The 17th century Bay Horse Inn at Goldsborough has appointed a new manager and head chef and revamped its food offering.
Clare Oglesby and her husband Mark, who own nearby Goldsborough Hall, took on the village pub in November 2019.
The pub, near Knaresborough, was fully refurbished but then had to close due to covid.
Ms Oglesby said:
“After being open/shut/open for the last couple of years with the covid times, we finally have the right team in place to drive the pub forward.”
The inn will continue to provide traditional home-cooked food but Ms Oglesby said visitors would notice a difference in terms of quality and presentation with the new team in charge.
Marius Salaru, who was previously deputy general manager at Goldsborough Hall for three years, has taken over as manager.
Eric Mucha, whose previous experience includes running the kitchens at Goldsborough Hall, has been appointed head chef. Originally from Krakow, Mr Mucha has been a chef in the UK for over 10 years and has cooked to a 3AA rosette level.
Mr Salaru said:
“We are thrilled to have Eric as our executive chef. He brings a wealth of experience from his fine dining background, which is reflected in the new seasonal menu and daily specials.
“The pub is cosy with a real fire, traditional oak beams, and is great for families and locals. It’s got dog-friendly areas as well. Having an amazing chef will elevate our offering, taking it to the next level while still being affordable.”
The menu will change seasonally, using ingredients and produce from Goldsborough Hall’s kitchen garden.
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Mr Mucha said:
“I am so excited to be working at The Bay Horse Inn and plan to incorporate as much local produce as I can to my dishes.”
Recent specials include pan-fried scallops, venison steak and chocolate delice as well as a new vegan menu.
The venison steak dish
The Bay Horse Inn, which opens daily, dates back to the early 17th century.
It is named after the original Bay Horse, the Byerley Turk, the eldest of three stallions that make up all thoroughbreds today, which was buried in the grounds of next door Goldsborough Hall, in 1706.
Goldsborough Hall secures place in Michelin Guide
The owner of Goldsborough Hall, near Knaresborough, has said she is “honoured and delighted” the venue has secured a place in the Michelin Guide.
The 16th century stately home has been chosen as one of six of the inspectors’ favourite new additions to appear in the prestigious food bible this month.
Co-owner Clare Oglesby praised the venue’s “extremely talented” executive chef Josh Barnes, who was appointed last September.
Ms Oglesby, who runs the hall with her husband Mark, said:
“Josh is an extremely talented chef, having retained a Michelin star at La Chapelle in London.
“It’s fantastic to get into the Michelin Guide after all the hard work Josh Barnes and his team have put in. It’s also a wonderful achievement to have been chosen as one of the inspectors’ choices this month.”
Mr Barnes was previously head chef at the Galvin brothers’ La Chapelle restaurant in London, where he retained its Michelin star and AA 3 rosette status. He was also awarded for having London’s best vegetarian and vegan tasting menus.
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The chef grew up in the open countryside of Lincolnshire and developed a passion for cooking at an early age.
He enjoys foraging for mushrooms, wild herbs and flowers and other ingredients to create inspiring natural dishes.
Ms Oglesby said:
“His modern, French-based dishes are well-balanced and full of bold flavours – and his desserts are a highlight.”
One of Mr Barnes’ dishes at Goldsborough Hall.
Revealing some of their favourite new additions to this year’s Great Britain and Ireland Guide, the inspectors said of Goldsborough Hall:
“This grand, 16th century country house is set in a gloriously remote and peaceful setting and boasts delightful gardens and grounds.
“With a backdrop this stunning, the cooking risks paling in comparison, but it more than manages to live up to expectations.
“The set menu features ingredients from their own organic kitchen garden, mixing classic and modern techniques to showcase the skills and experience of the team.
“The modern, French-based dishes are eye-catching, well-balanced and full of bold flavours; desserts are a highlight.”
Ms Oglesby said she hoped the prestigious accolade would help put Goldsborough Hall on the map as a leading dining destination.
The dining room at Goldsborough Hall is open, including for non-residents, from Wednesday to Sunday, with a six-course tasting menu.
National Open Gardens: Gardens taking part across the Harrogate district this summerThe temperatures have risen across the Harrogate district this week and that summer feeling has well and truly kicked in.
And what better time than to enjoy some of the stunning flora and fauna that our area has to offer.
There are lots of gorgeous gardens to explore over the next few months as part of the National Garden Scheme.
