Westergate House
An English Country Home from Home
Where simplicity, history and luxury come together.
"Located in the picturesque countryside with direct links to the historic city of York just 4 miles away, Westergate House promises experiences created for your every need. Your hosts, Paul and Hilary Finney, offer a warm welcome, blending comfort, history, and personal service in this family-run Bed & Breakfast."
The Story of Westergate House
From Historical Roots to Modern Hospitality
Westergate House has a rich history, dating back to 1937 when it was built as Flers House named in honour of a family member's sacrifice in the Battle of Fleurs - de Courcelette. Over the years, it has served many purposes, from a respite home for disabled children to a doctors' surgery.
Milestones in Westergate's History:
- 1937: The birth of Flers House, an elegant residence built for a local landowner
- 1965: Transformed into Grimston House, it became a respite home for disabled children.
- Later Years: Evolved into Rutland House, serving the community as the Escrick doctors' surgery.
- 1986: A return to Grimston House, this time opening doors as a bed and breakfast, welcoming guests from all walks of life.
- 2020: A significant year of transformation, with substantial refurbishments that led to the house being christened Westergate House, a name that comes from an adjacent field seen on an 1816 map.
Where Dreams Became Reality
A Personal Connection Blossoms into a Dream Realised
In 2017, Paul and Hilary moved to Westergate House ( then Grimston House), a perfect fusion of proximity to York yet still in the countryside. They knew it was the perfect place for their work life balance beginning their next chapter of life
Turning a Vision into Reality:
- Historical Appreciation: Paul and Hilary had always admired the prominent facade of the house, large beautiful gardens and its interesting history.
- Location Perfection: The house was in the ideal position with easy access to the York yet still in the countryside.
- Embarking on a New Era: They wanted to create a modern and comfortable house while still keeping its old-fashioned charm.
A Labour of Love
Transforming the house required careful consideration, respecting its history whilst making it a comfortable, stylish place to stay.
- Modernisation with Character: Thoughtful design and vision went into refurbishing the house to preserve its timeless character.
- Guest-Focused Updates: Every change was made to make guests' stays better, adding modern comforts without taking away from the feel of the home.
- Commitment to industry standards : Becoming a member of and assessed by the AA ensured everything was in place for our guests comfort and safety. The final and best accolade for hard work and deternination was achieving exceptional gold star and breakfast awards.
Through dedication, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for the history of the property, Paul and Hilary have made Westergate House a place where guests can truly feel at home.
Meet Your Hosts: Paul and Hilary Finney
A Fusion of Engineering Precision and Culinary Excellence
Together, Paul and Hilary Finney make a formidable team. Their strengths in technical precision and warm hospitality ensures your stay at Westergate House will be perfect and filled with personal touches.
Hilary Finney
With decades in hospitality from managing large catering events to cooking for royalty and famous people with a cookery school aswell, she delights in her role at Westergate House ! Originally trained at The Cordon Bleu in London means she pays a lot of attention to service and food.
- Exquisite Home Cooking: Her culinary skills and friendly approach make every guest's stay a real treat:.
- Cookery Teacher: Hilary shares her passion of cooking by imparting her knowledge to others to produce simple, healthy and cost effective meals confidently
Paul Finney
A background is in engineering brings the meticulous attention to detail from his former career as a garage owner to maintenace and improvement of Westergate House. He ensures everything works perfectly and adds his own interests to the B&B:
- Classic Car Restoration: Paul's passion is restoring classic cars to their former glory
- Motorsport Enthusiasm: His competitive spirit is channeled into maintaining his competitve Land Rover for cross country events, keeping his engineering skills sharp.
Beyond a Bed
Experiences at Westergate House
Above and Beyond
At Westergate House, we endeavour to provide for all our guests needs whether you're here for business or pleasure. Whether you sink into the sofas in our elegant guest lounge or watch the birds balance on the lavender heads from our charming dining room you will feel home from home.
Personalised Stay
Guest-Centric Amenities: From the crisp cotton sheets on all the beds to the homemade treats and fresh milk in your room, every part of Westergate House is made to make guests comfortable.
Attention to Detail: Careful considerations like allergy - friendly duvets, king size beds, a ground floor twin room and an outdoor gazebo for summer evenings all support our commitment to your wellbeing
Westergate Kitchen
The Heart of Homely Hospitality
Stays you'll never forget often have amazing food experiences. The kitchen at Westergate House is full of delicious ingredients for home-cooked breakfasts and snacks for everyone:
Culinary Delights for Every Occasion
- Delectable Daily Offerings: From the wholesome Yorkshire breakfasts, evening platters to special afternoon teas, the menu shows off the great food we have and Hilary's skilled cooking.
- Special Event Catering: Creating meals for celcbrations, family get-togethers, or business meetings for up to 20 guests is natural with more than 25 years of outside catering experience.
- Something Extra: Treat yourself or someone else to our cookies and brookies or purchase a gift voucher for a future taste of Westergate hospitality.
A Hub for Food Enthusiasts and Company Retreats
Demonstrations and Team Building: immerse yourself in a cooking class or try a special teamwork challenge made to help your work team work together and be creative.
Paul and Hilary's shared vision for Westergate House goes beyond just a place to stay.
Join Us at Westergate House
Whether you’re marking a special occasion, catching up with family, or simply taking time to reconnect, our charming English country house offers the ideal backdrop for work or leisure.
An Invitation to Experience Our Hospitality:
- A Comfortable Retreat: Whether you're coming for a unique getaway or looking for a special place for your next event, we're here to welcome you .
- Activities and Events: From garden parties, post-wedding barbecues, and afternoon teas to filming, product shoots, and charity events – we’ve hosted it all here at Westergate House.
- Your Home in Yorkshire: Enjoy the easy, relaxed way of life at this beautiful English country house either as couples, friends, business colleagues or exclusive use for a larger get together
Make Westergate House Your Next Destination
🌟 Plan Your Stay With Us 🌟
Visiting Westergate House isn't just for a city break - it's a chance to stay longer to explore not only the historic city of York but also go beyond our gates to see the best of Yorkshire's coast and countryside.
Paul and Hilary live on site with their 2 cocker spaniels in their own private area, leaving Westergate House just for guests. They can't wait to welcome you soon, where you'll arrive as guests but leave as friends, taking with you not just memories but a wish to come back.
Office Hours
- Mon - Fri
- -
- Sat - Sun
- Closed