driving The Wensleydale forward with
our two boys helping out when they can.
“With the first phase of the upgrade
now complete, we are thoroughly
enjoying welcoming guests to enjoy a
tipple in the bar before dinner in the
restaurant or a peaceful overnight
break in the stunning Dales.”
The Wensleydale Hotel is a family-
run affair with Charles and Fiona
leading the day-to-day running of the
hotel and their two sons, Monty and
Hugo, working on the bar, in The Tack
Room restaurant and the kitchenduring university holidays.
A previous colleague and good friend
of Charles, Rui Barradas, has been
appointed as resident manager, along
with his wife Vera, who is overseeing
front of house.
Phase two of the upgrade will begin
over autumn and winter this year.
Merchie’s experience includes stints
at three Michelin star restaurants
across Europe and he was the former
general manager of the Feversham
Arms Hotel, Swinton Park and Wood
Hall Hotel & Spa.CHARLES MERCHIE, FORMER GENERAL MANAGER AT FEVERSHAM ARMS HOTEL,
HAS OPENED HIS FIRST HOTEL IN THE YORKSHIRE DALES. RUNNING THE BUSINESS
WITH HIS WIFE AND SONS, THE FIRST PHASE OF REFURBISHMENT IS NOW
COMPLETE WITH THE BOUTIQUE LOOKING TO BE FULLY OPERATIONAL BY THE END
OF THE YEAR.H
otelier Charles Merchie
has opened his first
property with his
wife Fiona following
the transformation of a hotel in the
Yorkshire Dales.
The French hotelier with a wealth of
experience in Michelin star restaurants
and luxury boutique hotels, has
launched The Wensleydale Hotel after
phase one of a refurbishment of the
former The White Swan in Middleham.
The pair acquired the property
earlier this year, and will continue the
upgrade project at The Wensleydale
Hotel over the coming months to create
a 15-bedroom hotel.
Charles said: “I am delighted to be in
the gorgeous Yorkshire Dales and myself
and Fiona are really looking forward toTHE WENSLEYDALE WONDER
August 2019 | BOUTIQUE HOTELIER 33FIRST LOOK