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4- and 5-star hotels in Thirsk
This shortlist covers the 4- and 5-star hotels and self-catering properties around Thirsk, from the town centre to the surrounding villages and moor edge.
Staying in Thirsk
Thirsk is a small, walkable North Yorkshire market town on the edge of the moors. The Market Place has a working market, the fifteenth-century St Mary's church rises at the foot of Kirkgate, and the museum on Kirkgate occupies the birthplace of Thomas Lord. Evening life is quiet and honest rather than exciting, but the mainline station is a genuine one: London King's Cross in about two hours twenty, York in 20 minutes, Northallerton in 10.
The hotels on this shortlist are scattered around Thirsk and its villages rather than in one quarter. In the town centre you find 40 Kirkgate and The Old Surgery on Kirkgate, and Meadowcroft B&B on Topcliffe Road. To the south, Wheelhouse Cottage, Linden Tree Holiday Apartments and The Poplars sit around Sowerby and Carlton Miniott, while Sutton, Felixkirk and Pickhill hold the village inns and cottages. The mix suits couples on a short break, families with a car, and anyone who wants the moors and the abbey ruins within easy reach.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
The Carpenters Arms
Felixkirk, Thirsk, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
- Pets allowed
Why stay hereWith a 4.7 guest rating from 720 reviews, this 5-star inn in Felixkirk pairs a restaurant and bar with free parking and free Wifi, so guests can eat and settle in without leaving the grounds. Pets are allowed, family rooms are available, and breakfast can be taken in the room. It suits travellers who want a full-service stay in a village setting rather than a self-catering base.
See The Carpenters ArmsWheelhouse Cottage
Wheel House Farm Islebeck Road Sowerby, Thirsk, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Beach nearby
Why stay hereA 5-star cottage at Wheel House Farm on Islebeck Road in Sowerby, offering a kitchen, a fireplace and a garden, plus free car parking. A washing machine, dishwasher and cots make longer family stays practical, and pets are not listed among the facilities. Guests who prefer to cook and relax by the fire, with Thirsk close by, will find this the right fit. Fishing, golf and a beach are listed nearby.
See Wheelhouse CottagePaper Mill Cottage
Thirsk Yo7 2Ps United Kingdom Thirsk, Sutton, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereThis 5-star cottage at Sutton near Thirsk combines a kitchen, fireplace and garden with free Wifi and free car parking, and a garage is available on site. A washing machine, dishwasher, towels and a TV cover the practical side of a self-catering break. It suits guests who want their own space and a base for exploring the area by car, with room for a longer stay rather than a single night.
See Paper Mill CottageSutton Hall Resort
Sutton Hall Resort Sutton Under Whitestonecliffe, Sutton, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Indoor pool
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereRated 4.6 from 149 reviews, this 4-star resort at Sutton under Whitestonecliffe offers an indoor pool, a sauna and a fitness centre, along with a Jacuzzi and massage. Apartments include kitchens with ovens and microwaves, and there is a pool bar and picnic area. Free parking and free Wifi are provided. It suits guests who want leisure facilities on site and space to self-cater, whether for a family break or a longer stay.
See Sutton Hall Resort40 Kirkgate
40 Kirkgate, Thirsk, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereA 4-star property on Kirkgate in Thirsk with a perfect 5.0 rating from 4 reviews. The kitchen comes with a dishwasher, microwave and oven, and there is a fireplace for cooler evenings, plus free Wifi and free car parking. Guests who want to stay in the centre of Thirsk and self-cater, with golf within reach, are the natural fit for this address.
See 40 KirkgateThe Old Surgery
1 Kirkgate Mews The Old Surgery, Thirsk, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereSet at 1 Kirkgate Mews in Thirsk, this 4-star property has a 4.4 rating from 7 reviews. A kitchen with dishwasher, microwave and oven is complemented by a fireplace, and free Wifi and free car parking are included. A washing machine, hairdryer and high chairs make it workable for families. It suits guests who want a central Thirsk base with the freedom to cook and do laundry during their stay.
See The Old SurgeryMeadowcroft B&B
86 Topcliffe Road, Thirsk, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Business trips
- Parking
- Internet access
Why stay hereThis 4-star bed and breakfast on Topcliffe Road in Thirsk provides a restaurant and parking, with free bottled water, a hairdryer and a TV in the rooms. Internet access is available, and lifts serve the building, which helps guests with luggage or limited mobility. It is a straightforward choice for travellers who want to be on Topcliffe Road with dining on site rather than self-catering.
