One lucky loveEXPLORING reader and their guest could win a two-night stay at this gorgeous National Trust property in York. Read on to enter the competition below.
This competition is now closed.
Dating back to the late-17th century, Middlethorpe Hall is a stunning stately home set within 20 acres of picturesque landscaped gardens. Located just two miles (3.2km) from the centre of York, it’s the perfect location from which to visit the historic city and explore its cobbled streets, the historic York Minster and magical Christmas markets. Yet the setting is tranquil enough that you’ll feel like you’re in the heart of the countryside.
Built in 1699 for Thomas Barlow, a prosperous cutler and country gentleman, the house has had its fair share of famous residents – including the diarist Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689-1762) and pioneering female gardener Fanny Rollo Wilkinson (1855-1951). Today, it’s one of just three Historic House Hotels in the country, operated by the National Trust.
The prize
Middlethorpe Hall is offering one lucky reader and their guest a two-night stay in a courtyard room, overlooking the 18th-century courtyard adjoining the Main Hall.
The prize includes: a full Yorkshire breakfast each morning, a three-course candlelit dinner in the oak-panelled Dining Room for one night including a bottle of house wine, use of the spa facilities and complimentary parking and WiFi.
About Middlethorpe Hall
Combining the ambience of a country house with a brilliant location just outside York’s city centre, Middlethorpe Hall has a luxurious and comfortable atmosphere across its 29 rooms and suites. The stunning retreat offers plenty of spots in which to relax, from the spacious grounds to the historic Main Hall and Library, complete with lots of period details.
If you’re wanting to unwind even further, be sure to check out the blue-tiled boutique spa. Here, you’ll find a generous indoor pool overlooking the gardens, plus a steam room, spa bath and sauna. There’s also a wide range of treatments on offer if you’re looking to get completely pampered.
The courtyard bedrooms provide gorgeous views overlooking the 18th-century courtyard. Each has been carefully furnished with antique furniture, as well as vintage wallpaper and fabrics, to give a traditional country house feel. They also come with ensuite bathrooms, flat screen TVs, tea and coffee making facilities and complimentary toiletries.
What’s to eat?
You certainly won’t be going hungry while at Middlethorpe Hall – the stunning restaurant here has been awarded two AA rosettes and is a two-time winner of ‘Best Restaurant’ in the Visit York Awards. The menu, created by head chef Ashley Binder and pastry chef Paul Harrison, offers a contemporary take on traditional British food.
Dishes currently on the menu include a starter of crab ravioli with red curry, lime and coriander; a main course of roast guinea fowl with pancetta, potato and Savoy cabbage; and a dessert of fig parfait with blackberry, mascarpone and port. There’s a strong focus on local, seasonal ingredients – the team works closely with the hotel’s gardeners and nearby suppliers to get the best possible produce.
When it comes to breakfast, enjoy a hearty full Yorkshire fry-up with a range of cooked options including eggs, bacon, local pork sausage, roasted tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms and black pudding, served with a selection of teas, coffees and juices. Alternatively, there are plenty of inviting continental options, from freshly-baked pastries to toast and preserves.
What to see
While it would be easy to spend the whole trip relaxing in Middlethorpe Hall's gorgeous house and grounds, the historic city of York is just a short bus or taxi ride away, so it's well worth venturing in for an explore. Be sure to ogle at the magnificent York Minster, a cathedral with a history dating back to the 7th century which is among the most glorious in the UK. Next, take a stroll through the Shambles, a higgledy-piggledy medieval shopping street which is thought to have inspired Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series.
Train buffs should make a beeline for the National Railway Museum, where you'll find an unrivalled collection of historic locomotives which pays homage to the best of British engineering. Meanwhile, there are plenty of cute and cosy cafés to explore, including the Perky Peacock, a dinky coffee shop built into the city walls; Brew & Brownie, which serves up one of the best brunches; and the Fossgate Social, which turns into a cool cocktail bar after dark.
