Middlethorpe Hall is a 'William and Mary' country house that was built, two miles from the centre of the historic city of York, between 1699 and 1701.

In recent times, the house has been carefully restored to reflect its grand status back in the 1700s and is furnished throughout with antiques and fine paintings.

Middlethorpe sits in 20 acres of walled gardens, landscaped sweeping lawns and parkland with a small lake.

It is one of three grand properties been owned and managed by Historic House Hotels, with all profits going to the National Trust.

Guests to the hotel have a number of fine National Trust properties to visit withing easy distance.

www.middlethorpe.com

All one could want for in a country house hotel

Middlethorpe Hall was built at the beginning of the 18th Century for Thomas Barlow, a prosperous master cutler who had bought the Middlethorpe estate in order to establish himself as a country gentleman.

By Ashley Gibbins

Thomas wanted to enjoy a refined life that projected his wealth and status, and those visiting back then would have admired and been impressed by his home.

Guests staying at the 29-bedroom Middlethorpe Hall House hotel today get an equally genuine feel of the grand living by the prosperous those three hundred plus years ago.

It also offers a peaceful retreat on the edge of Yorkshire's county town and within easy reach of its surrounding areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Like all Queen Ann houses, the design of Middlethorpe Hall, with its mellow red brick facade with limestone dressings, was influenced by the architecture of Sir Christopher Wren.

Particularly his Hampton Court.

But like so many of the country houses of the 18th Century, Middlethorpe Hall, with its stables, outbuildings and walled garden suffered the vagaries of time and neglect.

Though demolition seemed almost inevitable, at one time, Middlethorpe Hall came through, and we are able to be twenty-first century guests in this wonderful old house.

This is due, with grateful thanks, to Historic House Hotels and the National Trust.

Historic House Hotels

Historic House Hotels was founded in 1979 to rescue and restore run-down country houses.

Middlethorpe Hall, with Hartwell House in Buckinghamshire and Bodysgallen Hall in North Wales, formed its portfolio.

Historic House Hotels restored the house and tackled the grounds opening Middlethorpe Hall as a luxury country house hotel with restaurant and spa.

In 2008, the hotels were given to the National Trust to ensure their long-term protection, with all profits going to support the Trust's conservation projects.

An 18th Century experience

Entering Middlethorpe Hall one finds it decorated in 18th Century style and furnished with antiques and fine paintings to create the feel of private manor house.

The stone-flagged entrance hall has a welcoming open fire with seating surround, which was most welcome during our bracing early spring stay, and an impressive carved oak staircase leading to the guest rooms.

The public rooms include an elegant drawing room and library leading to the ballroom, added in about 1750.

The dining room, which dates from the original period of the house, has fine panelling, which 'incorporates round head panels flanked by Ionic pilasters'.

The gardens

Surrounding Middlethorpe House, and providing fine views from its rooms, are 20 acres of gardens and gentle parkland.

These include a rose and a walled garden and a meadow, which leads to a small lake.

Rewarding on so many levels

Middlethorpe Hall offers guests a rewarding experience on so many levels.

There is appreciating the history that 'oozes from ever pour of the property' the chance to get a feel of affluent living in the 1700's; savouring the fine dining in its restaurant; relaxing in the gardens and grounds and taking advantage of the excellent spa.

Further afield

Middlethorpe Hall also provides travellers with a fine base for exploring York, visiting the National Trust properties in the area or taking in the outstanding natural beauty of the Yorkshire Dales.

Feeling at home in stately style

By Ann Mealor

As soon as you enter stately Middlethorpe Hall you feel at home, like the guest of wealthy family friends, arriving for a few days of garden walks, spa therapies and fine dining.

Middlethorpe Hall, as Ashley has written, is a handsome town house built in 1699 for the wealthy businessman, Thomas Barlow.

It has exceptionally tall ceilings and luxuriously draped sash windows, many with soft cushioned seats and fabulous views of the grounds.

A magnificent, sweeping, carved oak staircase lined with paintings of people past dominates the stone flagged entrance hall, and a wonderfully elegant and spacious lounge, the former Ballroom, is a place, where once comfortably settled on a squishy sofa, you just don't want to leave.

The snug yet stately Library, with its original fireplace and plenty of reading material, is also very inviting.

The house has many cosy nooks and crannies where you can tuck yourself away and relax with a good book, hot chocolate or a chilled glass of wine.

Set in 20 acres of very well-tended, picturesque gardens and parkland, yet close to the centre of historic York and the racecourse, this grand William and Mary manor with its period antiques and impressive ancestral portraits has been carefully restored to its former glory.

We were welcomed to Middlethorpe by Lionel, the General Manager and his friendly feline, Balou, who is never far from his side.

Except when he fancies a nap on his favourite chair in the Ballroom or is being spoiled with treats by the reception team.

Susie, an exceptionally fluffy house puss 'number two' showed only a mild interest in us until we commandeered her spot on the sofa, then she came and sat right behind our heads, like a cat cushion!

