The Burgoyne Hotel review: Fine dining and family time in the Yorkshire Dales.

Taking a four-year-old to a country house hotel known for its fine dining might sound ambitious, but our weekend at The Burgoyne in Reeth turned out rather well.

Disclosure: Our stay at The Burgoyne Hotel was provided as part of a press collaboration. All opinions and observations are my own.

A weekend away with a four-year-old

Before Cyrus came along, booking a hotel for the weekend was pretty straightforward. I looked for somewhere with comfortable rooms, a decent restaurant and preferably a good view. These days, I find myself checking whether children are welcome, what they can eat and whether the other guests are likely to appreciate the company of a small boy who has quite a lot to say for himself.

The Burgoyne Hotel in Reeth, North Yorkshire, was somewhere I would probably have booked for a romantic weekend with H. Overlooking the village green in Swaledale, the former Hill House has the sort of setting that makes you want to abandon your usual routine for a couple of days. There are rolling hills, traditional stone buildings and miles of countryside to explore. It is a lovely part of the Yorkshire Dales, especially if you enjoy walking or just being somewhere quieter than home.

We were invited to stay at the hotel when Cyrus was four. I was looking forward to a change of scenery and a good meal, although I did wonder how the restaurant would cope with a young child. Fine dining and preschoolers are not always the most obvious combination when you would quite like to finish your dinner while it is still warm.

Having Cyrus at 40 meant I had enjoyed plenty of holidays and weekends away before becoming a new mum. I knew the pleasure of a leisurely breakfast, a quiet hotel room and an evening that didn’t revolve around somebody else’s bedtime. I still wanted those things, but I also wanted Cyrus to enjoy travelling with us. I have never seen much point in leaving children out of experiences just because they might take a little more planning.

A welcome that made Cyrus feel included

The first thing that struck me about The Burgoyne was its location. Reeth is a beautiful village, with the hotel looking out towards the green and the surrounding Swaledale countryside. It is the sort of place where you could happily sit with a coffee and watch the world go by, although I suspect the sheep provide much of the entertainment.

Before we arrived, Steven and his team had contacted us to ask about Cyrus’s food preferences. I thought this was a really nice touch. Anyone who has taken a four-year-old to a restaurant knows that even a child who generally enjoys his food can suddenly decide that something he ate quite happily yesterday is no longer acceptable.

Cyrus has always been a good eater, but I appreciated being asked what he liked rather than having to choose from the usual children’s menu. It also meant we could look forward to dinner without worrying too much about whether there would be something suitable for him.

When we reached our room, we found books, games and treats waiting for Cyrus, along with a few thoughtful extras for us. He was delighted, and I was pleased that somebody had taken the trouble to think about him.

It was reassuring to find a hotel that welcomed children without making the whole experience revolve around them. I enjoy family hotels, but I don’t necessarily want every weekend away to involve a swimming pool full of inflatable toys or a dining room decorated with cartoon characters. Sometimes it is nice to stay somewhere grown-up and take your child along.

Our stay in the Muker Room

We stayed in the Muker Room on the top floor, which had wonderful views across the surrounding countryside. The Yorkshire Dales are beautiful at the best of times, but there is something so appealing about being able to admire the hills from your bedroom window without having to put your shoes on.

The room was comfortably furnished, with crisp bed linen, fluffy dressing gowns and Noble Isle toiletries. I always appreciate good toiletries in a hotel, especially when they are the sort I might not ordinarily buy for myself. The bathroom was lovely too, and I was looking forward to having a proper bath without somebody appearing at the door to ask where something was.

I don’t need a hotel bedroom to be enormous or filled with expensive furniture. I want a comfortable bed, somewhere to sit, a decent bathroom and a little attention to detail. The Muker Room had all of those things, along with a view that made it difficult to concentrate on anything else.

There was something rather nice about sitting with a coffee and looking out over Swaledale. At home, mornings tend to involve getting everyone organised, thinking about what needs doing and wondering whether I have time to fit in a gym session. Here, there was no particular hurry.

That said, Cyrus was still four, and four-year-olds are not known for appreciating a leisurely lie-in. He woke at his usual time, apparently unaware that his parents were staying in a lovely hotel and might have enjoyed another hour in bed. Some things remain reassuringly consistent wherever you go.

Dinner at the 1783 Bar and Restaurant

Dinner was one of the highlights of our stay. The hotel’s 1783 Bar and Restaurant offered a seasonal menu with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients, and the kitchen had experience in AA-rosette establishments. I was interested to see what the food would be like, especially as the restaurant was clearly an important part of the hotel’s appeal.

The dining room was elegant without feeling overly formal, which suited us. I enjoy a good restaurant, but I have never understood the appeal of somewhere that makes you feel uncomfortable before you have even ordered a drink.

We enjoyed a lovely meal, including seasonal soup and rump steak cooked to our liking. The food was beautifully prepared, and the portions were satisfying without being excessive. I finished with sticky toffee pudding, which is one of those desserts I find almost impossible to resist. If it is on the menu, there is a very good chance I will order it.

Cyrus, meanwhile, had his own personalised menu and was served a mini rump steak. I thought this was wonderful. There he was, sitting at the table with his own properly prepared meal, looking rather pleased with himself.

I have never understood why so many restaurants assume children only want chicken nuggets, fish fingers or something accompanied by chips. There is nothing wrong with any of those things, but children can enjoy other food too. Cyrus certainly appreciated having something similar to what we were eating.

The staff were attentive throughout dinner, and we felt comfortable having him with us. There was no sense that we needed to hurry through the meal or apologise for bringing a child into the restaurant.

It was one of those occasions when everything worked rather well. Cyrus enjoyed his dinner, H and I enjoyed ours, and nobody had to resort to desperate negotiations involving pudding. I would consider that a successful evening by anyone’s standards.

