Countess set to abseil down wall of Swinton Park Hotel

The Countess of Swinton, Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, will take on the challenge on Friday, May 2, to mark the arrival of a new set of adventure pursuits at Swinton Estate.

The activity is the brainchild of Marc Wise and Dan Miller, who set up Live For Today Adventures in 2012.

The company’s new base on the Swinton Estate in Masham, near Ripon, allows them to offer a range of indoor and outdoor pursuits – including raft-building, axe throwing, wild swimming, and escape rooms.

Mr Wise said: “We are so excited to be opening our new centre at the Swinton Estate, and delighted that Felicity has jumped at the chance to showcase the venture by leaping out of the top window of Swinton Castle – now one of the most popular rooms at the Swinton Park Hotel.

“Live For Today is all about stepping away from everyday life and making memories.

“We help people to take a moment to pause in a world that moves too fast, and inject adventure and excitement into their life.

“We can’t think of many finer locations than the Swinton Estate for people to share these unique experiences.”

The Live For Today programme at the Swinton Estate is open to both residents and non-residents, and currently offers eight different experiences.

Dedicated archery and axe throwing ranges, laser clays on the front lawn, and a new low ropes course “provide the setting for fun for families, groups, and corporate teambuilding,” per a spokesperson.

Escape rooms will be added in summer 2025.

Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, who owns and runs the Swinton Estate with her husband, Mark, said: “For many years, we’ve encouraged visitors to the hotel and the wider estate to explore and engage with the outdoors, whether that be on a walking tour of the deer park, or simply relaxing in a hammock in the woodland.

“Having Live For Today set up a base on the estate further extends this offer, creating a real hub of thrills and adventures.

“When they mooted the idea of an abseil down the tower, I couldn’t possibly say no – I am sure it will give me a whole new perspective and outlook on this wonderful place!”

Live For Today launched with one Zorb – an inflatable ball that a person climbs inside – when Mr Wise and Mr Miller met as instructors at Harrogate Climbing Centre.

The company now has bases at Hazlewood Castle and in the Yorkshire Dales, and the former instructors have also purchased the climbing centre where they first met.

More information is available at swintonestate.com and at live-for-today.com