The Old Lodge Hotel in Malton North Yorkshire and Its New Owners

The Old Lodge Hotel in Malton, North Yorkshire has been sold to new owners, Chris and Jane Berridge. They purchased the historic, Grade II*-listed mansion from previous owners Ajay Abhaya Kumar and Anupama Banerji. The sale was handled by specialists Christie & Co. This is the Berridges’ first hotel venture.

Imagine a building that's been standing for over 400 years. It’s seen more history than most museums, and if its walls could talk, they’d have some seriously amazing stories to tell. Well, one such place, The Old Lodge in Malton, North Yorkshire, is starting a brand new chapter.

The historic hotel just got new owners, marking a big moment for the famous 17th century mansion. The news, announced on 17 Dec 2025, sees the beautiful property passed from one dedicated set of hands to another, with experts at Christie & Co making sure everything went smoothly.

A proper piece of history gets a new chapter

So, what's the big deal about this place? The Old Lodge isn't just any old building. It’s a magnificent Tudor mansion dating back to 1604. That’s even before the Great Fire of London. Originally built on the site of Malton Castle, the main part of the castle was actually knocked down in 1674, and the gatehouse was changed and expanded to become the hotel everyone in Malton knows today. It's so important, in fact, that it’s Grade II*-listed. That’s a special status for buildings that are particularly significant in British history. You can't just go changing things without a lot of permissions; it’s about preserving the character of the place for everyone to enjoy for the next 400 years.

Inside, it’s like stepping back in time, but with all the comfy bits of modern life. The hotel is set in 3.6 acres of private grounds and has 29 en-suite guest bedrooms, which just means each bedroom has its own private bathroom. It's full of original features, like grand high ceilings that make the rooms feel massive and beautiful oak panelling that gives it a warm, classic feel. And of course, there's a bar and restaurant for guests and locals. It’s a building with a story in every corner, and its extensive gardens make it a real standout property.

Passing the torch to new owners

For a long time, the hotel was looked after by Ajay Abhaya Kumar and Anupama Banerji. Selling a place with so much history isn’t just a business deal; it’s an emotional moment. Ajay said, "Both Anu and I are delighted to have completed the sale of The Old Lodge. This has been a very special property for us, and we are pleased to see it pass into the hands of owners who clearly care deeply about its future and heritage." They also gave a shout-out to the people who helped make it happen, including Julian Leslie Akakpo, for his support, and Christie & Co, especially David Lee, for his hard work.

So, who are the new owners taking on this legacy? Meet Chris and Jane Berridge. What's really interesting is that this is their first time getting into the hotel sector. But don't let that fool you; they are very experienced business people who know how to run things successfully. They just decided to take on a completely new adventure. Sometimes you just fall for a place, right? That’s exactly what happened here.

The new owners said:

"We are delighted to own The Old Lodge which is a beautiful building with extensive gardens and has very much been part of Malton's history for over 400 years. We just fell in love with it. It is carefully managed by a great team of staff, who we thank for their help and support as we get involved."

They also praised their legal team for getting the deal done so quickly. It sounds like they're genuinely excited to become part of the Malton community. They added, "This is a new and exciting opportunity for us, and we look forward to getting to know everyone in Malton."

The experts behind the deal

Selling a hotel, especially one that’s a Grade II*-listed building dating back centuries, isn't simple. It’s where companies like Christie & Co come in. They are specialists in selling commercial properties, including hotel assets. Think of them as expert matchmakers for unique buildings and the right kind of buyers. The person in charge of this particular sale was David Lee, a regional director at the company.

He mentioned how quickly it all came together. "We are delighted to have concluded the sale of The Old Lodge in a timely manner. Once the offer was accepted, completion was achieved within just a few weeks." He wished the new owners, Chris and Jane Berridge, all the best, recognising that while they’re new to the hotel sector, their background as sharp business people stands them in good stead. He also thanked the former owner, Ajay Abhaya Kumar, for the chance to handle the sale of such an iconic North Yorkshire hotel.

David Lee also pointed out something pretty interesting about the current market. Even though the hospitality sector has faced some tough times recently, people are still very keen to buy hotels. "The demand for hotel assets remains high, despite ongoing challenges facing the hospitality sector," he explained. So, for anyone else thinking of buying or selling a hotel, his team offers confidential advice to help them navigate the process. It's a reminder that even in a tricky economy, a great property with a rich history is always going to be in demand. The final price for The Old Lodge wasn't shared, but the real value is in its history and its future with its new owners.