Former hotel has new lease of life as wedding and events venue

The new owners of The Old Deanery, in Ripon, say they are now ready to bring the property back into use.

Recently acquired by Rebecca Hill and Chris Layton, The Old Deanery is a Jacobean mansion opposite Ripon Cathedral.

After a short period of closure, The Old Deanery will soon be re-opening under its new management as a wedding and events venue. It features a reception room, several public spaces and 10 bedrooms, which have been renovated since its purchase.

Formerly operating as a hotel and wedding venue, The Old Deanery was forced to close its doors earlier this year after months of lockdown.

Hill and Layton took over the property in August 2021, initially hoping to bring the hotel back to its former glory before re-opening primarily as a wedding and events venue by spring 2022.

Running ahead of schedule, the hoteliers, who also own Galtres Lodge and Forest restaurant in York, have announced they are now taking bookings from January 2022 onwards.

Hill said: “Overall, we want The Old Deanery to be a jewel in Ripon’s crown and ‘the place’ to celebrate important life events, such as birthdays, Christenings and weddings.”

“Focusing on the latter, we are delighted to announce we are now accepting wedding bookings from January 2022 onwards.

“Given that we are opening as a new venue, we currently have fantastic availability, too, which we are sure will be music to many people’s ears.”

As well as weddings, The Old Deanery hopes to organise smaller public events, such as open days and afternoon tea parties.