Katie McGonagle finds out how to sell a UK staycation to retirees.
Click here to download and save as a PDF.
It was a glorious summer’s day spent sipping Pimm’s in the sunshine while rowing boats ambled to and fro along the river and the occasional train trundled over the viaduct ahead. If I add it was that rare British event – a sunny bank holiday weekend – it might start to sound like I’m embellishing the scene for artistic effect. I’m not.
The row of tea rooms, pubs and occasional ice cream vans that line the walkway along Waterside, on the banks of the River Nidd in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, really are as quintessentially British as it gets.
That was in keeping with the theme of this stay, though, based at the Grade II-listed mansion Nidd Hall – all ivy-covered walls and manicured gardens, where afternoon tea or a spot of croquet are the order of the day.
It’s part of Warner Leisure Hotels’ portfolio, aimed at a more mature audience, for whom its classic British touches are a key selling point. So what is a stay at this adult-only hotel really like, and what is there to do in the surrounding area?
Harrogate
Guests who don’t want to venture too far will find stately home Ripley Castle just moments from the hotel, or the small spa town of Knaresborough – with its picturesque Waterside area, souvenir shops and market square – within a 15-minute drive.
Harrogate is just a few minutes further, and rewards day-trippers with a compact, pedestrianised centre where the typical high-street chains and charity shops are interspersed with independent delis and shops, including the delightfully old-fashioned frontage of Mr Arkwright’s Tool Emporium.
“Nidd Hall publishes leaflets outlining local walking trails or points of interest and runs regular day trips for a nominal charge, worth flagging up to solo travellers.”
Anyone looking for recommendations here will be directed to enjoy afternoon tea at Betty’s Cafe Tea Rooms, something of a Harrogate institution in the artsy Montpellier Quarter – hence the two-hour queue snaking around the corner when I visited – but for equally good food without the wait, try The Fat Badger nearby, home of quality pub classics. Then walk it off with a gentle stroll around the pretty Valley Gardens. Nidd Hall publishes leaflets outlining local walking trails or points of interest and runs regular day trips for a nominal charge, worth flagging up to solo travellers or those without their own transport.
York
This Roman city has played a key role in British history as a centre of medieval trade, a focal point for the church, and a hub for the manufacturing of railways, Rowntree’s sweets and Terry’s of York chocolate – and it depends on how sweet-toothed you are as to which of those seems more important.
Those who fall on the side of sweets can make a beeline for York’s Chocolate Story (entry £12.50 for adults, £11.50 for senior citizens), while more conservative sightseers should make time for the artworks, stained glass and fascinating history of York Minster (entry £15/£14, including guided tour; check in advance for opening times).
“Though if clients are at all unsteady on their feet, do warn them it’s frequently packed with visitors, many crowding in to the shops along the street.”
But for guests who’d rather amble around, York is a pleasant place to wander down cobbled streets, duck in to one of the little walled-off pub gardens set back from the street, or stop to watch street entertainers drawing in the crowds.
The Shambles, a medieval shopping street, which was actually mentioned in the Doomsday Book by William the Conqueror in 1086, still boasts late 14th and 15th-century buildings, and is worth a visit. Though if clients are at all unsteady on their feet, do warn them it’s frequently packed with visitors, many crowding in to the shops along the street, which is said to have been the inspiration for Diagon Alley.
It’s also worth noting the park-and-ride system, which is a time-saver for most clients, might not be the best option for visitors with limited mobility.
Mansion house
Nidd Hall can’t help but impress on arrival, with its grand honey-coloured mansion set in 45 acres of Yorkshire countryside, and a fishing lake, tennis courts, archery and a bowling green dotted around its grounds. The terrace is a good spot to take in the view over afternoon tea, or there’s an elegant reading room to retreat to during rainy days.
The property comes with an interesting history of its own; it was built in the 18th century by a Bradford wool merchant and is said to be the place where Edward VIII met Wallis Simpson in the 1930s.
“Our ground-floor room opened on to a patio and chairs which, although overlooked by other guests, was a pleasant spot to sit on a sunny afternoon.”
There’s a mix of standard, signature and historic rooms, which are spacious and comfortable with modern furnishings including reading chairs, a bathroom with grab rails, and all-important tea, coffee and biscuits. Our ground-floor room opened on to a patio and chairs which, although overlooked by other guests, was a pleasant spot to sit on a sunny afternoon.
The good-sized pool seemed to be well used by guests, judging from the number of swimmers in there, with a small gym and spa alongside.
Most meals are served in the main Rawson Restaurant, with cooked breakfasts and three-course dinners of classics such as fish and chips, roast lamb or stuffed pork belly.
Dining was a bit on the regimented side – guests are assigned the same table for the duration of the stay, and service lacked polish – but more can be said for speciality restaurant Great & Small. Set in a more intimate downstairs venue, it serves ‘Yorkshire tapas’ – small locally sourced dishes – with highlights such as Whitby potted shrimp, Nidderdale lamb medallions and a Yorkshire Dales cheeseboard. Guests on the Simply Dine package have three dishes included, with extras at a £5 supplement – which works out at good value.
“Set in a more intimate downstairs venue, it serves ‘Yorkshire tapas’ – small locally sourced dishes – with highlights such as Whitby potted shrimp,”
The entertainment is old-school British seaside, too, which will appeal to some more than others, though new theatre seat reservation system My Warner Table does mean that those who want to be sure of their place can guarantee a spot in advance, so there’s no need to rush through dinner to nab a space to see your favourite acts.
Warner Leisure Hotels markets its 13 coastal and countryside hotels to retired or semi-retired guests, and I’d hazard a guess that the majority were in their 70s, with some in their 60s and several more in the 80-plus bracket. That’s not going to suit every traveller over the age of 65, but for those who want a classically British experience in a gorgeous countryside setting, it’s a compelling prospect. And I’ll raise a glass of Pimm’s to that.
Read more
How to sell staycations: Make the most of the domestic market
History, adventure and foodie-feasts in Jersey, Channel Islands
Dog-friendly hotels: Holidays with man’s best friend
