How Stean Gorge - Harrogate

Introduction to How Stean Gorge

Nestled in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, How Stean Gorge is a unique natural wonder that offers an unparalleled outdoor adventure experience. Located in Lofthouse, near Pateley Bridge, this stunning gorge has been carved by Ice Age glaciers, revealing a hidden world of rock formations, waterfalls, and lush greenery. How Stean Gorge is not just a tourist attraction; it is a thrilling adventure sports center, a welcoming café, a well-equipped campground, and an event venue, all rolled into one. This comprehensive guide will delve into the main services, location, featured characteristics, practical information, and positive aspects of How Stean Gorge, ensuring you have a well-rounded understanding of this exceptional destination.

Main Services

• Adventure Activities: How Stean Gorge specializes in a wide array of adventure sports, including rock climbing, caving, and high ropes courses. Their expert team offers guided tours and training sessions for both beginners and experienced adventurers. The gorge's unique terrain provides a challenging and exhilarating environment for these activities.
• Canoe & Kayak Tours: For those who prefer to explore the gorge at a more leisurely pace, How Stean Gorge offers canoe and kayak tours. These guided tours take you through the breathtaking scenery of the gorge, with the opportunity to spot local wildlife and learn about the gorge's history.
• Café & Campground: After a day of adventure, visitors can relax and refuel at the on-site café, which serves a variety of homemade dishes, hot drinks, and ice cream. The adjacent campground offers a peaceful setting with stunning views of the gorge, complete with pitches for tents, caravans, and motorhomes.
• Event Venue: How Stean Gorge provides a unique and memorable setting for events, such as weddings, corporate team-building days, and stag/hen parties. The versatile event spaces can accommodate various group sizes and offer a range of adventure activities to make your event truly unforgettable.

Location and Access

How Stean Gorge is conveniently located just off the A6108, between Pateley Bridge and Lofthouse. The address is How Stean Gorge, Lofthouse, Pateley Bridge, Harrogate HG3 5SF, United Kingdom. The nearest train station is in Pateley Bridge, approximately 2 miles away, with regular services to and from Leeds and York. For those traveling by car, there is ample free parking available on-site, including a wheelchair-accessible car park.

Featured Characteristics

• Unique Gorge Formation: How Stean Gorge's most striking feature is its deep, narrow limestone gorge, which is over 100 feet deep in places. The gorge has been shaped by millions of years of geological activity, creating a fascinating landscape of rock formations, waterfalls, and lush greenery.
• Diverse Wildlife: The gorge is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including birds such as buzzards, kestrels, and peregrine falcons. You may also spot red squirrels, foxes, and a variety of butterflies and insects. The gorge's river supports a healthy population of brown trout and other freshwater species.
• Historical Significance: How Stean Gorge has a rich history, with evidence of human activity dating back to the Bronze Age. The gorge was an important crossing point for ancient trade routes, and it was also a key location for the smuggling of lead and other minerals during the medieval period.
• Accessibility Features: How Stean Gorge is committed to making its facilities accessible to all visitors. The site has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, and toilet, as well as gender-neutral toilets. The café and event venue are also wheelchair-accessible.

Practical Information

• Opening Hours: How Stean Gorge's adventure activities, café, and campground are open throughout the year, with varying opening hours depending on the season. It is recommended to check their website for up-to-date opening times before your visit.
• Pricing: Prices for activities, food, and camping vary depending on the time of year and the specific service. Discounted group rates are available for some activities. It is recommended to check the website or contact the venue directly for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing information.
• Getting Tickets: Tickets for adventure activities and event bookings can be purchased in advance online or by phone. It is recommended to book in advance to ensure availability, especially during peak seasons.
• Payment Methods: How Stean Gorge accepts credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments. Cash is also accepted.

Positive Aspects from Reviews

With an average rating of 4.8/5 from over 559 reviews on Google My Business, How Stean Gorge is consistently praised for its exceptional customer service, stunning natural beauty, and exciting adventure activities. Many reviewers highlight the professionalism and enthusiasm of the staff, who go out of their way to ensure visitors have a memorable and safe experience. The café's delicious food and hot drinks are also frequently mentioned, with visitors appreciating the homemade dishes and the friendly service. The campground is praised for its peaceful setting, clean facilities, and stunning views of the gorge. Finally, the unique and exhilarating adventure activities are regularly singled out for their challenge, fun, and the sense of achievement they provide.

❓ Frequently asked questions about How Stean Gorge

👍 Reviews of How Stean Gorge

Elaine B.

5/5

We stayed on a Friday before the wedding and Saturday night. The owners kindly lit our private wood-fired hot tub so that it was only needing topping up with wood when we arrived around 5pm. We were the video photography team for the wedding in How Stean Gorge Cafe, so didn't have time to take advantage of the exciting adventures available in the gorge itself. The staff did wonders getting all the delicious food out in time, and vegetarians and other special diets were all catered for. The cabin itself was very cosy, even without the fire lit in November 25 and there was plenty of hot water for showers an d washing up. The local pub was also great for our meal on the first night.

Megan W.

5/5

Great cafe A mountain biker, in the middle of NOWHERE, recommended this place and it was such a hidden gem!! Coffee was good. Sausage rolls delicious. The family who run the place are absolutely beautiful, we had such a nice evening, sitting and chatting with our children. They even gave our babies their first ice pops! We are hoping to come back and book a lodge in the near future after such lovely hospitality. Thank you.

Mark D.

5/5

First came here as a child some 40 years ago and was keen to revisit and see how if at all the place had changed. I am pleased to report that the old magic and sense of adventure was very much still there. Took the gorge walk and literally every way you look is another picture perfect scene, accented by the late autumnal colours. The hard hat that is offered at the start of the walk is very much necessary, particularly on the approach to and then descent into Tom Taylor's Cave. So that vague memory I had of mum letting us run through a cave with nothing but a torch and a funny hat on turned out to be true after all. You need to be aware that there are genuine dangers here. The instructions from the staff and the signs on the route are not just theatre to big up the excitement of the place. But if you heed the safety instructions and stay within your own limitations you will find a place you want to spend a lifetime coming back to as well.

Mac W.

5/5

My wife and I done Via ferrata. Tom was perfect instructor. It was super safe. 100% recomending. Im big lad and my wife is litle girl. We both nearly 50s and not super fit. And we did it. Thank you and see you soon.

Steve T.

5/5

Cafe was brilliant. Didn’t get a chance to do the gorge walk but hoping to go back later this week. Saw some other people doing it and it looks great. We found this plane entirely by accident

Mark C.

5/5

Amazing afternoon tackling the Via Ferrata along the walls of the gorge - expertly led by our good Tom, we were challenged at times but never felt anything other than perfectly safe. The opportunity to then head back into the gorge afterwards and explore the paths and caves at our leisure was a huge bonus. The cafe served excellent lunch at a very reasonable price - the chips were amazing! Would highly recommend a visit - we're already planning to return for an overnight stay in the on site lodges to check out the other activities.

Leila A.

5/5

This is a great place for a brilliant family experience. Two separate gorge walking experiences were great for me, my husband and my sons. Proper memory making experiences that I'd highly recommend. Excellent staff and a stunning setting.

Big E.

4/5

Nice little gorge with a few activities on offer. We just went for the gorge walk which was very good. (Take a torch) We can now visit every day for 3 months should we so wish