Close to York racecourse and a mile and a half from the medieval city centre, Middlethorpe Hall is well-placed for watching a different sport — the second stage of the Tour de France’s Grand Depart, hosted by Yorkshire, from York to Sheffield.
The handsome redbrick country house was built in 1699 but didn’t become a hotel until 1984, when it was rescued from dereliction by Historic House Hotels.
Now it is owned by the National Trust — joining its sister hotels Hartwell House in Aylesbury and Bodysgallen Hall near Llandudno.
All 29 rooms are spread between the main house, the restored courtyard buildings and three cottage suites, all decked out with original oil paintings and antiques.
The 20-acre parkland holds deer and manicured gardens, while inside there’s a modern British restaurant and bijoux spa with pool and sauna.
Two nights from £596 B&B with morning tea, three-course dinner on both nights, a Decléor treatment each and a Yorkshire cycling map (min two nights, Sunday to Thursday, March 1 to September 30, excl York race days and Bank Holidays), middlethorpe.com