Ye Olde Belle Hotel near Retford was a fantastic last minute, mini, day getaway. It’s a beautiful old hotel with a restaurant and spa, so we indulged in some spa treatments and afternoon tea.
Ye Olde Belle Hotel is a 4-star hotel, beautifully situated in the village of Barnby Moor, near Retford. My grandma was actually evacuated to Retford during WWII when she was around 6, but I have never visited the area. But I have always remembered the name of the town that my grandma told me about.
The hotel is nearly 400 years old, with origins dating back to the 17th century (around 1650 or earlier as a 16th-century farmhouse).
Key Historical Details
- Original Structure: Began as a 16th-century farmhouse before transitioning into a coaching inn around 1650 (the inspiration behind its Restaurant Bar 1650).
- Great North Road: It rose to prominence as a vital resting stop for travellers, stagecoaches, and postal routes between London and Edinburgh after the postal service was inaugurated in 1635.
- Notable Guests: Has hosted historical figures and celebrities over the centuries, including Queen Victoria in 1835, Queen Maud of Denmark, Charlie Chaplin, and Joan Crawford.
I decided to book myself and my mum in for a last minute afternoon tea and some spa treatments as I had a few days off work. We booked for a Friday afternoon.
The place was so beautiful. The staff were all amazing, from reception, dining and, of course, the spa team.
The original building has individual hotel rooms, but there are lodges also. There is also a beautiful lounge area, dining area, plus a bar and then the main restaurant.
There is plenty of parking too and it was also easy to find which is always a bonus!
We arrived and were seated for our afternoon tea quickly. For two people including a glass of champagne each it cost £78. However the glass of champagne was very decent, the afternoon tea was more a three course meal. We had a small salmon entree, then a sorbet, then the afternoon tea. Compared to other similar places, this was very good value.
The obvious question though is for the scones – is it cream or jam first?
After the afternoon tea, we went across to the spa. The spa facilities are extremely expansive, especially considering its size.
The treatments are on the more expensive side, however personally I thought they were worth the money. We were offered a double treatment room together, which was the largest double treatment room. The beds were so comfortable, fully automatically adjustable for maximum comfort and fully heated blankets. I had a full body massage and my mum had a facial, both an hour long and then we relaxed in the post treatment room.
I must admit the spa facilities looked amazing with a beautiful lounge area, bar and restaurant.
Also it was not over crowded, even though it was a Friday, as you can see in the pictures! We are definitely going to go back!