See Meadowcroft B&BThe Poplars
Carlton Miniott, Thirsk, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Lounge
- Pets allowed
Why stay hereA 4-star property at Carlton Miniott with a kitchen, lounge and fireplace, plus a garden, free Wifi and free car parking. Pets are allowed, cots are provided, and a washing machine, dishwasher and toaster cover everyday needs. Fishing and horse riding are among the listed activities. This suits guests travelling with a pet or a child who want a self-contained base near Thirsk with outdoor space.
See The PoplarsThe Nags Head Residential Country Inn & Restaurant
Pickhill Pickhillthirsk Yo7 4Jgnorth Yorkshire, Thirsk, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
- Bar/Lounge
Why stay hereA 4-star country inn and restaurant at Pickhill, with a bar and lounge, restaurant and breakfast served on site, plus free Wifi and free car parking. Pets are allowed and there is a meeting room for groups. It fits travellers who want to eat and drink where they sleep, on a countryside stop, rather than manage a kitchen of their own.
See The Nags Head Residential Country Inn & RestaurantWoundales Farmhouse bed and breakfast
Woundales Farm, Thirsk, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Business trips
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereThis 4-star farmhouse bed and breakfast at Woundales Farm offers free Wifi and free car parking, with a garden and terrace, bicycle hire and horse riding listed. A shuttle service, luggage storage, meeting room and business centre are available, and special diets are catered for. It suits guests who want a working-farm setting, easy parking and help arranging activities, including cyclists and those arriving without their own transport.
See Woundales Farmhouse bed and breakfastLinden Tree Holiday Apartments
Carlton Road Linden Tree Carlton Miniott, Thirsk, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereA 4-star apartment option on Carlton Road in Carlton Miniott, with free Wifi, free car parking, cleaning, laundry service and a safe. Fishing, golf and horse riding are among the listed activities nearby, and non-smoking rooms are available throughout. Guests who want an apartment base near Thirsk with parking included, and who value laundry service over on-site dining, are the natural fit.
See Linden Tree Holiday ApartmentsThe Black Swan Inn
Main Street Northallerton Dl7 9Dn Uk, Northallerton, United Kingdom
Best for: Breakfast · Business trips
- Breakfast
Why stay hereA 4-star inn on Main Street in Northallerton with a bar, restaurant, breakfast and garden, plus a meeting room and multilingual staff. Newspapers and a luggage room are available, and rooms are non-smoking. It suits guests who want a traditional inn with food and drink downstairs, and space for a small meeting, rather than self-catering facilities.
See The Black Swan InnGormire Cottage
Low Cleaves Sutton, Thirsk, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Pool bar
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
Why stay hereThis 4-star cottage at Low Cleaves in Sutton provides a kitchen with oven and dishwasher, a fireplace and a garden, along with free car parking. A pool bar is on site and fishing and golf are listed among the activities. It suits guests who want a quiet self-catering cottage with outdoor space, and who will be driving to reach Thirsk and the surrounding area.
See Gormire CottageWren Cottage
Sutton, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereA 4-star cottage at Sutton with a kitchen, fireplace and garden, plus free Wifi and free car parking. A garage is available, and a washing machine, towels and a TV are provided, with first aid on hand. It suits guests who want a compact self-catering base with parking and reliable internet, and who plan to spend their days out in the surrounding countryside.
See Wren CottageHurworth 25565
Thirsk, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereA 4-star cottage in Thirsk with a kitchen, garden and fireplace, free Wifi and free car parking, plus a garage. A washing machine, dishwasher, cot and towels are provided, and fishing and horse riding are listed among the activities. It suits families or small groups who want a self-catering house with parking and space for a cot, rather than a serviced room.
See Hurworth 25565
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Parking | Breakfast | Pool or spa | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Carpenters Arms | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | – | Yes |
| Wheelhouse Cottage | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – |
| Paper Mill Cottage | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – |
| Sutton Hall Resort | ★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | – |
| 40 Kirkgate | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – |
| The Old Surgery | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – |
| Meadowcroft B&B | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – |
| The Poplars | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | Yes |
| The Nags Head Residential Country Inn & Restaurant | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | – | Yes |
| Woundales Farmhouse bed and breakfast | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – |
| Linden Tree Holiday Apartments | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – |
| The Black Swan Inn | ★★★★ | – | Yes | – | – |
| Gormire Cottage | ★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | – |
| Wren Cottage | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – |
| Hurworth 25565 | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
In the town centre
40 Kirkgate, The Old Surgery and Meadowcroft B&B all sit in Thirsk itself, close to Market Place, St Mary's and the museum. 40 Kirkgate holds a 5.0 rating from 4 reviews, The Old Surgery 4.4 from 7, so both are small and personal. Meadowcroft has a restaurant and lifts. None of these needs a car to reach the station or the square.
