Holdsworth House Hotel

While there is no gym at Holdsworth House, who needs a treadmill when you can take a hike on the Calderdale Way? This 50-mile circular route passes right by the hotel’s walls, offering rugged trails and dramatic views that are far more rewarding than staring at a gym screen! 

For a gentler pace and more even terrain, try the Halifax heritage trail. It takes you toward the architectural marvel of The Piece Hall and is a spectacular way to hit your step count while soaking up the history of Halifax and the Shibden Valley.  

But if you’re looking for more of an adrenaline kick, head five minutes down the road to Ogden Water Country Park for steep woodland trails that are a favorite for mountain bikers. And for those who prefer to burn their calories on the water, Warley Moor Reservoir offers both paddleboarding and kayaking.

Dining at Holdsworth House feels less like a hotel meal and more like a private 17th-century banquet! The restaurant has had two AA Rosettes for over 20 consecutive years – a glowing testament to a kitchen that prioritises local Yorkshire produce and hearty meals over the latest fads. 

The setting is famously atmospheric, featuring three interconnected oak-panelled rooms that look out over the illuminated courtyard. Just keep an eye out for the ‘witch’s cupboard’. These historic carved doors were hung on the walls to ward off evil spirits – though nowadays they mostly serve as a conversation starter for diners enjoying their candlelit suppers.

Menus range from a sophisticated eight-course tasting journey to a more relaxed bar menu. But if you are visiting on a spa package, the one-course spa lunch is a highlight of the day, designed to be nourishing without being overly heavy.

In the mood for a tipple? The bar offers a G&T of the month featuring small-batch Yorkshire gins, or choose from a tea selection curated by Taylors of Harrogate. If you’re celebrating, they pour a mean glass of real Champagne, which tastes particularly good when enjoyed in the wood-panelled Ayrton Room – the very spot where The Beatles toasted to John Lennon’s birthday in 1964!

No, it’s a small boutique hotel and there isn’t a swimming pool or traditional thermal facilities like a sauna or steam room. Their Farmhouse Treatment Rooms pride themselves on being a treatment-led sanctuary rather than a typical wet spa, focusing instead on deep relaxation – and deeply grounding rituals tailormade to your unique requirements and energy levels.

It sure does! One of West Yorkshire’s most romantic hotels, Holdsworth House has just 33 elegant rooms and suites, each individually designed to embrace the quirks of a 17th-century manor. Whether you’re in a cosy double or a split-level suite, each room is finished with those all-important luxury touches, from The White Company toiletries in the bathrooms to proper cafetières for your morning coffee.

If you’re looking for a room with history, you can even request to stay in the Ayrton or De Aldworth rooms, which are the very spots where The Beatles rested their mop tops. For something even more indulgent, the Bridal Suite is the crown jewel of the house, featuring a romantic bed and its own Juliet balcony overlooking the courtyard. 

You can check in anytime from 3pm, while check-out is by 11am. For spa days, arrival times are generally either 10am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm, so do check your booking confirmation for full details.

It’s in Holdsworth, which is about three miles north of Halifax. But despite its proximity to the town, the 17th-century Jacobean manor has all the feel of a countryside retreat thanks to three acres of landscaped gardens and semi-rural location.

The hotel makes an ideal base for exploring the dramatic scenery of West Yorkshire. The Calderdale Way, a 50-mile circular hiking route, runs right past the hotel, while Ogden Water Country Park is also nearby for scenic reservoir walks. History-packed Shibden Hall is just four miles away, as is The Piece Hall, a unique 18th-century Georgian cloth exchange now filled with independent shops and bars.

In love with the romance of Wuthering Heights? The hotel is just a 20-minute drive from Haworth and Brontë Country, where you can visit the Brontë Parsonage Museum and walk the moors that inspired the literary classic. More of a fan of Happy Valley? The bohemian market town of Hebden Bridge is just nine miles away. It’s famous for its independent shops, creative atmosphere – and for being the hometown of a certain Sergeant Catherine Cawood and Tommy Lee Royce!

Feel like you’ve seen Holdsworth House somewhere before? You’d be right! Holdsworth House is a total star of the screen, most famously appearing as the romantic wedding venue for Alan and Celia in the BBC’s Last Tango in Halifax. It appeared in the final series of Happy Valley – and it’s where many of the cast members stayed while filming the BBC show.

But its celebrity connections don’t stop there, as the manor has been a sanctuary for icons since the sixties. The Beatles famously took over the house to celebrate John Lennon’s 24th birthday in 1964, and it served as the base for Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi during the filming of the latest Wuthering Heights adaptation.

Yes it is. Ten family rooms offer plenty of space for the whole squad to huddle up after a day of West Yorkshire adventure. Several rooms let you add additional beds or cots, and some come with interconnecting layouts. Split-level and Executive suites include a double sofa bed suitable for up to two children aged 11 or under.

The award-winning restaurant has a fantastic children’s menu filled with crowd-pleasers, and they even serve a dedicated mini version of their famous afternoon tea that lets kids feel like young lords and ladies of the manor!

Outside the heavy oak doors, the three acres of hidden, walled gardens are perfect for a game of hide-and-seek. Or head to the world-class Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, just a ten-minute drive away.

The hotel offers one purpose-built, fully accessible bedroom located on the ground floor, which features a spacious layout and a wet-room style bathroom. The main historic building is accessible via ramps, and the ground-floor restaurant, bar, and public lounges are all on a single level. Accessible parking is also available directly at the front of the hotel to provide the easiest possible entry to the main reception.

But while the hotel itself is well-equipped, it is important to note that the Farmhouse Treatment Rooms are situated in a separate, historic cottage where the therapy rooms are located on the first floor. 

It certainly is! And with three acres of gardens to explore and the Calderdale Way right outside the gate, it’s basically a Five-Paw retreat! For £25 per dog, per night, a maximum of two dogs can join you for a stay in one of the hotel’s dedicated dog-friendly rooms. These open directly onto the courtyard or gardens – perfect for those late-night “business trips”. 

Upon arrival, your pooch will be pampered with their very own doggy pack, featuring complimentary welcome treats, towels and water bowls. While the main restaurant is a pet-free zone to keep things fancy, the two of you can eat together in the cosy wood-panelled bar or the hall.

No, it doesn’t have a golf course of its own. But the hotel is partnered with Halifax West End Golf Club, which is less than four miles away. This pay and play venue welcomes visitors every day of the week, offering a fair but challenging par 69 course with some truly spectacular views.