Nestling on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors is a haven of peace and tranquillity Gisborough Hall.

As you journey up the drive and experience your first view of this wonderful country house hideaway hotel you feel a wonderful sense of stepping into a piece of history.

The estate dates back to around 1570 when Sir Thomas Chaloner bought the monastic estate from the crown.

The family lived for many years in a large house in Guisborough on the site of the present Parish Church hall and etchings of this can be found in the reception area so do make a point of looking for them when you check in.

In 1856 Admiral Thomas Chaloner built the current house on the site of an old farmhouse and you can see the results of his labours still in the house. Above the front door you will see “The Admirals Room”, a room built to represent his naval past with a forecastle and porthole.

The estate and house was passed on after the Admiral’s death to Richard Godolphin Walmesley, who when he became a member of the House of Lord took the title Lord Gisborough. It was spelt GIS as having researched the name, he believed this to be the correct spelling and historically accurate.

The family resided in the hall until the outbreak of war when it was requisitioned by the army.

From then on Gisborough Hall enjoyed many different guises including a non-residential banqueting hall and restaurant. In 2002 it became a hotel after an extensive renovation and extension. But even today Lord Gisborough and the family have a keen interest in the running of the hotel and are actively involved in maintaining its legacy and standards.

Parking our car at the entrance we were impressed by the amazing grounds and gardens that surrounded the hall and the wonderful display of flowers, herbs and shrubs that radiated warmth mixed with a summer freshness.

Our check in was seamless and being an inquisitive person I looked at the many maps on the wall. But what caught my eye was the glass case containing the old keys to the mansion. I was also fascinated by the touch of “upstairs – downstairs” in the shape of the servants bells from Colonel Chaloner’s Bedroom to the Night Nursery.

Also a blast from the past and not to be missed is the old muniment room where the deeds for the estate were once kept. This Chubb safe has been lovingly transformed into a magnificent liquor room full of fine and unusual whiskies, brandies and wines.

Our bedroom was spacious and its décor rekindled and reflected the glorious past of the house and from the window there was a wonderous view of the green and wild North Yorkshire Moors.

Whilst my partner was catching up on some urgent emails on the terrace with a cool beer, I decided to let my imagination run riot and have a reconnoitre of the downstairs of the house.

The Inner Hall is dominated by a stone fireplace with a crest above and one can only imagine how cheery this looks on a winter evening. Tapestries at each side adorn the walls alongside portraits of long departed members of the family.

I loved the large bookcases and the Grandfather clock that still chimed. The room is filled with comfy chairs and sofas – the ideal place for morning coffee, afternoon tea, a pre-dinner drink or an welcoming nightcap after dinner.

Large French doors lead onto the terrace with its umbrellas hoisted above each table and delightfully comfortable chairs just the place to sit and watch the sun go down with a glass of bubbly.

A door off the Inner Hall leads to the drawing room. One can almost imagine the ladies retiring here after dinner in the evenings and maybe one playing a tune or accompanying a sweet voiced young lady on the room’s grand piano.

Gilded mirrors and pale blue upholstery blend beautifully here around the marble fireplace. Family portraits of elegant ladies look down proudly from the walls. This is a comfortable place to be whether you want to read or just daydream or enjoy afternoon tea.

The hotel’s restaurant Chaloner’s, housed in the former billiard room is one of the finest in the area and attracts not only guests but local residents who love good food or want to celebrate a special occasion.

It a wonderfully light and airy place with crisp white cloths, gleaming silver cutlery and pristine crystal.

The restaurant menu is in the capable hands of James Wilson who hails originally from a small village outside York.

James has worked at Gisborough Hall on several occasions in various roles over the last couple of decades and became Head Chief in February this year.

Admitting he “eats out quite a lot” James gets his idea from many different places for his menu but one thing he is definite about is that he uses as much local produce as he can.

“Seasonal ingredients and products influence my menus a lot” says James

After a stroll round the grounds and an aperitif it was time to try James’s new menu.
I decided on the soup which is homemade and there is a different choice every day. It was made with fresh mushrooms, which had a strong flavour and had a thick consistency. The soup was drizzled with a truffle oil which gave the humble mushroom soup a new fashionable and contemporary twist.

My partner tried the Goats’ Cheese, which was beautifully presented with edible flowers. The cheese was smooth and creamy but very flavoursome with a sharp taste, drizzled with honey and sprinkled with thyme and black pepper giving it a style and taste in its own right. The sprinkling of granola on the top gave it and unusual but tasty finish.

We both decided to try locally reared meat for our mains. My partner was absolutely delighted with his Lamb – described as Sirloin/crispy shoulder. It was tender and cooked exactly as requested medium and came with Rosti cooked in butter with its own distinctive flavour. Aubergine, confit tomato and cabbage were tasty accompaniments.

My choice of meat was pork tenderloin on a bed of homemade apple sauce and a mustard mash. The meat was cooked to perfection and very succulent. Served with Kale, a refreshingly different option the cider jus was tangy and added to the fusion of flavours

The sweet course is a must at Gisborough as James is a renown pastry chef. My choice of Polenta cake with marmalade and yoghurt was “heaven on a plate”. The cake was light as air and the marmalade added an extra ‘zing’.

My partner opted for the Yorkshire strawberries with vanilla cheesecake, meringue, white chocolate and sorbet. What a fabulous combination so well presented and delicious I couldn’t resist taking me spoon t help him along!

After dinner we enjoyed a drink in the Inner Hall and watched the stars come out over the hills adjacent to The Hall.

Next morning we indulged ourselves with a Yorkshire breakfast which included a great black pudding – the best I have ever tasted from Doreen of Thirsk.

We really had to tear ourselves away from Gisborough Hall as I wanted to show my partner some of the places in the area but not before we looked at the rather luxurious ‘Shepherds Huts at the Hall’ a new concept which is rapidly becoming so popular. Ideal for couples, friends, families If you want to know more so do check them out on the website.

There are so many places to go near Gisborough Hall. From houses, castles, cathedrals, market towns and gardens to the countryside.

The North Yorkshire Moors beckons as does the North Yorkshire Steam Railway, High Force Falls to name but a few of the great outdoors attractions.
There’s every activity from racing, golf, walking, surfing and field sports plus history, theatres and museums all for the taking nearby. If you like beaches Staithes, Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay and Maske are all less than 20 miles away.

But we chose the Victorian resort of Saltburn for our stop on the way home – just five miles away its got the last remaining pier in Yorkshire, a great sea front its own Victorian tramway what more do you want?

For a bigger choice and more details of where to go pick up Places we love – Somewhere you feel welcome – Recommended by Lord Gisborough – in the hotel reception.

Gisborough Hall, Whiteby Lane, Guisborough TS14 6PT
Tel: 01287 611500. Website www.gisborough-hall.com