Ambitious expansion programme at outdoor adventure attraction
A visitor attraction featuring one of Yorkshire’s most ancient natural wonders is under new management and is undergoing a major face-lift.
How Stean Gorge in Nidderdale has existed for ten thousand years since the last Ice Age and is graded as a triple Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The adventure facility offers abseiling, gorge scrambling, caving, canoeing and a high ropes via ferrata course – one of only three in the UK – as well as the Gorge & Caves upper pathway.
It currently has a 20-pitch campsite but a new five-year plan will see the instalment of 11 new chalets, including luxury accommodation with hot tubs and wood burning stoves.
To date, four chalets are under construction with an opening date at the end of April with a further two set for completion by July.
Tony Liddy, 33, and his partner Rebecca Verity, 29, company directors are set to take on the management of this site.
Liddy said: “We’re transforming the site with these expansion plans with an eco-friendly build fitting in with the spectacular setting.
“We have a huge demand for adventure tourism including family holidays, hen, stag and corporate parties looking to do group activities, and our additional lodges offer will help bolster that market.
Credit: Elliott Wood
“There’s just a massive appetite out there to embrace life, get into the great outdoors and experience adventure again. Groups of friends who have missed out the last two years are ready to get out, enjoy and make new and better memories.”
The attraction has been owned by married couple Stan and Ann Beer since 2007. It has already undergone significant upgrades in the last year with the Beers continuing to invest in the site.
Liddy has worked as outdoor activity instructor at How Stean Gorge for 16 years, becoming head of outdoor activities 10 years ago. Verity ran the internal offer for 13 years. Liddy’s brother, Dan, has also joined the team this year as the new head of outdoor activities as Tony takes on the managerial role.
Tony Liddy said: “We’re very proud to be continuing the values of Stan and Ann, who we have all worked alongside for so many years.
“They helped raise How Stean Gorge into a leading visitor attraction, as well as a vital lifeline for local employment and our rural economy.”
How Stean Gorge has a team of 18 full and part-time staff, with a further ten casual instructors on its books.
Plans are in place to revamp its visitor centre, with new interpretation boards. The attraction has increased its outdoor facilities to 12 kayaks, more than 16 canoes and over 200 wet suits for gorge walking. Free Wi-Fi has also been installed across the whole site.
