Yorebridge House

Rooms

Most rooms sit in the main house or the schoolhouse. Each is themed, but that doesn’t mean gimmicky, over-the-top styling; instead, subtle details – perhaps an ornate chandelier, a carved headboard or patterned wallpaper – denote the location which inspired the decor. They're comfortable, too, with magazines and coffee-table books spilling out by the bedside, and thoughtful details such as local tea, fresh coffee and trays of homemade shortbread.

On the ground floor of the main house are Japanese-influenced Nishiki, Moroccan Rahmoune and bright and light Caribbean-themed St Jean, all with outdoor hot tubs. Upstairs are French-inspired Mougins (the smallest room, though it’s by no means tiny), English-style Bainbridge and Italianate Pienza (which has fantastic views of the Dale from its in-room tub). Hidden away at the very top of the building is Greenwich, a New York-style loft suite that’s a favourite with honeymooners thanks to its twin freestanding baths and den-like lounge (though its sloping ceilings can cause a few bumped heads).

In the schoolhouse annexe, African-themed Kariega has an outdoor hot tub on its private riverside terrace. Next door and also with a hot tub is Rangali, while above on the first floor and reached via private staircases are Spanish-inspired Carabeo and Canadian lodge-like Jasper. With advance notice, dogs are allowed in these rooms. 

On our most recent visit, we stayed in The Meadow Suite, set in a former barn surrounded by wildflower meadows a minute's walk from the hotel. Inside, it was warm and spacious, with a cosy living area, a log burning stove, and a huge bed. I loved the spoiling bathroom with its stone tub and rainfall shower, but the highlight was sitting outside in the Japanese spa tub watching the pheasants and cows grazing as evening drew in.  

The last 'room' – which is more a self-contained home – sits in the village, a few minutes’ walk away: The Barn is as stylish and soothing as the others, with a mix of contemporary furniture and original features (exposed beams, flagstone floors, mullion windows). It's spread over 2 floors, with a lounge (with a sofabed suitable for kids), a bedroom, an ensuite with a roll-top tub and tsunami shower, and a private terrace with a hot tub; there’s also a kitchenette, though you can breakfast at the hotel.

Some rooms can be set up as twins, and lounge areas in the larger ones can be converted into additional bedrooms for 2 or 3 people. Bathrooms are top-of-the-range, with sleek fittings and luxurious Gaia toiletries. All have walk-in showers, while some also have freestanding baths. A few of the bedrooms have in-room showers (behind frosted glass), somewhat lacking in privacy. 

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Central heating
• Coffee / tea making
• Cots available
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Slippers
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

Yorebridge has collected 3 AA Rosettes and a nod in the Michelin Guide with its sophisticated take on modern British food, and its menus are crammed with local produce.

Dinner (included in the rates at weekends) begins with canapés in the buzzy bar or the cosy lounge, before you move through to the restaurant - an airy room with dark wood tables, mirror-hung walls and pretty views through picture windows. The menu deliberately keeps details to a minimum, allowing the key ingredients to speak for themselves: opt for trout, cucumber and chervil to start; maybe venison, blackberry and lentil speaks to you as a main; finish off with the flavours of chocolate, cherry and pinenut, in whatever form the clever chefs have conjured up. If you struggle to choose, why not indulge in the 6-course tasting menu? Both menus come in vegetarian versions, too, and vegans are catered for with notice.

The restaurant is closed Sunday evenings, but hearty Sunday roasts are served 12-4pm which are sure to tide you over. On our last visit, we enjoyed mouthwatering Wensleydale beef sirloin with roasted hispi cabbage, carrot & swede mash, beef fat roast potatoes & Yorkshire pudding, before squeezing in a sticky toffee pudding with candied pecans & vanilla ice cream. 

For folks who like simpler food, there’s an all-day light bites menu listing favourites such as pumpkin and parmesan risotto, crispy pork and pea soup, seared trout with hollandaise sauce, Yorkshire ploughman’s, and lemon meringue pie.

