UK getaway

An enchanting escape awaits at Middleton Lodge Estate. Think chic interiors, gardengrown food and a warm Yorkshire welcome. Elysia Fryer checks into her ‘happy place’…

UK GETAWAY: Middleton Lodge Estate

Middleton Lodge Estate holds a special place in my heart as the place I tied the knot just a couple of years ago. Heaps of happy memories come flooding back as soon as I set my eyes on that tree-lined lane leading up to the estate. But wedding memories aside, this place really is something special. It has the ability to instantly draw you in, in everything from its food and its interiors, to its friendly faces and finer details that ensure you have a truly exquisite stay at this good-for-the-soul, North Yorkshire escape.

LOCATION Set in a stunning, rural estate in the glorious North Yorkshire countryside near Richmond, it has everything you can dream of when it comes to an away-from-it-all getaway with all the luxuries on hand to ensure it’s a five-star break. The beauty of unwinding for a night or two at Middleton Lodge is in the peace and tranquillity of its surroundings, among many other things. It has a real private member’s estate feel. During a socially-distanced stay you’re greeted at the entrance gatehouse and guided to your suite or cottage, along a winding, gravel road, bypassing fields, towering trees, walled gardens and the buzzy Coach House restaurant. With the A1 nearby, Darlington railway station within reach in under 10 miles and Teesside International Airport just a 20-minute drive, it’s in the perfect location for those travelling both locally and from afar.

STYLE Effortless style springs to mind at Middleton Lodge. It’s refined, rustic interiors are made to ensure you feel at peace instantly. Think French chateau decor with warm Yorkshire accents thrown in. Everything from the Coach House and Forge restaurants, to the Fig House and the stunning suites dotted around the estate, all effortlessly flow from one to the other, with unique touches setting them apart. Muted beige tones and worn woodwork make up the mood board, with touches of natural stone and earthy greens to remind us of the whimsical woodland we find ourselves in. There really is something enchanting about every space you find yourself in here - from the treatment rooms to the lounge, the washrooms and everything in between. It truly oozes style and sophistication, but it is in no way ‘out-there’ or intimidating. It’s home.

HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS Too many to mention. We quite honestly love everything about this place. It really does have the power to instantly transport you to peace and tranquillity. Everything from the food to the finer details like the in-room toiletries, have been carefully considered to ensure a stay at Middleton Lodge is as comfortable and as memorable as possible. What is so refreshing about the estate is that it really celebrates its sense of place. The menu is formed using fresh, seasonal ingredients from the walled garden, beautiful, old-style farm buildings have been brought back to life in their original form and friendly faces greet you, often local and genuinely delighted to be sharing the experience. It’s a match made in heaven. It’s North Yorkshire at its very finest, but it also has the ability to give you that worlds-away feel. Lost in the countryside. Checking in to a chic chateau in the South of France. It’s an escape, but it’s not a million miles away from home. It feels like home, but it’s an opportunity to get away and retreat. To put it simply, it’s pure bliss and that’s why we love it here.

LAY YOUR HEAD There’s no doubt about it, you’ll drift off to dreamtime as soon as your head hits the pillow. Fresh, white linen awaits in your suite, and you’re surrounded by all the comforts you need to ensure you’re well rested in a truly ‘luxe’ environment. Our ‘Undercroft’ suite is hidden in the corner of The Dairy courtyard, a beautiful converted barn building near the Forge restaurant.

Looking out onto the field between The Dairy and the Coach House, we find ourselves in a silent sanctuary surrounded by the natural beauty of the estate. The courtyard garden shared by all ‘Dairy’ suites is effortlessly gorgeous - beautiful blooms and bistro tables against a backdrop of rustic stone buildings, whisking us away to a quiet, European square, sipping champagne and soaking up the sun. The suite itself boasts a calming, contemporary interior, cleverly designed with a TV feature wall between the cloud-like bed and the comfortable lounge area with floor-to-ceiling doors opening out onto a private terrace overlooking the greenery. The bathroom is a real talking point with a steel, roll-top bath and a his-and-hers sink station. The room is bright, airy and equally cosy - the perfect place to treat yourself to some much needed R&R.

FOOD & DRINK Middleton Lodge Estate is home to both the Coach House and Forge restaurant. During our stay, as lockdown restrictions begin to ease, the Coach House is welcoming back guests with its spectacular new stretch tent for al fresco dining in the courtyard. We might not be jetting off abroad this summer, but we’re certainly feeling those chic, South of France chateau vibes at home. A pretty-as-a-picture place to relax, unwind and indulge come rain or shine. Effortlessly blending the outside and inside space, the tent creates a peaceful place to drink, dine and socialise as we watch the sun sink behind the trees and the stars light up the night sky. The structure, designed by Estate owners, James and Rebecca Allison, has been created to complement the restaurant’s relaxed lighting and natural colour tones. It stretches from the main Coach House doors, right across the courtyard to the reception and shop. It’s simple, minimalistic and makes the most of the glorious green surroundings. Pair that with clinking glasses, buzzy background music, chatty dinners and twinkling fairy lights and we’re ticking all the boxes for a truly indulgent feast in good hands. The menu is built around modern British dishes, taking inspiration from the gardens, veg patches and glorious grounds that flank Middleton Lodge Estate. Coach House chefs have been working hard behind the scenes to perfectly pair the courtyard dining space with seasonal dishes formed using hand-picked produce from the walled garden, as well as some of the finest local suppliers. Dishes include: slow cooked aubergine, smoked Whitby mackerel crumpet, Nidderdale free range chicken, and chargrilled steak from Waterford Farm. The Coach House ethos is all about fresh, seasonal produce, served in a luxe, laid-back environment. The perfect recipe for sunshine dining as the world wakes up again this spring/summer season. For current, COVID-friendly stays, breakfast is also served in the courtyard stretch-tent. Start the day with a refreshing cup of coffee, tuck into continental treats such as croissants, fruit and cereals, or fill up with cooked breakfasts including eggs benedict, homemade waffles, huevos rancheros and full Yorkshire breakfasts.

DO THIS Middleton Lodge Estate is home to two restaurants, treatment rooms, a boutique shop, the Fig House and walled garden and the spectacular main house residence, available for private hire. Between all of those you’ll find plenty of space to stretch those legs and take in the natural beauty that surrounds the estate. Walk through the woodland areas, follow the winding pebble paths, or hop on a bike and explore a little further. A post-lockdown escape to Middleton Lodge means you can truly switch off and enjoy the luxuries of being looked after, while enjoying plenty of space and a slower pace of life – in style. Middleton Tyas is a quaint North Yorkshire village with plenty of places to stroll and take in the countryside, while the market towns of Richmond and Darlington are just a short drive away. Restrictions aside, the estate hosts a number of on-site events and activities, including everything from outdoor cinema and theatre events, to shooting, creative workshops, yoga and wellness experiences and special, hosted dinners. Other local attractions include: The Bowes Museum, Aysgarth Falls and High Force Waterfall. For those looking for more than just unwinding in the sanctuary that is the estate, its proximity to rail, road and air networks, as well as the wider North East region, means it’s a great spot to enjoy all that the region has to offer.