt whisky and the best way of getting the most from tasting them. There will also be the odd anecdote and light-hearted fact along the way!

The price will include:

• two nights' dinner, bed and full Dales breakfast
• four-course dinner with coffee, ten malt whiskies
• all tuition fees

Prices:

• £225: standard rooms
• £230: conservatory rooms
• £235: four-poster rooms

This course would also make an ideal Christmas/Birthday gift for friends or relatives. Why not buy a voucher online or from reception to make a stylish gift with a difference!

If you wish to bring along your partner and they do not wish to participate in the course but would like to join you for a relaxing break, then our normal Bargain Break price will apply.

Host Profile: Phil Lindsey

A resident of West Yorkshire, Phil is not so much a text book expert as an enthusiast of malt whiskies! In the field of malt whiskies he is widely drunk (if that is the correct term) and has a wide experience of alcoholic beer and wine making. Phil's association with the Stone House Hotel began back in 1996 when the hotel was the honeymoon destination for Phil and his wife.

For availability please ring reception on 01969 667571 (+44 1969 667571 from outside the UK)

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Wensleydale Green
by Moira Metcalfe

The stunning landscape and colours of the Yorkshire Dales have inspired artists for hundreds of years. Stone House Hotel is teaming up with local artist, Moira Metcalfe, to offer guests the opportunity of capturing this natural beauty whilst enjoying a relaxing short break in magnificent Wensleydale.

Your bespoke course could cover drawing, sketching and painting using oil paints, watercolour and pastels. The aim is for you to have an enjoyable experience and hopefully achieve a degree of progress. The course will be tailored to your level of ability. It will not necessarily be aimed at producing a finished painting, but rather to leave you with enough encouragement, confidence and groundwork to go away and continue with the work done on the course.

If you wish, whenever the weather permits, your classes will be taken outside to work directly from nature and the stunning Wensleydale scenery. Moira also has a private studio which will be available to you.

Please note: please bring their own materials.

This course would also make an ideal gift for friends or relatives. Why not buy a voucher online or from reception to make a stylish gift with a difference!

If you wish to bring along your partner and they do not wish to participate in the course but would like to join you for a relaxing break, then our normal Bargain Break price will apply.

Host Profile: Moira Metcalfe

• Pre-Diploma - 1 year, York Art College
• BA (Hons) in Fine Art - North Staffs Polytechnic - completed 1976
• 1976-80 - Freelance Artist/running a small handknitting design company
• 1980-85 - Part-time craft fair work, marriage and raising three children
• 1985 - Full-time Artist specialising in watercolours on silk, pastel and pencil work, selling though galleries and exhibitions
• 1995 - Opened own gallery in Appersett in conjunction with private teaching and submitting work to exhibitions.

For availability please ring reception on 01969 667571 (+44 1969 667571 from outside the UK)

SUNDAY:

Faces of Chardonnay

Chardonnay has many faces depending on where and how made -taste for yourself.

MONDAY:

Cabernet Sauvignon Blends

Cabernet Sauvignon has wonderfully rich and powerful black fruit flavours and marries well with other grapes especially Merlot. The tasting will focus on a classic blend and blends from exciting wine makers and emerging countries.

TUESDAY:

Lesser known Red and White Wines

This will give an opportunity to explore flavours that you may not have experienced before and you can then decide whether the wines fit into your pleasurable future drinking.

or

Portugal

There are many exciting areas in a country that is still a bit of a mystery. It has grape types and areas that, even today, are little known but Portugal did well in the International Wine Challenge this year winning a large number of medals so its well worth a look...

There will be wines from the evening’s themes before and with dinner

The cost will be: (per person)

• £410.00: four poster rooms
• £400.00: conservatory rooms
• £390.00:superior standard
• £380.00: standard room

• Three nights' dinner, bed and full Dales breakfast
• All tasting wines and wines with dinner.
• Wine tuition from Mr Derek Smedley, who has over 40 years' experience in the wine trade and some 30 years as a Master of Wine. Derek will be happy to answer any questions on wine during the three days

If you wish to bring along your partner and they do not wish to participate in the course but would like to join you for a relaxing break, then our normal Bargain Break price will apply.

