Love is in the air

Okay, so I would have loved a weekend in Barcelona or a trip to Rome – but I have to say a couple of days in Wensleydale does take some beating, even in winter.

There is something about Yorkshire winter which is unique. As the wind and the rain battered down on our Mini while we made our way to Bainbridge, there was a touch of the Dunkirk spirit about triumphing over whatever Mother Nature had to throw at us. And there was something about the dramatic, unspolit and breathtaking scenery of the Yorkshire Dales which accentuated this.

Our destination, and safe haven from the elements, was Yorebridge House. Flanked by the rivers Ure and Bain, on the edge of the unspoilt village of Bainbridge, Yorebridge House is a former headmaster’s house. Across a courtyard is the former Grammar School.

The house was built in 1850 and the present school was built in 1848, however it has been the site of Yorebridge School since the 1600s.

Yorebridge House is now owned by Yorkshire couple Charlotte and David Reilly, who have lovingly and painstakingly restored and converted it into the ultimate romantic getaway and perfect base to explore the Dales.

They bought it in 2006, by which time it was the head office of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The couple, from North Yorkshire themselves, spent 17 months refurbishing the property and opened Yorebridge House in 2007.

It was voted the UK’s Most Romantic Hotel last year by Trip Adviser and I was interested to see if it lived up to its billing.

The boutique-style hotel has 11 rooms, some with hot tubs. All are individually designed, many with a theme inspired by the owners’ own experiences. All are beautifully and originally designed with a great eye for detail. Some are in the main house and others, including ours, in the Coachhouse.

Many have their own outside hot tub which I admit didn’t seem like a bonus on a blustery winter’s day. But my husband insisted that we must try it out. So, armed with our complimentary bottle of Champagne and petit fours, we braved the elements and took to the tub.

It was in the most beautiful setting in our own private garden overlooking the River Ure and the hills beyond. Away from the hubbub of everyday life juggling work and children, sitting in that hot tub gave us a rare chance to actually have a chat.

The hard part was actually getting out of the tub and running the few metres back to our room. A romantic meal in Yorebridge’s 2 AA Rosette restaurant which has Michelin star aspirations followed.

What really impressed me about Yorebridge House wasn’t just its contemporary and lavish interiors in a traditional building, it was the fact that despite its standing as a top-class boutique hotel its owners and staff very much want to it remain part of the community.

The majority of the well-trained staff live in the area, locally brewed beer is in the pumps and locals are encouraged to use the facilities as much as the visitors from much further afield. It is this that makes Yorebridge House stand out.

The following day, after an impressive breakfast with stunning views from the dining room, our romantic journey continued with a trip to the stunning Aysgarth Falls, a triple flight of waterfalls, surrounded by forest and farmland, carved out by the River Ure over an almost a one-mile stretch on its descent to mid-Wensleydale.

The falls are quite spectacular during wet weather – which it was – as thousands of gallons of water cascade over the series of broad limestone steps. Ruskin, Turner and Wordsworth have all visited, all enthusing about the falls’ outstanding beauty. The upper fall was featured in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. In addition to the falls, there are walks which wind through the wooded valley, offering views of the river and falls. You cannot fail to be overawed by the sheer power of the water and not for the first time in the last 24 hours I was reminded of the power of Mother Nature.

www.yorebridgehouse.com

Other romantic hotels in Yorkshire

Waterton Park Hotel and Walton Hall, Wakefield – Walton Hall is a gracious Georgian mansion on an island surrounded by its own lake. It hosts the AA rosette Bridgewalk restaurant, private dining and conference rooms and the relaxed and informal Charlie’s Bar.

Swinton Park, Masham – ancestral home of the Cunliffe-Lister family in 200 acres of parkland, lakes and gardens. Guests have access to rivers, reservoirs, moorland, dales and the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. You can even stay in the castle’s turret.

Feversham Arms, Helmsley – If you’re planning to ask the one you love to marry you, The “Fev” oozes the required “wow” factor. There’s choice of luxury accommodation including a series of small stone cottages (suites) that have been tastefully converted, ringed around a courtyard with a paved garden, each one with its own living room and log fired stove. The best bit? The heated pool (all year round) sits gleaming at its centre.

Lady Teal hotel boat – a magnificent five star hotel boat offering crewed and fully-catered breaks away on the glorious Leeds and Liverpool canal. A day’s cruising may see you helping with swing bridges and locks or relaxing in the light and airy lounge watching the world go by. Have pre-dinner drinks on the Star Deck and enjoy pampering and superb food.