Hotel Review: Middleton Lodge Estate, North Yorkshire
We walk past the resident ducks as we hear the lock click open to our room before pushing open the large arch door. This is our second time staying at the elegant Middleton Lodge and the room that we have booked on this occasion boasts a snug seating area with a fireplace and a large outdoor hot tub to while away the afternoon. Only a 2.5-hour train journey from London the estate is home to a romantic walled garden, outdoor pool, self-catering cottages and two excellent restaurants.
Aesthetic + Interiors
The estate is split into three areas which include the Forge and dairy cottages, the walled gardens and orchard and the main house. The Main House, a Georgian Palladian mansion, was built in 1708 and is available to book for weddings and private events. Decorated to suit the property the scheme evokes sophistication and elegance through its use of traditional furnishings, colour palettes and finishes. The central cream and pea-green entrance hall has a dramatic sweeping gallery staircase which leads to the bar, lounge, dining, games and drawing room. Chairs are a classic dark red mahogany with curved legs and tables decorated with a scattering of chinaware such as vases, urns and figurines. The house also contains 16 bedrooms but are only available for guests attending a private event.
More to my taste and available to book are the rooms around the walled gardens, orchard and dairy. These have all been individually designed by the owners themselves using a combination of reclaimed materials, new items and antiques that have been given a new lease of life. On our visit in March, we stayed in one of the dairy hot tub rooms which, very luxuriously, contained a cosy sitting area with a fireplace, kingsize bed, the largest copper bathtub I have ever seen and a huge outdoor jacuzzi. The scheme within this area of the property is a combination of shaker meets farmhouse style but with a light contemporary colour pallet and muted patterns. Sanitary items are victorian inspired and rooms contain a double sink with toiletries provided.
The head gardeners' cottage is the only room with direct access to the walled gardens. Similar furnishings but a deeper colour palette the rooms around this area of the property are slightly smaller but are perfect for guests attending a wedding in the Fig house. Just next door the newly built shepherd huts have a traditional cottage painted in rich greens with foliage-inspired wallpapers. All guest rooms regardless of size are tastefully decorated appropriately to the style of the building with a cosy English countryside feel.
Food + Drink
The main focus of both restaurants at Middleton Lodge is sustainable sourcing while highlighting the best of British ingredients. This also means that menus are continuously rotating with creative seasonal changes from the ocean, land and garden. Middleton Lodge is lucky enough to have two restaurants on site. The original Coach House sits next to reception and is open from breakfast through to dinner serving what is described as an 'estate to plate' menu. The newer restaurant, The Forge, is nestled away next to the dairy cottages offering a fine dining experience with a series of set menus for guests to choose from.
It's early March and a light frost has ascended across the lawn as we step through the industrial iron doors that lead into the coach house. We are instantly welcomed and shown to our table among other talkative diners and order two champagne cocktails as well as bar snacks to begin. The estate itself is isolated so anyone dining is either staying or has specifically made the journey and on this Saturday evening every table is booked, clearly a sought-after place.
The wine list is well-sized and selected by a sommelier but what I particularly enjoy about the drinks selection is the unique use of fresh herbs and vegetable extracts within the cocktails. I spotted ingredients such as basil, beetroot and carrot to name a few which elevates the menu from hotels I have stayed in before. Classically we opted for scallops which came on a small bed of celeriac puree with burnt apple, almond and artichoke crisps as well as the grilled halloumi. This was closely followed by the market fish for myself alongside fresh greens and a delicious creamy white wine sauce. The artichoke ice cream that previously caught my eye did not disappoint and ended up being the highlight of the meal. The kitchen sources high-quality ingredients but what sets the food at Middleton Lodge apart is the creativity and unique balance of flavour alongside the stunning presentation that is put into every dish.
Breakfast is included in all rooms and served in the Coach House or, for an additional charge, can be brought to your room. There is a selection of pastries, fruits, and cereals as well as a hot menu to order from. I always greatly appreciate when hot dishes are cooked to order as appose to sitting in a heated container. Overall I have dinned at Middleton Lodge four times across the seasons and have loved every meal.
Facilities + Small Touches
The estate is set in 200 acres of rural North Yorkshire and offers guests a range of facilities such as two atmospheric restaurants, treatment rooms and an outdoor pool with a spa which is opening in spring 2023. There is a concept store attached to the reception selling the skincare and home items used across the property. Within rooms, the mini bar is well stocked with drinks and snacks as well as firewood to get cosy in the evenings.
The best and most unique aspect of Middleton Lodge has to be the walled gardens. The Fig House, which was once a working greenhouse for the estate, has been transformed into a rustic venue for weddings and private events. This space overlooks the kitchen garden with large arched windows that flood the space with natural light. The surrounding two-acre garden is full of seasonal blooms and home-grown produce which is used in the onsite restaurants. The space has been divided into different sections including a spring, summer, prairie and vegetable and fruit garden so different areas bloom throughout the year.
Service + Atmosphere
In classic Yorkshire, style the service is chatty and comfortable from the moment you enter the reception to the wait staff in the evening. Although an upmarket location the atmosphere feels organic and cheerful with no personal request too small.
The Area
Middleton Lodge is only a short drive from the cute market town of Richmond which sits next to the River Swale. Just around the corner are the glorious Yorkshire Dales full of quaint little towns and the famous peaks Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghentstart. To the west, you will find the North York Moores which, during spring and summer, are coasted in pastel tones heathers and home to the cute fishing village of Whitby. Only 25 minutes by train is the ancient town of York whose medieval streets are so perfectly preserved it was used as a set in Harry Potter.
Only 2.5 hours by train from London, Middleton Lodge is a suburb escape for couples who want fine dining quality food with a welcoming cosy atmosphere and classy traditional interiors. The estate and walled garden are beautifully maintained with immense care and the staff have a natural sense of pride and care for their guests.
You may also like Glebe House, Devon or Number One Bruton, Somerset!
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