The Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel – in the Yorkshire Dales

True personal service and relaxed style in a glorious setting

Driving to The Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel through the Yorkshire Dales National Park underlines the true beauty of its setting. These days the hotel is part of the Duke of Devonshire’s Bolton Abbey Estate. But the Augustinian monks who established the abbey here in the 12th century clearly had a fine eye for a good location.

There are footpaths for walking, riverbanks for fly-fishing, manicured gardens, wild, open views and a 33,000 acre estate to wander around in. Summer sunshine shows these to advantage, but winter could add real drama.

The original inn at The Devonshire Arms has been welcoming guests for more than 300 years. In the old part of the hotel, floorboards creak authentically at almost every step. Rooms here are high and spacious in the period style, though bathrooms may seem small by 21st century standards. Furnishings in this part of the hotel are traditional, in contrast with the contemporary designs in the newer Wharfedale wing.

But traditional certainly doesn’t mean stuffy. We stayed in the Shepherd room, where sheep – wooden, painted and woven – formed no small part of the decor. Go downstairs to the Dog Sitting Room and you’ll find, yes, dogs. Such light touches are clues that this hotel doesn’t take itself too seriously. Staff know their business well enough to be relaxed about it. And their business is leisure.

Leisure choices

With a staff to guest ratio of 3 to 1, people are on hand to make things happen for you. You want a picnic at a particular spot, a tennis partner, a chauffeured tour of the National Park? They’ll make it all happen. If you want to walk a dog and have left yours at home, this lavishly dog-friendly hotel will even lend you one of their two Cocker Spaniels to walk.

An easy walk through the estate takes you to the ruins of Bolton Abbey on the banks of the River Wharfe. It’s open every day from 9a.m., though refreshments may not always be available in winter. Steam railway enthusiasts don’t have far to go either. Bolton Abbey has an award winning station, with steam trains every Sunday and more often during the summer.

If you’re staying at The Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel, don’t plan on going to The Devonshire Health Spa in your slippers. You’ll need to cross a road to reach this purpose-built spa.

All the usual toys are here - swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam, sauna, cold plunge and an air-conditioned gym – plus tennis courts and mountain bikes. As with the hotel, there are helpful staff on hand to make your visit what you want it to be.

Seeking a lazy way to glow in the candlelight over dinner, I’d booked an hour-long Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial. What a good decision. With massage of feet, arms, neck, shoulders and scalp all included, this is so much more than a facial. As I relaxed under skilled hands, busy little enzymes were ‘peeling away the years’. Does that sound likely?

Yet the mirror did not lie. One hour later I could see, and feel, the benefits.

Devonshire Arms Essentials

• Address: Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 6AJ
• Price Band: $$$
• Telephone: +44 870 609 3012 or, Toll Free from the UK - 0800 089 3929
• Email: res@devonshirehotels.co.uk
• Website
• Associated with the Pride of Britain Hotels group.
• Extras: Spa, tennis, fly-fishing, woodland walks
• Dog friendly

Next: Read a Review of the Burlington Restaurant at the Devonshire Arms

_{As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodation for the purpose of reviewing. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.}