The Black Swan Hotel, Yorkshire
Market Place, Helmsley, Yorkshire
A most welcoming family hotel with a superb reputation for good food. A great base to explore the many delights in and around the North Yorkshire Moors.
The Black Swan dates back to the 15th century and started life as a coaching inn. It has been developed and extended over the years to accommodate the changing needs of travellers. With an enviable position overlooking the market square in Hemsley this country hotel oozes character and has 45 individually furnished bedrooms. Families can be accommodated in specially designed bedrooms with additional sofa beds or in bedrooms that interconnect. With views of the bustling square in the oldest part of the hotel or in the lush garden wing, every room is sumptuously furnished, with bathtubs and Pecksniff's Mood Therapy toiletries in the bathrooms.
If you love your food you will not be disappointed with the fine dining on offer. The newly awarded two rosette Rutland Restaurants offers three sumptuous menus for dinner including the daily changing house menu, a la carte and tasting menu (cellar of more than 150 wines) in the evening. The restaurant overlooks the hotel's walled garden and the cosy layout is fresh, bright and inviting. The children need not miss out on this culinary treat as a "little Adults Menu" has been specifically devised which can be eaten in the Tearoom or the main hotel restaurant where youngsters are always welcome.
Sample a few treats from the award winning Tearoom and Patisserie and your taste buds will be in heaven. Open daily, 10am to 6pm, serving a wide range of savoury dishes, cakes and artisan pastries along with handmade chocolates and featured teas from around the world.
Families can expect to be warmly welcomed at The Black Swan Hotel which offers a "Kids' Stuff Package" for little ones. It includes the loan of films from the children's DVD library and DVD player in the bedroom, a children's welcome pack, including juice and pop, sweets, popcorn, a selection of board games, and even your own Huggie Bear to take home with you as a souvenir of your stay.
Mum and Dad can take turns at being pampered at the recently opened Verbena Spa, just 200 yards from the Black Swan Hotel. It features a wide range of spa therapies including facials, wraps and massages, but also a 'heat experience' centre, aromatherapy room and salt vapour room.
There are lots of great sightseeing places nearby. Situated in Helmsley, undoubtedly one of Yorkshire's prettiest Market Towns, you are within walking distance to the ruins of the castle. If you are up to a 2 mile walk Riveaux Abbey should not be missed. The Black Swan is an ideal base to explore the rugged beauty of the North York Moors National Park, ancient city of York, Castle Howard, Flamingo Land and to exploring the stunning coastline with a visit to popular seaside towns Whitby and Scarborough.