Inside: Middlethorpe House.
Middlethorpe Hall, an award-winning Historic House Hotel that forms part of the National Trust, is the perfect destination for those seeking to combine the beauty of York's cityscape with the charm of the surrounding countryside.
Style
Elegantly decorated in the style of the 18th Century and adorned with antique furnishings and fine paintings, Middlethorpe Hall boasts a look and ambiance akin to that of a well-maintained private country estate, rather than a hotel with 29 bedrooms. Nestled within more than 20 acres of National Trust gardens, the property is home to an award-winning restaurant, spa, and indoor pool.
Experience
With the warmer months, Middlethorpe Hall comes alive with endless opportunities to explore the outdoors. Stroll through the Parkland at Middlethorpe Hall, which is set within 20 acres of lush gardens and parkland that have undergone extensive restoration and replanting since the 1980s. Wander through carefully recreated pathways adorned with urns, marvel at the wildlife around the lake, and keep an eye out for nesting birds and roe deer. Upon your return, enjoy drinks and light dishes on the south-facing terrace while taking in the magnificent views over the South lawn.
Take a leisurely walk around the Walled Kitchen Garden, where you will discover not only beautiful flowering shrubs and magnificent herbaceous borders, but also herb beds and a range of fruit trees, including apples, pears, plums, peaches, and greengages. The fruits of these trees are used by the Chef to create wonderful puddings, and the gardeners have also created an organic ‘potager,’ which produces a wide selection of vegetables that are used by chefs during the season.
Relax and rejuvenate at the Middlethorpe Spa, which was built behind the facade of two listed Edwardian cottages. Home to three treatment rooms, an indoor swimming pool, spa bath, steam room, sauna, and club room, this is the perfect place to unwind before or after your treatments, particularly during the summer months when you can take your relaxation to the terrace.
Food and Drink
When you book dinner at Middlethorpe Hall, you are in for a treat. The award-winning British cuisine is served in the 1699 oak-paneled dining room, providing the perfect setting to enjoy the contemporary take on traditional British food. Chef Ashley Binder’s carefully designed dinner ‘Tasting Menu’ with paired wines offers a gourmet experience, while dishes are individually priced on the ‘a la carte’ dinner menu.
The Culture bit
Inside the hotel, you can learn about one of Middlethorpe Hall’s most famous residents, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, the renowned 18th-century diarist who made Middlethorpe Hall her home. Lady Mary introduced the Ottoman practice of inoculation against smallpox to the UK, and it was later in life that she was finally praised for introducing the practice here. You can even stay in the Lady Mary suite, where a large painting of the lady herself greets guests as they climb the staircase to their quarters.
Another famous resident of Middlethorpe Hall was Fanny Wilkinson, the UK’s first female landscape gardener. As the eldest child of Dr. Matthew Wilkinson, a leading physician from Manchester, Fanny inherited Middlethorpe Hall from her mother, Frances Barlow. The blue plaque of York Civic Trust was unveiled in the walled garden in 2022, honoring her memory.
Book:
Middlethorpe Hall warmly welcomes families with children over six years of age, and selected rooms also allow dogs with prior consent. Whether you’re in the mood for an urban adventure or a peaceful country escape, Middlethorpe Hall is the perfect base from which to explore all that York has to offer.
To make a reservation please visit Middlethorpe Hall.