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- 4 min.
- 03.02.2025
Issue
Online exclusive
Location
Northumberland, England
Photography
Matfen Hall
A visit to the Matfen Hall Country Hotel, Spa & Golf Estate in the northeast of England is like stepping into a scene from Downton Abbey. Here, British restraint meets aristocratic elegance, whether you’re enjoying afternoon tea, a champagne tasting, a round of golf or a spa experience amidst the green Northumberland landscape. It’s all about celebrating the finer side of country life – with a distinctly British flair.
Even the journey, a mere 30 minutes by car from Newcastle upon Tyne, has a calming effect. Looking out of the window at the rolling hills of Northumberland, England’s northernmost county on the border with Scotland, guests feel a deep sense of tranquility. Sheep appear like white dots on distant meadows and green pastures, and rarely does a roadside cottage interrupt the views of the undulating landscape.
Within this peaceful setting, magnificent Matfen Hall appears all the more striking. After crunching over the gravel forecourt, the car gently rolls to a stop in front of the grand entrance. The Great Hall greets visitors with traditional English coziness, and once you step inside, you never want to leave. There’s a fire crackling in the hearth and comfortable leather sofas invite you to sink deep. A member of staff with a charming Scottish accent appears with a pot of tea. Like all of the staff at Matfen Hall, he makes sure guests have everything they wish. The service here is impeccable – discreet, attentive and considerate.
Light streams through the high stained glass windows, and the vaulted ceiling is adorned with a starry sky. The Great Hall is a prime example of the wonderful restoration that the premises have undergone. In 2020, the Walwick Estate Group took over the estate, and in November 2022, Matfen Hall briefly closed its doors. Owner Sir David Harrison, founder of the Newcastle-based financial services firm True Potential, and a man with a passion for hospitality, invested several million pounds in its extensive renovation. Since the spring of 2023, the listed building has been celebrating its rich history and timeless spirit by shining forth in new splendor.
The building that is now Matfen Hall had been in the hands of the Northumbrian Blackett family since the 1830s. In 1961, the mansion was leased to the Leonard Cheshire Foundation and served as a nursing home for 30 years. In 1999 Matfen Hall opened as a luxury hotel.
The creaking floorboards remind visitors of the days when nurses and servants glided silently along the hallways. Asked about ghosts, General Manager Nathan White shares the legendary tale of a woman who is said to have appeared in the reflection of a mirror during the renovation work.
Today, the Matfen Hall Country Hotel, Spa & Golf Estate is the only five-star hotel in all of Northumberland. Every corner of the building exudes historical charm, enhanced now by modern comforts. The blend of old and new is especially evident in the Cloisters Restaurant, which is housed in a former courtyard between two wings of the building. During renovation, a glass ceiling was added along with a light, airy mezzanine floor.
Throughout the hotel, which has 63 newly renovated rooms and suites, velvety fabrics, soft carpets, wood paneling on impressively high pastel-colored walls, and original stucco ceilings make the opulence feel almost effortless. With its oak-paneled walls and shelves of books, the Emerald Restaurant, a former library, has also retained its traditional charm.
One thing you should definitely not miss when visiting Matfen Hall is afternoon tea in the Drawing Room – a delightful tradition featuring classic sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and delicate pastries that look almost too good to eat. Those who wish can enjoy a glass of champagne with their tea, while enjoying the beautiful scenery outdoors.
More than 120 hectares of parkland surround Matfen Hall. The meticulously maintained lawn, with its checkerboard pattern – its edges trimmed as if with a pair of nail scissors – appears to merge with the 27-hole golf course, whose driving range is directly adjacent to the estate. The golf clubhouse The Keepers, which also boasts a golf simulator, opened in late summer of 2024. The garden, with the resplendent name Le Jardin Hollandaise, is inspired by traditional Dutch gardens. Small placques with QR codes in the blooming flower beds invite guests to learn more about the plants and wildlife found on the estate.
Northumberland county is steeped in history. Visitors can walk in the footsteps of the Romans at Hadrian’s Wall, only 30 minutes by car from Matfen Hall. Built by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago, it stretches across the country from coast to coast and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Numerous artifacts in the local museum provide a glimpse into this historic period. At Chesters Fort, the remains of which include a well-preserved bathhouse, soldiers were once stationed to protect the emperor Hadrian’s once mighty frontier.
Returning to Matfen Hall feels even more glamorous after such an outing, and guests gladly immerse themselves in the elegant side of country life. This year, the country hotel will add a new spa area. For more than £40 million, an entire new wing will be built, featuring a courtyard, additional treatment rooms, a yoga studio, a pool, and bathing and thermal cabins. During the construction, the existing wellness area will remain accessible.
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