Rachel’s 40th birthday weekendEst. 1986
You’re invited to
Rachel’s40th
9th – 14th October · Stainforth, Yorkshire Dales
Start here
Getting there
Bridge End sits on the river in the village of Stainforth, a few minutes from Settle. Check-in opens at 5:00 pm on Friday 9th October, check-out is 10:00 am on Wednesday 14th, and you can stay for as many nights as you like in between.
Cottage address
Bridge End, Main Road
Stainforth, Settle BD24 9PG
What3Words: thankful.soulful.windmill
Parking. One space at the cottage, with an electric car charger. There’s plenty of street parking nearby.
Friday to Wednesday
The programme
Friday · From 5:00 pmArrival
- From 5:00 pmArrive, grab a welcome drink, and have a look around the cottage.
- 7:00 pmBuild-your-own pizza dinner.
- AfterwardsGames and the hot tub.
Saturday · All dayThe big birthday celebration
- 8 – 10 amBreakfast will be waiting. Come down whenever you're ready.
- 10:30 amLeave for Malham Cove. About 25 minutes' drive.
- LunchLunch back at the cottage. Menu to come.
- AfternoonThe afternoon is yours. Hot tub, garden games, rugby, a wander into town, a nap, or a book by the fire.
- 6:00 pmThe main event
Birthday dinner. Tacos, cake and proper American s'mores, followed by games and the hot tub.
The walk · Malham Cove
Wander along the grassy bottom or take the steps to the limestone pavement above. Harry Potter fans might recognise it from The Deathly Hallows.
Find it on the mapDon’t forget to bring boots and a waterproof for the walk.
Sunday · Rachel's actual birthdayOfficially forty
- 10:00 amFull English breakfast.
- 11:30 amA walk down to Stainforth Force. The exact route is still to be decided.
- AfternoonThe afternoon is free.
- 6:00 pmSecond birthday dinner back at the cottage.
The walk · Stainforth Force
Every autumn the salmon leap up the falls here on their way upstream, and October is right in the middle of the season. The force is a few minutes' walk from the cottage, so no driving needed.
Find it on the mapMonday · From 9:00 amMonday
- 9:00 amEarly set off for Ingleton Falls. About 25 minutes' drive.
- 1:00 pmLunch back at the cottage.
- AfternoonThe afternoon is open.
The walk · Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
It's a four-and-a-half-mile loop through rocky glens, with four waterfalls along the way. Give it two to three hours and expect muddy boots.
Find it on the mapThe trail has an entry fee. Bring a little cash or a card.
Monday onwards · Until Wed 14thThe rest of the trip
- After MondayNo set plans. Stay for as many nights as you like.
- Wed 10:00 amCheck-out.
Good to know
The house
The hot tub
The house has a private hot tub next to the river. Please don’t forget your swimwear.
Wifi
Details to come.
Coming and going
Check-in from 5:00 pm Friday 9th. Check-out by 10:00 am Wednesday 14th.
Food & drinks
Food
Rachel will order all the groceries. You’ll pay a food fee for each night you stay. Stay two nights, pay for two nights. The amount is still to be confirmed.
Drinks
Please bring whatever you would like to drink over the weekend.
The essentials
What to pack
Pack for the walks, the weather and the hot tub.
Essentials
Nice to have
For the birthday dinner, wear whatever makes you feel good. Jeans and a nice top counts. Fancy does too.
If you fancy a wander
Explore nearby
Wander
Settle market town
For independent shops, old stone streets and an easy potter.
Find it on the mapDay out
Settle–Carlisle Railway
For dramatic Dales views without putting your boots on.
Find it on the mapFrom the weekend
Photos
The shared album for the weekend. Add your photos and download the ones you love.
The soundtrack
Little discoveries
Did you know?
Fact 01
Bridge End Cottage began life as the Old Stainforth Post Office.
Fact 02
The lane by the cottage crosses the river beside a Grade II listed packhorse bridge, once the horseback route between Lancaster and York.
Fact 03
Stainforth made it into the Domesday Book in 1086, when it was spelled Stainforde.