The charming 5-star Angel at Hetton Hotel dates back to the 15th century when it was a Drover’s Inn and pitstop for farmers travelling between market towns selling cattle, pigs and poultry. In 2018 the hotel had a complete makeover and the following year the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star. Other coveted awards include the AA Best Restaurant with Rooms in England 2022/23, and four AA rosettes.
Owners chef and owner Michael Wignall and his wife Johanna retained many of its original features including the kitchen range which is still used to heat the hotel in winter months, ancient meets modern.
Just a two-minute drive from Rylstone, the beautiful village made famous by The Calendar Girls film, the Angel at Hetton is in the heart of Hetton village and surrounded by traditionally stone-built homes.
With some of the country’s most beautiful countryside on the doorstep and the market town of Skipton, close by, it stays true to its roots when it hosts weary travellers on their long journeys across the country.
Both gourmet and classical weddings can be staged at the hotel where a couple can marry with the beautiful Dales as a backdrop.
Who for
The Angel at Hetton is the ideal base for people wanting to explore the Yorkshire Dales, whether on foot, bike or by car. Food lovers can enjoy the finest of local produce.
Accommodation
Divided between the former drovers inn and across the road at Fell View Barn, the sumptuous rooms are minimalistic and lightly swathed in Scandinavian-style wood.
Angel Hetton bedroom
Angel Hetton bathroom
Sixteen en-suite bedrooms are individually designed and decorated with three open-plan deluxe rooms, two suites with feature bathrooms and one studio room in the main house.
The stunning barn, complete with ample parking in the cobbled courtyard, has rooms with separate lounges, huge free-standing bathtubs and double showers and high firm beds with luxury linen bearing the hotel’s AH motif.
A well-stocked mini-bar along with a complimentary coffee machine, tea-making facilities and fresh milk is equalled by bathroom goodies from The Angel’s Collection including shampoo, conditioner and wash gel with nurturing rose geranium, balancing clary sage, soulful cedarwood and rejuvenating lime essence essential oils.
Food and drink
Chef Michael Wignall’s passion for the Far East and its ingredients shine through the food served along with a specially designed cotton gin featuring exotic flavours of Yuzu and Kaffir lime and balanced with foraged elderflower from the Yorkshire Dales.
Diners have a choice of a la carte using seasonal ingredients and starring such starters as Cornish line caught blue tuna and kohishikari rice, aubergine and Oscietra caviar, mains of Anjou pigeon, boudin, swede, shiitake and barbecued lettuce, rounded off with toasted kombu and muscovado tart, banana, calamansi and Indonesian coconut. Prices are £85 for three courses at lunch and £95 for dinner.
Tasting menus are a wonderful way of trying a little bit of all the delicacies Michael and his team dish up and the pieces of art are beautifully created and plated, with a great deal of thought and imagination put into the eight course menus.
Simply to die for Devonshire smoke eel with Oscietra caviar, white chocolate, nori and granny smith, sit beside beauties like A5 hydro Wagyu, confit yolk, braised mooli, lovage and roasted onion dashi and for the sweet-toothed, Yorkshire rhubarb, buckwheat, ginger and Mexican marigold. Prices range from £95 at lunch to £150 at dinner and can be paired with wine from £75. Vegetarians are catered for with courses including bergamont, crème fraiche, olive oil, Yorkshire honey and Mexican gold.
How much
Offers include a two-night gourmet break with a taster style breakfast, a tasting menu and a five-course market menu for the dinner options from £403 per night to a winter style dine and wine offer with 30 % off and ranging from £343 per night.
CHECK AVAILABILITY
What’s nearby
The great outdoors is the main attraction, with plenty of walking opportunities ranging from 20 minutes to four hours. Cultural attractions include the nearby historic Skipton Castle, Bolton Priory and Malham Cove. For more information check out visit the Yorkshire Dales website.
VERDICT: The Angel at Hetton Hotel with its rolling hills, traditional stone-built accommodation, and fine dining with a kick should not be missed.
You may also like: Hotel Review: The Arden Hotel, Stratford Upon Avon