Our Story
For over 40 years the Cook family have owned and worked on the 170-acre site that was originally known as “Manor Farm” in Drighlington.
A Cook Family Business
The Manor was founded by brothers Bill and Eric Cook; two second-generation farmers who grew up in Castleford.
They lived and grew up in their father Gordon’s butchers’ shop in Altofts and the family had a rented farmstead nearby. The original “Cook Bros” butchers were passed on to the brothers from their father, but Bill and Eric decided butchery was not for them, so they sold the shops and used the proceeds to buy the farm they were renting.
Manor Farm
In 1978 advert in the Yorkshire Post caught their eye and on 24th May of that year, they attended a public auction at the Drighlington community centre. Recollections may vary regarding what took place at the auction, but what we do know for sure is that they left that day with the keys to a new farm and an appointment with the bank manager to explain why they had spent too much money!
When the purchase was complete, the family moved to the farmhouse in Drighlington. For the next 8 years they grew potatoes, wheat and oilseed rape on the farm, selling the produce all over Yorkshire. Bill & Eric were farmers at heart and although farming was tough work, it was their passion.
However, as modern farming techniques developed and prices began to drop, the farm was just not large enough to support two families, and the brothers accepted that they needed to diversify. They explored their options and after much discussion a bold decision was made – they would transform their farmland into a golf course!
The Manor
Development started in 1992 with the Driving Range (which Bill & Eric built by hand!) followed swiftly by the 18 Hole Championship Golf Course that opened in 1993.
The transition from farmland to golf course was quick, but highly successful, with much celebration of the course’s layout and features.
More than a golf destination
What started as diversification soon became the foundation of a much broader vision; the completion of the club house building in 1996 turned The Manor into more than a golf destination. The venue became a popular setting for weddings and celebrations, with beautiful views across the course providing a memorable backdrop for special occasions and allowing more of the local community to enjoy the space, even if they didn’t play golf!
The Next Generation
In 2018, at the age of 79, Eric decided it was time to retire and so his nephews stepped up to take the reins alongside their father Bill. This wasn’t their first time working in the family business; in their youth Andrew and Mark worked raking bunkers and collecting balls.
Cook House Bar & Kitchen
While the course remains at its heart, welcoming both seasoned golfers and beginners alike, it now sits alongside a much wider offering designed to bring people together. The next generation wanted to provide both the golfers and wider community with somewhere to eat, drink, relax and enjoy the location on a day-to-day basis which led to the opening of Cook House Bar & Kitchen in 2023.
Blending contemporary style with a nod to the site’s history, it’s quickly become a favourite spot for many in the area. The comfortable, informal atmosphere provides somewhere you can drop in for a coffee, meet friends for lunch, or enjoy an evening meal.
The Manor Today
What makes The Manor special is its versatility. It’s somewhere you might visit for a round of golf, return to celebrate a family milestone, and then pop into again during the week for a quick drink or a bite to eat. It’s not just a venue; it’s part of the local community.
Still family-run after all these years, the Cook family have never lost sight of their roots. Their journey from farm to thriving sport and hospitality destination reflects both hard work and a willingness to embrace change, something that continues to shape The Manor today.
