Walk York, one of England’s most beautiful historic cities and stay at Middlethorpe Hall

Award-winning Historic House Hotel Middlethorpe Hall, part of the National Trust, is the ideal hotel to stay at to combine a York city and countryside experience. Compact and beautiful, York provides numerous interesting, sometimes hidden, sites that are easily reached and seen by walking making this a perfect autumn / winter destination for a short break. 

One of York’s defining features, the City Walls make for a brilliant 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. The city walls provide stunning cityscape views of York, as well as sight of the city’s wondrous and varied architecture. This includes both the current and former railway stations, York Art Gallery, King’s Manor, a glimpse of Holgate’s five sailed windmill, and a distant Terry’s factory. 

Book Lovers York While walking the over 2000 years old medieval city walls visitors can hear the bells of the iconic York Minster, just as Grace Trewe did in ‘Times Echo’ by Pamela Hartshorne. York Minster’s library is also one of the oldest in the country, it includes the York Gospels-over a thousand years old and still used today. Stained-glass windows were also the medieval equivalent of a book, making stories from the Bible accessible for their congregations; York Minster’s Great East Window is the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the country, a masterpiece in glass and stone depicting the beginning and end of all things.

Shambles is 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. Shops in the city centre boast an array of unique items from heraldic art to handcrafted souvenirs, unusual books, antiques and designer clothes. 

The streets surrounding York Minster, King’s Manor and St William’s College are steeped in an unmistakeable intellectual, academic atmosphere.

Explore Middlethorpe Hall, a unique hotel offering a memorable stay: 

• The Parkland – spend a few hours exploring National Trust gardens 

Middlethorpe Hall is set within 20 acres of gardens and parkland, which have been extensively restored and replanted since the 1980’s. Walks were re-created with urns providing eye catchers and paths allowing guests to discover wildlife including roe deer, beehives and various nesting birds around the lake. Guests are enticed to explore and enjoy these walks and later return to order drinks and light dishes on the South facing terrace, whilst appreciating the magnificent views over the South lawn. This is the ideal spot for sunset. 

• Specimen Trees – many trees encourage biodiversity and offer shade 

Guests can follow a special tree trail around the grounds of Middlethorpe Hall, with a copy of their ‘The Gardens and Trees of Interest’ Guide and Map, to identify prize specimens, from a Deodar Cedar and a Turkey Oak Tree to a Tulip Tree. Guests should head toward the English Oak; a tree planted some 200 years ago. From here they can enjoy spectacular views of Middlethorpe Hall whilst enjoying the sunshine. 

• The Spa – total relaxation in a boutique setting 

Built behind the façade of two listed Edwardian cottages, Middlethorpe Spa is home to three treatment rooms, an indoor swimming pool, spa bath, steam room, sauna and club room. In the summer, spa guests can also unwind before or after a treatment outside on the private terrace. 

• Afternoon Tea – tradition at its best 

This perfect treat of dainty finger sandwiches, home-made scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, a selection of home-made seasonal pastries and slices of assorted cakes is served every day. Served between 2.30 pm and 5.30 pm, in the 18th Century Drawing Room facing the south lawn, this is a wonderful experience to enjoy throughout the year. 

• Dinner – award-winning British cuisine 

The 1699 oak panelled dining room provides the perfect setting to enjoy the contemporary take on traditional British food. Head Chef Ashley Binder’s carefully designed dinner ‘Tasting Menu’ with paired wines offers a gourmet experience, while dishes are individually priced on the ‘a la carte’ dinner menu. 

• Lady Mary Wortley Montagu – famous 18th century diarist lived at Middlethorpe Hall – view a painting in the hotel. 
• Fanny Wilkinson – first female landscape gardener in the UK lived at Middlethorpe Hall – find the new blue plaque in the gardens. 

• Stay the Night – more than just a hotel 

Middlethorpe Hall has been elegantly decorated in the manner of the 18th Century and furnished with antiques and fine paintings, so that its look and ambiance is that of a well-kept, well-furnished private country house rather than a 29 bedroom Hotel (ten rooms and suites in the house, and nineteen in the adjacent 18th Century courtyard). A stay here will be memorable for a long time.

Middlethorpe Hall welcomes families with children over six years of age and selected rooms also welcome dogs by prior consent.

Historic House Hotels and all its interest in the three Historic House Hotels became the property of the National Trust in 2008, by donation, with all profits henceforward benefiting the houses and the charity. This means that every stay at Middlethorpe Hall supports the National Trust. 

www.middlethorpe.com
Middlethorpe Hall, York, Yorkshire, YO23 2GB
B&B priced from £245 per room per night