Breakfast (included in the rate for all rooms) doesn’t disappoint, either. You get yoghurt, granola and croissants served directly to the table and then order from the hot breakfast menu – perhaps locally smoked kippers, eggs Benedict or the full Yorebridge (sausages, honey-cured bacon, fried duck eggs, local black pudding, slow-roasted tomatoes and toasted homemade bread).

If you fancy a change of scene, Askrigg, just a mile away, has 3 pubs (the most atmospheric is The Kings Arms). If you’re willing to drive, it’s worth making a detour to The Wensleydale Heifer in West Witton for sophisticated Dales dining. And, if you’re here in summer, make a pitstop at Hard Banks Ice Cream Parlour for Wensleydale-made ice cream.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Discover the 5 acres of land that belong to the property. Shooting parties and clay-pigeon shoots can be arranged on request. The hotel also has a fishing licence and can organise instruction
• Explore the surrounding villages and countryside, guided by one of the informative walking leaflets put together by local Dave Jackson available from reception
• The Ure River Retreat is the hotel's private waterside spa featuring a hot tub, sauna and Gaia products used in facials and massages
• Foodies should head to one of the excellent local markets. Choose from Hawes, Ripon, Northallerton, Leyburn and Richmond, depending on the day (staff can tell you which are when). Other worthwhile gastronomical attractions include Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes (for Wallace & Gromit's favourite cheese) and the Black Sheep and Theakston’s breweries in Masham 
• Visit to some of Yorkshire’s most impressive ancient monuments. Bolton Abbey, Bolton Castle (confusingly, the 2 are nowhere near each other) and Middleham Castle are all popular, but 12th-century Jervaulx Abbey is the most romantic – and, for my money, the best for picnicking
• Seek out the Dales’ famous waterfalls. The best known are Aysgarth Falls, a triple whammy of watery tumbles cascading over glistening steps of limestone on the River Ure, and Hardraw Force, supposedly the highest unbroken waterfall in England and accessed via the bar of the Green Dragon pub
• Catch a performance at the Georgian Theatre Royal in nearby Richmond. Originally opened in 1788 and recently restored, it’s Britain’s most complete Georgian playhouse and makes a cosy setting for everything from music and comedy to drama and dance

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Clay pigeon shooting
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Hot tub
• Sauna
• Shopping / markets
• Spa treatments
• Traditional cultures
• Well being

Kids

While this is a hotel more focused on couples, children of all ages are welcome. Baby cots can be added to most rooms upon request for a small additional charge, and high chairs and a kids' menu are available in the restaurant.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

The best room for families in the main hotel is Greenwich, as the living area transforms into a second bedroom with up to 2 extra beds. The lounge area in The Barn also has a sofabed for 2 additional guests and its kitchenette may come in handy for preparing children's snacks; just be prepared to walk 5 minutes to the hotel. 

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Yorebridge House is set on the edge of the small village of Bainbridge, in the heart of Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales, northern England. It's around 40km west of Richmond and 50km east of Kendal.

By Air
The closest international airports are Leeds-Bradford (80km / 50 miles away), Newcastle (124km / 77 miles away) and Manchester (169km / 105 miles away); the latter has the most flights. For a list of airlines serving these airports, click on the links at the bottom of the page.

From the Airport
You'll need a car unless you plan on venturing out only as far as your hot tub, so most guests hire one and drive (see below). It's around 1.5 hours from Leeds-Bradford and Newcastle airports to the hotel, and 2 hours from Manchester.

By Train
Guests travelling by train usually go to Northallerton (45 minutes away) or Darlington (55 minutes away) and then either hire a car or take a taxi. Both stations are on mainline rail routes and are easily reached from Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham and London.

By Car
Yorebridge House is on the A684. It's just under 5 hours' drive from London, about 4.5 hours from Bristol, and 2 hours from Manchester. If you want to hire a car, see our car rental recommendations. There's off-street parking at the hotel.

Detailed directions will be provided when you book through i-escape.

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