A hotel in the beautiful northern countryside has become the first fully vegan hotel in England.
It’s not every day that plant-based customers can eat literally everything on a menu, but Beck Hall is now offering exactly that from breakfast until bedtime.
The beautiful hotel, which stands at the foot of the staggering Malham Cove, announced the news in October and launched its plant-based commitment in December last year, The Hoot reports.
In what’s a first for England, Beck Hall has shunned any hint of animal products in exchange for a completely vegan offering.
They acknowledged at that time that ‘some guests may be opposed to this change’ but maintained that they wanted to ‘showcase innovative, exciting and delicious vegan dishes’.
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Owners Andy and Louise Macbeth took over Beck Hall a decade ago and turned what was a walkers’ hostel into a stunning boutique hotel with cosy, traditional rooms.
Their menu now includes breakfast dishes like lox bagels made with cured carrot instead of salmon, scrambled tofu baps, and vegan pancake stacks.
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There are plant-based Sunday roasts (mushroom Wellington or seitan roasts), and full traditional afternoon teas, complete with cashew cream-loaded scones.
And then Beck Hall’s a la carte menu features everything from seitan short rib with hasselback potatoes to mushroom stroganoff pudding to vegan twists on pub classics.
Andy and Louise said their decision was driven by their own shift to a plant-based diet for their family.
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They also assured their followers that nothing else about Beck Hall – its ‘magical location, friendly staff, wholesome menus and dog friendliness’ – would change a jot.
Their full statement on their shift to becoming a vegan hotel read: “Since taking on Beck Hall almost 10 years ago it has always been a place that has reflected us and our values. Beck Hall has thrived on these values, evolving into a special place loved by many.
“During this time, we’ve also been on a personal journey which started at a place of compassion for animals and eventually led our family to a plant-based / vegan diet. We also recognise the positive impact eating more plants can have on the environment and on health. We’ve never looked back.
“Our menus at Beck Hall are already around 50% plant-based and if you’ve ever tried our sticky vegan ribs you will know that plant-based food doesn’t have to mean compromise.
“Recently, we’ve been developing some of the most innovative, exciting and delicious vegan dishes we’ve ever tried, anywhere! We believe that our food, from breakfast through to dinner, is for everyone.
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“We have so many loyal customers who love Beck Hall for its magical location, friendly staff, wholesome menus and dog friendliness and we want to reassure you that none of that is changing, if you give us a chance, I’m sure you’ll agree.
“We realise that some guests will be opposed to this change and that’s okay, we thank you for the times we’ve shared and we’re sure you’ll go on to find a new special place – there’s so many meaty menus to choose from. But wouldn’t it be boring if we were all the same!
“We hope you’ll support us in our new beginning and we look forward to welcoming back loyal guests alongside those new ones, who – like us – would love to visit a fully plant-based hotel offering the most incredible food, location and team.
“This isn’t a profit-led decision, if anything, it is a big step for our family, but the time has come for us to align our business values with our own.”
One person wrote in response: “I’m not vegan but I will make a point of visiting now because this is a courageous decision and very different to everything else locally.”
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Another said: “We have visited and stayed at Beck Hall many a time, and love the place. As meat eaters who enjoy a veggie or vegan meal this will not stop us from coming back. It is a very brave thing you are doing and we applaud this. We were only talking yesterday about when to rebook, so we will look forward to our next visit to enjoy the new menu.”
And someone else said: “I think it is great that you are aligning your business with your values even if some people don’t understand or agree. Not many people are brave enough to do this.”
Featured Image – Supplied
Travel & Tourism
A spectacular Chinese garden has opened at RHS Bridgewater, and it’s a must-visit
Daisy Jackson
RHS Bridgewater has opened the Yangzhou Scholars’ Garden, the centrepiece of a spectacular Chinese garden.
At seven acres, the Chinese Streamside Garden is the largest, most comprehensive, and most authentic classical Chinese garden in all of Europe.
It’s taken more than eight years to complete, and has utilised landscape architects and specialist craftspeople from China, using traditional techniques rarely seen outside the country.
This has been combined with the contemporary British garden setting of RHS Bridgewater to create a new must-visit attraction in Greater Manchester.
It’s also be designed to be as beautiful in each season as the last, with spring magnolias and cherry blossom, all the way through to dazzling autumn colours from acers and gingkos.
