Middlethorpe Hall & Spa

Middlethorpe Hall is a fine, living example of England's William and Mary country houses, thus named for the style popularized during the reign of King William III and Queen Mary II. The hall and estate were established in 1698 by Thomas Barlow, a wildly prosperous cutler who sought to move up in society. Middlethorpe gained fame in the 18th century as the estate of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, the esteemed writer and social campaigner who is credited with introducing inoculation to Britain. Another notable owner was Fanny Rollo Wilkinson during the 19th century, recognized as the first professional landscaper in the United Kingdom.

Like many great halls, Middlethorpe changed hands several times and later became a boarding school for girls. In the 1970s, it gained both fame and notoriety as the nightclub Brummels. Before falling further into neglect, it was saved by Historic House Hotels Ltd. in 1980 and underwent immediate restoration. In 2008, the group partnered with the National Trust to ensure the continued operation, protection, and preservation of Middlethorpe Hall along with their other properties, Bodysgallen Hall and Hartwell House.

When Middlethorpe Hall was being built in 1698, Thomas Barlow envisioned his property to join the many beautiful manors of the era, and thus was built in what we now call the William and Mary country house style. The foremost architect of this age was Sir Christopher Wren, whose works inspired the design of Middlethorpe Hall, including its materials and overall aesthetics. Much like Wren's Hampton Court, Middlethorpe was built in a symmetrical arrangement, with a vibrant red brick facade featuring white sash windows and stone quoins. These are then topped by a hipped slate roof with prominent chimneys, also symmetrically aligned to the rest of the structure.

For its interiors, the hall features rooms rich with period details. The entrance area is fitted with stone-flagged flooring and a marble fireplace, immediately evoking an 18th-century ambiance. The staircase is another section of the manor with an impressive ambiance, boasting dramatic checkered tiles, an intricate Corinthian column for support, smooth wood railings, and fluted column balusters with carved bases. As for decor and furnishings, Middlethorpe blends classic paintings and photographs with comfortable contemporary furnishings, creating an image and atmosphere that is both refined and lived-in.

Restaurant

The dining experience at Middlethorpe Hall is mainly set in two venues, the Oak Room and the Pineapple Room. Head Chef Ashley Binder leads the kitchen and formulates the menus, achieving with his team two AA Rosettes from The AA motoring association.

Guests have a plethora of options when they dine, all made with local ingredients and seasonal pickings. The Gourmet Tasting is perfect for a group looking to enjoy the refined dishes and specialties of Middlethorpe Hall. For a more familiar yet elevated evening, the dinner menu offers two-course and three-course meals. Various menus are also available throughout the day, including cheeseboards and Afternoon Tea services. Lastly, don't miss out on the British tradition of Sunday Roast, which is also served here at Middlethorpe Hall.

Opening hours:
Breakfast:
Weekdays: 7:30 am - 9:30 am
Weekends & Bank Holidays: 8 am - 10 am
Luncheon:
Saturday and Sunday: 12:30 pm - 1:45 pm
Afternoon Tea:
Monday to Friday: 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm 
Saturday and Sunday: 3 pm to 5:30 pm
Dinner:
Daily: 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm (from 1st April onwards, last orders at 8:30 pm)

Breakfast

Aside from the breakfast served at Middlethorpe's restaurant, the hotel also has a special Yorkshire Breakfast prepared fresh just for you. It comes in two varieties: Continental Breakfast and Full English Cooked Breakfast. The Continental option includes fresh juices, your choice of cereals, porridge, yoghurts, and fresh fruit. You'll also be greeted with a basket of fresh pastries and bread, along with toast and preserves. Choosing Yorkshire, on the other hand, lets you enjoy eggs prepared in your desired method, grilled bacon, and local pork sausage. These are complemented by roasted vine tomatoes, sautéed field mushrooms, and pan-fried black and white pudding.

