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The best luxury hotels in Northumberland

Eshott Hall is an elegant country house with a house-party atmosphere that feels deep in the countryside. - PETER_ATKINSON
Eshott Hall is an elegant country house with a house-party atmosphere that feels deep in the countryside. - PETER_ATKINSON

An insider's guide to the top hotels in Northumberland – from Georgian country houses to castles and boutique hotels – including the best for pampering spas, dog-friendly bedrooms, pretty gardens, afternoon tea and golf courses, in locations including Eshott, Chathill and near to Hadrian's Wall and Northumberland National Park. 

doxford hall hotel & spa, northumberland, england
doxford hall hotel & spa, northumberland, england

Doxford Hall Hotel & Spa

Chathill, Northumberland, England

8Telegraph expert rating

A large Georgian country house in a remote-feeling location in Northumberland, close to the stunning North East England coastline. Surrounded by hedge-lined fields and narrow country lanes, there's not a building in sight. The core of the house is classic Georgian – large sash windows, Doric pillars, satisfying symmetry – completed in 1818 by the North-East's leading architect, John Dobson. Inside, the feel of a large Georgian house continues, with high ceilings, decorative cornicing, elaborate door architraves and plenty of elegant sofas and console tables. It's set in 10 acres of gardens and woodland, and features a yew-tree maze and a paved terrace that makes a nice spot for afternoon tea. A small spa includes a pool and sauna. Dogs are allowed in certain bedrooms (£20 per stay). Read expert review From £105per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best boutique hotels in Northumberland

Eshott Hall, Northumberland
Eshott Hall, Northumberland

Eshott Hall

Eshott, Northumberland, England

8Telegraph expert rating

An elegant country house with a house-party atmosphere that feels deep in the countryside yet is close to the A1. With eclectically furnished rooms and fine-dining, it’s favoured by older folk who like the peace, those celebrating anniversaries, or people looking for a luxury stop-over on journeys to and from Scotland. It charms with all the essentials: a creeper-covered façade; window seats; panelled walls; plasterwork ceilings; and a walled kitchen garden. Watching the wildlife – pheasants, deer plus red squirrels, if you’re lucky – through the huge sash windows is a treat. There’s an ancient tennis court, croquet set and woodland walks. Clay pigeon shooting can be arranged plus guests have discounted use of the spa facilities at sister hotel, Doxford Hall, 20 miles’ away. Dogs are allowed in two rooms (£10) but nowhere else in the hotel. Read expert review From £75per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best hotels in Northumberland

Langley Castle, Northumberland
Langley Castle, Northumberland

Langley Castle

Northumberland, England

8Telegraph expert rating

This is the real deal: a 14th-century castle – all battlements and seven-foot thick walls – where you can swan around in grand rooms with window seats and huge fireplaces. Only the top bedrooms are in the castle though; most make do with the impressive view from the converted lodge and coach house. It plays the medieval card with exposed stone walls, wood panelling, wrought-iron candelabras, suits of armour plus gilt-framed portraits and assorted heraldry. There are historical tours of the castle – including battlements and roof-top chapel – plus walking trails in the grounds. Dogs are allowed in non-castle rooms, no charge. Borrow a pre-programmed sat-nav and head off to local attractions such as Vindolanda, Holy Island and Kielder Forest. Read expert review From £99per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best castle hotels in Scotland

Matfen Hall, Northumberland
Matfen Hall, Northumberland

Matfen Hall

Northumberland, England

8Telegraph expert rating

This is a stately pile of a hotel, close to Hadrian’s Wall, that has managed to add a spa, leisure centre and golf courses without losing its grandeur. An impressive, 19th-century Gothic mansion – vast mullioned windows, balustraded roof, towering chimneys – it’s the ancestral home of the Blackett family. With a 2-AA-Rosette restaurant expect polished cooking, although with a robust Northumbrian feel – slow-cooked rabbit pie, roast venison – and generous portions. Virtually everything – bar croissants – is made in-house. Bedrooms are mainly in the new wing. There are walking and jogging trails, drying facilities and dogs are allowed in certain rooms (£20 per night). Read expert review From £106per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best hotels near Hadrian's Wall

Slaley Hall in Hexham, Northumberland
Slaley Hall in Hexham, Northumberland

Slaley Hall

Hexham, Northumberland, England

8Telegraph expert rating

This sprawling country resort hotel and spa, wrapped in woodland and golf courses, is modern and masculine in feel, with a few rooms retaining features of the original hall. You will not be bored. Take your pick from a range of facilities, including golfing (two Championship courses, driving range, tuition, putting greens, pro shop), woodland walks, clay-pigeon shooting, quad bikes, a gym and indoor pool plus an Espa spa. Clothes and boots can be dried and bike storage is also available. The large bar, with an airy conservatory, leads on to a stone-flagged terrace (as does the drawing room), plus there’s a swish Whisky Snug (offering more than 100 malts). Dogs are allowed in certain bedrooms (£10). Read expert review From £78per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best hotels in Yorkshire

walwick hall, northumberland, england
walwick hall, northumberland, england

Walwick Hall

Humshaugh, Northumberland, England

8Telegraph expert rating

A small, Georgian mansion in an enviable position close to Hadrian’s Wall with light, country-house-style interiors – comfortable rather than cluttered – and smart cooking. There’s a small spa and pool in a clever, glass-walled pavilion. The owners have resisted a fashionable makeover and retained a country-house feel, but done with a light touch: plaid carpets and armchairs, deep sofas, coffee-and-cream colours, and bright, Arcadian-print wallpapers. Stags’ heads, hunting scenes and stuffed fish keep the atmosphere firmly in the country. There's a tennis court, gym, pool, boot-room and cycle storage, plus fishing and shooting packages. The 10 rooms and suites are comfortably traditional. Read expert review From £195per night

The best hotels on the Scottish lochs

William de Percy, Northumberland
William de Percy, Northumberland

William de Percy Inn

Otterburn, Northumberland, England

8Telegraph expert rating

In the centre of Otterburn, a one-street village in north Northumberland with a convenience store, mill-shop, church and community hall, and surrounded by moorland and sheep, it's an unlikely spot for a chic-boutique hotel. But the views are terrific (it's on the edge of the Northumberland National Park), the night skies unpolluted and there's plenty of walking, from strolls to something longer. The smart, slate-grey and white exterior of the former coaching inn gives no clue that all may not be traditional inside. Top-level rooms might include a gold-coloured slipper-bath, fake carved-stone wall or a bathroom behind a wardrobe door. It's dog friendly, too (£10 per night). Read expert review From £84per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com Register Log in commenting policy