Key to the appeal of Walwick Estate Group’s hotels in rural Northumberland is their balance between rural tranquillity and luxury wellbeing
Visitors to Walwick Estate Group’s two properties – whether it is the boutique charm of Walwick Hall or the glorious Matfen Hall Hotel – often come away with a question: should they immediately tell everybody they know about their dream luxury vacation in the beautiful countryside of Northumberland, or should they keep the secret to themselves?
“Northumberland has unspoilt landscape and incredible history, and you are always around 40 minutes from the coast,” says Rachel Harrison, Director. “We are very well located, 15 minutes from an international airport, and we can pick up visitors from the airport or station with our concierge service. I have stayed and lived all over the world and have tried to bring little parts of those places back to Northumberland, whether it’s London or America or Antigua. We’ve created a world away from the norm, a luxury home from home where every need is catered for.”
Walwick Hall is an elegant country house located next to Hadrian’s Wall – the old Roman road literally runs underneath the hotel. Located within 300 acres of private land, Walwick Hall has ten bedrooms, a spa, swimming pool with starlit ceiling, and restaurant – all accessible to residents only. Guests are welcome to dress up for a three-course meal or simply kick back in the lounge. The venue is also popular for shooting parties, weddings and corporate events, and the excellent location makes it ideal for car-free holidays. Guests are able to visit the Roman ruins or explore the beautiful countryside on foot, before returning to relax in a marble bath and enjoy a meal from the seasonal menu with ingredients from the hotel garden.
The site is also home to Chesters Stables – eight luxury self-catering properties in a converted Grade II-listed former stud farm. “You can have an in-house chef and full butler service,” says Rachel. “It’s five minutes from the hotel, so you can be completely independent or enjoy the full wraparound experience and use the hotel services. At Walwick Hall, we have 300 acres, so there’s plenty of room for events. People can have a marquee put up for a wedding party or a corporate event, and we have a helipad licence so guests can fly direct from the airport.”
In 2020, the company acquired the nearby Matfen Hall Hotel, a luxury hotel of 64 bedrooms. The dramatic neo-Gothic building was completely renovated before reopening in April 2023. It features a brand-new spa, 18-hole golf course and three restaurants, plus several bars and lounges. Wellbeing is a core part of the attraction, with the spa offering a large pool, hydrotherapy, thermal suites and a wide variety of treatments. Generous bedrooms overlook fields and woodlands; all have Italian marble bathrooms. “You enter through the Great Hall, which has a huge stained-glass window that takes my breath away every time I see it,” says Rachel.
The historic building lends itself to larger weddings and corporate events, too, but it can also be perfect for a romantic two-person stay. Guests adore the historic feel, which is incredibly striking, explains Rachel, yet the modern touches offer everything you would want from a luxury hotel.
“You feel very spoilt and special when you stay at all of our properties,” she says. “We want our guests to feel relaxed, and that’s our focus from the moment they arrive.”
www.walwickhall.com
www.chestersstables.com
www.matfenhall.com