Swinton Estate, the private estate owned by the Cunliffe-Lister family since the 1880s and the ancestral seat of the Earl of Swinton, has become the latest hospitality operator to join Accessible Hospitality Alliance.
Occupying more than 20,000 acres on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, the estate sits within one of northern England’s most commanding landscapes reflecting a strong tradition of stewardship and welcome.
The Swinton Estate encompasses the landmark Swinton Park Hotel, a collection of self-catering country houses and cottages, and Swinton Bivouac, an off-grid glamping experience set within the estate’s extensive moorland.
Mark Cunliffe‑Lister, 4th Earl of Swinton is the owner of Swinton Estate in North Yorkshire. In 2000, he led the family’s purchase of the house back into private ownership and oversaw its transformation into a luxury castle hotel, which opened in March 2001.
Inspired in part by his late aunt, Baroness Masham of Ilton, a renowned disability campaigner, paralympic athlete and wheelchair user, accessibility has long been integral to the estate’s culture. Step-free routes, adapted bedrooms, accessible bathrooms, and inclusive facilities are embedded across Swinton Park and the wider estate for wheelchair users and guests with accessibility requirements.
This established accessibility heritage makes Swinton Estate’s membership of Accessible Hospitality Alliance a natural progression, joining a growing community of purpose-aligned hospitality operators committed to creating environments that welcome everyone.
Reflecting on the decision to join Accessible Hospitality Alliance, Mark Cunliffe-Lister commented: “I am delighted that Swinton Estate is now a member of Accessible Hospitality Alliance.
“It is testament to the work that my aunt did in her lifetime from taking part in the first Paralympics in 1960 to helping found organisations like Spinal Injuries Association and her tireless political work that we better understand the need to be more welcoming and accessible to everyone whatever their needs are. I look forward to working with aha to see what more we and others can do in continuing her good work.”
Robin Sheppard, chair of Accessible Hospitality Alliance, welcomed Swinton Estate, saying: “We are delighted to welcome Mark, his hotel and his team to the fast growing operator community that is aha. His family’s lived experience of championing ‘accessible needs’ and our common goal of providing better access for all will no doubt further ensure stimulating meetings of minds.
“If you operate a hospitality and catering business and would like to join our expanding community please reach out to the team at aha.”
As part of its membership, Swinton Estate will take part in the aha Forums taking place in London in 2026. These gatherings bring together senior leaders from across hospitality to share experience, challenge thinking, and shape practical progress. Iain Shelton, Chief Executive of Swinton Estate, will attend the June Forum, with Mark Cunliffe-Lister attending the November Forum.