Grade II listed hotel on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales sold to new owner
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of The Wensleydale Hotel, a charming hotel in Middleham.
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Dating back to the 18th century and overlooking Middleham town square, The Wensleydale Hotel comprises 17 en suite bedrooms as well as the highly regarded restaurant ‘The Tack Room’ which holds an AA Rosette, alongside an additional bar and private dining room.
Known as ‘The Newmarket of the North’ with 15 horseracing stables nearby, Middleham is a picturesque Dales town with cobbled square and medieval castle, once the home of Richard III.
The hotel had been owned by Charles and Fiona Merchie since 2019, who ran the family business with their sons Monty and Hugo, and invested immense care, hard work, and heart into building the hotel to the high standard it enjoys today. With a strong reputation for warm hospitality, great food, and a genuine sense of welcome for both locals and visitors, The Wensleydale is firmly established as a much-loved part of Middleham.
The hotel has been sold to Oliver Kwok. With deep respect for The Wensleydale’s heritage and character, Oliver plans to build on the strong foundations already in place, while contributing positively to the local community, supporting local people and placing an increased focus on sustainability and responsible hospitality.
Fiona Merchie commented, “The Wensleydale has been such a big part of our family’s life, and we are incredibly proud of what it has become. We are delighted to be handing it over to Oliver and wish him every success as he leads the hotel into its next chapter.”
Oliver Kwok commented, “It is a real privilege to take on the stewardship of the Wensleydale. I am honoured with the trust Fiona has placed in me, and I look forward to building on the legacy she, Charles, Monty and Hugo have created.”
Mark Worley, Director – Hospitality at Christie & Co who handled the sale process, said, “Having sold many hospitality businesses across Yorkshire and the North East over the years, I am delighted to announce the sale of The Wensleydale Hotel in the Yorkshire Dales. This marks the eighth major sale in the National Park by Christie & Co over the last four years, illustrating how desirable this region is, both in terms of buyer demand and visitor footfall.
“The sale was a great collaboration between all parties, and the relationship between buyer and seller helped the process run smoothly, supported by the expert assistance of John Morgan at Hay & Kilner, Russell Davidson at Gunnercooke, as well as Simon McAllister at Teesvale.”
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