Redevelopment hands North Yorkshire pub a fresh lease of life

A grade II listed North Yorkshire pub has been renovated and redeveloped with the addition of 12 guest bedrooms.

The work has been carried out at The Alice Hawthorn in Nun Monkton, near Harrogate, with the redesign carried out by architectural practice De Matos Ryan.

Named after a famous 19th century racehorse, The Alice Hawthorn is the village’s last remaining pub.

De Matos Ryan director, Angus Morrogh–Ryan, explained: “Before our client took ownership in 2013, the pub struggled commercially and had even closed for a period in 2007.

“Despite significant investment in a new kitchen and the wholesale refurbishment of the ground floor pub spaces, it was not yet a sustainable business.

“To become solvent long-term, it needed to increase its appeal to a broader audience. Therefore, the brief was to provide tourists, as well as the local community, with a high–quality but affordable basecamp from which to enjoy the surrounding landscape and visitor attractions.”

He added the redevelopment has created new revenue streams for the restaurant and bar business, improved visitor footfall and increased spending within the local economy.

There are now 12 en suite guest bedrooms, four on the first floor of the pub and eight around a new courtyard, which extends the village green into the pub’s rear garden.

The guest bedrooms are supported by new ancillary service areas, including housekeeping and linen stores, and staff accommodation.

Also, an orchard at the back of the site, is being re–established with fruit trees and will ultimately supply the pub’s kitchen.

Client and Nun Monkton local, Kate Harpin, said: “We were very excited with the shape of the plans as they evolved, and the finished result has exceeded our expectations.

“We have 12 beautiful guest bedrooms, every one of them perfect in its own way. The beer garden has been flanked by the new buildings, making an atmospheric, sheltered and relaxing place to enjoy a pint and a tasty plate.

“The buildings, imagined as agricultural stables, stores, and barn, work brilliantly in our setting, and I have no doubt will get even better with age and weather.”