Family vision behind Rudding Park hotel's plans for Yorkshire's first 5 star Country Club
The family behind Harrogate’s award-winning Rudding Park have for the first time revealed a potential timeline for the biggest redevelopment of the luxury hotel resort since they bought the estate more than 50 years ago.
A packed event in Rudding House last night heard an update on exciting plans costing approximately £30 million to create Yorkshire’s first five-star country club, as part of a series of major upgrades which will also include a new golf course, new outdoor tennis courts with a pavillion, a new family hub, the restoration of the site's walled garden – and four new covered padel courts.
It’s a major moment for the family whose consistent programme of development and investment since it purchased Rudding Park in 1972 has transformed 2,000 acres of outstanding countryside on the edge of Harrogate into an award-winning luxury hotel, spa, golf and conference resort.
On hand to share details on the state of play on an ambitious redevelopment for the first time since the proposals were made public in 2023 were Matthew and Nicolas Mackaness, the sons of Simon Mackaness whose original, high quality vision for Rudding Park has continued to drive its progress for more than half a century.
Its most recent success saw FIFTY TWO, one of the resort hotel’s three on-site restaurants, receive Harrogate’s first Michelin star.
Talking to the Harrogate Advertiser, it was clear the multi-million pound, redevelopment involved pride in not only the business itself but in the town of Harrogate which it already contributes so much to in terms of economic impact, community and charity.
It was hoped, Nicholas Mackaness said, that ground would be broken on the new tennis courts in early 2027.
With plans for the new members-only country club now at the reserved matters stage in the planning process, it was possible that the real spade work would begin on that part of the proposals in 2028.
If all went well, the ultimate hope was to complete the entire redevelopment as early as 2030.
Matthew Mackaness said the ultimate vision was to bring “world class facilities to Harrogate’s door step” via a project of the very highest quality and in keeping with the environment in its both its construction and outcome.
The over-riding aim, Nicholas Mackaness said, was to make Rudding Park "Britain’s number one independent luxury hotel resort” and to “give something back to Harrogate".
If granted all the required planning permissions, the Rudding Park redevelopment will see the replacement of the resort’s existing golf course, and club house, which was built in 1995, and the current children and family’s facilities.
Positive impacts
Reduction of built land in green belt by 45%.
Planting of 10,000-plus trees and creation of three wetland areas.
Sustainability Gold Standard in the build process: BREEAM Excellent.
Significant economic impact: £14 million-plus annual benefit locally.
Creation of 75-plus new jobs in Harrogate.
Rudding Park redevelopment: Main proposals
Replacing the existing golf club
The proposed new country club would work on predominantly two storeys, sitting on a footprint of approximately 3,460 m2, with a substantial part of the lower ground floor lost within the terrain.
The upper ground floor provides the main entrance for all other guests leading directly to two restaurants and gym facilities that shares changing rooms with the internal and external pools.
The roofscape is heavily planted, taking design cues from the completed spa building and, very much like the spa, includes a setback, transparent rooftop bar and flexible space to work in tandem with the landscaped roof terrace.
It is anticipated that a reserved matters application will be submitted to North Yorkshire Council at the end of April 2026.
Tennis pavillion and outdoor courts
Reserved matters for the proposed tennis pavilion and four. outdoor courts was approved by North Yorkshire Council on 26 January 2026.
Following market research, a proposal is now being drawn up to replace one of the approved tennis courts with four covered padel courts.
Replacement of existing children's facility
With a footprint of approximately 1,800m2, the proposed family hub is much smaller in scale and single story, save for pool plant and back of house functions, all of which are positioned within a basement level that works
Positioned adjacent the historic Walled Garden, the family hub has been designed to form the missing fourth side, with internal functions deliberately designed to open out into the newly formed courtyard providing private, secluded areas for children’s play in a safe environment.
Internally, creche facilities for children of all ages are provided alongside soft play areas and a café overlooking both internal and external swimming pools, all with adjoining external terraces.
The proposals have been developed such that the new Family Hub and Country Club sit as comfortably as possible within the existing gentle hillside, with only one storey of the Country Club visible from the north side.
Restoration of the walled garden
The location of the children’s facilities within the walled garden provides the opportunity to repurpose this area and provide the fourth wall to the Walled Garden.
Similarly, the Family Hub will sit in a hollow adjacent to the historic walled garden, with one side providing a reinstated fourth wall to the degraded garden.
Rudding Park has been the highest rated hotel in Harrogate for decades, winning a series of top industry awards.
Plans for what would be a remarkable new redevelopment with the creation of Yorkshire’s first five-star country club at its heart would see the Harrogate-owned business flying the flag for the town and Yorkshire at the very highest level.