When the weather is cold and dark it seems the best thing to do is pull on a thick jumper and stay in snuggled up to your loved ones. But why stay at home when you could venture to the stunning Yorkshire Dales and enjoy a stay at the historic and luxurious Marske Hall Estate? I was invited for a cosy night’s stay, along with spa treatments from Crystal Clear, in early December.
Up until Spring 2001, Marske Hall Yorkshire Country Estate was in a state of disrepair, the 400-year-old stable blocks, hall and clocktower needed someone to bring them back to life and restore their heritage. Luckily, experienced property developer Ian Morton was granted permission to turn the historic site into 10 luxury cottages and restore the hall into a space to be used by the public once again.
A stunning historic property
For the First Time in over 400 Years, Marske Hall Yorkshire Country Estate, set on 25 acres of land is available for members of the public to holiday in.
The site is as grand and beautiful as you’d imagine, set on a backdrop of greenery and rolling hills. The old stables are set around a square courtyard and are now home to spacious cottages. Each cottage is bathed in warm, earth tones and organic textures, fitted with advanced yet artistic amenities including hot tubs, copper baths, hand-crafted kitchens and more.
My favourite element was the underfloor heating throughout the whole space, which I was told is done sustainably and is state of the art. The smell of old wood and slate is mixed in with the warm and cosy essential oils wafting through the rooms.
Our cottage consisted of a lounge, kitchen and dining room on the first floor, then 2 double bedrooms and a bathroom with a whirlpool bath on the second floor. Other rooms had vast lounge areas and multiple bedrooms perfect for families or groups to stay. Others had amazing features such as hot tubs in the bedrooms or lounge areas more suited to a romantic getaway for couples.
John Hutton was notoriously known as a talented racehorse breeder, whose stallion Marske sired the legendary Eclipse in 1764. The now-converted stables are rightly named after the infamous race horses Eclipse bred, Red Rum, Frankle and more.
We were in Seabiscuit, which I was glad about as it was one of the only ones I knew so I could remember it! The renovated cottages, although upskilled and contemporary, beautifully highlight the heritage and history through unique features such as; 1788 wall graffiti, 1735 Georgian fireplace cornices and open vaulted oak beam ceilings from 1749 carefully cleaned and oiled by local craftsmen.
You’ll find random drawings in the corner of your bedroom, or some words scratched onto the beams of the ceiling, all of which are a little part of history.
My companion and I were treated to a number of spa treatments during our stay, most notably a chopstick facial from Crystal Clear, a no needles, no surgery facial which is credited for delivering great-looking skin quickly and efficiently. The facial immediately gets to work on firming and tightening every skin type, reducing puffiness and dull skin in an instant.
The winter months left me needing a bit of a boost and levelling out of redness in my cheeks so this facial was perfect and left me looking radiant, luminous and plumped. It’s an incredibly relaxing facial and it works by being delivered by two sonic-powered wands and 98% Hyaluronic Serum constantly rolled over the skin to stimulate collagen, providing the quickest hydration boost.
You can also purchase the wands yourself to carry out the salon’s favourite treatment at home. I was kindly given their Ionic Sonic Cleansing Kit and I have been using it every week (on myself as well as on my partner) since it is just wonderful and makes a difference to my whole face.
Marske Hall is a strong supporter of the Warhorse charity and has named their beautiful event space filled with extant charm after this important cause which is close to home. The stunning space has so far been used for a variety of wellness activities for locals and guests such as yoga and as a meeting place for walkers in the Yorkshire Dales.
My group enjoyed a delicious homemade meal in the evening and the morning we enjoyed a relaxing sound bath in the space, laying on mats and wrapped in blankets so we were able to be comfortable for this wonderful experience.
The team are supportive of educating guests not only on the history of the estate but also on the stunning surrounding areas in the Yorkshire Dales. Offering exclusive packages such as guided walks, local cooking classes, wine tasting, yoga and mountain biking.
I was impressed to hear that many of the guests who first stayed after its opening had returned to enjoy everything the estate had to offer many times, and it was easy to understand why. With such beautiful rooms that offer all the modern amenities you’d need, set in the most beautiful, peaceful environment you could wish for in the UK, Marske Hall offers an unforgettable stay, perfect for couples, families and friends alike.
To find out more and to book your stay in 2023, see online.
Marske Hall Country Estate
Cat Bank, Marske
Yorkshire Dales National Park
North Yorkshire
DL11 7NB
United Kingdom
