Great British Boltholes: At the Doll’s House Middlethorpe Hall near York, where service is enthusiastic and guests relax in exquisitely detailed rooms
- Middlethorpe Hall is one of three mansions belonging to the National Trust’s Historic House Hotels group
- The 29 rooms and suites offer “old-fashioned country house splendor” with four-poster beds and antique furniture
- The evening menu is “short and confident”, with traditional products used in dishes such as Whitby Crab Salad
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At first glance, Middlethorpe Hall, a fine example of William and Mary’s architecture, meets all the criteria you can expect from a National Trust property. The red brick facade is so pretty it would make the perfect doll’s house. The pristine south lawn heralds a lake beyond the herb’s boundaries and walled gardens full of roses, irises and peonies.
The hotel, two miles from York city center, is one of only three mansions owned by the Trust’s Historic House Hotels group – hotels that have been restored to their former glory and whose profits will benefit the Trust.
Service in Middlethorpe is taken seriously and guests are greeted by impeccably uniformed staff and baggage-cleared before they even reach the entrance.
As pretty as a doll’s house, Middlethorpe Hall is one of three mansions belonging to the National Trust’s Historic House Hotels group
Such behavior in other counties might feel stuffy, but here it is delivered with Yorkshire zest, while General Manager Lionel brings French flair to the process.
As you walk through the stone flag entrance hall and the carved oak staircase, you will smell the scent of floral arrangements before entering a paneled drawing room. Middlethorpe’s exquisite detail means that the color schemes, art, and antiques all date from the 18th and 19th centuries.
The brightly paneled drawing room is filled with floral arrangements and art from the 18th and 19th centuries
The 29 rooms and suites offer “old-fashioned country house splendor” with four-poster beds and antique furniture
There is a real sense of history in the dining room, with its original paneling and candlelit settings, while quiet couples (of all ages) enjoy local produce. And on race days in York, Middlethorpe offers a welcome retreat from the hilarious crowds on the track. The charming terrace is perfect for tea or drinks.
And that’s why friends in York rate Middlethorpe as their trusted place for special family occasions. Make no mistake about it: this is a bustling place for guests and locals alike.
A world class program of events – from the wine club to cooking demonstrations – will no doubt return in time. The spa in two former Edwardian cottages is a treat for the time being.
The USP: A historic house in top condition.
The food: The evening menu (£ 45 for three courses) is short and confident. Traditional produce is used by Chef Ashley Binder for robust dishes. On Yorkshire Day – August 1st – he rustled Whitby crab salad, salt-ripened Yorkshire duck and Yorkshire quark cake.
The rooms: A friendly atmosphere permeates the 29 rooms and suites, which offer old-fashioned country house splendor with four-poster beds. The converted suites with stable block are more accessible and have a kitchenette and living room. Buttermilk-walled bedrooms are carefully decorated with dressing tables, button-facing chairs, and botanical prints.
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