"The country habit has me by the heart"
- Vita Sackville West
The quaint Northern village of Clitheroe, home to approximately 16,000 inhabitants, is a hikers’ haven; nestled deep in the Ribble Valley surrounded by miles of rolling hills, it’s an idyllic escape for every man and his dog (figuratively and literally speaking); a place where nature cleanses the soul and troubles are left on the motorway. You’ll find sheep grazing peacefully in the fields. You’ll find the River Ribble meandering majestically through hills. You’ll find the ruins of churches and castles and best of all, you’ll find some lovely country pubs. Amid this rural oasis, Mitton Hall provides a sumptuous 20-acre sanctuary from where Lancashire can be effusively appreciated.
Doused in a rich history, Mitton Hall is every bit as grand as you’d expect of a formally private Medieval residence. Beyond its cream, unimposing exterior lies a labyrinth of personality. The Great Hall is the first room behind Mitton Hall’s doors, dressed to impress with high beamed ceilings, original stained-glass windows, a statement silver rhino wall mount and a spectacular crystal chandelier, all overlooked by the gallery. Large, inviting leather sofas bask in front of a cavernous open fire, while the tartan colour scheme pays homage to its country heritage.
With 18 rooms and suites, Mitton Hall is a boutique residence and all bedrooms are located on the first floor. After being handed the key to the Queen Suite, we climbed the stairs to the gallery which led us to the heavy, oak door behind which lay the Queen Suite. As the name would suggest, the room is spacious and fit for royalty; large windows and high ceilings instantly fill the room with light, creating a tranquil and relaxing environment. The interior - ornate, without being imposing and modern, without being informal – makes for a comfortable yet luxurious stay. The king-sized bed is immaculately made with crisp, white linen and plush, purple pillows, which complement the lilac floral feature wall. Meanwhile, the bathroom comes complete with a roll top bath tub big enough for two, an open walk-in shower and luxury L’Occitane toiletries. It’s almost too lovely to leave – until hunger strikes.
With 18 rooms and suites, Mitton Hall is a boutique residence and all bedrooms are located on the first floor. After being handed the key to the Queen Suite, we climbed the stairs to the gallery which led us to the heavy, oak door behind which lay the Queen Suite. As the name would suggest, the room is spacious and fit for royalty; large windows and high ceilings instantly fill the room with light, creating a tranquil and relaxing environment. The interior - ornate, without being imposing and modern, without being informal – makes for a comfortable yet luxurious stay. The king-sized bed is immaculately made with crisp, white linen and plush, purple pillows, which complement the lilac floral feature wall. Meanwhile, the bathroom comes complete with a roll top bath tub big enough for two, an open walk-in shower and luxury L’Occitane toiletries. It’s almost too lovely to leave – until hunger strikes.
Next to the Great Hall is the restaurant, which serves breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner daily. Spacious and well-lit with a sprinkling of statement furnishings, the restaurant is in keeping with Mitton Hall’s comfortable yet eclectic style, making it the perfect place to sit and sample the cocktail menu before digging into some Great British grub. Although, the food menu is not wholly what you’d expect of a quintessentially British manor house, with the kitchen cooking up a fusion of modern British and European cuisine.
We sampled gnocchi and scallops for starters and steak and monkfish for mains and while each dish was presented perfectly, we felt that the flavour combinations were slightly out of sync for the environment and perhaps a little overcomplicated. The melting chocolate pudding, however, was very pleasing to the palette and we left the restaurant feeling relatively satisfied.
After a wonderful night’s sleep in the Queen Suite, we were fully relaxed and ready for a day of exploring – but not before breakfast. Breakfast at Mitton Hall is as traditional as they come, where you can help yourself to a small selection of continental offerings as well as a full menu of classic hot breakfasts to set you up for the day. A Full English and smoked salmon with scrambled eggs were our breakfasts of choice, which both went down a treat.
Overall, our stay at Mitton Hall was definitely a memorable one. The hotel is truly beautiful and every element is put in place for your comfort, right down to the luxurious toiletries, the spare heater and complimentary biscuits. So if you’re looking for a Great British getaway with gorgeous countryside at your disposal, you should definitely add Lancashire to your list. And you never know, your visit might be the start of something great. It is, after all, the birthplace of the jelly baby, white road markings and the Lancashire hot pot.
Overall, our stay at Mitton Hall was definitely a memorable one. The hotel is truly beautiful and every element is put in place for your comfort, right down to the luxurious toiletries, the spare heater and complimentary biscuits. So if you’re looking for a Great British getaway with gorgeous countryside at your disposal, you should definitely add Lancashire to your list. And you never know, your visit might be the start of something great. It is, after all, the birthplace of the jelly baby, white road markings and the Lancashire hot pot.
Where's your favourite country getaway?
