A NORTH Yorkshire spa is being named the best in the UK just five months after it opened.

Rudding Park, near Harrogate, has been ranked as the best spa hotel in the UK in the new edition of The 2017 Sunday Times Best Places to Stay, to be published this weekend.

Six hotels in the North and North East are included in this year’s list of 100 best places to stay, including winner of the best spa hotel, Rudding Park, which opened its spa in May, and The Principal York, which features in the city category.

Also featured regionally is the Star Inn in Harome, Swinton Park near Masham, Rockliffe Hall near Darlington, and Stow House near Leyburn.

Stephen Bleach, Travel editor, The Sunday Times, said: “It’s great to see the north stamping its authority.”