ABOUT

Our story meets your story

The story begins…

Cober Hill was built in 1890 by Sir Frank Lockwood, who was a barrister by profession and from 1885 Member of Parliament for York. The property was purchased by Arnold Rowntree, former Liberal Member of Parliament for York, and nephew of the chocolate manufacturer Joseph Rowntree, in March 1920.

Arnold Rowntree prepared a Memorandum at the time setting out his hopes for Cober Hill. He wrote:

“I believe that if a new recreative, educational and Conference Centre at Cober Hill which I have helped to start can be made thoroughly successful it is one of those experiments which will be copied in other parts of the country to the great advantage of all those concerned….I want it to be a place of joy and beauty, …a centre of refreshment and inspiration for many of those engaged in difficult public services… I hope experiments in Weekend Schools, Winter and Summer Schools of various kinds and of longer or shorter duration may also be tried there…”

THE SETTING…

The setting of our story is one of beauty and tranquility, where adventure and exploration is just a stones-throw away. Whether your journey of discovery takes you to the peaks of the North York Moors National Park, to the hidden fossils of the Dinosaur Coast or on a tree-top adventure in Dalby Forest, we are honoured to provide the launching point for a holiday filled with memorable moments. The coastal towns of Scarborough, Whitby, Filey and Robin Hood’s Bay are only a short distance away and are brimming with seaside charm.

We love to share our local favourites so you can enjoy them too; whether that’s the most indulgent local ice cream, our favourite spot for a sunset pint or the best place to spot a dinosaur footprint hidden in the rock face.

On site, the stunning 6 acres of well-maintained grounds offer a wealth of opportunities for relaxation, from strolling amongst the many flower and shrub areas to sitting in one of the charming arbours, to reading peacefully in the secret garden.

There is also a wide variety of indoor and outdoor recreational activity on offer; including tennis, putting, bowls, croquet, pool, table football, table tennis and an extensive children’s play area.

You can also enjoy the peace and tranquillity of one of our comfortable lounges, where you can rest, read or slumber.

The characters…

For a story to develop, it needs characters. So we invite you to come and join us and intertwine your story with ours for a while as your immerse yourself in everything Cober Hill has to offer. Luxuriate in the local surroundings; embark upon adventures; learn more about our beautiful landscape and the nature it supports and together let’s write your chapter in the story of Cober Hill.