I HAVE wondered, from time to time, what it would be like to arrive at a country hotel by helicopter...

I recently got to find out, when I was invited to a Highflyers Afternoon Tea at the Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa in Bolton Abbey.

Available on selected dates over summer, the package offers a private helicopter flight over the Dales countryside, followed by a traditional Yorkshire afternoon tea. A perfect treat or celebration of a special occasion, it has been a sell-out success since its launch two years ago.

Arriving half-an-hour ahead of our scheduled flight, my niece Ellie and I were served coffee and shortbread on the terrace. Before long we heard a helicopter approaching, and watched as it descended to a landing area on the hotel lawn.

Feeling like VIPs, we were led out to it, along with a couple also booked onto the flight, and were met by a friendly young chap who helped us in.

Within seconds we were sitting in the helicopter, strapped in, headphones on. Then it was up and away, flying over spectacular Dales landscapes. The first thing you feel, in a helicopter, is a sense of being lifted, as if a giant hand is picking you up from the ground. There’s no racing at great speed down a runway to reach the air, as you would in a ‘plane. Before we knew it, we were hovering above the ground, then rising higher into the sky.

With our friendly pilot pointing out landmarks, it was a fabulous way to see the stunning countryside; hillls and fields scattered below, looking like a patchwork quilt. Ellie, enjoying the thrill of her first helicopter flight, gazed wide-eyed at the views unfolding below.

We flew over pretty villages, as far as Gargrave, rolling hills, shimmering lakes, dense woods and dramatic moorland. Flying over a farm, we could see some pigs scratching around in a yard. Further on, I spotted a lone cow making its way leisurely down a country lane, while the rest of the herd grazed in a nearby field. They looked like animals on a toy farm.

Heading back, flying over Burnsall and the Bolton Abbey estate, we passed the mighty Simon’s Seat then the Priory and abbey ruins, with the River Wharfe weaving through, like a strip of silver paper.

While the scenes were breathtaking, our bird’s eye view revealed the impact of the hot weather on the countryside. What would once have been deep, lush green was parched, yellow and dry. Not for the first time, I hoped a decent rainfall would come soon - although not while we were in up the air, naturally.

As we landed, right by the hotel, it felt like a ‘Joan Collins moment’. It’s not every day a girl arrives at the Devonshire Arms in a helicopter, and it’s something I’ll never forget.

As if that wasn’t decadent enough, we were shown to a table in the elegant conservatory and each served a glass of bubbly. For Ellie, this was not only her first helicopter ride, but also her first afternoon tea. “It’s gorgeous, I feel like I’m in Downton Abbey,” she whispered, as we ordered a pot of Darjeeling tea. When it came to tea, we were spoilt for choice, with Lapsang Souchong, Assam, Ceylon and fruit infusions among the varieties, as well as fresh mint tea, made from mint picked in the hotel’s kitchen garden, sweetened with honey from beehives kept on site.

Afternoon tea, served on an elegant silver stand, was a delightful arrangement of sandwiches, with tasty fillings including cucumber and cream cheese, Wensleydale and pickle, smoked salmon and creme fraiche and honey roast ham and mustard. Next we tucked into freshly-baked buttermilk scones, with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and an array of delicious patisseries such as mini lemon meringues and brownies with a citrus zing.

Sitting in the beautiful conservatory, overlooking the elegant courtyard terrace, with friendly staff making us feel special, we enjoyed every minute of our afternoon at the Devonshire.

It was very “Downton”... although even Lady Mary never had a private helicopter trip.

* Highflyers Afternoon Tea, a 15-minute sightseeing flight with Champagne afternoon tea for two, is £278 (£470 for four people). Helicopter flights are available on August 5 and 12 and September 2 and 16.

Classic Afternoon Tea is £30 per person. Champagne Afternoon Tea is £45 per person. Dietary requirements, including vegan and gluten-free, are catered for, with prior notice.Call (01756) 718155.