Hotel Snapshot
When it comes to the UK’s best country house hotels, the North of England is too often overlooked in favor of The Cotswolds’ honey-hued swagger or Cornwall’s breathtaking coastline. But for those willing to venture a little farther, North Yorkshire’s Middleton Lodge Estate offers a compelling counterpoint. Sprawling across 200 acres of rambling parkland and rolling meadow, the estate has been thoughtfully transformed from owner James Allison’s childhood home into the destination hotel it is today.
Design & Character
While the manor house at the heart of the estate primarily serves as a wedding venue, the hotel’s bedrooms stretch across the original dairy and coach house, along with sweet shepherd’s huts and cottages within the blossoming walled gardens. All have been carefully designed by creative director Rebecca Tappin: think exposed brickwork, low-slung beams and farmhouse-style furnishings in muted, earthy tones that nod to the surrounding landscape. Expect squashy armchairs to sprawl across, generous flat-screen TVs, and coffee stations stocked with homemade flapjacks (I immediately scoffed these upon checking in, and noted that they were generously topped up the next day). Of all the bedrooms, it’s the Dairy Suites that steal the show, and are worth splashing out for: these feature rose-ringed private terraces and outdoor hot tubs large enough to swim laps in.
Food & Drink
Being somewhat of a foodie destination, the hotel proudly embodies an ‘estate-to-plate’ ethos across both of its restaurants, with most produce either grown on site or supplied locally; it’s not uncommon to spy chefs wandering the walled gardens, plucking handfuls of fresh herbs. The Coach House, the beating heart of the estate, is an all-day affair, serving everything from weekend brunch to afternoon tea. Wake up to homemade granolas, locally-churned yogurts and fresh fruit, before breakfast slowly segues into lunch. The all-day menu almost overwhelms with choice, offering seasonally-led vegetarian dishes that are just as impressive and comforting as the meat and fish options. Creamy soups are mopped up with crumbly cheese scones, while beautifully executed vegetable-led plates (think roasted carrots served on a swoosh of labneh) are among the highlights. Of the many times I’ve eaten here - and I’ve visited at least four times over the last five years - I’ve never eaten anything that’s less than delicious. For something a little fancier, dine on exquisite Michelin-starred tasting menus at The Forge, the estate’s standout restaurant led by a hyper-seasonal approach.
Amenities
Aside from wining and dining, the estate’s Forest Spa is worth carving out ample time for - and is, quite simply, one of the most underrated in the UK. Access is limited to just sixteen guests at a time (you’ll need to book your visit in advance), guaranteeing that the space is never swamped, and always totally serene. Set deep within the woodland, a clutch of light-filled lounges open up onto a heated pool. Circuit through the sauna, steam room, and cold plunge before heading to the private treatment huts tucked among the trees. It’s here that you can sink into soothing therapies, from two-hour-long facials to bathing rituals and body wraps that will leave you feeling entirely reborn. There’s a light-filled relaxation room for retreating to afterwards, where you’ll be plied with herbal teas and homemade snacks.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
Between the duo of restaurants, cocooning spa, and walled gardens (these are well worth a ramble, especially if you’re visiting during the summer months, when they explode in kaleidoscopic colour), there’s little reason to leave the estate during your stay. But if you do, you’ll find it ideally placed on the cusp of the Yorkshire Dales, with plenty of hiking routes spanning out in all directions. It’s not the easiest journey here from London - especially if you’re traveling by car - but treat it as a road trip and stop over in Malton en route (often dubbed the food capital of Yorkshire) or historic York for a wander through The Shambles.
Fast Facts
Location: Kneeton Ln, Middleton Tyas, Richmond, DL10 6NJ, England
Rating: 5-star
Room rate: 329 USD
The vibe: Cosy-chic country escape with soothing spa and farm-to-fork dining
Room Count: 58 rooms and suites
Our Favorite Thing: The serene spa (in our opinion, one of the most underrated in the UK)
7 Main Amenities: (no booking.com page exists - please advise)
Closest Airport: Newcastle International Airport - 49 miles / 50 minutes
Richmond, England