The Chinese garden is the result of an ambitious international collaboration of fundraising, design and craftsmanship between Yangzhou City, China Flower Association, Yangzhou Classical Garden Construction Company*, the City of Salford, Greater Manchester’s Chinese community and the RHS.
Inspiration comes from the historic scholars’ gardens of Yangzhou in Jiangsu province in East China, embodying the classical Chinese principle that gardens are places of philosophy, learning, reflection and seasonal observation.
The landscape features rock, water, planting, and timber structures, with each step revealing new views and perspectives.
There are four interconnected pavilions surrounding a courtyard and pond, each dedicated to one of the four traditional scholarly arts – chess, music, calligraphy and painting.
Pavilions are dedicated to traditional scholarly arts – like chessTimber structures and water feature heavilyEvery step reveals a new viewFootpaths weave through the Chinese garden at RHS BridgewaterThe space has taken almost eight years to completePlants have been chosen for their year-round beautyCredit: The Manc Group
Key features include traditional hand-crafted mortise-and-tenon joinery, Chinese Fir timber sourced from FSC-certified forests, kiln-fired tiles and handmade brickwork from China, intricate stone carvings, and detailed stone mosaic and poetic inscriptions.
More than 200 trees and shrubs representing 56 species and cultivars have been selected for their seasonal beauty and cultural significance, with planting conveying traditional messages of good luck, health, happiness and love.
Marcus Chilton-Jones, Head of RHS Garden Bridgewater explained: “The opening of the Yangzhou Scholars’ Garden is a landmark moment for RHS Garden Bridgewater, for Greater Manchester and the UK.
“This remarkable international collaboration has created not only a beautiful garden, but a lasting symbol of friendship, cultural exchange and shared learning.”
Tracy Snell, Curator at RHS Garden Bridgewater said: “It’s a garden full of meaning and intricacies.
“Importantly, it can be enjoyed throughout the seasons – from spring magnolias and cherry blossom to restful summer greens and the vibrant autumn colour of acers, ginkgos and euonymus.
“Chinese scholars’ gardens were created as places to slow down, reflect and reconnect with nature.
“Visitors will discover something new around every corner, and I can’t wait for people to experience the sense of calm and wonder the garden creates.”
Mr Gerry Yeung, Chinese Streamside Garden Founding Committee member added: “The opening of the Yangzhou Scholars’ Garden is a proud and historic moment for everyone who has helped bring this vision to life and the result of many years of dedication, generosity and shared ambition from people in both China and Greater Manchester.
“We hope visitors will enjoy discovering this special place and, through it, gain a deeper appreciation of the rich traditions, artistry and values that have inspired Chinese gardens for centuries.”
The Peak District stroll named one of the UK’s most beautiful autumn walks
Daisy Jackson
A Peak District walk taking in dramatic reservoirs, rolling fields and rugged moorland has been named one of the UK’s most beautiful autumn walks by The Times.
The circular route, which starts and finishes at Fairholmes car park near Derwent Dam, offers walkers the chance to experience the national park at one of the most colourful times of the year.
As autumn arrives, the surrounding fells turn shades of copper and bronze, while the changing season brings opportunities to spot some of the area’s wildlife.
The Times has listed some of the finest spots in the country to get out for a stroll as the seasons change, which includes a walk not too far from Manchester.
They’ve highlighted the Derwent Valley because of the chance to see ring ouzels gathering to feed before beginning their migration to Africa, alongside mountain hares starting to change from their brown summer coats into snowy white winter fur.
The walk begins at the distinctive, turreted Derwent Dam, before heading right alongside Ladybower Reservoir. Walkers then pick up a footpath veering left past Lanehead Cottage, crossing fields and open moorland as the route climbs towards the higher ground.
The scenery becomes increasingly dramatic along the way, with steep-sided cloughs and sweeping views across the Derwent moors offering plenty to take in.
Derwent Dam. Credit: Unsplash, Carl Beech
After reaching the moorland, the route bears left before following a downhill path near the ruins of Bamford House. From there, walkers loop back alongside Derwent Reservoir to return to Fairholmes car park.
The combination of waterside paths, open countryside and more challenging climbs makes the route a varied way to explore the Peak District, particularly as the landscape takes on its autumn colours.
And for anyone wanting to round off the walk with a meal, The Times recommends a visit to The Anglers Rest.
The 17th-century coaching inn serves traditional pub dishes alongside modern classics, offering walkers a welcoming place to refuel after a day exploring the countryside.
Daisy Jackson -
12th January 2024 
