Lifestyle

Ox Pasture Hall Hotel

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Along with a guest of my choice, I was delighted to have been invited to stay at the Ox Pasture Hall Hotel, Scarborough and write a review of the hotel and restaurant.

So I invited my sister Suzie, it’s been a long time since we did anything together, so it was good to catch up again and have some sister time.

Sat stationary at the traffic lights on the main high street in Scarborough, it seemed impossible to believe that the sat nav was telling us that we were six minutes away from our destination, Ox Pasture Hall Hotel.

Busy shoppers were pounding the streets, where were the moors and the hills? Not a blade of grass to be seen anywhere!

But passing Scarborough College and turning left onto Lady Edith’s Drive, the hustle and bustle of a Friday afternoon turned into stillness and trees were losing their leaves in the autumn breeze.

Fisherman fished from the side of a lake and horses ate the luscious grass that the fields had to offer.

As we weaved our way around the country lanes, I spotted a sign for Ox Pasture Hall Hotel and this beautiful vision suddenly appeared before us.

Ox Pasture Hall Hotel

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A million miles away from the shoppers, it was as if we had been catapulted into a different time zone.

Bathed in sunshine, Ox Pasture Hall Hotel sat before us and on first impressions we didn’t feel disappointed.

As we parked the car in the large free car park, we couldn’t help noticing the views from the front of the hotel, we’d asked where the hills were, we’d found them!

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Checking in at reception, Lynsey the General Manager welcomed us with open arms and confirmed our afternoon tea and evening meal booking times.

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Escorting us to our room across a beautiful courtyard, all I could hear were birds singing!

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We were given the York Suite and as Lynsey opened the suite door, the view from the window was stunning!

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Noticing Suzie was full of cold, Lynsey organised a ‘hot toddy’ to be delivered to our room. A lovely touch ad one Suzie truly appreciated.

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We were like excited teenagers as we explored our accommodation! We had a lounge with a TV, a sofa and a music system. The tea tray had a choice of teas, including peppermint and Earl Grey, coffees and hot chocolate. I was happy to see a teapot!

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The bathroom was out of this world, two sinks, a walk in shower and a bath big enough to fit a family of four in!

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The bedroom had twin beds, a dressing table, another TV and plenty of storage, even for me!

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Suzie’s heart was set on a long hot soak in that big bath using the complimentary bubble bath, and as I heard her ‘splash down’ and a little voice say ‘I’m very happy’ I decided to set off for a walk with my camera.

Happy to be walking in the heart of the countryside, I met another happy Ox Pasture Hall resident, meet Elsie! Now she’s happy because she’s spotted the walks at the back of the hotel!

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As Ox Pasture Hall is pet friendly, she also knows that if her owners go and have a meal in The Bistro, have a drink at the bar, or sit in the little snug, then she’ll be allowed in and she’ll have this little beauty to lie in front of and warm her tummy!

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At the back of the hotel there is a beautiful lake where the moorhens live and this striking fellow surveys his land. I must admit, I did do a double take when I first saw him!

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One thing I did notice is that there are so many places to sit, relax and watch the world go by. Although, this might be a rabbit, a duck or a pheasant!

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Whether you want some time alone, with a loved one or as a group, you’ll find a place just for you.

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Peace and quiet with a cup of tea, a glass of wine with friends or just to read a good book, it’s there for you. Secluded or open to the land, you’ll just have to find it.

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The hotel is surrounded by water of many kinds, a lake, ponds and trickling fountains that all make for therapeutic listening.

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I named this area the door to the ‘secret garden’ and this area to me has a French feel about it.

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But this delightful establishment didn’t always look like it does today. From April 1918/19 it was known as Ox Pasture Farm, Raincliffe, Scarborough and was farmed by the Asquith family. William Henry, his wife Sarah, daughters Florrie and Irene and sons Sydney and Harry.

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The original house still stands today, with all the new builds around it. The owner has made such a good job that you really can’t see the joins!

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At the back of the hotel, you can still see reminders of the Asquith family and their farm.

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Back in the York suite and looking through the guest information literature, if you are visiting on business or pleasure then this establishment caters for you.

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Secretarial services are available along with free high speed internet access and you can hold your conferences or training courses here too.

You don’t need to pack a hairdryer they are provided. For us ladies, that means more space in our bags to pack other things!

If you forget your wash bag then don’t panic! Toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shaving foam, combs, sanitary napkins and sewing kits are held at reception and are free!

There were bathrobes in our wardrobe, along with an iron and ironing board and a fan should you be feeling the heat. There was also a safe to keep your treasures safe and sound.

If you want to write a letter you have stationary and writing paper in your room and you can get stamps from reception.

If you muddy your boots there is a shoe cleaning service, if you drip soup down your suit there is a dry cleaning service available.

On checking out day, if you fancy that last walk around the block, reception will hold your luggage for 6 hours free of charge.

They have thought of everything!

You can even get married here, the service, the meal, the accommodation and what a beautiful backdrop for wedding photography.

Sitting down in the Courtyard Restaurant waiting for our afternoon tea, I noticed that every table in the restaurant had a garden view.

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There are also fresh flowers on every table, a lovely touch.

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This restaurant is the only restaurant in Scarborough to be awarded two rosettes for culinary excellence. So I’m expecting good things!

