HOSPITALITY
We want people to come to this wonderful area and to be pampered in what is a former royal residence .
History – built in 1838 , Rudby Hall is surrounded by gorgeous gardens originally planned by Lancelot ‘ Capability ’ Brown .
Stunning – Rudby Hall still retains many Georgian and Regency features .
project and the couple bring their vast combined experience in the educational and private sectors into the venture .
It was certainly a case of love at first sight when they became aware of a property that they have transformed into their beautiful boutique hotel .
“ I was browsing through the internet when I discovered this place and the fact that it was available and suddenly , just a few months later , here we are ,” reveals Mark .
“ Mark mentioned it to me ,” continues Susan , “ so we both had a look online and it absolutely took my breath away . We immediately fell in love with the hall .
“ For me it was an instant emotional connection . When we did come to see it in person I could not speak . When I entered the foyer and saw the patterned tiling on the floor – I just felt the need to connect with this property and so I placed my hands on the pattern and Mark did the same . That was it for us – it ’ s a heart project as much as it is a business .
“ It ’ s the luxury and the privacy of it ,” she adds . “ It ’ s an historic countryside setting .
“ You have the dramatic northern landscape out of the window ; you sit on the balcony and you can see the beautiful Dales around you .
“ It ’ s lovely , it ’ s calm , it ’ s green , we ’ ve got the River Leven running to the side of the property , it ’ s really beautiful .”
Rudby Hall had previously been available for events like weddings , film and photoshoots and for exclusive stays , but Mark and Susan have expanded its offering to include a boutique hotel to provide additional , high-value , bespoke opportunities for visitors to the region .
Of course , it ’ s still an ideal location for weddings and other celebrations and , for example , the hall was entirely booked out over Christmas by guests who wanted to celebrate Yuletide together .
“ We have 13 bedrooms including suites , large double rooms plus the two-bedroom cottage and garden house as well ,” says Susan .
“ We can offer a personal service , so that when guests arrive they are greeted in a way that maybe they wouldn ’ t be in a more anonymous venue .
“ We ’ re small enough to do that . Our motto is we are large enough to impress , small enough to care .
“ We ’ ve come into this with our hearts and for that to be reflected so readily by our early guests has been emotional .
“ We ’ ve already had some fantastic feedback and in one recent review one couple stated that we treated them ‘ like royalty ’.”
Mark adds : “ Our aim is to bring a mix of individuals , couples , families and businesses to this area who wish to experience our blend of history , serenity ,
For more information visit rudbyhall . com
luxury and bespoke services .
“ We hope to welcome people who are seeking something they cannot find in their lives at the moment , which is that sense of being looked after .
“ There is such a sense of fragmentation of society at the moment , we are becoming increasingly individualised . When you come here you will be part of the family , we will call you by your first name , it ’ s a ‘ we will look after you ’ ethos .”
That caring commitment is reflected in Rudby Hall ’ s new Latin motto which , translated to English , means unity through diversity .
Susan and Mark made that change because , as a couple , they take a great pride in their shared English and Nigerian heritage .
“ We want to emphasise that we are about unity ,” says Mark . “ We are humans first and we want to get it across strongly that everyone is welcome here .
“ I have links to many places because I have travelled a lot around the world and we are already expecting guests from abroad because of our international connections .”
Susan continued the theme , adding : “ We both know many people from diverse backgrounds and that is what we want to attract .
“ People often want the total English experience and we say , ‘ we have an English stately home with a global appeal ’.”
The voice of business in the Tees region | 63