16 April 2004
Middlethorpe Hall is a William and Mary country house, built in 1699 of mellow red brick with limestone dressings, for Thomas Barlow, a master cutler from Sheffield. It was bought in the 1980s and reopened as a luxury hotel, Restaurant and Spa in 1984, rescued from decay, caringly and lovingly restored by Historic House Hotels.
The restoration, conservation and conversion into a country house hotel has been carried out to exacting and historically accurate standards. It 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 manor house rather than a 29 bedroom Hotel (ten rooms and suites in the house, nineteen in the adjacent 18th Century courtyard).
The 20 acres of manicured gardens and parkland which surround Middlethorpe Hall are also the result of a transformation - from a rose bed and nettles to a parterre that now includes a fragrant rose garden, intriguing walled garden and romantic meadow which leads to a lake surrounded by beautiful specimen trees. There is also a ha'ha.
Middlethorpe Hall is renowned for its imaginative cuisine (awarded three rosettes by the AA) and its panelled dining rooms which overlook the manicured gardens. It also boasts a Spa built behind the handsome facade of two listed Edwardian cottages. This offers guests a range of facilities from Clarins, Molton Brown and E'SPA treatments with trained therapists to a splendid swimming pool and sauna.
To celebrate 20 years of excellence, Middlethorpe Hall is offering a tempting two-night Champagne package, which includes, early morning tea, full English breakfast, three-course dinner use of the Spa, service and VAT and a welcoming bottle of Champagne from £120.00 per person per night!
Middlethorpe Hall, like its sister hotels Hartwell House in Aylesbury and Bodysgallen Hall near Llandudno, has achieved a graceful transition from country house to first-class hotel without losing its character. Indeed, Historic House Hotels are now the yardstick by which others must be judged.
Join us soon in celebrating our 20 jubilant years.
A few of the Awards Middlethorpe Hall has received since opening:
2004 Yorkshire Life Magazine "Hotel of the Year 2003-2004"
1999 RAC Gold Ribbon Award*
1996 3 AA Rosettes for Food*
1996 Johansens Award for 'Most Excellent Business Meeting Venue'
1992 2 AA Rosettes for Food*
1991 Hideaway Guide (USA)
1988 Design Award for BTA Commended Hotel
1988 RAC Blue Ribbon Award*
1984 Automobile Association (three red stars)*
Awarded in consecutive years
To book your Champagne package, please call 01904 641 241 and quote Champagne Package, for other offers please see www.middlethorpe.com.
Mary Bird
Tel: 020 8690 9677
Mobile 07976 840 964
Email: mary@marybird.net
Note to Editor
Middlethorpe Hall, Hotel, Restaurant and Spa is privately owned by Historic House Hotels and is part of Relais & Chateaux
Middlethorpe Hall, Bishopthorpe Road, York, YO23 2GB, tel 01904 641241, www.middlethorpe.com
If you would like to review the hotel, please contact mary@marybird.net as visits can often be arranged.
For more PR information or pictures, please contact Mary Bird, 0208 690 9677 or mary@marybird.net.
What else happened in 1984?
A massive fire devastated large parts of York Minster causing an estimated £1m damage.
Prince Henry, better known as Harry was born
Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister
The Filofax became a status symbol
The 130th Boat Race was postponed due to the Cambridge vessel being in collision with a barge and sank.
O' Levels were replaced by GCSE's
Pound notes disappeared and pound coins were introduced
The half penny coin was taken out of circulation
Terminator was on at the cinema
Do they know it's Christmas was number 1 by Band Aid
Cabbage Patch toys hit the shops
Dungeons and Dragons became the cult game
