Middlethorpe Hall & Spa

Arrive at this William and Mary house, with its lovely facade and 20 acres of gardens and parkland, and you’d think you were deep in the country – York, however, is just over a mile away. (The racecourse is handily opposite.) Step inside to elegant rooms of shuttered sash windows and wood-panelling, furnished with deep sofas, paintings and glowing table lamps. The house was given to the National Trust in 2008, but it’s not precious; there are newspapers to browse, and fires generously stoked, plus a charming, slightly dated spa in converted cottages. Bedrooms, split between the main hall and converted stable block and cottages, are traditional country house with antiques, patterned wallpapers, blankets and eiderdowns. Some have window seats, all have books, fresh flowers, fruit and home-made biscuits. Bathrooms are small but ‘spotless’. After canapés and drinks in the vast drawing room, dine on Modern British dishes such as chicken with spiced plum, or sea bream with scallop and sea aster. Breakfast offers freshly squeezed juice, leaf tea and cooked dishes such as poached haddock and a full grill.