For availability please ring reception on 01969 667571 (+44 1969 667571 from outside the UK)

This course is intended for people with no or very little current experience of the art and craft of fly-fishing. It will be practically based and the emphasis will be firmly upon exploring the relaxation and enjoyment associated with the sport. We will cover all basic aspects of fly fishing including:

"First catch of the day"

• Equipment
• Fly Casting
• Artificial flies
• Practical fishing skills
• Safety issues
• Environmental factors
• Entomology

Here in upper Wensleydale, we have access to a small, secluded still water fishery and to the beautiful river Ure. Both these venues may feature in our fishing programme.

All equipment will be provided. If you can beg or borrow a pair of waders, that would be ideal; failing that, bring your wellies.

This course will be led by Roger Beck of Beckfisher Fly-fishing School. Roger is a qualified professional fly-fishing instructor and guide who you may have seen featured in the Yorkshire Post and on television in "Dales Diary". Roger has recently been selected as a member of the Hardy Academy of fly-fishing instructors. This prestigious English rod maker has appointed only a handful of people to their Academy and the appointment is in recognition of excellence in their field.

This is a golden opportunity to learn, with a professional, an absorbing and relaxing skill in wonderful surroundings.

Prices:

to be confirmed but from £395 per person

If you wish to bring along your partner and they do not wish to participate in the course but would like to join you for a relaxing break, then our normal Bargain Break price will apply.

For dates and availability please ring reception on 01969 667571 (+44 1969 667571 from outside the UK)

Do you get the best out of your digital camera or could you do with some expert tuition, hints and tips to help improve the quality of your photographs? Why not add a day's bespoke photography tuition to a short break, here at Stone House? Award winning photographer, Steve Reeve, will tailor a course to meet your individual requirements.

Prices

• £70 per full day: to include a full set of course notes.

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Steve Reeve

The Tutor: Steve Reeve

Steve has been a professional photographer for over 20 years and has won many awards. He also runs a successful photo library www.stevereevephotography.co.uk which supplies images to books, magazines and brochures.

See some of Steve's wonderful photographs in our own Yorkshire Dales Photo Gallery.

Equipment required

Your camera, film or digital media, a tripod if you have one. Bring a few of your best photos along for discussion.

Clothing (for outdoor work)

Walking boots, warm clothing and waterproof jacket. The weather in the Dales can change suddenly so come prepared with spare warm clothes.

If you wish to bring along your partner and they do not wish to participate in the course but would like to join you for a relaxing break, then our normal Bargain Break price will apply.

For availability please ring reception on 01969 667571 (+44 1969 667571 from outside the UK)

Take the opportunity to enjoy a mid-week break with a difference. On offer will be relaxation and gentle stretch classes, energising, detoxing and holistic treatments such as massage and facials, talks, short-to-medium walks, organic wholefoods and a take-home pack of organic face or body products.

Places are limited to just 6 to ensure the highest level of attention.

The price will be from £360 per person and will include:

• 3 nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast in a standard room (room upgrades available - please see below)
• All Treatments and Classes
• Take-home Pack

Prices

• from £360.00

If you wish to bring along your partner and they do not wish to participate in the Relax and Rejuvenate Break but would like to join you for a relaxing break, then our normal Bargain Break price will apply.

For dates and availability please ring reception on 01969 667571 (+44 1969 667571 from outside the UK)

Embroidery and Canvas work, using different threads and stitches. Suitable for beginners and all levels of embroidery.

If you wish to bring along your partner and they do not wish to participate in the Course but would like to join you for a relaxing break, then our normal Bargain Break price will apply.

For dates and availability please ring reception on 01969 667571 (+44 1969 667571 from outside the UK)