Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel & Spa
Bolton Abbey estate, Skipton, North Yorkshire, 01756-710441. 40 rooms. Full English breakfast. Dogs ok. Free parking.
Located right in the middle of England, the Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel & Spa estate has been owned by the Dukes of Devonshire since 1753. Built in the early 17th century and refurbished and extended in 1981, it sits removed from the world on the Bolton Abbey estate.
Though upscale and luxurious, the property has a laid-back atmosphere that begins at the entrance. There, guests and staff stash their “wellies,” and on cooler days a welcoming fire greets newcomers as they register. Much of the artwork here comes from Chatsworth House--the Devonshire family home in Derbyshire--which houses one of the finest private art collections in Europe (it is open to the public for tours). Helen Mirren stayed here when she was filming "Calendar Girls," and long ago Beatrix Potter came here on holiday and painted the famous 800-year-old Laund oak, which many other artists have also painted.
Guest rooms are decorated uniquely in a contemporary chic style consisting of coordinated fabrics in patterns and solids. To encourage guests to relax and unwind, rooms do not have a clock, but they do have a tea tray equipped with a china tea service bearing the Duke’s crest in gold, a delightfully fast hot water kettle, and a selection of hot chocolate, tea, and powdered coffee—plus shortbread and fruit for a snack. Further English-style comfort is provided in the form of a hot water bottle, and all rooms have a bathtub. The Lismore Suite (named for a castle in Cork, Ireland), where I stayed, has a large deep tub with a metallic tangle of hardware that includes a hand-held shower and an “airbath” feature that sends Jacuzzi-style bubbles out through circles of holes in the tub’s bottom. This suite also has a large shower, a canopy bed with an exquisite multi-color crewel-embroidered floral bedspread, doors that are arched like church windows, and framed photos of its Irish castle namesake. A superb “hills and dales view” of the surrounding estate extends seemingly forever and is visible from most rooms.
The Devonshire Health Spa is situated in a park-like area across the street. It is free to guests and features an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and fitness room. On-site recreational activities include 80 miles of footpaths, fishing, cycling, tennis, and cricket, and golf is nearby. Guests can tour the church ruins and take walks through beautiful Strid Woods--famous for the bluebells that carpet its valley in summer. The estate has three gift shops, a post office, a fine foods store, and a rare books shop.
Modern bistro food and local specialties are served in the casual Devonshire Brasserie and Bar. The Burlington Restaurant--named for the Duke’s ancestor, the Earl of Burlington--is a more formal dining room. It has a Michelin star and serves a refined menu of English and French cuisine such as house-smoked duck and loin of estate venison. Everything is prepared on the premises. The establishment is also known for its excellent wines.
Should the roster be full, you might try The Devonshire Fell Hotel. Just 6 miles away, this hill-top sister property offers 12 guest rooms decorated in vivid colors and simply stunning views across the River Wharfe valley and the Yorkshire Dales beyond.
More things to do in England.
Located right in the middle of England, the Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel & Spa estate has been owned by the Dukes of Devonshire since 1753. Built in the early 17th century and refurbished and extended in 1981, it sits removed from the world on the Bolton Abbey estate.
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| Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel & Spa in Skipton, England |
Though upscale and luxurious, the property has a laid-back atmosphere that begins at the entrance. There, guests and staff stash their “wellies,” and on cooler days a welcoming fire greets newcomers as they register. Much of the artwork here comes from Chatsworth House--the Devonshire family home in Derbyshire--which houses one of the finest private art collections in Europe (it is open to the public for tours). Helen Mirren stayed here when she was filming "Calendar Girls," and long ago Beatrix Potter came here on holiday and painted the famous 800-year-old Laund oak, which many other artists have also painted.
Guest rooms are decorated uniquely in a contemporary chic style consisting of coordinated fabrics in patterns and solids. To encourage guests to relax and unwind, rooms do not have a clock, but they do have a tea tray equipped with a china tea service bearing the Duke’s crest in gold, a delightfully fast hot water kettle, and a selection of hot chocolate, tea, and powdered coffee—plus shortbread and fruit for a snack. Further English-style comfort is provided in the form of a hot water bottle, and all rooms have a bathtub. The Lismore Suite (named for a castle in Cork, Ireland), where I stayed, has a large deep tub with a metallic tangle of hardware that includes a hand-held shower and an “airbath” feature that sends Jacuzzi-style bubbles out through circles of holes in the tub’s bottom. This suite also has a large shower, a canopy bed with an exquisite multi-color crewel-embroidered floral bedspread, doors that are arched like church windows, and framed photos of its Irish castle namesake. A superb “hills and dales view” of the surrounding estate extends seemingly forever and is visible from most rooms.
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| Lismore Suite at Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel & Spa in Skipton, England |
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| view from Lismore Suite at Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel & Spa in Skipton, England |
The Devonshire Health Spa is situated in a park-like area across the street. It is free to guests and features an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and fitness room. On-site recreational activities include 80 miles of footpaths, fishing, cycling, tennis, and cricket, and golf is nearby. Guests can tour the church ruins and take walks through beautiful Strid Woods--famous for the bluebells that carpet its valley in summer. The estate has three gift shops, a post office, a fine foods store, and a rare books shop.
Modern bistro food and local specialties are served in the casual Devonshire Brasserie and Bar. The Burlington Restaurant--named for the Duke’s ancestor, the Earl of Burlington--is a more formal dining room. It has a Michelin star and serves a refined menu of English and French cuisine such as house-smoked duck and loin of estate venison. Everything is prepared on the premises. The establishment is also known for its excellent wines.
Should the roster be full, you might try The Devonshire Fell Hotel. Just 6 miles away, this hill-top sister property offers 12 guest rooms decorated in vivid colors and simply stunning views across the River Wharfe valley and the Yorkshire Dales beyond.
More things to do in England.
More ideas for exploring Europe.
images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
This looks like a lovely place to stay, Carole, and with an on-site spa, I'm definitely in! Thx for sharing.
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