Middleton Lodge

Middleton Lodge is a Georgian Palladian mansion set within 200 acres (81 ha) of open countryside, on the outskirts of the village of Middleton Tyas, a mile or so off the A1 near Scotch Corner and a 15-minute drive from Darlington, County Durham. Middleton Lodge was designed by the architect John Carr, and was built between 1777–1780 for George Hartley Esquire. In recent years, the estate has undergone a sensitive restoration program, with new additions including The Fig House, designed by Rebecca Tappin. The Hartley family was one of the major land owning families in the area. George's father, Leonard Hartley, lived in East Hall, one of the larger houses in Middleton Tyas. The Hartleys continued to live in Middleton Lodge until the late 1870s. In 1890 The Hon. Mrs Margaret Dundas, widow of the Hon. John Charles Dundas, MP (1808–1866), is recorded as living there. She died in 1907. It was later the family home of coal owner Sir Arthur Pease, 1st Baronet, who died there in 1927. Middleton Lodge is still a family home to the Allison family, who have lived there since 1980. From 2006, the Main House has been available for exclusive private hire. In 2014, James Allison owner and partner Rebecca Tappin, opened the Coach House as a Restaurant with Rooms. Since then, The Fig House, designed by creative director Rebecca Tappin in the Walled Garden has been added as an additional wedding venue alongside the 2.5 acre Walled Garden designed by landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith. The Forest Spa, designed by Rebecca around the concept of forest bathing was added in 2023. Today the hotel comprises 2 restaurants, 2 wedding venues, 50 bedrooms across the orchard, potting sheds, dairy, and farmhouse, and a Spa and is renowned for its beautiful and sensitive renovation. In 2024, the hotel was awarded as the Top 10 Boutique hotel in the country. In 2025, the second restaurant, Forge, won a Michelin Star, to add to the Green Michelin Star awarded in 2024, and Young Chef of the Year…