Middleton Lodge Estate
Richmond, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Reviewed by
Helen Pickles
This is the real country-squire deal: a Georgian estate with 200 acres of lush woodland, just outside the small village of Middleton Tyas and a few miles from the majestic scenery of the Yorkshire Dales. The ‘big house’, Middleton Lodge, has long been a popular wedding venue, and now its coach house, dairy, stables and farmhouse have been transformed into stylish rooms, whole house rentals and two excellent restaurants.
Set among leafy lawns and courtyards awash with lavender, the buildings are all soft grey stone, large arched doors and pleasing symmetries. Inside, the style is rustic-chic: exposed brickwork, wooden tables and battered Chesterfields in the communal areas; pale hues, woollen throws and open beams in the bedrooms. Thanks to young and enthusiastic owners James and Becky, there are also some cool metropolitan touches that have seen the place likened to a northern Babington House: swish bathrooms, vintage trunks, and a clubby bar with tempting cocktails. As for the location, it’s weekend-break perfect: stroll around pretty Richmond, hike in the national park, or just hole up in the estate's spectacular kitchen garden and forget the outside world.
Set among leafy lawns and courtyards awash with lavender, the buildings are all soft grey stone, large arched doors and pleasing symmetries. Inside, the style is rustic-chic: exposed brickwork, wooden tables and battered Chesterfields in the communal areas; pale hues, woollen throws and open beams in the bedrooms. Thanks to young and enthusiastic owners James and Becky, there are also some cool metropolitan touches that have seen the place likened to a northern Babington House: swish bathrooms, vintage trunks, and a clubby bar with tempting cocktails. As for the location, it’s weekend-break perfect: stroll around pretty Richmond, hike in the national park, or just hole up in the estate's spectacular kitchen garden and forget the outside world.
Highs
- A beautiful setting, with blooming gardens, woodland walks on the doorstep, bikes to borrow, and croquet and clay-pigeon shooting on site
- Spoiling rooms, many with roll-top tubs or private patios
- Wonderfully peaceful (a good night’s sleep is guaranteed), with treatment rooms to help you unwind
- Two atmospheric restaurants serving modern British cuisine with imaginative twists; meals here are a real treat
- Only a short drive from bustling Richmond, the glorious Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors
Lows
- Middleton is an extremely popular wedding venue - be prepared to share the place with wedding guests in the summer
- Forge restaurant is only open Wednesday to Saturday
- Prices are quite steep in summer, so make use of cheaper rates and cosy rooms in the shoulder seasons
Best time to go
Providing you dress appropriately, all seasons have their magic. Perhaps most special are late spring, when the bluebells are in flower, and autumn, when you’ll catch the trees in their golden finery.
Our top tips
Check out what’s on at Richmond’s Georgian Theatre Royal during your stay. It’s a gem: Britain’s oldest working theatre still in its original form.