A Spring Break in York staying at Country House Hotel Middlethorpe Hall
York is full of hidden gems, with many easy to discover on foot and spring is the ideal time to book a mini break in this charming city. Visitors can discover the city’s ancient past from small attractions to various National Trust properties and stay at Middlethorpe Hall, the city’s leading country house hotel, also part of the National Trust.
A fantastic starting point is the Shambles Market in the very heart of York. A centre of trade since Roman times, York still excels at providing retail therapy for shopaholics of every type. The range of unique independent and designer shops are intertwined with world-class attractions, pedestrianised streets and peaceful havens, so shopping and sightseeing are easily combined. Shops in the city centre boast an array of unique items from heraldic art to souvenirs, unusual books, antiques and designer clothes.
Explore one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals York Minster – a masterpiece in stained glass and stone. Then visit Treasurer’s House, located behind York Minster. This is a house of artistic and historic surprises including ceramics, textiles and paintings from a 300-year period, collected by Frank Green.
One of York’s defining features, the City Walls make for a brilliant spring walk. At 3.4 kilometres long, these beautifully preserved structures are the longest medieval town walls in England. A walk around the entirety of the remaining walls takes about two hours, and there is a great deal to see along the way.
For those with a sweet tooth, discover York’s Chocolate Story. Some of the world’s best-known names in chocolates originate from York – Rowntree created Kit-Kat, Smarties and Aero; Terry’s invented the Chocolate Orange and the All Gold Collection; and Cravens are famous for their French Almonds and Mary-Ann Toffees. An easy 35-minute walk from Middlethorpe Hall to the centre of the city will allow guests to discover some iconic places related to York’s chocolate history. Head to Goddards – a hidden garden spread over five-acres overlooking York Racecourse.
Then it is time to discover Middlethorpe Hall, a historic 300-year old red brick and limestone house, influenced by Sir Christopher Wren. The hotel is set in 20 acres of gardens and parkland which come alive in spring. Middlethorpe Hall offers 29 individually decorated bedrooms and suites, a two AA Rosette restaurant and a boutique spa with its own indoor pool. All this within just 10 minutes drive of the centre of York meaning guests can combine time in the city and also head back to a countryside setting.
The award-winning gardens have been extensively restored and replanted since the property was acquired in 1980. There are many specimen trees, including a Cedar al Lebanon on the main lawn, a mature Red Oak in the Spring Garden, and a Turkey Oak all of which remain from the original garden. The enchanting walled kitchen garden produces not only a beautiful display of flowering shrubs, magnificent herbaceous borders but holds herb beds and has been planted for fruit: apples, pears, plums, peaches and greengages, all of which are used by the hotel’s chef to create wonderful puddings. The main feature of the walled kitchen garden is a mellow brick Dovecote, dating back to 1681 and rescued from dereliction in 1980, now used as a wine cellar.
The restaurant at Middlethorpe Hall offers a true Yorkshire dining experience. With a tranquil vista over award-winning gardens, the dining rooms provide the perfect setting for candlelit dinners. Several menus are available in the evening. The extensive ‘Wine List’ has been awarded “AA Notable Wine List” since 2015 and features a wide variety of wines from both the old and new worlds.
Ashley Binder has been Head Chef at Middlethorpe Hall since 2016. He started at the hotel in 2008 as Chef de Partie and was rapidly promoted to Sous Chef. Ashley is a passionate and talented Yorkshireman being part of the hotel’s restaurant team that secured two rosettes by the AA. Ashley works with local farmers, fishmongers and butchers to secure the freshest, seasonal and local produce throughout the year. Ashley also works with the hotel’s gardening team to make full use of the fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables organically grown in the walled garden’s ‘Potager’.
Middlethorpe Hall is exceptionally proud of its links with suffragist garden designer Fanny Wilkinson (1855–1951). She lived in the house with her family, and it was where she became passionate about gardening. In 2024, the hotel unveiled a York Civic Trust Blue Plaque in the walled garden to celebrate her achievements. Fanny’s inspiration is still going strong.
Lady Mary Wortley-Montagu occupies a very special place in the hearts of everyone at Middlethorpe Hall. Back in the 18th-century, the Grade II-listed house was the private residence of Georgian aristocrat, Lady Mary, with her politician husband and young son. Today the Lady Mary suite is named after her. A large painting of Lady Mary greets guests as they ascend the magnificent staircase of the house.
For those looking to extend a stay, a visit to the North York Moors National Park is a must. Visit York describe the national park as follows “The North York Moors National Park is one of the UK’s most extraordinary places, the 554 square miles of countryside, open heather moorland and rugged coast are worth exploring. From rolling panoramas and big skies to enchanting forests and idyllic dales, there’s a sense of peace and tranquillity here that’s hard to beat – and all this just 20 miles or so north of York.”
Spring is the perfect time to get outdoors and explore the beautiful city of York staying at Middlethorpe Hall.
Middlethorpe Hall, York, Yorkshire, YO23 2GB
B&B is priced from £289 per room, per night based on two guests sharing
Traditional afternoon tea is priced from £39.50 per person
Seasonal dinner menu is priced £66 for two courses and £85 for three courses
