Thwaites Expands Yorkshire Estate with Lister Farmhouse

Thwaites has expanded its Yorkshire presence by opening Lister Farmhouse in Malham, adding 13 country bedrooms created from a 19th-century coaching inn. The opening forms part of the wider Lister collection in the Yorkshire Dales alongside The Lister Arms and Lister Barn, with rates starting at £185 bed and breakfast per night [1].

What does the Lister Farmhouse expansion include?

Lister Farmhouse introduces 13 individually designed country bedrooms to Malham, North Yorkshire, converting an existing section of a 19th-century coaching inn [1]. As reported by eHotelier, the project offers multiple bedroom categories, including dedicated family rooms suited to visitors exploring the countryside [1].

The accommodation now operates alongside two established hospitality assets in the village: The Lister Arms, a traditional coaching inn with bedrooms and dining, and Lister Barn, which provides larger accommodations and communal space designed for groups and guests travelling with dogs [1]. The combination gives the operator three distinct tiers of overnight stay in a single rural destination [1].

To support guest comfort during warmer months, Thwaites installed air-conditioning across the rooms during the renovation, providing modern climate control for guests returning from outdoor excursions [1].

Who directed the interior design and architectural restoration?

Jane Goff of Goff Associates oversaw the interior design for the 13-bedroom conversion [1]. Goff previously directed the design scheme at Langdale Chase on Lake Windermere, bringing a similar bespoke leisure style to the Malham asset [1].

According to eHotelier, the project team designed each room to mirror the architectural heritage of the 19th-century structure [1]. The interior layout combines bespoke furniture, layered textures, and high-end finishes intended to blend rural English charm with modern hotel standards [1].

Thwaites executive chairman Rick Bailey described the undertaking as an exercise in careful stewardship, stating that the project focuses on sensitive renovation that preserves historical fabric rather than replacing it [1]. Bailey noted that the company aimed to integrate references to the surrounding countryside while balancing heritage aesthetics with upscale room standards [1].

How does the new opening fit into Thwaites' estate operations?

The addition of Lister Farmhouse establishes a multi-property hospitality hub under unified management within Malham [1]. Director of inns at Thwaites, Mick Horan, explained that adding the farmhouse bedrooms diversifies how visitors stay in the destination, offering alternatives between an original inn, a communal barn, and upscale country rooms [1].

From an operational standpoint, clustering properties in one village allows Thwaites to cross-sell room formats, cater to varied party sizes, and optimise staffing and infrastructure across the complex [1]. The nearby outdoor attractions—including Malham Cove, Janet’s Foss, Gordale Scar, and Malham Tarn—generate regular demand from domestic hikers and leisure travellers [1].

What changes have been introduced to food and beverage operations?

Alongside the room launch, Thwaites appointed a new executive head chef to direct culinary programmes across two village venues: The Lister Arms and The Buck [1].

The culinary formats operate with distinct concepts to serve different guest profiles [1]. The Lister Arms runs an elevated country pub menu focusing on seasonal interpretations of British classics paired with daily-changing chalkboard specials [1]. In contrast, The Buck operates as a casual village pub, providing home-cooked meals and local ales aimed at day hikers, families, and casual post-walk dining [1]. Splitting the food offering enables the operator to capture both resident inn diners and passing footfall from nearby walking trails [1].

What are the commercial rates and pricing strategy?

Nightly room rates at Lister Farmhouse start at £185 on a bed-and-breakfast basis during low season [1]. During peak periods, baseline rates rise to £230 per night [1].

With nearly 220 years of operations, Thwaites treats this renovation as an ongoing capital deployment across its regional estate [1]. The tiered room offering allows the operator to maintain premium room pricing at Lister Farmhouse while capturing different spending bands at The Lister Arms and Lister Barn [1].