DURING YOUR STAY

We want our guests to relax and spend their holiday knowing that they have everything they need to enjoy themselves. Many of our guests are content to spend their whole holiday at Sleningford, paddling in the river, playing with their children and enjoying some well-deserved relaxation. Our canoeing and fly-fishing pages give more detail about these on-site activities. 

Please find information on this page about our facilities and activities available both on and off site. 

We offer four main types of accommodation at Sleningford Watermill:

• Allocated hard standing pitches with electric hook ups
• Allocated grass pitches electric hook ups
• Unallocated pitch in Riverside Meadow.
• A furnished, self-catering flat which sleeps up to four (Dogs welcome from Septmeber onwards)
• Seasonal pitches

For more information, please see our accommodation page.

The Sleningford Shop

Located in the reception area of the Courtyard, the Sleningford Shop sells the following:

• A range of confectionery, including ice-creams, sweets, cold drinks, crisps, snacks and biscuits
• Fresh meat, milk, bread and eggs
• Toiletries, first aid items and nappies
  
• A good range of tinned and packaged food
  
• Beer and wine (ID may be required)
• Camping and caravanning essentials and equipment, including Camping Gaz and charcoal
• Games and pocket money toys

If you can’t see what you need, please ask. Card payments accepted. Opening hours vary according to the time of year but the shop will always be open from 9am and will be open for at least 5 hours each day. The opening times during your stay will be in your welcome information, given to you on your arrival. Please be aware that the shop will not always be available when reception is open. 

Courtyard Facilities

• Shower and toilet block with disabled access, cleaned up to six times a day
• Well-equipped laundry room with washing machine and tumble drier (requiring pound coins and twenty pence pieces), a laundry sink, two potwashing sinks and a book exchange
• Information room with leaflets, guides, maps, menus and walks
• Free ice pack freezing facility available on a first come first served basis.
• Milk fridge
• Inside washing up area
• BBQ stands available to borrow at reception
• Elsen point for waste disposal and a water point

Island Facilities

Part of the attraction of the Island is that you are closer to nature and not necessarily as close to the facilities, depending on which area you are pitched in. However, the island does provide:

• A free to use shower and toilet block, cleaned up to six times a day
• Elsen points for waste disposal
• Covered washing up areas
• Drinking water taps

If you are staying on the Island and would like to be closer to the facilities, please mention this on your booking form and we will do our best to accommodate you. 

Accessibility

You may also like to read our Access Statement here for more detailed information about visiting Sleningford Watermill with any accessibility requirements. For guests who may have to leave the site during their stay, please be aware that the security entrance gates to the park are closed from 11.00pm – 6.00am during the season.

Off-site

If you fancy some time off-site, this part of Yorkshire offers a wealth of opportunities for adventure and exploration. 

On foot and bike

Cyclists and walkers will be delighted with the scenery around Sleningford. There is a network of footpaths in the area and the 50 mile circular Ripon Rowel Walk runs through the park itself. In the Ripon/Masham area, there are plenty of footpaths and enjoyable walks (The Sanctuary Cross walk in Ripon and the Mosaic Walk starting at Kirkby Malzeard moor are just two). We stock OS maps and walking guides in the Shop. Further afield, the Yorkshire Dales and the North Yorkshire Moors provide plenty of walking opportunities.  

In 2014 the 101st Tour de France pedalled right past the entrance of Sleningford. Cyclists will enjoy the challenge of Yorkshires hills and dales. The county of Yorkshire offers great opportunities for the cyclist, with great varieties of terrain and attractions. In North Yorkshire, there is a circular route of 33 miles (53km) taking the cyclist through Knaresborough, Kirkby Malzeard and Ripon. Dalby Forest near Pickering has a number of cycling routes (as well as walks) suitable for all abilities.

For Culture and Family Friendly Days Out

Yorkshire is a cultural powerhouse with many activities and attractions near Sleningford for the whole family to enjoy:

• English Heritage/National Trust properties: Beningbrough Hall, Brimham Rocks, East Riddlesden Hall, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Mount Grace Priory, Nostell Priory and Parkland, Nunnington Hall, Treasurer’s House York
• Theme Park and Adventure: Camp Hill and Aerial Extreme, Flamingo Land, How Stean Gorge, Lightwater Valley, The York Dungeon, White Scar Cave
• Castles and museums: Beamish, Bolton Abbey, Bolton Castle, Bowes Museum, Castle Howard, Harewood House, Kiplin Hall, Knaresborough Castle and Museum, Lotherton Hall, Middleham Castle, Newby Hall and Gardens, Raby Castle, Richmond Castle, Rievaulx Abbey, Ripley Castle, Royal Pump Room Museum Harrogate, Skipton Castle, The Yorkshire Museum, Whitby Abbey, York Castle Museum, York Railway Museum
• Gardens and wildlife: Big Sheep Little Cow Farm, Harlow Carr Gardens, The Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park, Thornton Hall Farm Country Park, Thorpe Perrow Arboretum, Yorkshire Dales Falconry Centre and Hawk Experience
• General attractions: Darley Mill Centre, Moorside Cat Pottery, The Black Sheep Brewery Visitor Centre, The Forbidden Corner, The Wensleydale Creamery, Wensleydale Heritage Railway, York’s Chocolate Story, Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Our information room carries a stock of leaflets provided by the tourist board and we are always happy to make recommendations and give advice where requested. 

Local Towns and Villages

Our nearest large ‘town’ is the Cathedral city of Ripon, just 5 miles away. Ripon has a good selection of shops, banks, restaurants, a cinema, many pubs and places of interest. 

The smaller market town of Masham about 4 miles away also has various attractions (including the world famous Black Sheep Brewery) and a small number of shops and a bank around an attractive market place.

The villages of West Tanfield (with excellent pubs serving food and drink), and North Stainley are only a short walk away. 

Whether you are relaxing on-site, or enjoying yourself in the beautiful county of Yorkshire, 

make some wonderful memories this year at Sleningford Watermill.