A beautiful oasis tucked away in North Yorkshire
Enjoying the warming ‘country lifestyle’ vibe of Helmsley’s Feversham Arms Hotel and Verbena Spa
Dipping my toe into the outdoor swimming pool of a North Yorkshire hotel in the middle of winter, I felt a surprising feeling of warmth. The bubbling hot tub nearby was inviting, but on my heated water discovery I was happy to take the plunge, delighted that I had the pool to myself and was able to swim several uninterupted lengths in the pretty terrace surroundings.
It was a little ‘surprise’ that set the theme for our one-night stay at the Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa, in Helmsley, which although in the heart of a vibrant market town, still managed to possess a warming ‘country lifestyle’ vibe.
Arriving early before our afternoon check-in, there was time to stretch our legs and explore the town centre which was just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel. Helmsley, a small, but bustling town oozing Yorkshire charm, boasts a mix of shops selling an array of items from jewellery, ceramics and antiques to art, high-end fashion and home accessories.
As usual, my wife and I were more enticed by the delightful smells drifting from the various food shops, predictably giving in to our temptations with lunchtime purchases of freshlybaked sausage rolls along with a quiche and traditional Yorkshire curd tart to take home.
One thing that may surprise is that the Feversham Arms is dog friendly and appears to be one of a growing number of ‘upscale’ UK hotels happy to welcome our four-legged friends, allowing them to share the joys of staying in a luxurious retreat with their owners.
It was the perfect place to take our newly-adopted greyhound Jojo for her first ever hotel break, who must have thought she was in dreamland after spending her early years on the racetrack while only living in kennels.
Our poolside suite accommodation, one of five independent ‘cottages’ in the hotel, was ideal for both pooch and owners as it was roomy, close to the hotel entrance and easily accessible for ‘pit stops’, not to mention its super cosy features, rustic oak beamed decor and spacious poolside terrace, ideal for those who love a morning dip.
It’s the added touches that make places like the Feversham so special, such as the available robes and slippers and plush Temple Spa toiletries, making guests feel more like they’re in a resort rather than a hotel.
Dinner was a pleasurable experience from the off as we were immediately put at ease when escorted to a ‘dog friendly’ table in the corner of the lounge with ample room for Jojo to rest without causing a trip hazard for the friendly and efficient Weathervane Restaurant team.
After selecting a bottle of crisp white New Zealand sauvignon from the wine menu, the food that followed exceeded expectations, kicking off with a delightfully smooth butternut squash veloute starter along with the beautifully presented East Coast Mackerel for my wife.
The addition of sourdough bread and butter preceded two mouthwatering, but very different, main courses - Yorkshire
‘The food exceeded
expectations’