This is a jewel of a hotel, and there can surely be no better time to visit Holdsworth House Hotel than during those weeks just before Christmas. The building lends itself to traditional decorations and colour, giving a nod to gentler times, warmth and conviviality.
Truthfully, Holdsworth House Hotel is a marvel at any time of year. Its history is long and this striking Jacobean manor dates back to 1633, although there is evidence of a building on the site much earlier. There are so many original features here that contribute so much to its ambiance.
The plot on which the house now stands was mentioned in documents in 1272. The De Aldworth family paid just six old pence for 2½ acres of land in the hamlet. Those were the good old days! From 1633 to 1963 it was home to numerous well-heeled families. In the early 1960s the manor was bought by Rita and Freddie Pearson who opened it to the public in 1963 as The Cavalier Country Club. Today the Pearson’s daughters continue to take an active role in preserving the house’s unique character.
The reception area offers soft sofas, tapestries, wooden staircase and the air of authenticity that is impossible to replicate. Colours are warm and match the history of the hotel perfectly. One is wafted back to an era of calm and quality. Holdsworth House is an oasis of culture.
Dramatic landscapes
Located halfway between Leeds and Manchester, and not far from Halifax, Holdsworth House is a great base for visiting Yorkshire’s Brontë Country and Calderdale’s dramatic landscapes, and it’s not far from the Lake District. This is the ideal short-break destination, or a stop on a British tour. There is more to this island than London.
Our room maintained the style of the hotel with a canopy bed, but now the fabrics, although still tapestry, were in light and neutral colours with contemporary accents. Yes, a historic hotel, but with all the technology the 21st century guest would want.
Staff are professional and friendly at any time of day, and can offer advice not only about your breakfast order but where to visit and what to see; that breakfast is a morning treat here. The cold buffet is laid with cereals, stewed fruit, fresh fruit salad, yoghurt, pastries and fruit juices. One might well be quite satisfied with that spread, and especially if one had enjoyed a dinner here the night before. But for others a Full Yorkshire Breakfast could be on the cards and that truly is the brekkie of champions, comprising everything expected in the usual Full English but with the addition of black pudding.
Ethos of hospitality and generosity
My companion ordered the local ham and poached eggs. He pronounced the meat to be sweet and well-flavoured and the eggs perfectly poached. Pigs must be big beasts in Yorkshire as this single slice of ham filled the plate.
Some classy London hotels could learn a lot from Holdsworth House Hotel’s ethos of hospitality and generosity. It oozes accessible luxury. A visit won’t disappoint even well-travelled guests with high expectations. Holdsworth House is a polished gem and I look forward to returning.
Holdsworth House
Holdsworth Road
Halifax, HX2 9TG
Phone: 01422 240024
Email: info@holdsworthhouse.co.uk