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The Wensleydale Hotel in Middleham has been sold to a new owner, marking the end of six years of family ownership by Charles and Fiona Merchie.
The 18th Century hotel overlooks Middleham town square and comprises 17 en suite bedrooms, alongside a restaurant, the Tack Room, which holds an AA rosette. The property also includes a bar and a private dining room.
Middleham, often described as the ‘Newmarket of the North’, is home to 15 nearby horseracing stables and features a cobbled market square and a medieval castle that was once home to Richard III.
The hotel had been owned by the Merchie family since 2019 and was run by Charles and Fiona alongside their sons Monty and Hugo. During that period, the family developed the business’s reputation among both local residents and visitors.
The Wensleydale has been sold to Oliver Kwok, who plans to build on the existing operation while supporting the local community and placing a greater emphasis on sustainability and responsible hospitality.
Fiona Merchie said: “The Wensleydale has been such a big part of our family’s life, and we are incredibly proud of what it has become. We are delighted to be handing it over to Oliver and wish him every success as he leads the hotel into its next chapter.”
Kwok said: “It is a real privilege to take on the stewardship of the Wensleydale. I am honoured with the trust Fiona has placed in me, and I look forward to building on the legacy she, Charles, Monty and Hugo have created.”
Mark Worley, director – Hospitality at Christie and Co who handled the sale process, said: “Having sold many hospitality businesses across Yorkshire and the North East over the years, I am delighted to announce the sale of The Wensleydale Hotel in the Yorkshire Dales. This marks the eighth major sale in the National Park by Christie and Co over the last four years, illustrating how desirable this region is, both in terms of buyer demand and visitor footfall.
“The sale was a great collaboration between all parties, and the relationship between buyer and seller helped the process run smoothly, supported by the expert assistance of John Morgan at Hay and Kilner, Russell Davidson at Gunnercooke, as well as Simon McAllister at Teesvale.”