Full of history, tradition and old-world charm, Middlethorpe Hall feels loved and lived in and has a timeless character all of its own.

Our room

We were lucky enough to stay in the Lady Mary Suite, named after the most distinguished person to live at Middlethorpe.

A letter writer, poet traveller and pioneer of inoculation, Lady Mary Wortley Montague rented the manor whilst Thomas Barlow was away on his grand tour of Europe in 1713.

Our first-floor rooms, overlooking the lawns and Beech Avenue, had a real English feel with pink, patterned floral wallpaper, mahogany writing desk and green sofa.

An eclectic mix of paintings and etchings hung about the walls and there was a vase or pretty fresh flowers and a bowl of fruit from the garden on the coffee table.

Our hospitality tray was well stocked with tea, coffee, water and biscuits.

I always like fresh milk with my hot drinks and this was provided in a handy little cooler flask which was filled up each morning.

Slippers and fluffy bath robes hung the in the wardrobe and deliciously scented Penhaligon toiletries were waiting for me in the bathroom.

After a long drive, we put our feet up, the kettle on and sipped an Earl Grey whilst taking in the glorious views from our cosy window seat.

 Dining at Middlethorpe

The spacious, candlelit, oak panelled dining room with its large, open fireplace, crisp white tablecloths and polished silverware, is a wonderful setting for a special evening meal.

It has two AA rosettes and is worth dressing up for.

We had the three course Dinner Bill of Fare which began with canapes – a tasty surprise I always enjoy.

The bite sized cheese scones with bacon jam, truffle and chive cream and the puff pastries topped with celeriac mousse and pickled apple soon disappeared.

We then turned our attention to the warm Guiness and treacle bread which we spread thickly with herb butter.

Then came the starters, a superb smoked haddock velouté and halibut in an aromatic coconut and lemongrass bisque.

We scraped our bowls clean.

As I don't eat much meat at home due to Ashley being pescatarian and me being a poor chef, for mains I opted for the aged filet of beef, with tiny, crispy onion rings, hen of the wood (wild mushrooms) and nasturtium (delicate, edible flowers).

Each ingredient played its part perfectly to create a delicious whole.

Ashley chose a delicate, crispy skinned sea trout with watercress, horseradish, creamy tapioca and yuzu which gave the fish a zesty kick.

Dessert

Each course was just the right size to leave room for a dessert, which I really didn't want to miss.

I chose a smooth, bittersweet dark chocolate, coffee and walnut medley with a crispy honeycomb wafer and Ashley wend for the Bakewell Tart prettily decorated with a white chocolate sail, orange apricot coulis and tiny sprigs of green mint.

Both were a triumph and looked spectacular.

We rounded off our gourmet evening with coffee and petits fours in the lounge.

Afternoon Tea

Afternoon Tea at Middlethorpe makes for happy memories.

Sitting comfortably in the beautiful Ballroom a three-tiered cake stand filled with delectables was brought to our table.

A selection of generously laden and prettily topped open sandwiches of smoked salmon, egg mayonnaise and ham hock; slices of artisan apple and black pudding sausage roll and cheddar cheese scones with truffle mascarpone and chutney completed our savoury selection.

On the sweet side was a refreshing lemon posset, a rich tirami choux filled with mocha mousse and a ripe strawberry tart with crème patisserie and basil.

I didn't think we would, but we did eat everything in between sips of fragrant Earl Grey.It was one of the best afternoon teas I have had the pleasure of enjoying.

Breakfast

Served in the fine panelled Dining Room, breakfast is a very civilised affair.

After you have helped yourself to the selection of fruit, juice, yoghurt, cereal and home-baked pastries, you can then choose your main dish.

This can include smoked haddock and poached egg, pancakes and smoked bacon, Eggs Royal and best of all the full Yorkshire Breakfast.

This is a feast of Cumberland sausage, bacon, black pudding, eggs, mushrooms, tomato sauteed potatoes and fried bread.Whatever you choose, it will set you up for the day so you can forget about lunch!

The Spa at Middlethorpe

By Ann Mealor

The Spa at Middlethorpe is located opposite the Hall in stylishly refurbished, grade II listed Edwardian cottages.

It is a tranquil retreat and a real asset to Middlethorpe.

Fully equipped with a large indoor swimming pool, spa bath, steam room, sauna and gym it is a great place to unwind and relax.

Robes, slippers, towels and toiletries are all provided, so you can just slip in at your leisure.

The Spa also has three beauty salons with qualified therapists who offer a wide selection of facials, massages and wellbeing treatments.

Using Aromatherapy Associate products (a British brand that specialises in essential oils and natural ingredients) Michelle gave me a very therapeutic Utlitmate Rebalancing Facial.

The scent of the essential oils and botanicals, the heat from the warm face towels, the sound of soothing music and the gentle touch of the therapist all worked together to stimulate the senses and ease mind and body.

The treatment was so calming and relaxing that any stress or tension just oozed away.

My skin looked glowing and rejuvenated for days after. I now need another one!

