CLA Game Fair At Harewood Cancelled

We hear that the CLA Game Fair due to open at Harewood House on Friday 27th July has been CANCELLED. "Adverse, and worse than predicted weather which has hit Harewood Estate has now defeated all the efforts the organisers have made in order to open the show. Despite weeks of rain the site was drying out well before the deluge of rain on Friday afternoon followed by lighter but continuous rain throughout the weekend. The site is now saturated with water lying in all areas of the showground regardless of the ditches which have been dug to drain as much excess as possible. Vehicle movement is at a stand still other than movement along the 4000 metres of trackway and acres of bark that have been put along all the show rows. The concern is that once the exhibitors, catering units and other show contractors arrive many vehicles would have to drive off the protected areas in order to set up and the ground cannot take it. This would create a safety issue apart from the other issues of vehicles getting stuck or not being able to reach their stands". PLEASE NOTE THAT WESTWOOD LODGE IS VERY MUCH OPEN FOR BUSINESS AS USUAL as are the vast majority of attractions in this part of Yorkshire and (as far as we know) all restaurants, pubs, tea rooms etc. We look forward to welcoming all guests who were planning to attend the CLA Game Fair in the knowledge that there is still lots and lots to do during your stay with us.

Ilkley Literature Festival Headline Names Named!

Headline names for the 2007 Festival have just been announced and include: Alastair Campbell; Alan Bennett, Germaine Greer, Linton Kwesi Johnson, James Naughtie, Michael Ondaatje, Caryl Phillips, Libby Purves, Fay Weldon, Gyles Brandreth, Robin Knox-Johnston, Brian Patten, Roger McGough, John Julius Norwich, Joanne Harris, Roy Hattersley, Iain Banks, Johnnie Walker, Jonathan Coe, Clarissa Dixon-Wright, Maggie O'Farrell, Kevin Crossley-Holland, Esther Freud, Dom Joly and Rosie Boycott There are events marking the Abolition of the Slave Trade, an exploration of graphic novels, Bollywood Cabaret, Stanley Wells and Rene Weis on Shakespeare, writers from Denmark and Bulgaria, Hari Kunzru and Biyi Bandele and a chance to remember W.H. Auden.....plus more than 100 other events from discussions to workshops, cabaret, literary walks, Children's and Young People's weekend and the Festival Fringe. The 2007 Festival runs from Friday September 28th - Sunday October 14th.

More Best Places to Eat and Drink...

The Devonshire Fell at Burnsall(says Veronica from Darlington) The Fleece at Addingham (says Joske from The Netherlands) Betty's Tea Rooms (says Peter from The Netherlands) Martha & Vincent ("food is good and reasonably priced" says Bridget from Banbury) The New Inn Appletreeewick ("good for lunch" says Mark from Aberdeen) Monkfish (says Margaret from Leighton Buzzard) Ilkley Moor Vaults ("Sunday lunch 'yum'" says Richard from Bristol and "good menu and value" says Shelagh from Sheffield) Pizza Pilazzo ("good takeaway pizza" says Yvonne from Meifod, North Wales) Rombalds Hotel and Restaurant ("delicious" says Jason from Norwich) Escape! ("very child friendly and food was quite nice" says Rachel from Teddington) and the worst... The Station ("too smokey and no seats because of football" says Jan from Macclesfield) BUT ("not bad for football and friendly" says Philip and Theresa from Billericay and on their FIFTH stay at Westwood in three years!) The Rose and Crown ("avoided it til now and will avoid in future" says Philip from Billericay)

Best Places To Eat and Drink...

The Ilkley Moor Vaults (says Denise from Tamworth) Martha & Vincent ("fabulous lunch, good wine and dessert" says Pat from the USA) The Wells Bistro ("excellent food and service, reasonably priced" says Nan from Winchester) Willy Mossops ("very friendly staff, delicious well thought out food" says Ann from Harrogate) and the worst.. The Black Horse at Askwith - ("Awful food" says Maureen from Exeter)

The Best Places We Visited During Our Stay...

East Riddlesden Hall National Trust - Sheila from Farnborough Betty's Tea Rooms - Rachael from Connecticut USA

Your latest feedback!

We really liked... "The views and the goodies you left" (The Moorview) "The location" (Coach House Cottage) "The whole concept - very well thought out and ready to live in - very comfy" (The Old Gallery) "The decor, spaciousness, heating, the setting by the moor, newspaper delivery" (The Old Gallery) "Feeling at home because we have been before and your good organisation makes arrival smooth and pleasant" (The Moorview) "Welcome hamper, good supply of towels and household items" (The Glenmoor) "Sunny courtyard, property on the edge of the Moors, fantastic range of crockery and cookware, secure parking" (Orchard Cottage) "The location of the house and the homely feel of the cottage" (Coach House Cottage") "The garden and children's facilities" (Applebarn Cottage) "Matthew just wants to stay and play" (Orchard Cottage) "Sauna, gym and spa" (Applebarn Cottage) We didn't like... "The hobs - not sure which ring was which" (We've now dealt with this) "Beds a bit soft for my bad back" "Bed too hard" (You just can't win! Our beds tend to be firm rather than squishy, although we know some people like very soft beds) "Mediocre FM radio reception and no DAB" (Sorry - we don't go digital until 2011, but that's life in the country) "Noise from cars going over the catle guard" (A difficult one to solve) "The weather" (An even more difficult one!)

Green Tourism

Westwood Lodge has always had an Environmental Policy, but now we've gone a step further and joined The Green Tourism Business Scheme. We intend to reduce our environmental impact more by - for example - encouraging guests to come here by train, or at least not use their car whilst here. We're looking at environmentally friendly cleaning products and how we can get our local Council to work with us on recycling. There's much more to come! But, - how important is Green Tourism to you? Enter our poll now! We would love to know what you think!

Blogging has arrived on Ilkley Moor!

Well what has it come to? I've never written a blog entry before, but even Westwood has given in! We're not going to fill this with what my father would call "twoddle", but we will drop in some of the latest news about Westwood Lodge, Ilkley Moor and Wharfedale. For example, restaurants change hands faster than we can update our reviews, so we'll be giving the lastest feedback from guests and any meal I get to take Paula out to! We're also happy to post guest feedback about their stay with us, sights and scenes, places to go - or not go - and generally any gossip that doesn't infringe libel law! If you've got a contribution do let us have it. Watch this space!

Welcome to Westwood Lodge

Setting up this blog will hopefully help our previous visitors to catch up on the latest news here at Westwood. Please use this space to add in comments and photos of your stay here with us. Don't forget - you can catch up on our latest news at on our web site Thank you Tim