Our history and more
Westergate House near York and built in 1937 by a local landowner, was named Flers House, after the Battle of Flers de Clementine, one of the battles of the Somme, where a family member was lost in action.
Around 1965 it changed to Grimston House, as a respite home for disabled children then Rutland House as Escrick doctors’ surgery. In 1986 it reverted to Grimston House as a bed and breakfast and in 2020 when substantially refurbished it was relaunched as Westergate House after an adjacent field on an 1816 map.
In 2017 we were able to combine both proximity to York with a private country setting when Westergate (then Grimston) House became our ideal place to work and live having admired this stunning property for many years.
Since then we have lovingly refurbished the accommodation offered in order to fulfil modern guest requirements, ever changing industry standards along with ensuring the character of the house was not lost.
Paul’s career as an engineer and garage owner and Hilary’s lifetime in hospitality catering for Royals and famous faces, make a robust combination to offer a friendly and personal service with home cooking and well appointed facilities. Whether your visit is business or pleasure, looking for accommodation, afternoon tea or family gathering we aim to satisfy your expectations.
In his limited spare time Paul enjoys getting back in his garage to work on classic car projects as well as maintaining his competition landrover for motor sport events whilst Hilary spends her spare time in the garden with the resident cocker spaniels Bonnie and Klyde or teaching cookery.
We hope to welcome you soon to share our homely hospitality.
Paul and Hilary Finney
Providing accommodation is only a small part of the services offered from the kitchen at Westergate House
- With over 25 years of running an outside catering business we are happy to provide meals, buffets or afternoon teas for any occasions you may need to arrange. Whether inviting friends and family during your stay, or local non residents searching for a unique venue to host a business meeting, birthday, anniversary or funeral wake, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We are not licensed but you are welcome to bring your own wine.
- Our famous cookies and brownies together with postal cakes, bakes and afternoon teas are available to order for special treats or a birthday indulgence to eat in or take-out together with dine in desserts for a celebration at home. For further information and order forms please visit Westergate kitchen
- Would you like to indulge that special someone with a treat? We have vouchers available to buy here
- ‘Simply Cooking’ -specialist cookery zoom classes for those who would like to cook in harmony at home with distant friends family or work colleagues can be arranged honing your skills of baking, desserts, meals in minutes or entertaining.
- Demonstrations on thought for food and cooking for a crowd arranged at Westergate kitchen for groups of 10 or more all come with refreshments and handouts.
- A team building exercise which has been tried and tested at Harmony House Cookery School with businesses from near and far, is to produce a menu and bring it together on time. Planning, cooking and organising together makes a fantastic team building tool into which you can add senarios and budgets to suit your needs . At Westergate House we have a variety of outdoor cooking equipment which can be utilised for Cookery Team builds or group events plus we can arrange other activities to suit your group to make your day a memorable one.
