Fast Forward to Spring and Summer at Middlethorpe Hall in York

A historic 300-year old red brick and limestone house, influenced by Sir Christopher Wren, set in 20 acres of gardens and parkland, Middlethorpe Hall is an award-winning country house hotel. One of three Historic House Hotels of the National Trust, it 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. 

Spring and summer offer ideal conditions to explore over 20 acres of award-winning gardens and parkland at the hotel. The 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.

To the west of the kitchen garden is the Rose Garden its wide stone path lined with lavender. The kitchen garden links through to the walled White Garden planted with white flowering plants such as Wisteria Floribunda and Agapanthus Campanulatus Albus below. This then leads into the Spring Garden and then the park and arboretum, eventually through to a lake surrounded by a glade of trees.

Book in this spring and summer and enjoy the following six moments at Middlethorpe Hall and in York: 

• Explore the gardens at Middlethorpe Hall and look for a very special blue plaque celebrating a pioneer gardener. Fanny Wilkinson (1855-1951) was the eldest child of Dr Matthew Wilkinson, a leading physician. As Fanny explained, ‘When my father died [in 1878] we went to live at our own place, near York [Middlethorpe], and there I began to devote myself to gardening in a practical way’. Fanny Wilkinson was one of the first women to make a professional career as a landscape gardener. She laid out Vauxhall Park in London for the Kyrle Society, a ‘Society for the Diffusion of Beauty’ among the urban poor. The Society was founded by Octavia Hill’s sister, Miranda, and was an important forerunner of the National Trust.

• 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. A famous literary bluestocking, she was known for her outspoken opinions on women’s rights. When they were published, her letters caused a sensation. Today her portraits are held in London’s National Gallery.

• Enjoy the best of country house dining, awarded 2 AA Rosettes and having twice won ‘Restaurant of the Year’ in the Visit York awards, dine in the panelled dining rooms overlooking the gardens or al fresco on the south-facing terrace. Head Chef Ashley Binder is a passionate, experienced and talented Yorkshireman who has created modern British dishes celebrating local and national produce. 

• Head into the city of York and discover one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, a masterpiece in stained glass and stone and a sacred space. York Minster was built for the glory of God and this is reflected in every aspect of this ancient building, from the exquisite handcrafted stone through to the unrivalled collection of medieval stained glass.

• Discover the Shambles, one of York’s most famous landmarks. 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. 

• Take the train without taking the train at The National Railway Museum which is located in the centre of York just 2.7 miles from Middlethorpe Hall. Built up over the past 80 years, the collection has over 100 locomotives and nearly 200 other items of rolling stock, telling the story of the railway from the early C19th to today. 

Compact and beautiful, York provides numerous interesting, sometimes hidden, sites that are easily reached and seen by walking making this a perfect destination for a short break especially over the warmer months. Book in now to glorious Middlethorpe Hall – to celebrate spring and summer. 

www.middlethorpe.com Middlethorpe Hall, York, Yorkshire, YO23 2GB
B&B is priced from £289 per room, per night based on two guests sharing