The initiative gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens in the UK and raises impressive amounts of money for nursing and health charities. The scheme also promotes the physical and mental health benefits of gardens.
We have put together a list of the participating gardens in our district from now until August:
Birstwith Hall, Birstwith
When: Sunday, June 19, 2pm-5pm
Admission: Adults £5, children go free
About: A charming and varied four-acre garden nestling in a secluded Yorkshire dale.
A formal garden and ornamental orchard, as well as extensive lawns leading to a picturesque stream and a large pond. There is also a walled garden and Victorian greenhouse.
The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Yorke House and White Rose Cottage, Dacre Banks
When: Sunday, June 26, 11am-5pm
Admission: Adults £5, children go free
About: An award-winning English country garden in the heart of Nidderdale.
A series of distinct areas flowing through two acres of ornamental garden. There are also colour-themed borders, as well as a natural pond and stream with delightful waterside plantings. Secluded seating areas and attractive views.
The adjacent cottage has a recently developed garden designed for wheelchair access. There is a large collection of hostas and an orchard picnic area.
The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Prospect House, Burton Leonard
When: Friday, June 24, 1-.30am-2pm
Admission: Adults £35, children go free
Booking: A limited number of tickets have been made available for this special event. Tickets must be booked in advance here
About: Following a welcome by the owner, there will be talks on the development of the garden, the creation of a cutting garden and colour-themed borders plus demonstration of cut flower arrangements in the potting shed. Buffet lunch included.
Prospect House features a one-acre walled, landscaped garden with ornamental pond, pergola, large oval lawned area, cutting and vegetable beds.
There is a colour-themed herbaceous long border, ‘hot’ borders, and a physic bed. There is also mature hedging, trees and seasonal interest throughout. Additional new planting areas are being established.
A renovated outhouse has been converted into a potting area used for garden workshops.
The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Cobble Cottage, Whixley
When: Sunday, July 3,11pm-5pm
Admission: Adults £4, children go free
About: An imaginatively designed, constantly changing, small cottage garden full of decorative architectural plants and old family favourites.
There is an Interesting water garden, containers and use of natural materials. It also features a black and white courtyard garden and Japanese-style garden with growing willow screen.
The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Group openings – gardens that open on the same day
Grafton gardens, Marton-cum-Grafton
Well House.
When: Sunday, July 3,11am-5pm
Admission: Adults £6, children go free
About: These two gardens in adjacent rural villages are also connected by a public footpath.
Paddock House is on an elevated site with extensive views down a large sloping lawn to a wildlife pond. A plant lover’s garden where the house is encircled by a profusion of pots and extensive plant collections combining cottage gardening with the Mediterranean and Tropical. A curved terrace of Yorkshire stone and steps using gravel and wood sleepers leads to many seating areas culminating in a cutting garden and small greenhouse.
Well House, in Grafton, nestles under the hillside, with long views to the White Horse. This one-and-a-half acre garden was begun 40 years ago and is constantly changing. A traditional English cottage garden with herbaceous borders, climbing roses and ornamental shrubs with a variety of interesting species. Paths meander through the borders to an orchard with ducks. Refreshments are available at The Punch Bowl pub, a five-minute walk from Well House.
Dacre Banks and Summerbridge Gardens
Woodlands Cottage.
When: Sunday, July 10,12pm-5pm
Admission: Adults £10, children go free
About: Dacre Banks and Summerbridge Gardens are situated in the beautiful countryside of Nidderdale and designed to take advantage of the scenic Dales landscape.
The gardens are linked by attractive walks along the valley, but each may be accessed individually by car.
Low Hall has a romantic walled garden set on different levels around the historic C17 family home (not open) with herbaceous borders, shrubs, climbing roses and a tranquil water garden. The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Riverside House is an atmospheric waterside garden on many levels, supporting shade-loving plants and features a Victorian folly, fernery, courtyard and naturalistic riverside plantings. The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Woodlands Cottage is a garden of many rooms, with exquisite formal and informal plantings, and an attractive wildflower meadow which harmonises with mature woodland. The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Yorke House has extensive colour-themed borders and water features with beautiful waterside plantings. The newly developed garden at White Rose Cottage is specifically designed for wheelchair users. The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
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The Priory, Nun Monkton
When: Thursday, July 7,11pm-5pm
Admission: Adults £6, children go free
About: A large country garden surrounding William and Mary house (not open), at the confluence of the River Nidd and River Ouse.