The team at Middlethorpe Hall

I cannot write about Middlethorpe without mentioning the staff who were excellent in every area including reception, housekeeping and the restaurant.

Nothing was too much trouble for them and not only were they friendly and helpful, but they were knowledgeable too.

You couldn't ask for a better place to get away from it all and enjoy some rest and relaxation.

Whether you wanted to know about the history of the house, the best wines to go with your meal, the menu or gardens, they had the answers!

Where to go from Middlethorpe 

By Ashley Gibbins

For our short break at Middlethorpe Hall, and knowing of its link to the National Trust, we decided to visit Beningborough Hall and Nunnington Hall which are both an easy drive away.

Benningbrough

Beningbrough Hall is an elegant Baroque style Georgian mansion built in 1716 that sits in stunning landscaped gardens and parkland.

During the autumn and winter months, the first floor Reddihough Galleries host exhibitions by artists, museums and galleries along with works from the National Trust collections.

The 8-acres of gardens are gardens are a particular delight with formal lawns, flower borders and a working walled kitchen garden.

There is also a new Mediterranean Garden that has be 'designed for a changing climate' by award-winning garden designer Andy Sturgeon.

Andy has been working with the Trust on a long-term project on the gardens, and the Mediterranean Garden is the largest phase of his vision to open to date

A formerly underused grassed area now features over 4,000 herbaceous perennials, grasses, trees and shrubs from the world's Mediterranean climate zones.

Nunnington Hall

Nunnington Hall is a stunning example of a historic English manor house in a countryside setting.

The hall dates back to the 17th century and has undergone changes over the centuries that bring together Tudor and Jacobean styles.

A number of 'period rooms' are furnished with fine furniture and artwork and there is the astonishing Carlisle Collection of miniature rooms that capture a number of historical interiors in minute detail.

The gardens that surround Nunnington Hall include a walled garden featuring herbaceous borders, roses and an organic vegetable plot.

Had we had more time, we would also have taken in the Treasurers House in York and Goddards gardens, which are a very short drive from Middlethorpe Hall.

The Treasurers House

The Treasurers House in York dates back to the Middle Ages, and originally served as the residence for the treasurers of York Minster.

The building today largely dates from the 16th and 17th centuries and was then extensively re-modelled by Frank Green, an eccentric and wealthy industrialist, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

He was passionate about historic preservation and restored the house to showcase various periods of architectural and interior design.Tours now run between April and October to experience the house as he wanted it to, while from mid-November the house is dressed for Christmas.

Frank wanted small groups of visitors to enter his Treasurer's House by appointment, to 'marvel' at his eclectic collection and period rooms.

Goddards

Goddards is an historic house built in the 1920s for the Terry family, known for their chocolate-making business.

While the house itself is not open to the public, the gardens are and are divided into 'garden rooms' favoured by the Arts and Crafts garden style in the late 1920s.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/beningbrough/hall-at-beningbrough

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/nunnington-hall/the-hall-at-nunnington

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/treasurers-house-york/things-to-see-and-do-in-the-house-at-treasurers-house

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/goddards/explore-the-garden-at-goddards

Historic House Hotels

Historic House Hotels was founded in 1979 to rescue and restore run-down country houses.

Through careful restoration, the houses and gardens have been brought back to life as historically accurate, yet contemporary hotels.

In 2008, the hotels were given to the National Trust to ensure their long-term protection.All hotel profits go back into the National Trust's conservation of special places.

In addition to Middlethorpe Hall, the other two properties in the Historic House Hotels portfolio are :

Hartwell House

Hartwell House, one of England's finest stately homes, sits in 90 majestic acres of landscaped parkland.

It is located two miles west of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire and about an hours drive from central London.

This truly majestic country house has been welcoming guests for centuries, including Louis XVIII, the exiled King of France who set up his Court here, away from the Napoleonic Wars, between 1809 and 1814.

Today, Hartwell House is a hotel offering guests the same high standard of hospitality in a setting that is a world away from the strains and stresses of modern day living.

Accommodation comes in the main house itself or in converted cottage suites.

www.hartwell-house.com

Bodysgallen Hall

The Grade 1 listed Bodysgallen Hall is a country house located near to the North Wales seaside resort of Llandudno.

Dating back to 1620, the tower at Bodysgallen was built as a watchtower for the low-lying Conwy castle

Today, Bodysgallen Hall sits in splendid formal gardens and among some 200 acres of parkland.

It still offers fine views of the Castle and Snowdonia beyond.

The Hall has a 3 AA Rosette restaurant and spa with its 50ft swimming pool, treatment rooms, steam room and sauna.

Between 1720's and 1743 an idyllic classical garden was created with, statues, obelisks and canals and this legacy can be enjoyed today.

www.bodysgallen.com

Read more : https://www.allwaystraveller.com/continents/europe/history-abounds-in-this-very-english-stately-home

Read more : https://www.allwaystraveller.com/continents/europe/lasting-memories-in-long-cherished-bodysgallen

​ www.middlethorpe.com