A retreat alongside the racehorses

RACEHORSE trainer Ann Duffield’s decision to build four luxury log cabins next to her North Yorkshire gallops has proved to be a spectacular success – with a 100 per cent occupancy rate.

The holiday lets have been fully booked since they opened last October at the trainer’s Sun Hill stables in Constable Burton, near Leyburn, which she runs with her husband George, the Classic-winning jockey.

They’re proving to be a winner with the local tourism industry too as visitors take the opportunity to watch Ann’s string of horses being put through their paces before exploring Wensleydale’s countryside and attractions.

The development also means more job security for the staff who work with Ann and her horses.

“Our log cabins have proved immensely popular and their 100 per cent occupancy since October has both delighted and astounded us. This amazing take-up is way beyond our expectations,” said Ann, who hopes her horses will now enjoy similar success.

“The bookings have been pouring in this year, taking us to a total of 350 individual bookings since October. What is especially gratifying is that a significant proportion of these are repeats. We have already taken some rebookings for Christmas and New Year this year, for example.

“We knew that our location was very special and that the lodges were beautifully designed and furnished, but the 100 per cent occupancy rate at this early stage was beyond our wildest dreams.”

Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive Gary Verity said: “It’s great to hear this new development has proved so popular, so quickly. It shows the strength and popularity of Yorkshire tourism and long may it continue.”

The development at Sun Hill has cost in excess of £500,000 and has been supported by a 35 per cent grant from Defra. Its four cabins are situated next door to the Sun Hill gallops and come with hot tubs and wood-burning stoves. They comprise one one-bed cabin, two two-bed cabins and one three-bed cabin.

The lodges are called Spindrifter, Alborada, Pivotal and Woodlands Corner, the first three named after famous horses that Stanley-born George Duffield rode during a distinguished career. The fourth celebrates his wife’s first business, Woodlands Nursing Home, in Liverpool.

“It is always important to diversify and we already have two very popular holiday cottages,” Ann added. “We are blessed with an amazing location at Sun Hill and we thought we would make the most of it. The top field, next to the gallops, was not being used, and is ideally located to enjoy the spectacular views and horses in training, so we thought we would develop it in a sensitive and creative way.

“Both George and I have long been fans of quality log cabins, due to their comfort, simplicity and low environmental impact, and it seemed a logical step to build four of the very best at Sun Hill.

“This year we are organising racing-themed holidays, taking in tours of Middleham, one of the leading racing centres in the UK, and ‘behind the scenes’ trips to Yorkshire’s fantastic racetracks, with link-ups to some of North Yorkshire’s finest shops, pubs and restaurants.”

The development is not just aimed at lovers of horse-racing but at people looking for a base to explore the countryside on foot or, indeed, by bike – with the Tour de France’s Grand Départ passing through in July the cabins are fully booked that weekend.

Sun Hill is also linking up with country estates to provide first-class shooting, Ann said.

Visitors take the chance to tuck in

More than one million people went horse racing in the county last year and the sport is worth at least £230m to the regional economy, Go Racing In Yorkshire has revealed.

The new cabins at Sun Hill are expected to give a £500,000 annual boost to the Wensleydale and wider North Yorkshire economy alone.

Nigel Stevens, of The Wyvill Arms in Constable Burton, said a significant number of new customers from Sun Hill Lodges were dining at the inn.

“It’s an excellent high-quality development and just what is wanted in The Dales,” he said.