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| Gisborough Hall Hotel |
Gisborough Hall Hotel
The grand and ivy clad Gisborough Hall Hotel remains a family affair. Owned by the Chaloners, aka Lord Gisborough. However it is currently open to all as a hotel run by the Macdonald Hotel group.
With stunning views over the Cleveland Hills, this 19th century country mansion is on the road from Middlesbrough in Teesside to the seaside town of Whitby in North Yorkshire. Famous for Whitby Jet, fishing, and Dracula.
A popular wedding venue, this quirky hotel looks as if it is straight out of a Harry Potter book. It offers something for the day visitor, the business traveller or the weekend breaker. Staying there won’t break the bank either.
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| An upgrade madam? |
Gisborough Hall Hotel – history.
The hotel is full of quirky features. From compendiums of games in the drawing room to half a stuffed lion in a case, which surprises the casual guest in one of the corridors. The son of lord Gisborough has an estate in South Africa, so I am guessing that the presence of a fair assortment of stuffed wildlife has some connection with this fact.
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| Is half a lion, half as scary? |
The hall’s grand exterior and public rooms are still very traditional in feel. Mullioned windows, traditional furniture and oil paintings abound. The grounds have rose gardens and a fountains. There are even a few llamas wandering about at the bottom of the drive. They were very camera shy, so you’ll have to take my word for that one.
The suites in the hotel are all individually designed. The Fountain Suite for example is also the bridal suite. There’s the old nursery, the Admiral’s room, and the Rose room too. The bedrooms in the new wing have been recently refurbished in a more modern style, with flat screen TVs and all mod cons.
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| Stunning Autumn colours |
Tea time
A nice touch in the rooms, is loose leaf tea with a proper tea pot and tea strainer, the only hotel I think I’ve been to where tea bags weren’t standard. Upgraded rooms include those with 4-poster beds. Add decanters of sherry, designer toiletries and turn down service. There is also a small spa the ‘Revival Zone’ where you can go for a relaxing massage if you so choose.
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| Monkey or dragon? |
There is a choice of dining options at the hall. You can dine in the large airy Chaloner restaurant which looks out onto the grounds, a more formal option for an evening meal. There is also the super modern G bar and bistro, more Asian in its decor, which has a trendy coloured glass mosaic bar and a giant mirrored Buddha in the corner!
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| Chaloner’s restaurant |
If you don’t want a la carte – although they do do a very reasonable three course special – then the hall can cater for those with a more substantial appetite. Wednesday is steak night with two meals and a bottle of wine for £40. Thursday is pie night and Friday is fish and chip night. You can’t get much more traditional English cuisine than that!
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| My kind of evening |
Gisborough Hall a Baronial seat
Gisborough Hall was the Baronial seat of Lord Gisborough, whose family – the Chaloners – have a fascinating history. They didn’t take on the name Chaloner until the 13th century. This unusual name, is of early medieval English origin, and is an occupational surname for a maker or seller of blankets. It is likely then that the family were probably originally tradesmen. Roger Chaloner (1485-1550) became Teller of the Receipts of the Exchequer. His son was the famous Sir Thomas Chaloner who became MP for Knaresborough and Ambassador to Spain.
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| Fine fountain |
The price of a stately home
The estate had been leased during the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII by Thomas Leigh. When Leigh died Thomas Chaloner married his widow and bought the Gisborough estate from the crown for a mere £854.13.4d. The family still hold a painting of Sir Thomas Chaloner by Holbein in their collection. The estate was passed down through the family and was even leased to the council as an old people’s home in 1945. The hall became a hotel in 1972 and was completely renovated in 2000.
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| Cosy co ordinates |
Lord Gisborough who is now nearly 90 years old, still owns the hall. He lives close by, and pops in every day. He brings in comb honey from his own hives and olive oil from his son’s estate in South Africa to sell at reception and sometimes books too, to add to the library and the rooms.
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| Anyone for Rummikub? |
There are said to be three ghosts at the hall, all friendly. A nanny that kneels by the foot of the bed in the nursery and a butler who can be heard rolling barrels at night. Happily I didn’t see any when I was there. If you are looking for an affordable place to stay in this picturesque part of the country, you can get a dinner bed and breakfast package for just £69.
At Gisborough Hall Hotel you will be right next to the beautiful North Yorkshire coast and countryside. You can have a slap up full breakfast complete with local sausage, bacon and black pudding in a stunning stately home before you set off on the next stage of your travels.
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| Big Buddha is watching you |
Book your stay at Gisborough hall Hotel here