Thirsk hotel owner looks to hand over his keys to enjoy life as a guest at UK B&B’s
The owner of the Kirkgate House Hotel in Thirsk is hoping to hand over the keys to new owners in order to enjoy his retirement as a guest in other B&Bs across the UK.
Kirkgate House Hotel in Thirsk for sale
Geoffrey Dixon, 72, who has owned the hotel since 2008, is selling up with Hilton Smythe, and looking for younger owners to take over the venue with fresh ideas for a new decade.
With his retirement, Mr Dixon is looking forward to spending more time with his grandchildren in Leeds, and visiting B&Bs in North Wales, the Lake District and Scotland.
Mr Dixon said: “I bought the hotel just over a decade ago with my late wife Julie, because we both loved working in the hospitality sector. We spent around 14 years working in France running gites, and when we decided to come back to the UK to spend more time with our grandchildren, we wanted somewhere nice to live that would bring us an income.
“The family is in Leeds, so God’s own country seemed like the obvious choice.
“My wife passed away five years ago, and it can be quite lonely working seven days a week, even though I have fantastic part time staff helping me out. I think I’m ready now for life as a guest rather than the proprietor.”
Kirkgate House Hotel in Thirsk, for sale with Hilton Smythe has nine-room, three-storey Georgian bed and breakfast is situated on the outskirts of Thirsk, close to The World of James Herriot, and is just over five miles from the North York Moors National Park, which has resulted in many customers visiting multiple times. The business is also very well reviewed on independent websites such as trip advisor and bookings.com.
Gareth Smyth, CEO of Hilton Smythe Group, said: “Hotels and B&B’s are a fantastic investment for people looking to own their own business, because, even in times of economic instability, people still want to have a little break away in beautiful locations like North Yorkshire.
“If you’re a people person, like Mr Dixon, hospitality can be a rewarding career, with many opportunities to make visitors to the region feel welcome. We hope that the next owners of the Kirkgate House Hotel make as many happy memories there as its previous owners.”
Mr Dixon added: “Matthew from Hilton Smythe has been incredibly helpful already in getting the old place on the market. I’ll be sure to send him a postcard from my travels!”
Kirkgate House Hotel
For sale: £499,999 +SAV Ref: 13857 A
Hilton Smythe welcome to the market Kirkgate House Hotel. A stunning three storey Georgian B&B set in the pretty North Yorkshire village of Thirsk. Each of its 9 rooms is immaculately presented with high ceilings, tasteful decor and quality wooden furnishings. The hotel enjoys a great deal of regular, repeat custom which is testimony to the unrivalled service it offers to guests.
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Gods own country
Yorkshire is England’s largest county and within it’s historic borders there are vast stretches of unspoiled countryside including the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors Yorkshire has also been nicknamed ‘Gods own country’.
The town of Thirsk was first built around a large medieval market square which stills hosts an open-air market each Monday and Saturday. The market was established in 1145 and is the focal point for local farmers, traders and visitors. Today the economy is based on hospitality, tourism, finance, manufacturing, agriculture, retail and service businesses.
Tourism is an important part of the economy, with Hotels, Bed & Breakfast, Restaurants, Pubs encouraging many visitors from all over the world.
Thirsk was home to veterinary surgeon and author James Herriot (pen name of James Alfred Wight, OBE, FRCVS). He called Thirsk Darrowby in the semi-autobiographical books about a vet’s life in the Yorkshire Dales. Wight and his business partner Donald Sinclair (Siegfried Farnon in the books) established their veterinary practice at 23 Kirkgate, which now houses The World of James Herriot museum dedicated to Herriot’s life and works.
Top best things to do in and near Thirsk:
World of James Herriot MuseumSet in the heart of stunning Herriot Country, World of James Herriot is a multi award-winning, all-weather attraction. Open seven days a week offering visitors of all ages so much to see and do. Walk through his fully-restored 1940s home and surgery in Thirsk; travel back in time to what life was like when James was practicing. See the car he drove, step into the TV set, try your hand at being a vet and even experience what it was like to hide in a World War 2 air raid shelter.www.worldofjamesherriot.com
Falconry UK Thirsk Birds of Prey CentreEnjoy the thrills and excitement of falconry at the Birds of Prey and Conservation Centre, with over 70 birds and 30 species.Eagles, falcons, hawks, kites, vultures and owls will swoop and dive around you as you sit in a beautiful arena. Their skilled handlers will explain why the birds hunt and fly as they do, where they come from in the wild and how they are trained. They also provide falconry experience days for both adults and children.
White Horse of Kilburn (hill carving)The Kilburn White Horse is a hill figure cut into the hillside in the North York Moors National Park near Kilburn in North Yorkshire, Englandand said to be the largest and most northerly hill figure in England.
St Mary’s ChurchSt Mary’s Church Leake is a beautiful grade 1 listed church in the shelter of the North Yorkshire Moors. If you are passing, do call in to explore their long history.
Sutton Bank National ParkFor a fun free day out, head to Sutton Bank National Park Centre, less than 30 miles north of York. Soak up England’s finest view on easy walking trails, including the popular White Horse, while thrilling bike rides set off straight from the door. There’s a year-round bike hire and a mix of family cycle routes, which follow the spectacular Sutton Bank cliff edge, or more adventurous off-road thrills
Thirsk MarketWeekly on Mondays and Saturdays Thirsk’s Monday market charter was granted in 1145. Today, the town hosts markets on Mondays and Saturdays every week, in the town’s traditional, cobbled Market Place, offering fresh, local produce from friendly, knowledgeable stallholders.
Thirsk MuseumExperience the history of Thirsk in the house where Thomas Lord, founder of Lord’s Cricket Ground, was born in 1755. Explore rooms full of exhibits featuring local life and industry, cricketing memorabilia, farming equipment, furniture, costumes and toys. Marvel at the bones of our Saxon Giant and shudder at the legend of the Busby Stoop Chair!
Garbutt Wood Nature Reserve The dramatic Whitestone Cliff that towers above the wood shines out from the southern end of the Hambleton Hills to be seen for miles across the Vale of Mowbray to the Dales. A walk around the wood at anytime of the year gives you fantastic views as well as a variety of habitats to explore.
