Have you ever wanted to embrace your romantic heroine alter ego and wake up in a majestic National Trust property, stroll through expansive grounds and take lunch in a beautiful historic dining room? This is actually possible at the three Historic House Hotels, all of which were donated to the National Trust – Middlethorpe Hall, Hartwell House and Bodysgallen Hall.

What’s more, each stay, meal, and spa experience support the National Trust.

Hotel Christmas packages – three magical words! Who hasn’t dreamt of staying in a hotel for Christmas? If you think of the best luxury country house hotels for Christmas 2023 you can almost picture the festive scene: great food, beautiful decorations. comfy sofas, roaring fires, beautiful decorations and acres of grounds for the Boxing Day walk. Middlethorpe Hall offers a three-night festive break, which wraps up the whole of the Christmas experience in a Christmassy package.

Yorkshire - or ‘God’s Own County’ as the locals describe it – is a brilliant choice for a weekend away or a staycation, whether in its historic cities or gorgeous swathes of countryside including the national parks of the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors and the the Peak District. But, it’s especially fantastic for a pampering break, with an array of divine spa hotels in Yorkshire to please all tastes and pockets.

"Service is taken seriously at Middlethorpe Hall. There is a real sense of history in the dining room, with its original panelling and candlelit settings. A friendly feel permeates the 29 rooms and suites, which offer old-fashioned country-house grandeur with four-posters..."

"A stay at Middlethorpe Hall is one to remember for all the right reasons. After two delightful days getting away from it all, after spending months at home, our visit to Middlethorpe Hall will always be the staycation that reminded just how wonderful life can be..."

"A perfect example of a small country-house hotel: striking looks, comfortably traditional rooms, flawless service and an unstuffy atmosphere..."

"It's a walkable two miles to the city centre from here, but this feels like a tranquil country retreat. Middlethorpe Hall exudes stately home glamour, from the huge four-poster bedrooms to the immaculate landscaped gardens. One of the city's best fine dining restaurants..."

"Why just visit a country home when you can stay and relax at the magnificent Middlethorpe Hall Hotel and Spa? Grand lordly-living in a William and Mary country house lovingly cared for by Historic House Hotels..."

"Country-house elegance at Middlethorpe Hall. We also loved exploring its parkland and well-kept kitchen garden, shaded by fruit trees. Meals are served in the atmospheric wood-panelled dining room..." - Print only

"At Middlethorpe you have the best of both worlds: views of grassy lawn stretching away into countryside; and yet it's ten minutes in a taxi to medieval York. As well as beautiful lawns and gardens to explore in fine weather, Middlethorpe has its own spa..."

"You feel more like you are staying in a grand private house than a hotel, it is as if you have stepped back in time, but still with all the modern amenities and faultless service we have come to expect..."

"Expect classic country house style bedrooms, homemade shortbread and kind attention from the staff. A hotel that's as alluring in winter - all cosy and snug - as it is in summer, when you can stroll through the grounds and make friends with the resident deer..."

"Guests at Middlethorpe Hall enjoy the best of both worlds, as it offers a country house hotel experience in the city of York. Sitting in 20 acres of award-winning gardens, this Grade II listed William and Mary house has 29 bedrooms..."

"Stay at Middlethorpe Hall and step inside your very own period drama. Inside the main country house building, you could be on the set of Downton Abbey too. Huge roaring fires, endless mazes of drawing rooms, complete with writing desks, chaise lounges and comfy sofas - the perfect location to enjoy a spot of afternoon tea or a pre-dinner tipple..."

"I feel lucky to be and to be here. I take the hotel's ground map and visit all the gorgeous mature trees. I sit in the ha-ha. Middlethorpe Hall is a cosy Manor House. It is like going home without having to explain anything. It's a place simply to be..."

"Treat yourself to a countryside retreat at Middlethorpe Hall & Spa. Relax in the grade II listed hall and dip between 20 acres of gardens and parkland and the spa and swimming pool. Don’t miss out on afternoon tea — served in its drawing room or on the terrace overlooking the South Lawn..." 

"Middlethorpe was painstakingly restored to a luxury hotel in the 1980s. The elegantly decorated traditional country house interior is furnished with antiques and paintings, making it feel like you’re in a period drama..."