Thorpe Lodge Country House Bed and Breakfast near Ripon City Golf Club, North Yorkshire, England

Welcome to Thorpe Lodge, an elegant listed Georgian house that is the family home of Tommy and Juliet Jowitt. The colourful rooms are all full of antiques, masses of pictures, ornaments, and comfortable soft furniture, adding up to the quintessential informal English country house look par excellence.  The guest rooms are large, full of light, and exceptionally well thought-out, thanks to interior designer Juliet’s experience doing up some of the UK’s major hotels.

Twelve acres of beautiful gardens and woodland have been created over the last twenty years by Tommy and successfully mix natural, country, and formal styles. Explore the spectacular borders, the walled garden with its wonderful roses, and the hornbeam walk. From the first snowdrops in January, through the daffodils and bluebells in the spring to beds ablaze with colour throughout the summer and autumn, the garden is a constant joy.  The house is right in the middle of the county of North Yorkshire, at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales about two miles south of Ripon, and is ideal for a luxurious and relaxing break.

 

The house and bedrooms face south, with a sunny terrace overlooking the large lawn, the blue and white borders, and on over the haha to open countryside beyond. Within a few miles, however, are the famous Yorkshire Dales, Herriott country, the moors, and natural wonders such as Brimham Rocks, Malham Tarn, and Aysgarth Falls.

 

The gardens are opened once a year for the National Gardens Scheme, but group visits are welcomed at any time by arrangement. Lunches, dinners, and teas can be provided, as well as facilities for private dinner parties or small meetings. More information on request.

Ponds reflect the tall cypresses and the statues in the rose garden, which is filled entirely with fragrant old roses. The guest bedrooms overlook the main gardens, but guests will arrive into the courtyard at the back of the house, giving them their own door into the rooms in the South Wing.

 

The courtyard itself is one of the main attractions of Thorpe Lodge, a suntrap with a riot of pots containing daturas, palms, marguerites and many other colourful annuals set on cobbles around the fountain.

 

The Yellow Room is one of two large luxury guest bedrooms in the South Wing. Juliet has put to good use all her experience gained during years as an interior designer for some of the country’s leading hotels, and both rooms have every imaginable comfort. They have capacious sitting areas, with television, video, hot drinks tray, and a sizeable desk.

 

While guests are requested not to smoke in the bedrooms, there is a private sitting room, with a television, where cigarettes may be enjoyed in peace. Plenty of books and videos ensure that there never need be a dull moment, and there is always the wonderful garden to explore or just to relax in: perhaps in the swimming pool, weather permitting.

 

The Green Room, like the Yellow Room, has its own attractive bathroom en-suite with a bath and shower. Both rooms can be arranged with twin beds or a king-sized double, and are furnished and decorated to make guests feel welcome, comfortable and at home.

 

Delicious breakfasts, from simple to full English, are served in the sunroom overlooking the courtyard during the summer, and in the colder months in the winter dining room with its eclectic picture collection. A list of the many local pubs and restaurants serving fine English food will be supplied, or sumptuous dinners at Thorpe Lodge can be booked by arrangement.

 

The long drive is lined from January onwards with a profusion of snowdrops, daffodils, bluebells and cow parsley, until in June the garden proper takes over. A hornbeam walk leads to the new woodland, with colourful shrubs and English hardwood trees; older beech and other trees are bordered by a yew and box avenue with beds of special grasses.  Beyond the main lawn is the walled garden, with a line of ancient fruit trees, a swimming pool, the rose garden, and a large yellow border which creates a wonderful burst of summer colour. More woodland near the paddock includes a red border, a cherry walk, a gingko tree, a fine walnut, and several acacias.

 

Attractions 

 

Golf nearby:

 

Ripon City Golf Club

Ripon City is a relatively short par 71 course that measures 6,084 yards. The front nine has some interesting holes that offer fantastic views over the City of Ripon and is set in undulating parkland, so can be quite demanding if walking

 

Oakdale Golf Club

Dr. Alistair Mackenzie, the leading golf course architect, designed this course at Oakdale Golf Club which has been in use ever since it was founded in 1914. Now, some ninety years later, it is still enjoyed by many golfers from all around Yorkshire and has an active and lively membership who always welcome visitors to their fine course.

 

Knaresborough Golf Club

Knaresborough Golf Club was established in 1920. A gem of a golf course located just outside the market town of Knaresborough in one of the most beautiful areas of North Yorkshire. Set in undulating parkland with mature wooded areas and surrounded by open countryside, .

 

Aldwark Manor Golf Course

If you enjoy a nice relaxing round you’ll be in golfing heaven at Aldwark Manor Golf Club: the golf course sits perfectly within 120 acres of parkland, featuring mature, rare trees which help to create a wonderfully tranquil atmosphere. All this and with a 19th century Manor House as its centrepiece.

 

Harrogate Golf Club

Located only 2 miles from the centre of the famous spa town, Harrogate Golf Club is a mature parkland course in a picturesque setting and benefits from spectacular floral displays in the Spring.  The current course measures a little less than 6250 yards and is on fairly flat terrain. It is widely regarded as a fair test of golf, requiring accuracy rather than distance off the tee.

 

Rudding Park Golf Club

Rudding Park is the most comprehensive golfing facility in the North of England. The range of experiences is second to none, appealing to members, visitors and corporate days alike.  The stunning 18 hole par 72 course runs through the heart of Rudding Park’s 19th century parkland. Designed by Martin Hawtree, this championship course proves a challenge for even the most seasoned golfer.

 

Flaxby Golf & Country Club

Designed by leading golf architect David Hemstock and featuring more than 18,000 newly-planted trees and several lakes, the 27 holes will test golfers of all abilities. The par 72 18-hole course is nearly 7,000 yards from the championship tees but offers tee positions for juniors as well as ladies and gentlemen. Golf facilities will include a 9-hole Academy course and a driving range as well as other tuition and practice areas.

 

 

For more information, reservations and availability please contact us:

Juliet Jowitt

Thorpe Lodge, Ripon

North Yorkshire HG4 3LU

home: 01765 602088

fax: 01765 602835
E Mail:

Website: www.thorpelodge.co.uk