Boroughbridge hotels

Hotels in Boroughbridge

Boroughbridge is an attractive market town in the county of North Yorkshire, in the north of England. With a history stretching back to Roman times, and a scenic setting on the river Ure, the town has plenty to offer holidaymakers.

A bucolic stroll

A walk around Boroughbridge itself is enough to make you sigh wistfully but the town is also an excellent place from which to explore the surrounding area. Walk down the endlessly charming Boroughbridge High Street and take in the quintessentially English feel of the place.

Stop off for lunch at the Black Bull Inn, one of the best of the many lovely old inns in the town. The Black Bull has lovely pub food and, of course, drink, and is the perfect place to start your adventure. Watch out though. It is so cosy in there, you may get easily sidetracked.

After heaving yourself out of the cushioned splendour of a Boroughbridge inn, make sure you pay a visit to the Butter Market Museum in Hall Square. The old open-fronted building was once used to shelter dairy farmer's wives on market days. Today the farmers are gone but there is no use in crying over spilt milk because this building has left the town with a lovely landmark.

Just outside of town, history buffs will be keen to check out the site of the Battle of Boroughbridge, where in 1322, King Edward II's army defeated rebel forces led by the Earls of Lancaster and Hereford. Visiting the site today, you will find it hard to believe anyone could want to draw swords in a place as beautiful as this.

Not too far away from the battle site is another historical marvel, though this one is a bit older. The Devil's Arrows are so called because local legend has it that the Devil threw the stones aiming to destroy nearby Aldborough. You'll be thankful that he missed, as these prehistoric stones are a real sight to behold.

Newby Hall

If your visit to Boroughbridge falls between April and September make sure you visit nearby Newby Hall and its exquisite gardens. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, England's most famous architect, the house is as beautiful an example of 17th-century architecture as you will find.

A walk through its gilded rooms will take in the Gobelin Tapestry Room, a splendid gallery of classical statues and some of the finest Thomas Chippendale furniture you will find anywhere in the world. Finish your tour with a stroll in Newby's 25 acres of award-winning gardens. A summer saunter among the roses and hydrangeas is a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

The Dales

A Boroughbridge hotel is an excellent base from which to visit the Yorkshire Dales, one of two National Parks in the area, the other being the North York Moors. The Dales has beauty and activity for all. Simply walk its rolling hills and marvel at the stark beauty of the land that inspired Wordsworth and Turner. Or rent a bike and explore the towns made famous by the 2014 Tour de France, which passed through here.

Boroughbridge is also greatly located for day trips to nearby Leeds and Harrogate. However, you may find there is so much to see and do in the local area, that you might not have time to visit these bigger flashier places.