An evening without the usual jobs waiting

After dinner, we returned to our room and enjoyed a quiet evening. I made good use of the bathroom, while Cyrus was happy with the books and games that had been left for him.

One of the things I enjoy most about staying in a hotel is not having to think about all the little jobs waiting at home. There is always washing to put away, something to clean or a school-related task I have forgotten about. Even when I sit down with a coffee, I usually remember three other things I should be doing.

At The Burgoyne, I could leave all of that behind for a little while. We had nowhere else to be, no dinner to prepare and no kitchen to tidy afterwards. I could enjoy a bath, put on a dressing gown and spend the evening with H and Cyrus.

It wasn’t a completely peaceful evening, of course. Travelling with a four-year-old still involves the usual bedtime arrangements, and Cyrus was not suddenly going to become a different child because we were staying in a country house hotel. But it was lovely to have a change of surroundings and a little time away from the usual routine.

Breakfast without the morning rush

The following morning, we headed down for breakfast. There was a good selection of food, and Cyrus enjoyed a berry smoothie while H and I tucked into a full English.

I do love a hotel breakfast. It’s so satisfying to sit down to a properly cooked meal when somebody else has done all the preparation. I can enjoy my coffee, have another piece of toast if I fancy it and leave the washing-up to somebody else.

At home, breakfast is much more practical. During the week, there is school to think about, and weekends often seem to disappear between the gym, shopping and whatever else needs doing. Being away meant we could enjoy breakfast together without watching the clock.

Cyrus was happy with his smoothie, H and I enjoyed our cooked breakfast, and we had the Yorkshire countryside waiting outside. It was a pleasant start to the day, and after such a good dinner the previous evening, the food had definitely been one of the strongest parts of our visit.

Exploring Reeth and the Yorkshire Dales

The Burgoyne is well placed for exploring Swaledale and the surrounding Yorkshire Dales. Reeth is a lovely village, with traditional stone buildings, a large green and beautiful countryside in almost every direction. We enjoyed spending time outside and taking in the scenery. With Cyrus still young, we weren’t planning lengthy hikes, but there was plenty to see without needing to organise a full day of activities.

I have always enjoyed getting outdoors with him. A footpath, an animal in a field or an unfamiliar building could lead to a lengthy discussion, usually followed by another question before I had finished answering the first. The Yorkshire Dales are a wonderful place for that sort of exploring. There are villages to visit, walks to enjoy and plenty of opportunities to stop and admire the landscape. You don’t have to be an experienced walker to appreciate the area, although there are more challenging routes for those who want them.

I liked being able to enjoy the countryside without having to travel far from the hotel. After a busy week at home, it was nice to spend time somewhere that didn’t require a complicated itinerary. We could walk, enjoy the fresh air and return to a comfortable room afterwards. That was more than enough for us.

Is The Burgoyne Hotel suitable for families?

I think The Burgoyne is a good choice for families who enjoy country house hotels and want somewhere comfortable to stay while exploring the Yorkshire Dales. It is not a family resort, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone expecting children’s clubs, organised entertainment or a swimming pool.

Its appeal is quite different. You have comfortable accommodation, good food, beautiful countryside and staff who, during our visit, made a genuine effort to accommodate a young child. The personalised menu was particularly impressive, and the books and treats in our room were lovely touches. They made Cyrus feel welcome without changing the character of the hotel.

I would suggest checking room arrangements before booking if you are travelling with a baby or toddler. Our room was on the top floor, which suited us, but might be less convenient for somebody carrying a pushchair and several bags. It is also worth asking about children’s meals in advance, particularly if your child has specific preferences or dietary requirements.

For families who enjoy exploring somewhere new during the day and returning to a comfortable hotel for dinner, The Burgoyne has plenty to offer.

Would we stay at The Burgoyne Hotel again?

Yes, I would happily return. The location is beautiful, our room was comfortable and the food at the 1783 Bar and Restaurant was excellent. I really enjoyed dinner, not least because Cyrus was able to join us for a proper meal rather than being given something from a standard children’s menu.

The staff deserve credit for making him feel included. It would have been easy for a country house hotel to concentrate on its adult guests and offer little beyond the basics for children, but that wasn’t our experience.

I also enjoyed having the Yorkshire Dales on our doorstep. Reeth is a lovely place to visit, and I would happily spend more time exploring Swaledale, particularly now that Cyrus is older and capable of walking considerably further than he could at four.

I would quite happily book another weekend, perhaps with a little more time to discover the surrounding villages. And if I managed an extra hour in bed, that would be rather nice too.

The Burgoyne Hotel: What you need to know

Location: Reeth, Swaledale, North Yorkshire, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Accommodation: Individually styled bedrooms in a traditional country house hotel. We stayed in the top-floor Muker Room, which had lovely countryside views.

Dining: The 1783 Bar and Restaurant offered seasonal menus featuring locally sourced ingredients during our visit.

Family-friendly features: Cyrus received a personalised children’s menu, along with books, games and treats in our room.

Best for: Couples, families who enjoy countryside breaks, walkers and visitors looking for a comfortable base in the Yorkshire Dales.

Nearby: Reeth village, Swaledale and the surrounding Yorkshire Dales countryside.

Booking advice: Contact the hotel to confirm current room arrangements, children’s dining options, accessibility and restaurant opening times.

Website: The Burgoyne Hotel

Have you found a hotel that welcomes children without losing its grown-up appeal?

I enjoy staying somewhere with a good restaurant and a comfortable room, and I don’t think having children should necessarily put those places out of reach. Have you discovered a country house hotel or luxury retreat that genuinely welcomes families, or do you prefer to keep those weekends for yourselves? I’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments.

Occasional stories, experiments, discoveries and questions from Saffron & Cyrus.