Height Top Farm Holiday Cottages

24/07/2024

Looking for breakfast. Please stop eating little birds!

20/07/2024

Rhubarb stripped back to nothing on Wednesday teatime. Two and a half days later.
Am I glad it's contained in a raised bed!

04/06/2024

03/05/2024

A really good walk today. One of my favorites, Feizor to Austwick through the woods and back. Wild primroses,native bluebells, cowslips. Not forgetting The King of the Crag!

19/04/2024

Afternoon coffee at Bowland Forest Farm. Delicious coffee.

15/04/2024

Have you tried the new Bus Service 11 yet? Launched on 8th April, the new service will operate Monday to Saturday, running every two hours between Clitheroe Interchange and Horton in Ribblesdale – connecting with rail services at either end of the route.

Operated by 21 Transport, the new Service 11 Bus is jointly funded by Lancashire County Council, Ribble Valley Borough Council and North Yorkshire Council, providing a welcome boost to public transport to the rural communities on both sides of the Lancashire-Yorkshire Border. For further information and links to timetables visit: https://www.forestofbowland.com/new-bus-service-connects-ribble-valley-forest-bowland-and-yorkshire-dales

15/04/2024

Feizor: a story of a wonder-woman, witches' seats, Wainwright's wish & a wall...Most cars whoosh along the A65 between Long Preston and Clapham with no idea of the delights they're missing at Feizor. It's a small hamlet tucked away down a narrow meandering lane away from the rush of traffic. The lane takes its time curving this way and that, petering out into a track after Feizor as if it just couldn't bear to leave.

You might wonder why Feizor even exists, it's such a tiny place? It's said that it was once owned by the monks of Fountains Abbey and was a stopping point on the packhorse road from York to Lancaster. The approach lane probably isn't much wider now than it ever was, but it doesn't matter: more visitors arrive on foot or bike than car.

Feizor is a tiny place with a higgledy-piggledy selection of cottages and farmsteads, and yet it's held in many hearts as a very special destination. This is partly due to the very scenic paths criss-crossing Feizor and taking walkers on to slightly larger delights such as Austwick. But I suspect one of the main reasons is Elaine's famous Tea Rooms. This was apparently started as something of a hobby and now has grown to fill every spare space of the farm buildings. There's no need for "muddy boots & dogs welcome" signs here - practically every visitor comes with both. "Tea Rooms" is now something of a misnomer since full meals are served, along with drinks and cakes. Food is nutritious, wholesome, home-cooked and plentiful. It's clear that Elaine (she's the wonder woman in this story) expects her customers to make full use of the gorgeous surrounding countryside, marching on their stomachs after a visit to her cafe.

Once you've established that Feizor's main attraction is food, you might be forgiven for wanting to be on your way to explore Giggleswick Scar or admire the views of Pen-y-ghent but there are three small curiosities for you to notice first.

Apparently Wainwright was worried that the old village pump might be removed from Feizor and put in a museum. Forty years on, and it's still there in a garden across the road from Elaine's so do pay brief homage to it.

Next, look up at the roofs of the cottages and see if you can spot one with flagstones sticking out at the side of a chimney. They're called "Witches Seats" and according to local folklore were set there to encourage any flying witches to rest on the warm ledge rather than tormenting the inhabitants.

The third curiosity is about a mile outside Feizor, a few metres from the Pennine Bridleway. You'll have to ask a local to direct you as it's not marked on any maps. The "Celtic Wall" isn't very long - about 20 metres but it's said to be over 2000 years old. It's about 1.5 metres thick, the large limestones rounded and weathered by age. No one knows why it was built although there are suggestions it might have been an ancient defence against raiders or even covered some kind of burial mound.

Have you been to Elaine's? Spotted the pump and witches' seats? or maybe even the Celtic Wall and nearby caves?

19/01/2024

It just had to be done!

17/01/2024

It's so beautiful here, nice covering of snow and blue skies. Snow crisp enough to sledge and ski.🛷🎿

16/01/2024

Beautiful snow day at Height Top Farm Holiday Cottages

10/08/2023

Redcurrants looking like miniature Ruby chandeliers.
Apples still a bit too small!

18/07/2023

Sunshine! In between heavy showers. Beautiful Ripley.

15/07/2023

If you're staying at Height Top Farm Holiday Cottages look at what you could be helping yourself to. Forest of Bowland AONB Pendle Producers Pendle Hill HLF Project

27/06/2023

Gooood Morning
You may .. or may not know that I have had a number of issues with providing hire these last few months... it has been super frustrating, and I have been working really hard towards being able to provide what is needed and deserved for visitors at Gizzy .............

But I have exciting news!

HIRE IS BACK!!

We have available a selection of standard hardtails, electric hardtails, and premium full suspension electric . You've just got to give these a try!!!!!!

We also have a couple of childrens - more to follow and a couple of hook-on trailers! Courtesy of Gisburn Electric Bike Hire.

To book, you can direct message, email - [email protected] or call 01200446387 between 10am and 4pm.

Not only is Hire Back but we will have a fully qualified mechanic on site on selected weekend dates for all the jobs that only a professional should do!!.

And.....very soon we will also have a greater selection of MTB stock.
All in time for a summer of everything MTB at GIZZY.

THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER AND beyond if successful - we are going to open later on specific dates for social night.......And earlier for breakfast & bike ride. Making the most of the TWILIGHT hours and lighter mornings but also providing an opportunity to meet others.

We can arrange social rides, where you can take on the more technical trails with someone more experienced.

Brand new to the trails?? Try out the blue route with regular gizzy visitors and also get involved arranging social events and fundraising. (only if you want)

There will be discounted food & drinks alongside giveaways, and in all just a great way to be a part of the Gizzy community.

Please help and support myself and the Gizzy team by liking & sharing our post and when you can come see us at the cafe!!!

12/06/2023

Beautiful flowers and a lovely card from our regular guests from Mullaloo. W.A.
Thank you Peter and Rinkje.
@forestofbowland@pendlehillproject

12/06/2023

Our evening visitor is getting braver@heighttopfarmholidaycottages@bowlandaonb@forestofbowland@pendlehillproject

20/05/2023

Looks like we'll have bumper crops of red currants and gooseberries@ Height Top Farm Holiday Cottages@bowlandaonb@pendlehillproject

18/05/2023

This view just gets better. Top Farm Holiday Cottages@bowlandaonb@pendlehillproject

17/02/2023

05/02/2023

A beautiful sky here just now.

18/01/2023

Beautiful morning here at Height Top Farm Holiday Cottages

19/12/2022

This is how we're rolling on a wet Christmas afternoon.

14/12/2022

Just a thought, if any of the England Football team need a bit of extra coaching. Skye is offering very reasonable rates.

13/12/2022

Slowly but surely it's beginning to look a bit like Christmas.

11/12/2022

Beautiful trees on an early afternoon walk today.

30/11/2022

22/11/2022

Weekly feed for Christmas cake. 😜