The Newton House Hotel in Knaresborough has rebranded as Orchard Club.

The 12-bedroom hotel, which is situated in a grade II listed building on York Place, was acquired by Lamb and Flag Enterprise Ltd after former owner Denise Carter retired in 2022.

The rebrand is part of a wider plan to create meeting rooms and other facilities for guests and residents, as well as accommodation.

The Newton House Hotel in Knaresborough has rebranded as Orchard Club.

A spokesperson for Orchard Club said:

“The rebrand was prompted by a desire to see the beautiful buildings in York Place improved and utilised further. It’s part of a long-term strategy on the part of Orchard Club to provide enhanced facilities for Knaresborough.

“Over time, the hope is to create additional bedrooms, a café/bistro and spaces available for community hire.”

One of the redecorated rooms in Orchard Club.

They added:

“The car park in the former Newton House Hotel will be turned into a beautiful orchard-themed garden dining area with a dozen fruit-bearing trees, providing a haven for wildlife and customers alike.

“Car parking will still be provided at the rear of number 9 York Place, which will itself be used to extend and enhance the hotel facilities.”

Each room in the hotel, which is based on a ‘tranquil orchard’ theme, has been renamed and redecorated with a particular fruit.

Richard Venable, director of Lamb and Flag Enterprise, said:

“Orchard Club is set to be a landmark destination for holidaymakers and business people, as well as a popular cafe and bistro for hotel guests and Knaresborough residents.”

The 300-year-old building, which is rumoured to have been built with stone from Knaresborough Castle, became a hotel in 1981.

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New managers have taken over at a historic Knaresborough hotel.

Newton House Hotel, York Place, was acquired by Lamb and Flag Enterprise Ltd after former owner Denise Carter retired.

Ms Carter bought the 12-bedroom building in 2011. She went on to win plenty of awards, including top spot on the Channel 4 TV show Four in a Bed in 2016.

Now, Raphael and Cici Carreira have taken over management of the property following the Lamb and Flag acquisition.

The Brazilian-born couple intend to bring a new approach to the B&B, while retaining the high-quality service and locally sourced food for its award-winning English breakfasts.

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Lamb and Flag Enterprises has retained the existing hotel staff team and will continue to operate the business as is, while plans for refurbishment in 2023 are prepared to expand the services offered within the property.

Richard Venable, Lamb and Flag Enterprises director, said: 

“It is business as usual at the moment until we line up our plans for the longer term.

“We are confident that our guests will continue to enjoy the same warm welcome they have become accustomed to at Newton House, with Raphael, Cici and their friendly and efficient team.”

Newton House Hotel is a converted 300-year-old Georgian townhouse rumoured to have been built with stone from Knaresborough Castle.

One of Knaresborough’s most famous hotels has gone on the market.

Newton House Hotel, York Place, is a converted 300-year-old Georgian townhouse rumoured to have been built with stone from Knaresborough Castle.

Denise Carter bought the 12-bedroom building in 2011. She went on to win plenty of awards, including top spot on the Channel 4 TV show Four in a Bed in 2016.

The hotel tried to join a “sleep over to help turnover” campaign that aimed to replicate the increase in trade caused by ‘eat out to help out’ scheme in pubs and restaurants.

But the country went into lockdown a month later.

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Agents Carter Jonas in Leeds are offering the property on behalf of Ms Carter.

The description, which does not include a price, suggests the building does not necessarily have to be maintained as a hotel. It says:

“A rare opportunity to acquire one of Knaresborough’s signature buildings in the heart of the town.

“It is currently run as a successful guesthouse but offering a variety of potential different uses, subject to planning approval, including reverting back to a substantial private dwelling.”

The Stray Ferret tried to contact Newton House Hotel for comment but nobody was available by the time of publication.