Restaurant at The Old Deanery in Ripon to close this month

York hotelier Rebecca Layton has announced the closure of the fine dining restaurant at the Old Deanery in Ripon on social media.

Rebecca, who also owns the Galtres Lodge hotel and Forest restaurant in York says its last service will be on Friday July 31, after almost two-and-half years.

Her post explained: “We will continue to offer overnight stays, and host our lovely weddings and events - with weddings and events being where we started when we first took over the venue in 2021.

The Old Deanery in Ripon (Image: Pic supplied)

“It has been an incredible few years, but the time has come to go back to our roots and focus on different areas of the business. Thank you to all our guests, past, present and future - what an amazing ride it has been!

“Tables are still available between now and 31st July. Booked weddings and events will still go ahead as arranged.”

Rebecca Layton at Galtres in York (Image: Pic supplied)

Rebecca added that anybody with dinner reservations from  August 1 onwards will be contacted in due course and any deposits paid will be refunded. Gift cards may still be used against overnight stays and breakfast, or they are also redeemable at York’s  Galtres Lodge hotel and Forest restaurant, or they will refund the original purchaser.

The Old Deanery is a highly-regarded 3-star hotel and restaurant, which gained a Michelin Guide listing early last year, to add to its 3AA Rosettes.

TripAdvisor awards the venue 4.8 stars out of five, based on 219 reviews, ranking it 7th out of 75 Ripon restaurants. Google awards 4.6 stars out of five, based on 327 reviews.

It’s head chef is Adam Jackson, who previously worked at the Rattle Owl in York and Grays Court Hotel in York. In 2015, he also took on his own restaurant, The Park, at Marmaduke’s Hotel in St Peter’s Grove, York, which later became Hotel Clementine. Adam originally made his name at made his name at the Black Swan in Oldstead, near Helmsley, winning AA rosettes and a Michelin star.

Adam Jackson with diners (Image: Pic supplied)

Diners have reacted with sadness at the news, wishing Rebecaa, Adam and the staff well.

One posted: “What a shame, our evening meal and personal attention we was given by head chef Adam Jackson and the sommelier was the outstanding memory from our overnight stay at the Old Deanery and the only reason we would have returned. Best wishes to all restaurant staff.”

Another said: “Wishing you all the very best, especially the amazing restaurant staff, you all know who you are! Thank you.

“And to Head Chef Adam Jackson and his brilliant team, what amazing, inspiring and memorable culinary dishes you have created! The BEST tasting menu! Had some fabulous dining experiences. Thank you”

Have you been to the Old Deanery? What did you think of it? What did you have to eat? Please share us your thoughts in the comments below.