Swinton Park, Masham, HG4 4JH
Harden's survey result
Summary
“The formal dining room at Swinton Estate” – “a country house hotel in a beautiful setting that supplies much of its food from local sources” and its own 20,000 acres of grounds. Ruth Hansom has been in charge of the kitchens during 2023 – a year that saw solid all-round ratings for its ambitious cuisine – in advance of handing over to former Roux Scholar Nicole Benham-Corlette following a £500,000 refurb to complete in early 2024: part of the property’s ‘estate-to-plate’ philosophy which aims to reduce its carbon footprint to being neutral by 2030.
Summary
Occupying a small corner of a “fabulous old-school country pile” – itself set in 20,000 acres of ground – this “smart restaurant in a very smart hotel” makes use of game and fish from the estate, as well as produce from the very large kitchen garden, to provide “good cooking that’s well presented”. Afternoon tea in the splendid adjacent lounges is also a feature worth discovering.
Summary
“A grand setting for a special occasion” – this gracious chamber is part of a luxe country house hotel and spa, set in an estate of 20,000 acres and using game and fish from the estate as well as produce from the hotel’s very large kitchen garden. A succession of chefs has come and gone in recent times, but standards here seem to have been constant of late.
Summary
With its gold-leaf decoration, the stylish dining room of this grand country house hotel and spa provides a traditionally luxurious backdrop to a meal. But ratings have come off the boil a little with personnel changes. Mehdi Amiri – in post since mid-2017 – sometimes gave reporters the impression that “the sheer confidence and assurance typically found here was lacking”. He himself then moved on after our survey in summer 2019. We have maintained last year’s survey scores on the bet that further changes are more likely to be positive than negative, but further upheavals may be afoot.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Samuel’s, Swinton Park Hotel & Spa?
Owner's description
Samuel's Restaurant, fine dining at its best at Swinton Park Hotel on the Swinton Estate. The spectacular elegance of the decor is complimented by our seamless levels of service, exquisite wine selection and a seasonal menu that combines the finest locally sourced ingredients.
Samuel's is renowned for providing some of the best Estate to Plate fine dining in the North of England. The food on your plate is a reflection of the landscape you can see around you, a sweeping, romantic celebration of what Swinton Estate and Yorkshire at large have always had in spades: a rich, deep connection to the land and a quiet, unshowy confidence in the produce which that land gives up.
Samuel’s Restaurant was built by Samuel Cunliffe-Lister in 1880 as part of major works that were carried out at Swinton Park when he bought the estate on retirement. You will see portraits of him on the walls, along with one of his children above the fireplace.
Swinton Park is surrounded by a 20,000 acre estate stretching from the River Ure in Wensleydale up onto the moorland Dales. Swinton Estate comprises of 42-bedroom Swinton Park Hotel, glamping at Swinton Bivouac, a Cookery School, award winning Country Club and other country activities.
We strongly recommend that guests reserve tables in advance as occasionally the hotel may be fully booked with a private event.
A smart dress code applies when dining in Samuel’s Restaurant. Children under the age of 8 are not permitted to dine in Samuel's in the evening.
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.50 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 5.00% |
Restaurant details
Samuel’s, Swinton Park Hotel & Spa Restaurant Diner Reviews
"The dining room - and the view from the windows onto the estate are rather special. The whole hotel reeks of past glories, with a billiard room, boot room etc. The service is eager, and keen to please if lacking a little polish. But then you are in stately home(ish) not a central London swankery. The food is good, without any eye-opening moments (such as the first taste of the Gavroche (RIP) veal chop with morels). Reasonable value for the area, but there is nearby competition such as the Blue Lion which steps up a league. And they really could do with sharper knives, it's embarassing to have to saw away at the beef with a knife no sharper than a bread knife!"
Swinton Park, Masham, HG4 4JH
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 7:30 am‑11.00, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 7:30 am‑11.00, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 7:30 am‑11.00, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 7:30 am‑11.00, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 7:30 am‑3 pm |