As the kitchen doors swung open, Alan the Restaurant Manager appeared with cakes a plenty, a selection of sandwiches and lashings of hot tea. A beautiful display that looked too pretty to eat, but we did!

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Being a vegetarian, Alan was quick to point out everything was vegetarian friendly but they had made some beef sandwiches for Suzie.

An hour later and chocolate dripping from our chins, we made our way back to our suite for a bit of a lie down!

Dinner was booked for 8pm, so leaving Suzie to relax I set off again with my camera, eager to make some notes and explore the hotel.

Along with the snug in the bar area there is another area to sit and have a drink; I found a springer spaniel and a Labrador sat quietly with their owners. Both happy to have a chat and a tail wag with me!

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As dinner time approached we were both excited to see the menu, as a vegetarian I always worry about what dishes are available for me. In years gone by it was either an omelette or a cauliflower cheese, so I had made the decision not to look at the Ox Pasture Hall Hotel menus prior to our arrival so my options would be a surprise.

I wouldn’t be disappointed!

Sat in the restaurant with a complementary glass of fizz, although you can eat in your room choosing from the Room Service menu should you wish to do so.

We sat and studied the A La Carte menu. What a delightful selection of mouth- watering options and plenty of dishes available for non- meat eaters.

As a first starter, everyone is offered a little cup of soup. Tonight was tomato and red pepper, delicious.

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I ordered the Beetroot dish, an interesting mix of textures, flavours and temperatures. An absolute treat for my taste buds.

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Suzie ordered the Ham Hock dish, she said that the sweetness of the pea really complimented the other ingredients.

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My main dish was the Mediterrean Wellington? It tasted so fresh, full of flavour and to be honest the best vegetarian meal I have ever eaten.

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Suzie had the Beef Brisket, she said the meat just melted in her mouth.

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Dessert was difficult for me, I’m a pudding person so even making a choice is difficult but I opted for the Carribean Cocktail.

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I have never eaten anything quite like it! Coconut pannacotta, mango rice pudding, passion fruit sorbet all sat happily together on the plate. It was truly a taste of the Caribbean all washed down with a Pina colada. Happy days!

Suzie opted for the lemon dessert and she’s still talking about that experience now we are back home on the south coast! There is a surprise in the pudding but I’m not telling what it is or I’ll spoil it for you!

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With happy tummies we headed back to our room, stopping to listen to the owls having a chat in the woods close by.

You are truly in touch with nature here and I love it!

I’m a keen artist and this place is a paradise for painters, if you like to sketch or paint you will be spoilt for choice for suitable, interesting subject matter.

Bedtime and the beds were as baby bear said in Goldilocks and The Three Bears, ‘were just right’ with pillows that cushioned and supported weary heads.

Suzie was asleep before I’d finished in the bathroom and I wasn’t in there that long, promise!

After a good sleep, we were both up early. I took my usual walk to see if I’d missed anything with my camera and to meet up with the dog walkers! Everybody is so friendly here and I think it’s because it’s so relaxing, you can feel the stress leaving your veins and all that fresh air makes for a restful sleep.

Breakfast was a list of choices, Full English or a pick and mix of a Full English, Continental, cereals, fruit or porridge.

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I opted for a pick and mix.

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Suzie had the Full English without tomato.

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The staff here at Ox Pasture Hall Hotel really care that you enjoy your stay and they go out of their way to make sure you do.

A still tired ‘little’ person, really not happy with his breakfast choices and keen to make sure that the whole restaurant knew about it was causing a stir and his parents were obviously upset.

Lynsey the General Manager turned into a ‘child whisperer’ and with the promise of some of her ‘special porridge’ he was a different child. I wonder what was in that special porridge, maybe I should have tried it!

After a hearty breakfast, I discovered that there was going to be a wedding in the Dovecote Suite later that day. Before the fun and games commenced, I took a sneaky peek at what you could have if you hold your wedding here.

The florist had completed the table decorations.

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She had just finished the beautiful bridal bouquet.

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The tables were set for the guests and the room for the ceremony was being dressed to impress. The bar was primed and ready for celebration drinks.

If I was getting married, this would be the place for me!

Both Suzie and I enjoyed our stay at Ox Pasture Hall Hotel, I was even making plans to move in permanently should I win the lottery! I would have everything I needed here; I would just need a bit more storage for my shoes!

You will leave your troubles at the end of the drive, the staff will adopt you as their own family for the duration of your stay and they will make sure your time spent at Ox Pasture Hall Hotel is a memorable one.

If you are looking for somewhere to stay in North Yorkshire and you see this sign, don’t for goodness sake drive past.

If you do, you’ll miss picking up the key to giving you the experience of excellent food, excellent service and views that are out of this world. It’s a little bit of luxury really.

This place caters for everyone, whether you are on two legs or four, adult or child; you are treated like a member of the Ox Pasture Hall Hotel family.

I will be coming back here one day; this place has captured my heart.

If you’d like to see what the Ox Pasture Hall Hotel can offer you in terms of accommodation then click on the following link.

To sample the delicious food then click on the following link.

Many thanks to Shaun the owner of Ox Pasture Hall Hotel for his kind invitation to stay, Lynsey the General Manager, Alan the Restaurant Manager and Rosie the restaurant waitress for making our stay a truly memorable experience.

And thank you to Elsie for her contribution and cute smile!

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