I felt overwhelmed recently when I saw posts being shared on social media about all the books that friends had read in 2025.
It’s a lovely idea, and a brilliant concept – to encourage others in the love of literature – but I could not believe the sheer quantity or books that some had got through in just 12 months. I thought I’d done well to read a book a month (or thereabouts), but others had a list on an exponential scale.
It made me ponder, for those of who love a good book (I do) and can think of nothing better than browsing in an independent book shop whilst on holiday (that’s me), is there something around actually, consciously dedicating some time to read regularly at home, but also when away? How do other people manage to spend so much time reading, or are they much faster readers? Is it higher on their priority list?
This made me wonder – is it worth booking some “time out” with the sole purpose of making time to read – or indeed, to re-establish a new pattern and habit of regular reading?
Would you fancy a “reading retreat” and if you did, what would its perfect ingredients be?
Cottages with or without books
I’ve often debated in the cottages, whether to
- keep them more “minimalist” – fresh, clean and with minimal clutter – ready to receive all guest’s belongings, or to
- provide lots of different novels and books for people to enjoy or pick up, whether or not they actually read them cover to cover.
We always provide walking books and reference materials, but since Covid days, we haven’t shared a big collection of novels. Do you miss them? Would you read them if they were there?
Or do you love to bring your own collection of books on holiday?
Or do you find pleasure in browsing books in a cottage, and like to pick up a new book?
A place to read
Our comfortable holiday cottages at Newton Grange Farm are in a tranquil setting make a perfect place to read, whether that’s on the patio, in the living room or perhaps out in the fields overlooking the canal.
Would they also be a brilliant location for a structured reading retreat, in Yorkshire?
Please do get in touch if this appeals, we’d love to know.
Local independent bookshops in Yorkshire
We can give you some recommendations for local and independent bookshops that you might like discovering during your stay too.
- Skipton
- The Little Bookshop – in Craven Court Shopping Centre
- The Oxfam Book Shop – the High Street
- Keogh’s Books | Secondhand and antiquarian books – the High Street
- Settle – Limestone Books – The Shambles
- Grassington – The Stripey Badger Bookshop – The Square
- Ilkley – Grove Bookshop – The Grove
Visit us in October when the Ilkley Literature Festival in on.
The Festival usually hosts some great writers and speakers, and Ilkley is a lovely town to visit during your stay too. It is less than half an hour’s drive away from Bank Newton. Do keep an eye out for when the programme is live.
Make 2026 a year for reading
Is this the year where you’ll consciously make time to read more – at home and when away too? Does a retreat away to read sound good to you?
Browse availability for a cottage stay and your very own reading retreat.