Arts & Fashion
Ethical weddings
It just got a lot easier to tailor your big day to your ethics, budget and personalities.
22 February 2019
This article first appeared in our World Environment Day 2026 issue of My Green Pod Magazine, published 05 June 2026. Click here to subscribe to our digital edition and get each issue delivered straight to your inbox
Main image: The Highfield, photo by Julia Healey Photography
Tucked away on the outskirts of Driffield, surrounded by rolling countryside and just a short drive from Yorkshire’s dramatic east coast, The Highfield is a picture-perfect getaway that has it all.
It instantly captured the hearts of new owners Laura and Jake Grayson on their very first visit in October 2025. ‘We completed the purchase in May 2026, but from that first viewing we both knew there was something incredibly special about the property’, Laura tells us. ‘What drew us in most was the character and soul of the house.’
The Highfield’s previous owners, Andy and Lindsey Lampard, lovingly restored the property over many years, blending contemporary luxury with the original charm and history of the building.
They succeeded where many fail: the house feels elegant and refined but retains the warmth and personality that makes it feel like a home rather than simply a hotel. ‘It’s very rare to find a place that feels both luxurious and deeply personal’, Laura shares; ‘that balance is something we completely fell in love with.’
Laura and Jake have always enjoyed creating experiences that bring people together, and The Highfield has a romantic history that aligned perfectly with the couple’s vision for the future. Over the years it has hosted countless weddings, celebrations, family gatherings and special moments, and all the joyful memories that have gone with them. ‘We see it not only as a boutique hotel, but as a destination for unforgettable weddings, private house parties, wellness escapes and meaningful celebrations’, Laura explains.
The house is full of character, and as you might expect the grounds are equally magical. One unique feature is the chalk stream that runs through the woodland, which is believed to be the most northerly chalk stream in Europe.
‘It’s an incredibly peaceful part of the estate and changes beautifully with the seasons’, Laura tells us. ‘When nearby farms temporarily close the dam, the stream bed dries naturally and fresh mint begins to grow through it, filling the woodland with the most incredible scent. Alongside that, we also have wild garlic, rosemary and thyme growing naturally within the grounds, creating a real sense of connection to the landscape around us.’
Jake and Laura care deeply about protecting and enhancing the gardens and woodland. ‘Guests often comment on how tranquil and restorative the setting feels’, Jake says; ‘whether it’s sitting with a coffee overlooking the trees, wandering through the grounds at sunset or simply listening to the birds in the morning, there’s a real sense of calm here that’s difficult to describe until you experience it yourself.’
One of the most exciting additions currently underway is the transformation of part of the property into a dedicated Wellness Wing. This new space will feature treatment rooms, a reformer pilates studio and a wellness-focused conservatory overlooking the woodland. This area will include a relaxation space and hot tub, designed to encourage guests to slow down, reconnect and enjoy the surroundings.
‘We want The Highfield to become somewhere people visit not only for celebrations, but also for rest and restoration’, Laura shares. The couple’s long -term vision is to establish The Highfield as East Yorkshire’s leading five-star boutique hotel and wellness retreat.
‘We want to create something that feels luxurious yet welcoming – somewhere that delivers exceptional experiences without losing its warmth and authenticity’, Laura tells us. ‘For us, luxury is about atmosphere, comfort, personal touches and meaningful experiences rather than formality. We want guests to feel completely at home while still enjoying a taste of the high life.’
Laura and Jake are both committed to supporting local businesses and producers. ‘Yorkshire is filled with talented independent suppliers, growers, makers and creatives, and we’re passionate about showcasing the very best of the region’, Laura explains. ‘We’re already working with local suppliers for fresh produce deliveries and collaborating with nearby businesses across hospitality, wellness and events. We believe that when local businesses support each other, the entire community is able to reap the benefits.’
Community involvement is something the couple genuinely cares about. The Highfield has always been a well-known part of the local area, and Laura and Jake want to continue building relationships with the people and businesses around them. Through wellness classes, collaborations, events and local partnerships, the goal is to create a space that feels welcoming not only to overnight guests but also to the wider community.
Local sourcing is also an important part of Laura and Jake’s sustainability plan, which is a strong focus for the future. The grounds will soon boast herb and vegetable gardens to supply ingredients for the kitchen, and opportunities for more on-site growing and foraging within the estate are being explored.
‘Using herbs and produce grown within the grounds allows us to reduce food miles while also creating a stronger connection between the landscape and the guest experience’, Jake shares. ‘We’re also working on developing more homemade products for our food and beverage offering, using ingredients sourced either on site or from nearby producers wherever possible’, Laura adds. ‘Our aim is to create a more thoughtful and sustainable approach to hospitality while still delivering a luxurious guest experience.’
The surrounding area also has a lot to offer; The Highfield is perfectly positioned for exploring the Yorkshire Wolds and the east coast, with beautiful beaches, walking routes and nature reserves all nearby. The King Charles III England Coast Path links Bempton to Filey Brigg to the north and Flamborough Head to the south.
The ‘Flamborough Front’ – the meeting of cold and warm water – creates an upwelling of nutrients and plankton that fills the waters around Flamborough Head with food for seabirds and other marine wildlife. Seals, harbour porpoise and bottle-nosed dolphins can be seen on a clear day from the world-famous Flamborough Head, the UK’s most northerly chalk cliffs.
We timed our family visit to The Highfield in June so we could make the most of the spectacular annual display of seabirds from RSPB Bempton. The reserve’s clifftop trails are great for families and offer the perfect viewing spots for the UK’s largest seabird colony. We watched gannets, kittiwakes, razorbills, guillemots and even a few puffins chatting away on the cliffs and making tireless journeys over the water.
Guests visiting The Highfield can expect a relaxed and personal stay – whether it’s a romantic getaway, a wellness retreat, a wedding celebration or simply a countryside escape. The unique setting and warm staff will make every visit feel memorable. There’s a balance here between elegance and comfort that encourages people to properly switch off and enjoy the slower pace of countryside living.
The market town of Driffield offers independent shops, cafés and a wonderful sense of community. ‘Yorkshire as a whole is incredibly rich in both natural beauty and local character’, Laura shares, ‘and we feel very lucky to call this part of the world home’.
The Highfield is entering a new chapter, and while Laura and Jake want to preserve everything people already love about the property, they are equally determined to evolve it into something even more special. ‘Over the coming years we hope to continue expanding the wellness offering and strengthening our sustainability initiatives to further establish The Highfield as a unique boutique destination’, Jake says.
At its heart, The Highfield is about creating memorable experiences in a beautiful setting. ‘It’s a place built on love stories, celebrations and connection’, Laura says, ‘and we feel incredibly proud to now be part of its story, too.’
It just got a lot easier to tailor your big day to your ethics, budget and personalities.
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