PICKERING -THE QUAINT AND QUINTESSENTIAL MARKET TOWN ...

IS THE ULTIMATE PLACE FOR A GREAT STAYCATION

After the traumas and restrictions of the last couple of years its now time to spoil ourselves and what better way than with a spot of rest, relaxation and a change of scenery.

But there’s no need to visit foreign climes or to travel to the other end of the country – a staycation is the ultimate answer.

For here in God’s own county we have the perfect backdrop of coast and country, history and heritage and what’s more some of the best hotels and restaurants in the country that cater for every taste and occasion right on our doorstep. So whether its only for an overnighter, a weekend or few days away think staycation in our very own county.

Over the years in the course of being a travel writer I have got to know North Yorkshire very well but one place I missed out on visiting was Pickering. So along with my globe trotting partner, whose job takes him all over the world, I decided to put that right – and I am so glad I did and we headed to Pickering.

Pickering is a small unspoilt market town with history and character on every corner. There’s shops with frontages and signs that look almost pre-war. Where else would you see a sign above a shop saying Chemist and Druggist or Pickering Guns? I almost imagined bumping into Mr Darcy coming out of the old fashioned Brogues Gallery boot store or bumping into a bonneted Jane Austin or Elizabeth visiting of the Birdgate Chocolatier for their favourite rose and violet creams – imagine all this imagine Pickering.

For us there was only one place to stay to soak up the history and ambience of this quaint and quintessential country market town – The White Swan – a family owned hotel with a great reputation.

Set right in the middle of the main street known as The Market Place you feel the charm and vibes of history as soon as you drive under the archway that leads to the hotel.

Originally built in 1532 as a four room cottage, it soon became a coaching inn for the York to Whitby stagecoach. It was also used by devious smugglers moving salt from Whitby via Saltersgate to York. As you walk under the archway entrance you can still see the joist stones that supported an aerial walkway used by the smugglers to transport the salt next door when the customs came calling whilst they were busy searching the cellars.

Enter the hotel’s reception area and there’s a strong sense of what the White Swan is all about – fuss free luxury and relaxation and there’s a friendly and efficient staff that make sure your stay is one to remember.

There’s a vintage county essence about the 16^th century inn with photographs dotted discreetly around the place and memorabilia including a poster for a Hunt Ball in November 1973 in the village hall.

The White Swan has a choice of rooms and suites. The Vintage Rooms in the main building are all uniquely designed and furnished with antique furniture. One room even boasts a Louise XVI super king size bed whilst another has a four poster bed with a difference – an antique French Caribbean bed so high there are steps on either side.

We stayed in one of the 9 Hideaway bedrooms converted from the old stable block in the yard. Able to drive our car and park a few steps away from our hideaway it was heaven to be able to put our luggage into the room without negotiating countless corridors and steps whilst dragging our cases.

I fell in love with our room, which had its own private patio with garden furniture and was an ideal place for everything from an early morning coffee to a late night drink under the stars.

I was impressed by its large hall with pegs to hang rainwear and umbrellas but most of all I loved the fact the large wooden door to our room at the end of the hall opened with a real key – a rarity these days.

The room was stylish, contemporary, spacious, tastefully decorated and so comfortable. I loved the stone floors that had underfloor heating and were decorated with rugs. But it was the bathroom that impressed me. After reviewing over 800 plus hotel rooms over the years world-wide this was one of the safest, stylish and luxurious bathrooms I have experienced. The bath was deep and the large power shower was out of this world, candles and copious amounts of toiletries, fluffy towels and robes completed the picture.

Our hideaway room was well planned with a large long bench with enough room for our lap tops and still a large area for my makeup and hairstyling implements. Everything was discreetly tucked away including the fridge and hospitality tray.

The King Size bed was more than comfortable and the seating in the room was so inviting one almost did not want to leave it. It felt country cottage with a modern spin and oozed with taste.

The White Swan has two bars each well planned and well stocked. There’s sinkable sofas and comfortable Chesterfields plus inviting log fires. The restaurant’s reputation is well known far and wide. The restaurant provides candlelit dining in a comfortable atmosphere with an intimate feel and has knowledgeable and friendly servers for whom nothing is too much trouble.

Head Chef Darren Clemmit is in his 34^th year at the hotel and has worked his way up the ladder and has achieved the AA Rosette standard for more than 22 years.

Darren has a great passion for food and his ethos is to focus on fresh, clean flavours with ingredients sourced from amazing suppliers many of whom are local.

The menu has a great choice for my starter I chose Broccoli & Yorkshire Blue soup served with crusty bread from local craft baker Bothams established in 1865. The soup had a smooth texture and I could distinguish the taste of both the cheese and the broccoli which blended together made a great flavoursome combination.

My partner had decided to forgo the starter in anticipation of his 10oz Sirloin Steak and he was not disappointed. His steak was charcoal grilled aged beef from Glaves of Brompton and was tender, succulent and cooked exactly as ordered. It came with delicious chips – fluffy on the inside and crisp on the outside a roast beetroot salad and a home made peppercorn sauce.

I opted for the Stone Bass Supreme, again charcoal grilled served with heritage potatoes, cauliflower puree and confit leek and salsa verde. The accompaniments certainly added to what could have been a rather ordinary fish dish. The fish was cooked to perfection – moist and succulent and very flavoursome.

Of course I had to finish with what I always term as my heaven on a plate and this truly was – a totally mind blowing and such an unexpectedly amazing sweet. Chocolate Nemesis consisted of a chocolate mousse cake which was served with a tangy passionfruit sorbet and honeycomb.

The chocolate cake was complimented by the tang of the passionfruit sorbet and the honeycomb added a third dimension.

After such a feast we made our way to the bar area to finish our wine and took a nightcap up to our hideaway where we sat watching the stars under our umbrellas reflecting on a wonderful meal as we sipped our wine.

Next morning we enjoyed an early coffee outside on our patio before making our way for a great breakfast – one of the best hotel breakfasts I have had for a long time. Everything was hot and cooked well and the majority of it sourced locally.