The grand and ivy clad Macdonald Gisborough Hall is still family owned but it is leased to the Macdonald Hotel group. With stunning views over the Cleveland Hills, this 19th century country mansion is on the road between the urban centre of Middlesbrough in Teesside and the picturesque seaside town of Whitby, famous for Whitby jet, fishing and Dracula.
A popular wedding venue, this quirky hotel, which does look rather like something out of a Harry Potter book, offers something for the day visitor, the business traveller or the weekend breaker at a very affordable price. It is also a very popular for weddings and conferences.
History of the Hall
Gisborough Hall was the Baronial seat of Lord Gisborough, whose family — the Chaloners have a fascinating history. They didn’t take on the name Chaloner until the 13th century. This unusual and interesting name is of early medieval English origin, is an occupational surname for a maker or seller of blankets. So, the family were probably originally tradesmen. Roger Chaloner (1485-1550) became Teller of the Receipts of the Exchequer and his son was the famous Sir Thomas Chaloner who became MP for Knaresborough and Ambassador to Spain. The estate had been leased during the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII by Thomas Leigh. When Leigh died, Thomas Chaloner married his widow and bought the house and the whole of the Gisborough Estate from the crown for 854 GBP — this was the actual price recorded — about 108 USD! The family still hold a painting of Sir Thomas Chaloner by Holbein in their collection. The estate was passed down through the family and was even leased to the council as an old people’s home in 1945. The hall became a hotel in 1972 and was completely renovated in 2000.
Hotel amenities
The hall’s grand exterior and public rooms are still very traditional in feel with lovely original mullioned windows, furniture and oil paintings. The grounds have rose gardens and fountains and even a few llamas at the bottom of the drive. The suites in the hotel are all individually designed with names like the Fountain suite, which is the bridal suite, the Old Nursery, the Rose Room and the Admiral’s room. The rooms in the new wing have been recently refurbished in a more modern style with flat screen TVs. A nice touch is leaf tea with a proper tea pot and tea strainer, the only hotel I think I’ve been to where tea bags weren’t the norm! Upgraded rooms (including those with 4-poster beds) add decanters of sherry, designer toiletries and turndown service. There is also a small spa, the ‘revival zone’, where you can go for a relaxing massage or facial if you choose.
Dining at the Hall
There is something for everyone. The large airy Chaloner restaurant, which looks out onto the grounds, is your more formal option for an a la carte evening meal, but there is also the super modern G Bar and Bistro, which has a glass mosaic bar and a giant mirrored Buddha in the corner. If you don’t want a la carte — although they do do a very reasonable three course special — then the hall can cater for those with a more substantial appetite. Wednesday is steak night with two meals and a bottle of wine for 40 GBP or 52 USD. Thursday is pie night and Friday is fish and chip night. You can’t get much more traditional English cuisine than that.
A traditional hotel experience
Lord Gisborough who is now nearly 90 years old, still owns the hall. He lives close by and pops in every day. He often brings in comb honey from his own hives and olive oil from his son’s estate in South Africa to sell at reception and sometimes books to add to the library. There are said to be three ghosts at the Hall, all friendly, including a nanny that kneels by the foot of the bed in the nursery, and a butler who can be heard rolling barrels at night. Our evening at Gisborough Hall was thankfully entirely ghost free. If you are looking for an affordable place to stay from only 69 GBP or 87 USD for dinner bed and breakfast right next to the beautiful Yorkshire coast and countryside with great facilities, and a cracking full Yorkshire breakfast complete with local sausage, bacon and black pudding, then this could be the hotel for you.
History
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