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Graham Clark
Music Features Writer
@Maxximum23Clark
10:42 AM 10th September 2020
lifestyle

Oulton Hall, Waiting To Be Discovered

 
The lockdown has brought us many things but one of the better aspects of it was discovering what was on your own doorstep. Walks that you never knew existed, views you had never seen before and now with foreign travel becoming a distant memory, it is time to discover what we are fortunate to have in our own county.

Oulton Hall
Oulton Hall
Oulton Hall lies just off Junction 30 of the M62 and is a short distance from Leeds and Wakefield. The Hall is now a luxury hotel complex offering spa and leisure facilities, 2 golf courses and is a lavish wedding venue too.

Over the years the Hall has been a residence, a hospital during the Great War and now a hotel. QHotels purchased the hotel in 2014 and have invested heavily in refurbishing the property.

You approach the hotel via its own drive, the Hall comes into view and you begin to ask yourself, why haven’t I been here before?

COVID-19 measures mean that staff wear masks, there are sanitizer stations throughout the hotel and meals at the Calverley restaurant are booked to a given time slot to maintain social distancing.

The rooms range from the entry level right up to a suite. If you want to live like a pop star or feel like you have won the lottery then The Richmond Castle Suite will answer all your desires.

Richmond Castle Suite
Richmond Castle Suite
There are other suites too such as the Knaresborough Castle suite. Apparently the Richmond Castle suite is used as a wedding suite and has a special hook to hang the bride's wedding dress.

At this level you can expect a room fit for a king (or bride and groom) with thick curtains, a very comfy bed, large TV, air conditioning, fridge with drinks, huge wardrobes, safe and a bathroom that has a his and hers sink. A separate bath and walk in rain shower added to the high standard of fittings. It was good to see that the teas and coffees were in a sealed bag so as to keep them germ free.

The Library
The Library
The public rooms including The Library make for one of the best afternoon tea destinations that I have experienced in Yorkshire. On a sunny day you can sit outside taking in the countryside views - it is hard to believe that Leeds is just up the road.

I found the service to be polite, professional, pleasant and attentive without being too instructive.

Meals are served in the Calverley Grill. Classical music plays in the background as your waiter arrives to take your order. Your food arrives on a tray which gives an even more upmarket feel. An extensive menu means that there is something for everyone. I witnessed everyone receiving prompt attention and did not see any plates going back to the kitchen with food on them.

10oz 28 day Casterbridge Rib eye steak
10oz 28 day Casterbridge Rib eye steak
My starter of Artisan bread served with balsamic and olive oil along with nut free pesto was fresh and tasty whilst my 10oz 28 day Casterbridge rib eye steak was perfectly cooked to my preference. The cheese selection came with a very soft Brie and a tangy Stilton.

Breakfast is also served in the Calverley Grill. Orange juice is poured for you so as to restrict any contamination from the dispenser. There are separate areas for the continental breakfast and the cooked English breakfast, although it is buffet style there is a member of staff there to serve it for you.

The Health Club and Spa seemed busy with residents and locals and appeared to be well equipped from the gym to the extensive range of spa treatments. The early golfers were already out too.

I liked Oulton Hall as it is a relaxing place to visit, it feels opulent and grand without being stuffy.

As you sit on the terrace on a sunny afternoon overlooking the extensive grounds it will seem far more appealing than the current stress involved with an overseas holiday. Your stress buster is right here in Yorkshire.

Oulton Hall, Rothwell Lane, Oulton, Leeds LS26 8HN
Telephone 0113 201 4498
https://www.oultonhallhotel.co.uk