From the moment you arrive at Oulton Hall, there’s a feeling that this is more than just another country house hotel.

As you climb the stairs of the columned entrance and approach the heavy antique oak doors, as if by magic, they swing open, and it's as if you enter a bygone era.

Such is the effect that it nearly takes your breath away, and you are compelled to stand for a while before taking in the view.

Above the black-and-white tiled entrance hall there’s a crystal chandelier. A marble fireplace takes centre stage with a stylish sofa and chairs and numerous Chesterfields tastefully and conveniently placed.

The reception desk is set back in an oak-panelled alcove so as not to detract from or spoil the aesthetic look, whilst a large antique table laden with tall blooms languishes in the centre of the hall.

From here you move into The Great Hall with its paintings, sculptures and antique furnishings and some very comfortable seating in the form of sofas and easy chairs, all expertly placed for whatever time of day you choose to be there, whether it be for morning coffee, afternoon tea, cocktails or pre-dinner drinks or late-night caps. In the evening on certain nights in the year, there’s also a pianist playing mood music on the historic piano that takes pride of place in The Great Hall. My partner insisted he take a picture of it in all its wonder from above.

The famous Oulton Hall balcony with its glass roof looks down on the great hall, and its walls are adorned with some lovely delicate paintings and mirrors.

After checking in, we made our way to The Wensleydale Suite – our home from home for our stay. As we opened the heavy oak door, we really felt as if we were guests in a country mansion.

The suite had a long entrance hall lined with pictures and framed etchings, at the end of which was an enormous – and I mean enormous – bedroom and living area dominated by a beautiful crystal chandelier.

There was everything there for ultimate comfort, from a comfy king-size bed, lots of antique furniture, a large sofa and easy chairs, occasional tables, plus a large flat-screen TV and a multi-function touch panel allowing you to control the ambience of the various lighting in the suite.

The Wensleydale Suite has some wonderful views from its large windows. It overlooks the gardens and golf links and feels like it’s a million miles away from civilisation.

We started our afternoon with a visit to the spa. I indulged myself with an Elemis facial – one of my favourite brands of facial. I opted for the 50-minute Touch Renew Facial, which is designed to hydrate, lift and firm and uses all the amazing Elemis techniques.

My partner opted for the Elemis Expert Deep Tissue Tension-Ease Massage, which is designed to ease tension and target deep-seated muscle knots and is perfect to combat a busy lifestyle, which he certainly has.

After our treatments, I decided to spend time in the relaxation room, emptying my mind of the world outside, while my partner spent time in the sauna and steam room before taking a leisurely swim.

Returning to our room and catching up with some T.V. News: it was time to put on our glad rags and head downstairs for dinner.

‹›

We decided on a pre-dinner drink in the Champagne Bar with its eclectic mix of chandeliers, art deco-designed lamps, antique fireplaces and very modern high stool seating and tables.

We dined in the Calverley Grill and were not disappointed. The restaurant has been ingeniously planned. It has many small areas, some with tables and comfy dining chairs and others with comfy leather banquette seating.

The design says it all: wherever you are seated, there is an air of privacy, and if you want a table with a view, the section looks out onto the gardens.

The staff here are efficient and pleasant and work under an expert Maître de who knows just about everything about food. He can advise and recommend, if needed, when customers are hesitant about making their choice from the menu.

Whilst we looked at the menu and decided what to order, we munched on some green pitted gordal olives, which were juicy and very tasty.

After deciding on our starters, we were ready to order. My partner chose the duck liver parfait, a recommended dish on the menu. The parfait was set in a terrine and served with a watercress salad and a rather unusual rhubarb chutney, which was very tasty and had a spicy tang. The parfait was smooth and flavourful, and the toasty sunflower seed bread was the perfect accompaniment.

I decided on the grilled goat's cheese. This is a dish I often choose, but I have never had it interpreted like this – this was amazing. The goat cheese was very creamy and served warm with poached pear on top, a watercress salad drizzled with a balsamic glaze and decorated with toasted walnuts.

For the main course we were quite unadventurous but had been recommended to have the ribeye steak by a regular visitor to the restaurant.

My partner chose this and was really pleased with the recommendation and his choice. This was a premium cut of Angus beef which had been aged for 30 days to give it the rich marbling and flavour it had. The meat was succulent, tender and just melted in the mouth. Served with a peppercorn sauce – obviously homemade – and a baby gem salad, this was a meal to savour.

I decided on the British cheeseburger but requested it be served “naked”, that means without the bun. The 6oz British beef burger was cooked exactly as I requested – well done but still retains its moist and succulent flavour. The burger was topped with crispy bacon, and a very tasty nacho cheese sauce covered the burger. It was served with crispy onion rings, layered fresh little gem lettuce, pickled gherkins and a delicious caramelised chutney. The dish came with a side of coleslaw and French fries.

It was a while before we decided to order dessert, and I went for the recommended apple and blackberry tartlet. This food was really my heaven on a plate. The warm apple and blackberry crumble was served in a pastry tart case – the pastry was so light it was just awesome! It came with a spiced blackberry compote and vanilla ice cream. I just couldn’t wait until it was photographed before I dug my spoon in.

My partner chose the lemon meringue pie. This was very different. The lemon meringue was served in a warm pastry case. The pie had a sweet and sour taste. The coordination of the raspberry sorbet and raspberry compote gave this an amazing taste.

After dinner we ‘retired’, as they say, to the drawing room. This is a truly wonderful place. It has dark wooden panel walls, marble fireplaces and numerous pictures and artefacts lining the walls. But it’s the choreography of the seating and placing of the furniture that is the jewel in this room's crown. This is certainly a lounge of luxury with soft sinkable sofas and comfy armchairs. The layout is perfect whether it's just the two of you, four of you or a slightly larger group; the way these breakout areas are engineered gives absolute privacy – something not always found in today’s hotels.

The Drawing Room is also a popular place for afternoon tea, for which the hotel is famed, but which must be booked in advance.

We loved the Drawing Room; for residents, it's open late, and no one rushes you – perfect after a great meal.

The next morning it was business as usual for me writing up my notes whilst my partner enjoyed an early morning swim followed by a hearty breakfast in the restaurant.

Oulton Hall is also a great venue for golfers. The course is set in lush parkland and has well-groomed fairways and greens. The Hall Course has 9 holes, and the Calverley Course has 18. There is a trackman driving range and putting green, and the course has its own bar and eatery – The Claret Jug.

But Oulton Hall is a great base for exploring Yorkshire. It's only 25 minutes from Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Kirkstall Abbey and Temple Newsam House, with the famous Harewood House only a 35-minute drive away.

York, Harrogate, Ilkley and Hebden Bridge are also easily accessible, whilst the Yorkshire Coast makes a great ‘next port of call’.

Oulton Hall has a selection of spa breaks and also golf breaks ranging from 1 day to 3 days. Check the website for the latest information.
Oulton Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, Rothwell Lane, Oulton, Leeds LS26 8HN.
Tel: -113 282 1000
website theqhotelscollection.co.uk