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The Bivouac

Here at Bivouac Swinton site we have a picturesque spot on the Swinton Estate which is one of the most beautiful settings in the Yorkshire Dales. The 20,000 acre Swinton Estate stretches from the River Ure and charming market town of Masham in Wensleydale up to the moorland dales and the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Our woodland is spread over the hilltop and is not only home to our gorgeous rustic Shacks, built using traditional round wood timber framing techniques, but also Druid’s Temple, a local historical site and impressive folly constructed during the late 1800s. As you stroll round the woodland there is a plethora of breath taking views looking out over the moorland and valley below.

A short walk down the hill, the old farm buildings of High Knowle Farm have been converted into our reception, shop, camping barn and cafe providing a community area for all visitors to come and go as they please. Just a stone’s throw away, scattered around the adjacent meadow, our Yurts can be found looking out across the valley to the idyllic hamlet of Ilton.

Unique to the site, the woodland shacks bear testament to this philosophy. They have been designed by founder Sam Hardwick and Rudi Meseg, one of the
original team members that built the acclaimed timber house on Channel 4's Grand Designs. The durable and environmentally sound round timber frames
create a distinctive look and feel, with exterior larch cladding. Surrounded by trees, the woodland shack takes the concept of a natural retreat to a new level, with sweeping views across the dales and rolling Yorkshire countryside.

Whilst of the concept of the yurts is not new, these Mongolian inspired dwellings are ideal for the Yorkshire climate. The Bivouac Yurts have been hand made in the UK and have taken on a few unique features. Firstly, they are sage green in colour, designed to blend into their pastureland setting, and secondly the canvas is waterproof - designed to ensure that you are cosy that even the worst of the weather. We don’t want you to think that it rains all the time - it’s just that at this altitude we often have four seasons in one day!

The farmhouse and barns (home to the cafe, camping barn, shower facilities and shop) have been sensitively restored, with many original features still intact and the authentic sense of warmth retained.