By Victoria Bilborough
I have always loved an excuse to gather everyone together, long, candlelit dinners, countryside walks that end back at the house where everyone can relax in the hot tub, and weekends where no one has to rush off early. So this month, my pick simply had to be Manor House, a grand yet welcoming Yorkshire home designed for truly memorable get-togethers.
Why Victoria Chose It
There is something undeniably special about arriving at Manor House. A beautiful Grade II listed 16th Century home, it blends historic charm with elegant interiors and perfectly manicured gardens. Sleeping up to 16 guests in the house, with a separate one bedroom flat subject to availability. It is made for hosting, the kind of place where you can plan a special dinner party weekend and have space for everyone to stay in complete comfort.
For me, it is the balance of scale and intimacy. Large enough to feel like an occasion, yet warm enough that by Saturday morning you feel entirely at home.
Property Snapshot
Set in a picturesque village just 5 miles from Ripon and 15 miles from Harrogate, Manor House offers eight beautifully appointed bedrooms, generous entertaining rooms, and a dining space overlooking the gardens that’s perfect for celebratory feasts. From the elegant drawing room with its open fire and snooker table, to the light-filled conservatory that leads to the walled garden with a hot tub for the ultimate treat, every corner invites you to settle in and stay awhile.
Victorias Perfect Dinner Party Weekend
Friday: Arrive, Unpack & Pour the Wine
Friends arrive to discover the perfectly manicured gardens, stepping into the grand hallway before choosing their rooms, no compromises required. As bags are unpacked, we light the fire in the drawing room while others gather in the kitchen.
Dinner on the first evening is relaxed and informal, a grazing table laid out in the dining room, doors open from the sun room to the terrace if the weather allows. The tone is set: unhurried, indulgent, and wonderfully sociable.
Saturday: Dales Walks & A Candlelit Feast
Morning begins slowly with coffee in the sun room, sunlight pouring through the windows. It is then time to explore, a scenic drive into the Yorkshire Dales for a countryside walk, or a wander around Harrogate’s boutique shops and cafés. Closer to home, Ripon’s cathedral and charming market square are perfect for a gentle afternoon outing.
Back at Manor House, preparations begin for the main event. A private chef arrives, transforming the kitchen into a stage for the evening’s celebration. While courses are carefully crafted by the chef, we drift between the garden loungers and hot tub, or perhaps a friendly game of snooker.
By nightfall, glasses clink, laughter echoes, and course after course arrives effortlessly. It is the kind of evening that reminds you why gathering everyone together is always worth it.
Sunday: Slow Starts & One Last Stroll
Sunday calls for a slower rhythm. Breakfast gathered around the kitchen table, one last coffee on the terrace, and the promises to “do this again next year.” But rather than heading straight home, I like to savour one final moment of indulgence, popping into The George in Wath, for a proper Sunday roast before the journey back.
Victoria’s Local Recommendations
- The Yorkshire Dales for sweeping countryside walks
- Harrogate for elegant shopping (I recommend White Coco) and afternoon tea at Betty’s
- Ripon Cathedral for a peaceful moment of history
- Fountains Abbey for breathtaking architecture and gardens
- The George Country Inn located in the village for relaxed Sunday lunches
Host Your Own Gathering at Manor House
Inspired by Victoria’s dinner party weekend at Manor House? Gather your favourite people, hire the chef, set the candles, and let North Yorkshire provide the backdrop for a celebration to remember.
