Built in 1699, Middlethorpe Hall is an historic three-hundred-year-old red brick and limestone house, influenced by Sir Christopher Wren, and sat in 20 acres of breath-taking gardens and parkland. This year in 2024, Middlethorpe Hall celebrates its impressive 40th anniversary since opening as a hotel.
One of three Historic House Hotels of the National Trust, I made a trip up North to experience Middlethorpe Hall in all its glory, and explore the city of York for the first time.
What’s immediately striking is the hotel’s proximity to the city centre, whilst retaining all the ambience and countryside charm you’d expect of a private country house. You could call it the best of both city and country! Middlethorpe Hall offers 29 individually decorated bedrooms, within the Hall itself and amongst the courtyard outbuildings, and guests are invited to explore the elegant public rooms and the 20 acres of gardens and parkland during their stay.
The classically British Drawing Room and the Library are two public rooms in which to enjoy afternoon tea and pre-dinner drinks. These rooms have magnificent views through large sash windows to perfectly manicured lawns. While sipping a glass of champagne and being spoilt by tiers of exquisite cakes and sandwiches, we even spotted wild deer at the end of the gardens, a very special and serine moment, which Middlethorpe Hall takes in its stride.
Exploring Middlethorpe Hall
Middlethorpe Hall is famed for its fine dining and has received two AA Rosettes. The panelled dining rooms are an incredible setting to enjoy contemporary dishes by candlelight. The combined experience of Head Chef Ashley Binder and Pastry Chef Paul Harrison has resulted in a menu of pure class and imagination, with locally sourced ingredients, subtle twists on classics, and stylish presentation throughout your dining experience. The staff are nothing short of exceptional; discreetly attending to your table and ensuring your glass is always full. It’s no wonder they’ve twice won ‘Restaurant of the Year’ in the Visit York awards.
The hotel is also home to a stunning boutique Spa. Built behind the façade of two listed Edwardian cottages, Middlethorpe Spa offers three treatment rooms, an indoor swimming pool, spa bath, steam room, sauna and club room. If you feel you indulged in all the fine dining, then this boutique spa is a perfect destination and remedy during your visit.
The knowledgeable staff offer a fascinating delve into the history of the hotel, should you ask them. Particularly learning about the Hall’s famous former residents. This includes Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, the 18th century diarist who lived at Middlethorpe Hall from 1713, famous for introducing her knowledge of the Ottoman practice of inoculation against smallpox to the UK. A large portrait of Lady Mary greets guests as you climb the staircase to the suites, one of which is even named after her.
Fanny Rollo Wilkinson, the first female landscape gardener in the UK, also lived at Middlethorpe Hall, and it’s here that she devoted herself to gardening in all its glory and as a profession. A York Civic Trust blue plaque was unveiled in the walled garden in 2022. To explore these gardens is an absolute must during your stay. The gardens have been extensively restored and replanted since the property was acquired in 1980. There’s an incredible variety of trees, including a magnificent Deodar Cedar on the main lawn, a mature Red Oak in the Spring Garden, and a Turkey Oak, all of great age.
The original walled kitchen garden produces a beautiful display of flowering shrubs, and also the herbs and fruits used by the Chef to create wonderful puddings. The main feature of the walled kitchen garden is a brick Dovecote, built in 1681, rescued from dereliction in 1980 and now used as an impressive wine cellar. To the west of the kitchen garden is the Rose Garden, its wide stone path lined with lavender.
With wildlife a plenty and a private lake hidden in the parkland, these garden grounds offer hours of escapism and joy, not to mention a perfect place for walking your dog if you happen to bring your canine companion along.
As a dog owner myself, it’s a rare charm to find a hotel of this calibre not only to be dog friendly, but completely welcoming and adoring of them.
The accommodation at Middlethorpe Hall is utterly luxurious but with all the homely and quaint touches. All of the bedrooms and suites are superbly furnished with antiques and fine paintings, some of which even feature grand four poster beds. For a truly memorable stay, a courtyard suite will have you feeling majestic and in complete peace. The furniture and fabrics feel in keeping with the historic Hall, and there’s little contemporary touches such as a Nespresso coffee machine, Penhaligon Quercus toiletries in the bathroom, and a king-size double bed of course.
Visiting York
Easy as it would be to nestle yourself away in Middlethorpe Hall for days on end, a trip to York itself is a must. Somehow striking the perfect balance between old and new, this vibrant city boasts independent shops galore, striking architecture, a rich history, and a buzzing food scene.
You can walk along the Romain city walls, take a boat along the river Ouse, climb Clifford’s Tower, and explore the mighty York Minster; one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals. York also has an interesting Scandi past, where in 866 it was invaded by the Danes. The locals have lapped this up with museums and attractions honouring and helping to tell the stories.
I was told that a stroll down the Shambles, quite possibly York’s most famous street, is an experience like no other, and it’s all thanks to a certain Harry Potter. It’s rumoured that author J K Rowling took inspiration from the cobbled gothic alleyways here, when bringing to life the wizardry world of Diagon Alley. The wonky-looking timber-framed buildings and large lanterns make you feel like you’ve stepped onto a movie set, and the tongue-in-cheek apothecary and wizard shops transport you into all things Hogwarts.
For a magical staycation this summer, look no further than Middlethorpe Hall in York.
www.middlethorpe.com Middlethorpe Hall, York, Yorkshire, YO23 2GB
B&B priced from £270 per room per night.
