Front entrance of Middlethorpe Hall, York.

This fall, my husband and I had the great fortune to stay at Middlethorpe Hall, one of three National Trust UK’s country house hotels. Middllethorpe Hall is just a few miles outside of downtown York; the other two National Trust hotels are located in North Wales and Aylesbury, the latter being about an hour from London. All three hotels were acquired by the National Trust by donation.

As members of the Royal Oak Foundation, we were entitled to a discount for our stay at the hotel. If you are American, travel to the UK and enjoy visiting National Trust sites, I urge you to check out the benefits of membership here.

We had traveled from London to York by train, and easily found a taxi at the York station to make the short trip to the hotel. We were graciously greeted by Mark, shown above, and told upon checking in that we had been “upgraded” to a superior room. Our room, it turns out, was gorgeous. No complaints here!

View from our room at Middlethorpe Hall of the back lawn.

The beautiful room was just the beginning. The original Hall was constructed between 1699 and 1701, and there were wings added on either side of the central portion in 1750. In addition to the rooms in the main house, there are rooms in the adjacent 18th century courtyard. There’s also a spa on the property.

To my mind, there are several highlights to staying at Middlethorpe Hall. On the main floor is the quintessential English drawing room, with comfy sofas and easy chairs where you can nestle in and enjoy afternoon tea, a pre- or post-dinner cocktail, or just read one of the many papers or magazines made available.

Pimm’s Cup. Classic.

Time to draw the drapes.

In the formal dining room, elegant lunches, teas and dinners are served. Breakfast is also served in this and an adjacent dining room.

Beef fillet, Yorkshire-style.

The Hall has a beautiful carved oak staircase with fluted and and foliated balusters, which is supported by a Corinthian column.

Behind the Hall is an extensive walled garden, a rose garden, and a number of specimen trees. During our visit, we saw espaliered fruit trees laden with ripe apples and pears, including those growing along this trellis.

Insect house at Middlethorpe Hall.

View from walled garden towards 18th century courtyard.

The rear of the Hall, facing the lawn/garden. Note the stone eagle atop the Hall, which is the family crest of the original owner, Thomas Barlow.

Another cozy sitting area on the first floor.

View from rear, or north door through to front.

The engaging and friendly Mark. on staff at Middlethorpe Hall.

A rainy Yorkshire day did not dampen our enthusiasm for our stay at Middlethorpe Hall!

If you’re interested in staying at MIddlethorpe, click here to go to the Web site. There’s a lovely video that pops up on the home page. (Our friend Mark is featured in the beginning!) I enthusiastically recommend staying here if you are visiting York or North Yorkshire.