The word ‘hall’ conjures images of grand fireplaces, where roaring flames transform sturdy logs into dancing ribbons of light. A comparable scene awaits you at Askham Hall. Its vast drawing room is bathed in orange hues from the fireplace and adorned with an assortment of snug pillows ideal for curling into while basking in the heat. A panelled ‘French’ room, a vaulted library with an honesty bar, and a self-operated sauna are among its many other soothing delights. While the award-winning Michelin Star and 3 AA rosettes restaurant continues the hearty reception for your country escape.

Situated at the heart of Askham Village, Askham Hall is surrounded by a community that feels like the Cotswolds of the North. A broad village green is lined on either side with a panoply of rustic twee cottages. Whitewashed walls of undressed stone, weather-beaten slate roofs and black-framed windows evoke a rural scene where farmers and their ploughs feel right at home. Askham Hall’s luxurious courtyard buildings continue the country village aesthetic with their narrow timber-mullioned windows. However, its medieval pele tower with battlemented parapets suggests a fanfare parade should escort you through its robust wooden doors.

However, pomp and ceremony couldn’t be further from Askham’s style. Rather, Askham Hall has a relaxed sophistication that comes with converting a family-owned ‘living’ estate into a hotel. The reception area barely exists. Instead, it’s a natural extension to the hallway that passes directly into the drawing-room, where eclectic modern art mixes with antiques and piles of aged books. Vases of flowers from the garden and hanging family crests adorn these rooms, along with frayed rugs and photo albums detailing the Lowther family’s heritage. There’s an unavoidable feeling that you’re the personal guest of the Lowther family, staying in their private residence.

Check-in is at 3pm, and the guests who arrive early are guided to the drawing-room, where a member of the staff glides in to offer tea and homemade biscuits, while smooth jazz sounds in the background. Like any attentive host, guests are taken to their rooms before the residual tea begins to cool. Ascending a carpet-lined staircase, they can walk past open-door rooms, which continue the idea of residing in an intimate, family home. Attention to detail becomes the new theme of the day, as small doggy bowls, biscuits and mats are openly on display in a few of these bedrooms.

With only 15 suites, intimacy is easily obtained, and guests feel as if they have the hotel to themselves. Each room retains elements of its history, from leaded windows and exposed oak beams, to the 5^th Earl of Lonsdale’s original leather tack decorating the walls. Everywhere you look, there’s an abundance of character and country charm.

Every room is individually designed with plush cushions and contemporary faux-fur throws. However, the Rowan Room, situated above the courtyard, dates back to the 16^th century and offers unparalleled views of cherry trees, the old stable block, and stone griffins. Elsewhere the Admiral’s Room (the Duke of Edinburgh’s room on several occasions) in the east corner of the 13^th century Pele Tower, has the best view of the gardens, Lowther Church and the River Lowther.

With room names like Medlar, Apple and Sycamore, there’s a constant nod to the great outdoors. Even the small self-operated sauna leads to a heated outdoor pool. The gardens at Askham Hall are the pièce de résistance of the property, with a 230ft-long herbaceous border, ponds and meadows, exquisite formal lawns and lawned terraces. There’s also a sizable kitchen garden that guides guests to the resident rare-breed pigs, goats, ducks and chickens. Before heading inside, Askham Hall also has many bespoke activities you can try, from guided nature and wildlife walks to bushcraft experiences. The latter, guided by local expert Berni, takes you around Askham village, teaching you about their local history, natural environment and its culinary, medicinal and practical uses.

Making the most of the extensive grounds, the 300-year-old barn has been converted to serve lunch and afternoon tea, taking the concept of farm-to-table literally. Indeed, the hotel’s restaurant builds its menu around the notion of ‘the cycle of life’, working with the seasons to bring new ingredients to diners. Included on the menu are exquisite dishes like Cornish crab meat, served with lovage, blackcurrant and garden herbs, which can be paired with one of the 400 wines listed. Even the breakfast menu mirrors the seasons, with salty bacon served with preserved strawberry jam straight from their vegetable garden. Be aware, however, that the kitchen does not cater for guests who require dairy-free cuisine – an unfortunate snag, in an otherwise perfect hotel.

A farm-to-table dining experience need not end when leaving the hotel, as Askham Hall’s sister pub, the George and Dragon, also gets its produce from the hall’s vegetable garden. In addition, the many country walks, and Lowther Castle estate encircling the hotel, offer guests a chance to see the land that Askham Hall has been a part of for the last 300 years. Be prepared to spend your stay experiencing the rich agricultural, natural and countrified landscape of Askham.

Askham Hall is one of those hotels that seems to effortlessly retain its history, country charm and down-to-earth atmosphere. This makes it a luxurious getaway in every sense of the word. From carefully selected artwork and personal photo albums to flowers hand-selected from the garden every day, Askham Hall plays on its heritage as a family home. It seems to personally welcome each guest, as if it’s saying, “welcome to your new home, away from home”.