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, David and Charlotte have taken inspiration from memorable places on their travels and created subtle reminders of them - perhaps an ornate chandelier, a carved headboard or patterned wallpaper. It’s all rather glamorous, with magazines and coffee-table books spilling out by the bedside, top-of-the-range sound systems and TVs (David once worked for Bang & Olufsen), 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 breezy 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 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).

We stayed in African-themed Kariega, a schoolhouse room with an outdoor hot tub on its private riverside terrace. Next door and also with a hot tub is Rangali, the Reillys' distinctive take on the Maldives, while above on the first floor and reached via private staircases are Spanish-inspired Carabeo and Canadian lodge-like Jasper.

Another room sits in the village, a few minutes’ walk away: The Barn been added since our last visit but looks 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 (complete with a PlayStation 3), 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 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 Molton Brown toiletries. Some have walk-in showers, while others have baths with shower mixers (no separate shower) - see Rates for full details.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• WiFi

Eating

Yorebridge is aiming for Michelin status 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. Starters when we visited included a creamy white onion velouté with a tangy tomato confit, and escabeche of mackerel with a delicate saffron aioli; our mains were pan-fried East Coast bass with Whitby crab ceviche, and a lip-smackingly tender fillet of beef from the farm across the road. Dessert was an imaginative trio of gooey chocolate treats, served with refreshing green tea mousse and chilli ice cream. 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.

For folks who like simpler food, there’s an all-day bar 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. Help yourself to a buffet of fresh fruit, thick slices of Wensleydale cheese, smoked salmon, yoghurts, local honey and preserves, then tuck into 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, Bainbridge is home to the quirky Rose & Crown pub and The Cornmill (closed in winter), a traditional - if not especially exciting - tearoom. But there’s much more on offer in Askrigg, just a mile away, including 3 pubs (the most atmospheric is The Kings Arms), the sophisticated Rowan Restaurant and the Cake Walk Tea Shop, a lovely modern café serving cakes, soups and ploughman’s lunches. If you’re willing to drive, it’s worth making a detour to The Wensleydale Heifer in West Witton for sophisticated Dales dining, or visiting The Blue Lion in East Witton for upmarket pub grub in a classy setting. And, if you’re here in summer, make a pitstop at Jervaulx Farm for Brymor’s ice cream.

Features include:

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

Activities

• Explore 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
  
  
• Head out on foot to the surrounding villages and countryside, guided by one of the informative walking leaflets put together by local Dave Jackson and available from the hotel’s reception
  
  
• Visiting foodies should make their way to one of the excellent local markets. Choose from Hawes, Ripon, Northallerton, Leyburn and Richmond, depending on the day (staff can tell you which takes place 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
  
  
• Soak up some history with a 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
  
  
• Artistically-minded visitors might want to seek inspiration at some of the Dales’ famous waterfalls. There are several to choose from, but 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. Be inspired knowing that Wordsworth, Turner and Ruskin all visited the falls
  
  
• Try to 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
  
  
• Guests in search of pampering might have to wait a while for a dedicated spa to open at Yorebridge. In the meantime, however, a good range of beauty treatments, massages and therapies can be organised in your room or at a local salon

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Clay pigeon shooting
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Shopping / markets
• Traditional cultures

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome, and cots and rollaway beds can be added to most rooms for a small charge.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Greenwich can serve as a family room, with the lounge transforming into a second bedroom with up to 3 extra beds. The lounge area in The Barn also has a sofabed for 2 additional guests; kids will love the PlayStation 3 in the latter, and its kitchenette may come in handy for preparing children's snacks.

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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