The Highfield House is an award-winning country retreat where rich interiors meet refined heritage – a sanctuary of design excellence set within eight acres of woodland, kitchen gardens, and gently rolling Yorkshire countryside.
Tucked on the edge of the historic market town of Driffield, this hidden gem on the East Yorkshire coast has a story that’s as rich as the interiors that adorn it.
The Highfield House – originally named to show one man’s love for his wife – is the result of the combined effort of international designers Andy and Lindsey Lampard, who have poured their global expertise, personal touch, and passion for ‘design with conscience’ into creating this pinnacle of ‘Merchant Luxury’ ethos, which holds sustainability, heritage and service at its heart, striving to represent the industrious Yorkshire spirit and combining this with ultimate luxury, local arts, crafts and cuisine, and creating a welcoming, genuine environment where past and present mix.
This is a true one-of-a-kind property, shaped not just by its history, but by the lives and creative vision of the family behind it; is a 19th-century merchant’s house, reimagined in 2022 by Andy and Lindsey, whose careers had already taken them around the world and into the heart of luxury hospitality, when, after years spent designing for global hotel groups at United Designers, London and their own high end commercial interior and architectural design company (Zopsigog Ltd) – with projects from the Mandarin Oriental in Moscow to W Hotels in Mumbai, Athens and Doha – their focus suddenly shifted.
Tired of commutes and stressful city life and expecting their first child, they started looking for a project where they could build a more grounded, family-oriented lifestyle and still be surrounded by inspiration.
The idea of leaving the capital took shape during a Christmas visit to Lindsey’s native East Yorkshire. While helping her father with his own search for a property, Lindsey and Andy came across the property, purely by chance. What started as a casual viewing turned into something more.
Andy, Owner and Managing Director, explains: “Despite the many initial doubts, Lindsey and I were captivated by the house’s grandeur and potential.
“I would love to say we had a big, well-thought-out master plan…But that would be a lie!
“We first opened our doors as a wedding venue during the pre-pandemic years, and The Highfield House quickly became known as an intimate and unique space for celebrations. As our reputation as an inspiring destination began to quickly take shape, Lindsey proposed we take greater control of the experience by adding our own bar and, eventually, fully shifting to in-house catering.”
With their design expertise and a deep belief in the property’s potential, Andy and Lindsey then set out on a restoration journey with an eye not just to interior design, but influences from the local community and traditions too. The result is a hotel that feels both grand and intimate, with interiors that blend heritage, craftsmanship and conscious design, all rooted in East Yorkshire’s creative, industrious spirit.
When Andy and Lindsey started the project, they lived in a space that hadn’t been decorated since the 50s; it was cold and in need of a lot of work. Today, The Highfield House feels like a living, breathing entity – one shaped by the Lampards’ family vision and the influence of those who have played a part in its transformation.
Lindsey Lampard, co-Owner and Director, continues: “The design is rooted in the property’s history – an example is the old living room, which is now our fine dining, 2 AA Rosette restaurant (1864).
“The list of features we loved, and restored, is endless, from the original stained-glass window in the entrance hall that inspired the rich colours and textures used throughout the hotel, to the art, antiques, and fabrics. All speak of our passion for the Arts and Crafts era, we both love Pre-Raphaelite art too, and this is evident in the design throughout!”
“One of my favourite details is the statement wallpaper for the main staircase, which sets the tone for the entire restoration. I also love the fact that each one of our eight luxury suites is named and styled after something that has personal significance for us.
“I have always been a fan of using the same colour in a room but varying the texture, because I think this can really add depth and visual interest and maintain a sense of harmony.”
Andy adds: “Our ethos runs through every aspect of the house and its grounds, we took a lot of care in naming each one of the luxury suites; ‘1610’ is a personal favourite as it features a bespoke wallpaper I personally designed, and, if you look really closely, you’ll see hidden Batman symbols – a tribute to our second-born, who absolutely adored Batman! Not many people know (until now, that is) that his birthday even names the room…
“The light coming through the stained glass window at the entrance was our very first source of inspiration. It’s not just beautiful, it’s special. The colour scheme we chose for the entrance is a typical example of what we love: it’s blue, rich and darker than most hotels would ever dare…We both feel passionate about creating an atmosphere. Luxury is part of our ethos, but we want Highfield to remain ‘authentic’ and close to its roots. We are definitely not in this business to welcome our guests to a bland showroom…”
But, amongst the carefully restored original features, the painstakingly sourced antiques and subtle pre-Raphaelite influences, there are plenty of characterful, personal details too, as well as art created by Andy himself – and he is not afraid to take a risk.
But there’s more, and this is a true family effort.
When Andy and Lindsey took on the renovation, Andy’s dad Stan and mum Phyllis, both retired teachers, moved home to be part of the journey. Stan, a retired science teacher and keen botanist, lead the garden restoration and groundskeeping, and Phyllis, a former food and textiles teacher, was key in helping to shape The Highfield House’s warm sense of hospitality – even suggesting they included their now famous luxury afternoon teas in their offer.
The hotel now includes 1864, a fine dining restaurant, as well as The Library Bar, a nod to the family’s love of exploration and storytelling. Yarn, the informal dining space, adds a playful contrast with a touch of pink and plenty of charm. The outdoor terrace is surrounded by kitchen gardens and ancient woodland, and a Merchant Store showcases locally sourced art and produce.
Despite its rapid success and accolades – including two wins in a row at the prestigious REYTAs (Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards) where Highfield was named Remarkable Hotel of the Year in 2024 – The Highfield House remains firmly rooted in its original vision.
It’s a hotel with heart, layered with stories, and lovingly restored with a clear purpose: to honour the past, support the local community, and offer a kind of luxury that feels both responsible (Andy and Lindsey are keen on sustainability) and deeply personal.
This is a love affair that started with a loose 10-year plan; now, exactly 10 years from the word go and with 4 children in between, the couple have plenty of surprises up their sleeves…
For more information about The Highfield House, please visit: https://thehighfieldhouse.com/