How to enter
Simply fill out the form below before 23.59 GMT on 14 December 2022. If you can’t see the form click here to open it.
Terms & conditions
1. No purchase necessary to enter the prize draw.
2. This prize draw is open to residents of the United Kingdom, aged 18 years or over, with the exception of employees of the Promoter or Middlethorpe Hall and their families, agents and anyone else connected with this promotion.
3. Entries must be received by 23:59 GMT on 14 December 2022. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for any entries that are incomplete, illegible, corrupted or fail to reach the Promoter by the relevant closing date for any reason. Proof of posting or sending is not proof of receipt. Automatically generated entries or entries via agents or third parties are invalid and shall not be considered. Entries become the property of the Promoter.
4. Only one entry per person.
5. To enter fill out the form on this page.
6. All correctly completed entries will be entered into a prize draw, which will take place by 23 December 2022. The first entry drawn will be the winner.
7. The prize includes:
- Two nights' accommodation in a double/twin courtyard room
- Full Yorkshire breakfast each morning
- Three-course candlelit dinner in the award-wining oak panelled dining room on one night
- A bottle of house wine to accompany dinner
- Full use of the Middlethorpe Spa facilities
- Complimentary parking and Wi-Fi
The prize can only be redeemed Sunday to Thursday, to be booked in advance and is valid until the end of 23 December 2023, subject to availability and excludes bank holidays and York Race Days. Travel to and from Middlethorpe Hall is not included in the prize. The prize is as stated, is not transferable to another individual and no cash or other alternatives will be offered Prize winner and their guest must be over 18 years of age. Other than as specified, the Promoter shall not be liable for any costs or expenses arising out of or in any way connected with this prize and does not accept any responsibility for any damage, loss or disappointment suffered by the winner as a result of accepting this prize.
8. It is the responsibility of the winner to ensure they have adequate travel insurance.
9. Prizes are subject to availability. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the Promoter reserves the right (a) to substitute alternative prizes of equivalent or greater value and (b) in exceptional circumstances to amend or foreclose the promotion without notice. No correspondence will be entered into.
10. The winner will be notified via email by 23 December 2022. The winner must claim their prize within 14 days of being notified by the Promoter and must respond to the notification email with their postal address, email and telephone phone number. If the prize is unclaimed after this time, it will lapse and the Promoter reserves the right to offer the unclaimed prize to a substitute winner selected in accordance with these rules.
11. The Promoter will use any data submitted by entrants only for the purposes of running the prize draw, unless otherwise stated in the entry form. By entering this prize draw, all entrants consent to the use of their personal data by the Promoter for the purposes of the administration of this prize draw and any other purposes to which the entrant has consented.
12. The winners agree to take part in reasonable post-event publicity and to the use of their names and photographs in such publicity.
13. By entering this prize draw each entrant confirms that his/her entry is their wholly-owned creation and to the extent that such entry makes use of any third-party materials that these have been fully cleared unless they are no longer protected by copyright or other intellectual property rights. Entrants will keep the Promoter harmless from any claims in relation to their entry that the entry infringes the personal or proprietary right of any other person. By submitting an entry, each entrant grants to the Promoter and Middlethorpe Hall a perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive licence use, broadcast, publish and otherwise use the entrant’s name and statements regarding this prize draw for advertising, promotional and/or any other purpose in any and all media now or hereafter devised worldwide in perpetuity without additional compensation, notification or permission, unless prohibited by law.
14. Promoter may disqualify any entrant whose entry does not comply with these terms and conditions (in Promoter’s sole opinion) or who, in Promoter’s sole determination, has acted in a manner that is fraudulent, dishonest or unjust to other entrants including, without limitation, tampering with the operation of the prize draw, manipulating or rigging votes, hacking, deceiving, cheating or by harassing or threatening other entrants or a representative of Promoter.
15. By entering the prize draw each entrant agrees to be bound by these terms and conditions.
16. The Promoter is Love Incorporated.
17. These terms and conditions are governed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
Lead image: Courtesy of Middlethorpe Hall