With superb surroundings and closeness to central York, Middlethorpe Hall is a 29-bedroom country house offering the best of both rural and city worlds.
Located two miles south of York, Middlethorpe Hall is a stunning hotel that’s well over 300 years old, set in 20 acres of garden and parkland. The hall was built during the time of William III at the end of the seventeenth century for prosperous master cutler Thomas Barlow and the former home of renowned diarist Mary Wortley Montagu. The hotel is best known today for its imaginative menu, elegant accommodation and spa, and is a great destination for any northern travel adventures.
You feel more like you are staying in a grand private house than a hotel, it is as if you have stepped back in time, but still with all the modern amenities and faultless service we have come to expect.
A number of architectural features, such as white sash windows and red brick patterns, show the indirect influence of the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren. In fact there are few country houses with as much charm and historic interest as Middlethorpe Hall, and for this reason, in September 2008, the National Trust acquired and restored the hotel, combining its impressive history, with modern day luxury for guests to enjoy. There are three ‘Historic House Hotels’ in the National Trust collection, “luxury hotels, proud of their past and careful of their present” explains Simon Jenkins, Chairman of the National Trust.
The other two properties are Hartwell House in Buckinghamshire and Bodysgallen Hall in North Wales (historichousehotels.com).
Middlethorpe offers country house fare at its best and has two AA rosettes while also being a two-time recipient of the Visit York Restaurant of the Year award. Eat in the panelled dining room with its view over the grounds, or enjoy an al fresco meal on the south-facing terrace. From starting the day with a sumptuous Yorkshire breakfast through to lunch, afternoon tea and a gourmet dinner, you can expect superlative cuisine and impeccable service. Enjoy a la carte and private dining options – and if you are lucky you might also enjoy watching the roe deer grazing on the parkland in the beautiful gardens.
Stay in the main house or courtyard, in a suite or room, and look forward to luxury and comfort throughout. While the main house suites overlook the south lawn from their sizeable sash windows, some bedrooms also overlook the beech avenue and have fine paintings and antique furnishings. The charming suites offer both the comfort of a luxury hotel and a greater degree of privacy.
From a secluded base in a private garden, behind the façade of a couple of Edwardian cottages, Middlethorpe’s boutique spa offers a full portfolio of health and beauty treatments to ease away the strains of modern life and pamper you from head to toe. Enjoy an indulgent spa day or half day, or build in a visit to your weekend break.
Middlethorpe Hall & Spa, Bishopthorpe Rd, York YO23 2GB
01904 641241, middlethorpe.com
