The story so far……………
At the time you are reading this we have almost come to the end a metamorphosing process. Yep we’ve changed!
Since we purchased the Carlton Lodge in 1989, we have seen a number of changes in Helmsley, the North Yorkshire Moors National Park and indeed here at the Carlton Lodge.
Over the years, our customer profile has changed, Helmsley has become more cosmopolitan (horrible word) and the Park has become more focussed on recreation and sustainable tourism. So we decided to change as well. We are no longer a 2 star hotel. We are now 4 Star Silver Award Guest Accommodation. We have disposed of our function room and the rear bedrooms as well as most of the car park for affordable housing (much needed in Helmsley). We have decided that we will only offer dinner to pre-booked groups of 8 or more and not on an ‘ad hoc’ basis as before. Our bar facility no longer exists, although we have retained our license to sell liquor, to pre-booked groups.
We are continuously examining our methods of business and are leaning more towards the ‘sustainable’ aspect of local tourism, so much so that we have adopted a Sustainable Tourism Commitment, a policy devised by our local North York Moors National Park. We are sourcing more or our products locally, for example, our dry cured bacon from Cold Kirby, our farm eggs from Allerston and our award winning sausages from Masham. Food miles are for us a big issue and not only because of greenhouse gases. We also recycle more and purchase some of our energy requirement from sustainable resources. All in all we have become more conscious of our footprint on the planet and are trying to minimise its effect. We hope however to gain some new friends with our new business ‘ethos’ and retain most of our old ones as well!
Finally no ‘About Us’ page would be complete without a word (and photo) about our family.
A very special day for Emma and us all
Emma now 26 has a Travel and Tourism Management Degree and is a constant traveller. Recently completing 18 months away travelling around South America, New Zealand and Australia we were, as parents, fervently hoping she was ready on Her return to settle down and get a ‘proper job’. Needless to say it hasn’t worked out that way and she is already planning Her next trip, lookout China!
Daniel now 22 announced for his ‘gap year’ He was planning to play base guitar in a band prior to going on to Uni. We smiled and a little reluctantly agreed; well you can’t do a gap year for one and not the other can you? In the following whirlwind the band, One Night Only was signed by Mercury Records, produced a CD which went ‘gold’ and had two records in the top ten.
We are constantly amazed by our Children, now if we can just get them to pay some rent…..
We hope you will visit, we really do hope you enjoy your stay when you come and we are happy to help you make any arrangements you feel you need when you do come to see us. From flowers and chocolates to long stay car parking whilst you walk the Cleveland Way there won’t be many requests we have never heard. New for 2010 are two ‘add on’ packages to allow you to experience some of the best North Yorkshire has to offer. All our rooms are bookable online as are any the supplements listed here, look out for the supplement list when you book.
Thanks
Chris & Margaret Parkin