Mansion to become luxury country hotel and spa

A grade II listed mansion near Ripon that dates back to the 17th century is being transformed into a country house hotel and spa.
Grantley Hall, which is going to be transformed into a luxury country house hotel and spa (s).Grantley Hall, which is going to be transformed into a luxury country house hotel and spa (s).
Grantley Hall, which is going to be transformed into a luxury country house hotel and spa (s).

Grantley Hall has recently changed hands and the new owner has pledged to convert the historic house, which is set in 30 acres of wooded parkland and grounds, into a luxury venue.

The development will retain and showcase its many Georgian features and will include accommodation, a signature restaurant, a bistro and a cocktail bar set in “exquisite” formal gardens. It will also be marketed as a wedding venue.

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The stately home, which runs alongside the River Skell, has been bought by Grantley Hall Ltd, a new company set up by Valeria Sykes specifically to operate the hotel.

A spokesperson for the firm said: “The company will include a wide range of highly experienced hotel and catering people who have previous experience of working in the luxury end of the market and able to provide the first class customer experience and ambience worthy of the property.

“The hotel will increase available accommodation in the Ripon area and a be a perfect location to visit the many attractive North Yorkshire locations such as Fountains Abbey, Ripon Cathedral and the Dales whilst also being in close proximity to Harrogate and the A1.”

Grantley Hall was built as a private residence for the Grantley family.

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The impressive property reached the size it is today following extension projects in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The house has enjoyed a colourful history which saw it used as a convalescent home during the Second World War. After that, Grantley Hall was purchased by West Riding County Council and was used between 1947 and 1974 as an adult education residential college.

Remaining in local authority ownership the property was then owned by North Yorkshire County Council which ran it as a training and conference centre.

Going full circle, Grantley Hall was transformed back into a private residence after being bought in 2006.

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Four years later it was sold again, with the intention of creating a hotel and spa. Planning permission was granted, however business ventures in Scotland and the USA meant the owner could no longer see the project through abd the mansion went back on the market in 2013.

Grantley Hall Ltd was advised by specialist development consultancy Fordy Marshall.

The purchase price was not disclosed but the property was placed on the market two years ago with a price tag of £6m.

Grantley Hall sits on an artificial island created by the canalisation of the River Skell.