Rishi Sunak has praised the reinvention of a North Yorkshire country house hotel as a prestige wedding and events venue.
Solberge Hall at Newby Wiske, near Northallerton, was acquired by the Wharfedale Group in 2023 and has undergone a £2m refurbishment.
It now operates exclusively as a weddings and events destination, with many of its customers coming from across the UK, particularly London and the south-east.
After visiting the Hall and meeting owner Claire Thomas, the Richmond and Northallerton MP said: “The refurbishment of the Hall is most impressive. Claire and her team have created something very special, a real asset for the area and a boost for the local visitor economy.”
Ms Thomas, assisted by her daughter Allegra, had previously created a successful wedding venue on the family farm between Leeds and Harrogate – Wharfedale Grange.
Having trained as an interior designer with experience of working for Liberty’s in London, Ms Thomas said her aim had been give the old Hall some wow factor while respecting its history.
All the main reception areas, bars, lounges and principal function room have been completely refurbished, as have 25 bedrooms – each one styled individually. The outside south-facing terrace has been extended and remodelled to make the best of the views over the North Yorkshire countryside.
She said: “It was an honour to welcome Rishi and show him the transformation of Solberge Hall. I am incredibly proud of what we’ve created and to be recognised as a valuable addition to the area.”
Among the wedding services now offered by Solberge Hall is the opportunity to hire a Solberge Hall-branded first class train carriage to transport wedding guests to Northallerton by rail.
Ms Thomas explained to Mr Sunak that future plans for the Hall included converting the buildings to the rear of the main hall for additional accommodation and wedding facilities.