It features species trees, calm swathes of lawn, clipped yew, beech and box, formal rose garden and mixed borders.
There is a new area of soft perennial planting and informal parkland. There area also kitchen gardens with a greenhouse and swimming pool where teas will be served.
The Nun Monkton Ferryboat will be running a special service on this day, connecting Nun Monkton with Beningbrough and Moor Monkton, from the riverbank next to The Priory.
Markenfield Hall, Ripon
When: Tuesday, July 12, 2pm-3pm
Admission: Adults £5, children go free
Booking: By guided tour only (max 10 people). Tickets must be booked in advance here
About: The work of the hall’s owner Lady Deirdre Curteis and gardener Giles Gilbey.
Mature planting combines with newly designed areas, where walls with espaliered apricots and figs frame a mix of hardy perennials.
In 2018 the farmhouse border was replanted to eventually blend seamlessly with the hall’s main east border.
Goldsborough Hall, Goldsborough
When: Sunday, July 24, 11pm-5pm
Admission: Adults £5, children go free
About: An historic 12-acre garden and formal landscaped grounds in parkland setting around Grade II*, 17th-century house, which was the former residence of HRH Princess Mary, daughter of George V and Queen Mary.
Goldsborough Hall boasts Gertrude Jekyll inspired 120ft double herbaceous borders, a rose garden and a woodland walk.
There is a large restored kitchen garden and glasshouse which produces fruit and vegetables for the hall’s commercial kitchens.
Greencroft, Littlethorpe, Ripon
When: Sunday, August 7, 12pm-4pm
Admission: Adults £5, children go free
About: A half-acre informal country garden created by the owners. It features long herbaceous borders packed with colourful late summer perennials, annuals and exotics culminating in a circular garden with views through to large wildlife pond and surrounding countryside.
Special ornamental features include a gazebo, temple pavilions, formal pool, stone wall with mullions and gate to pergola and cascade water feature.
The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Goldsborough Hall appoints new head chefJosh Barnes has been appointed executive head chef at Goldsborough Hall, the 17th century stately home near Knaresborough.
Mr Barnes will also oversee food and catering at the hall’s sister property, The Bay Horse Inn in Goldsborough.
He was previously head chef at the Galvin La Chapelle restaurant in London, where he retained its Michelin Star and 3AA rosette status. The restaurant also won recognition for its vegetarian and vegan tasting menus.
Mr Barnes, who grew up in Lincolnshire, said he was delighted with his new role, adding:
“It is exactly the type of property I wished to be part of, a beautiful historic stately home surrounded by countryside, with an ethos of sustainably sourced fresh local produce, where the food miles can be counted in feet and inches.
“My style is seasonally driven, using modern techniques and styles with a classic French undertone all served in the majesty of the hall’s historic dining room, where former kings and queens have dined.”
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Goldsborough Hall owner Mark Oglesby said Mr Barnes would be a “perfect fit for the hall and our dining experience”. He added:
Royal biographer at Goldsborough Hall open gardens“Josh will oversee all culinary activities including lunch and dinner service, in-room dining plus extensive banquet and catering offerings for weddings, private functions and corporate events.”
Royal biographer Elisabeth Basford will be at Goldsborough Hall on Sunday when the stately hall opens its gardens to the public.
The hall, near Knaresborough, was once home to Princess Mary, the Queen’s aunt, in the 1920s. It will be open from 11am to 5pm on Sunday as part of the National Garden Scheme.
Ms Basford has just published the biography Princess Mary, The First Modern Princess. She will bring various objects connected with the princess to talk about as well as signing copies of her book.
She said she was delighted to be returning to the hall, adding:
“Goldsborough Hall is now as spectacular as it was in the time of Princess Mary.”
Clare Oglesby, the owner of Goldsborough Hall, said:
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for our garden visitors to learn more about the princess – and especially in the very place where she lived!”
Tickets will be £5 for adults and free for children. Refreshments and plants are also available for sale with all proceeds going to the charities that NGS support.
To ensure the event is covid safe, all activities will take place outside and a timed ticket system has been adopted to prevent too many people arriving at the same time.
Read more:
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The open gardens at Goldsborough Hall
The gardens, which will be open to explore, have a tribute to Princess Mary in the form of a wall of Yorkshire Princess roses that were named after her.
Tickets cost £5 for adults. Entry is free for children.
Further information is available here.