Rooms

Spread higgledy-piggledy across the original buildings and newer additions (built sympathetically in local stone) around the pool, the 33 rooms offer, almost, 33 different choices. All have a light and uncluttered, country-contemporary style of pale carpets and walls, blanket throws, smartly upholstered armchairs and tongue-and-groove panelling. But then comes the choice: more classic and cosy rooms in the original ‘pub’ with sash windows and maybe a window-seat; swanky spa suites with vintage wallpapers, sprawling lounges and glass-fronted or Juliet balconies; and poolside suites with quirky shapes, pops of Mediterranean colours, most with private terraces.

The majority are suites and all but one room has a bath as well as shower. We liked the attention to detail; original art on the walls, an attractive ceramic dish, a pair of candles – although some may find the soft toy and cards with life-affirming quotes in each room a little twee. Two favourites are poolside suite No 23, a skip from the pool, with its rolltop bath, and No 19 in the main house, with beams and a wood-burning stove.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Iron
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

With 2 AA rosettes, the cooking is serious, presentation artful – but not irksome – and the sourcing strongly Yorkshire: North sea fish, moorland game, local lamb. White tablecloths, an amuse-bouche, and a choice of a la carte or tasting menu, indicates evening meals are to be savoured rather than fill a hunger gap.

Modern British dishes have unusual pairings – east coast mackerel with gooseberry jam; lamb with goats curd and tomato tartlet – but the balance is carefully thought-through. My goats cheese terrine with pink fir apple and Medjool date was surprising and very more-ish while the herb and lemon crusted halibut was deliciously moist. Sadly, no room for pudding, though the dark chocolate and ale cake sounded wonderfully wicked.

As at dinner, breakfast had good vegetarian choices, and the service was quick and attentive.

This is foodie country with a couple of fine-dining choices in nearby Harome or hearty pub meals and cake-filled tearooms a-plenty in Helmsley.

Features include:

• Afternoon tea
• Bar
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Want to stay put? Take a dip in the heated outdoor pool or enjoy a treatment or thermal experience in the spa. Six treatment rooms offer options from facials and wraps to their signature hot poultice massage using herbs from nearby Hemsley Walled Garden. There’s also a rasul mud-treatment room, and an outdoor hot tub
  
• Explore Helmsley with its ruined 12th-century castle and neighbouring Helmsley Walled Garden restored by volunteers to Victorian splendour with rare trees and plants, vegetable garden and orchard, and peaceful areas for quiet contemplation
  
• Spend several hours pottering around the town with its independent shops including delis, country outfitters, bookshop, home interiors and tea-rooms at every turn
  
• Stride out on the North York Moors with their far-reaching views; fabulous for heather in the late summer
  
• Let the train take the strain with a ride on the North Yorkshire Moors steam railway at Pickering which puffs its way through moorland valleys 24 miles to Whitby on the coast
  
• Step back in time at Ryedale Folk Museum in pretty Hutton-le-Hole with its authentically furnished rural buildings (salvaged and re-built) including a shoemaker, village shop, manor house and Victorian schoolroom

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Plantlife / flora
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming

Kids

This isn’t an obvious family hotel – most guests are couples – but children are made welcome, with the pool being the main draw; be aware it’s not protected. The soft toy placed on every bed will appeal to smaller ones. Cots, extra beds and children’s menus are available, though families with younger children are encouraged to dine before 8pm.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Cots (no charge) can be put in any room, while all suites have sofa-beds or can fit extra beds. Two rooms include an additional bedroom (one on a mezzanine level) while one double room and suite interconnect.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 1 hour (Durham Tees Valley or Leeds-Bradford)
• Shop: 2 minutes (Helmsley Market Place)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Feversham Arms Hotel is located in the centre of Helmsley, a market town on the southern edge of the North York Moors. It’s 40km north of York, and 22km from the A19 at Thirsk.

By Car:
A car is essential for exploring; there’s an underground car park. The Feversham Arms Hotel is a 4.5-hour drive from London, a 2-hour drive from Manchester, and a 3-hour drive from Birmingham. For car hire see our car rental recommendations.

By Train:
York and Darlington are the nearest stations, both on the east coast main line from London to Scotland. York has good connections with the rest of the rail network, including services from London.

By Air:
The nearest airports are Durham Tees Valley (62km away) and Leeds-Bradford (78km away); the drive from either of the above airports takes around an hour and transfers can be arranged on request, see Rates.

Detailed directions will be provided when you book through i-escape.com.

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