Best for families
Sutton Hall Resort, The Carpenters Arms, The Poplars and Linden Tree Holiday Apartments all offer family rooms or self-catering space. Sutton Hall Resort has an indoor pool, mini golf and a fitness centre. The Carpenters Arms has family rooms, a garden and a restaurant. The self-catering options add kitchens and gardens, which suits longer stays with children.
Sutton Hall Resort · The Carpenters Arms · The Poplars · Linden Tree Holiday Apartments
Top guest ratings
The highest guest ratings on the list belong to 40 Kirkgate at 5.0 from 4 reviews, The Carpenters Arms at 4.7 from 720 reviews, and Sutton Hall Resort at 4.6 from 149 reviews. The Carpenters Arms and Sutton Hall Resort have substantial review numbers behind their scores; 40 Kirkgate is rated from only a handful of stays.
Pets and country stays
The Carpenters Arms, The Poplars and The Nags Head Residential Country Inn & Restaurant all allow pets. The Carpenters Arms is a 5-star inn in Felixkirk with a restaurant and garden. The Poplars in Carlton Miniott and The Nags Head in Pickhill are smaller country addresses, all with free car parking, which suits guests travelling with a dog by car.
The Carpenters Arms · The Poplars · The Nags Head Residential Country Inn & Restaurant
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Thirsk has a genuine mainline station: London King's Cross in about two hours twenty, York in 20 minutes, Northallerton in 10. The town itself is fully walkable. Sutton Bank, Byland and the moor villages need either a car or the limited 128 bus, which does not run frequently or late. For pure sightseeing without wheels, York or Malton is easier.
When to go
The market fills the Market Place from about 8am to 3pm on both market days, a working market of fruit, veg, cheese, plants, tools, fabric and a fish van, so plan a visit around it. St Mary's is free to enter in daylight hours, and the museum on Kirkgate opens afternoons in season. Moor-edge sights such as Sutton Bank and Byland Abbey are outdoor days; in winter the light is short, while summer gives long evenings but the town still empties by half past ten.
Things to do near Thirsk
Questions, answered
Which of these hotels is closest to Thirsk town centre?
40 Kirkgate, The Old Surgery and Meadowcroft B&B are all addressed in Thirsk itself, close to Market Place and Kirkgate, where the market, St Mary's and the museum are. The town is fully walkable, and the mainline station is within the town.
Do any of these hotels have a pool or spa?
Sutton Hall Resort in Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe has an indoor pool, a Jacuzzi, a sauna, a fitness centre and massage. It is the only property on this list with those facilities. The others are inns, bed and breakfasts, cottages and apartments.
Which hotels allow pets?
The Carpenters Arms in Felixkirk, The Poplars in Carlton Miniott and The Nags Head Residential Country Inn & Restaurant in Pickhill all allow pets. All three have free car parking, which suits guests arriving by car with a dog.
Is parking available at these hotels?
Free car parking is listed at The Carpenters Arms, Wheelhouse Cottage, Paper Mill Cottage, Sutton Hall Resort, 40 Kirkgate, The Old Surgery, The Poplars, The Nags Head, Woundales Farmhouse, Linden Tree Holiday Apartments, Gormire Cottage, Wren Cottage and Hurworth 25565. Meadowcroft B&B lists parking, without specifying that it is free.
Which hotel is best for families?
Sutton Hall Resort has an indoor pool, mini golf, a fitness centre and apartments. The Carpenters Arms has family rooms, a cot, a garden and a restaurant. The Poplars, Linden Tree Holiday Apartments and the cottages add kitchens, gardens and parking, which suit families staying longer.
Do any of the hotels serve breakfast or dinner?
The Carpenters Arms has a restaurant, bar, breakfast in room, lunch and dinner. Meadowcroft B&B, The Nags Head Residential Country Inn & Restaurant and The Black Swan Inn list restaurant or breakfast. The cottages and apartments generally have kitchens instead.
Which hotel has the highest guest rating?
40 Kirkgate has a guest rating of 5.0 from 4 reviews. The Carpenters Arms is rated 4.7 from 720 reviews, and Sutton Hall Resort 4.6 from 149 reviews. The Carpenters Arms and Sutton Hall Resort have far more reviews behind their scores.