Availability:
Monday to Friday: 7:30 am – 9:30 am
Saturday & Sunday: 8 am – 10 am
Bank Holiday, York Race Day: 8 am – 10 am

Seasonal Luncheon

Head Chef Ashley Binder also carefully plans seasonal lunch menus, letting guests enjoy the flavors of North Yorkshire's fine produce. Aside from sourcing from partner growers, the recipes also incorporate vegetables, herbs, and fruits grown directly at the estate's garden. Dishes are made to match the season, so expect festive items if you're visiting around Christmas, or some vividly romantic flavors during Valentine's.

Availability:
Saturday & Sunday: 12:30 pm - 1:45 pm

Let Middlethorpe Hall be where you'll start your Happily Ever After. Use the grand estate as the backdrop of your destination wedding; they welcome celebrations of all sorts of sizes, from intimate ceremonies with your closest loved ones to a grand wedding bash with over a hundred guests. The hotel will attach a dedicated events team to assist you with this momentous occasion, letting you enjoy the excitement and joy as they'll be handling the logistics and coordination.

Middlethorpe Hall has a variety of venues that can be configured for your special day. The Upstairs Sitting Room is perfect for intimate gatherings of up to 12 guests, while the Dovecote in the garden boasts a scenic and verdant semi-outdoor setting for up to 20 attendees. If you're expecting more, the Barlow Room can accommodate 56, and other venues such as the South Terrace and the Grill Room also become available. For a grand, private event, however, Middlethorpe Hall is available for exclusive hires, letting you reserve the whole estate just for the big day.

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

A holiday involves leisure in its many forms, and Middlethorpe Hall does its best to ensure guests can enjoy themselves as much as they desire. The estate features its very own signature spa, set within the historic Edwardian cottages in the gardens. Book a therapy session in one of the rooms, ranging from simple facials to full-day experiences. They also offer a variety of signature treatments, such as the Yorkshire Rose Garden Ritual or the Forest Therapy Treatment. There's also an on-site gym, equipped with a variety of exercise machines and workout equipment. You can even sign up for the Middlethorne Spa Club to take advantage of free aqua-fit lessons.

Travelers looking to enjoy the UK's many historic cities can also look into the Historic House Hotels Heritage Tour. The package lets them stay in the brand's three heritage hotels around the UK: Middlethorpe Hall in York, Hartwell House in Buckinghamshire, and Bodysgallen Hall in Llandudno. The package is bundled with complimentary access to all National Trust properties, as well as hotel credits for the spas, bars, and restaurants. And when you do stay at Middlethorpe, be sure to also catch the hotel's seasonal events, ranging from garden tours during the warmer months, themed holiday dinners, and on-site performances.

Once you're ready to be out and about, you'll find that there's a whole city to explore. York was first established as Eboracum all the way back in 71 AD, during the time of Roman Britain, making it one of the oldest cities in the country. It boasts a long and multi-faceted heritage, and has even been influenced by the Vikings when they conquered the region and made it their primary stronghold in Britain. You can find out more by filling your itinerary with museums such as the JORVIK Viking Centre, the Yorkshire Museum, and the York Roman Bath Museum.

York's historic streets and buildings are also quite popular as shooting locations for TV and movie productions. Barley Hall, for example, is a medieval Great Hall where the series Wolf Hall was shot, offering tours and activities. The worldwide hit series Downton Abbey also had many of its stories take place in York, with scenes shot in places such as Harewood House and Wentworth Woodhouse. Similarly, fans of Harry Potter shouldn't miss a visit to the historic shopping streets of The Shambles, which became Diagon Alley in the movies.

Guests who wish to celebrate a special day or hold a conference at Middlethorpe Hall will be assisted by a dedicated team led by an experienced event coordinator. They will do their utmost in finding out the best package and venue for the event, as well as iron out details such as the layout, equipment, and personnel hire. Besides functions and presentations, the hotel also hosts banquets and private dinners, perfect for reunions, bereavements, and anniversaries.

Some of the event venues available are:

The Boardroom - A small meeting room with antique furniture and paintings. Capacity: 10 guests

The Pineapple Room - A vibrant dining room used by the restaurant, but can also accommodate meetings and banquets. Capacity: 22 guests

The Barlow Room - The main dining hall of the restaurant, filled with historic details. Capacity: 45 guests