Telfit: Where the Dales Exhales

Nestled in one of the most secluded and dramatic folds of the Yorkshire Dales lies Telfit, a place where breathtaking character and modern luxury meet in quiet harmony. Set within a glacial bowl of rolling moorland and whispering streams, the Leatham family have created more than a luxury farmhouse and retreat—they’ve built a sanctuary within a regenerative working landscape, designed to leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.

The story of Telfit begins in the early 1800s, when the Georgian farmhouse was built within the old township of Marske, Swaledale—an upland farming and lead-mining community whose prosperity shaped its architecture and way of life. Telfit sits just northwest of Marske village, perched above Throstle Beck Gill on the valley side of the glacial bowl that gave it both its name and its distinctive farming pattern.

Fast-forward to 2016, when a twist of fate reunited Oliver Leatham with the place that had captured his heart as a young man. “Telfit is one of those one-offs in life,” he says. “As soon as I heard it was for sale, I took my wife Lucy to see it—without any backstory. I knew the minute she saw it, she’d be sold—and I was right. We bought it there and then.”

The 1,100-acre farm was both a dream and a daunting prospect for the family—Oliver, Lucy, and their children Ben, Ned, and Lily. “It felt like blind faith,” Oliver recalls. “Telfit has its own magic. It’s as if we’re just custodians, trusted to make the right decisions as we go.”

Today, their faith has been rewarded. The farmhouse has been lovingly restored and now welcomes guests seeking serenity and connection. Designed to host up to 22 guests across ten bedrooms and nine bathrooms, it blends heritage charm with understated luxury—open fires, log burners, natural stone, and timber beams complemented by a sauna, hot tub, and state-of-the-art kitchen. It’s a space equally suited to intimate weddings, wellness retreats, or simply escaping the rush of modern life.

But the Leathams’ vision extends well beyond hospitality. Telfit has become a beacon of regenerative farming and sustainability—an ethical model designed to nurture both land and community. Their son Ben has been instrumental in shaping this next chapter through The Telfit Farm Project, a regenerative farming and biodiversity initiative dedicated to restoring ecosystems, enhancing soil health, and championing sustainable food systems across the estate.

“We want Telfit to be a living example of how regenerative farming can heal the land and feed us better,” says Ben. “By combining ancient farming wisdom with modern science, we can produce food that sustains both people and the planet.”

Telfit stands as proof that comfort and conscience can coexist beautifully…

The results speak for themselves. The team has already planted 25,000 trees with another 7,500 still planned, alongside 3.5km of native hedgerows, wildflower meadows, and herbal leys to boost biodiversity. Traditional orchards, wood pastures, and wildlife ponds are restoring habitats and capturing carbon. In parallel, Ben has expanded his vision through eatTelfit, a farm shop and butchery in nearby Leyburn that extends his online artisan meat business and connects visitors directly to the land’s produce.

“We’re a truly immersive farm-to-table business,” Ben explains. “Visitors and customers love knowing where their food comes from, and we’re proud to collaborate with other regenerative farms across the Dales and beyond.”

Bringing such an ambitious vision to life has required dedication and a deep respect for the land. Yet the result is more than a luxury escape—it’s a philosophy in practice. Telfit stands as proof that comfort and conscience can coexist beautifully; that the land can thrive alongside those who care for it.

For guests, retreat organisers, and anyone curious about the power of regeneration, Telfit offers a glimpse into a new way of living—where land, life, and luxury realign in a more thoughtful, grounded way.

NorthernLife Winter 25/26