Our guide to your three day break in Northumberland

With spacious bedrooms, a selection of stylish dining destinations, not to mention a luxury spa and a championship-level golf course, our magnificent country estate is the ideal place to call home as you explore the extensive list of landmarks Northumberland has to offer. This month, we have provided you with a guide to your next Three Day Break in Northumberland, allowing you to explore the hidden gems a short distance away from our hotel doors.

Day One

From access to our helipad area and valet parking service to private chauffeur transfers from nearby airports and train stations, your journey to Matfen Hall for your three day break is one steeped in luxury.

On arrival, our dedicated team will welcome you as you step into the Great Hall, which boasts a sweeping staircase and a stunning stained-glass window. If your journey to our historic estate doesn’t set the tone for a luxurious stay, the moment you step into our Great Hall, the epitome of grandeur, certainly will. 

Once you have unwound in your beautiful bedroom, why not enjoy a light lunch at Needham Bar before venturing into Northumberland’s quaint market towns? While Hexham has the prestige of having been regularly awarded as ‘the happiest place to live in the UK’, nearby Corbridge is home to a large number of boutique and independent shops. Both towns offer an incredible insight into local history, with Hexham home to an Old Gaol that dates back to the 1300s, while Corbridge includes sites such as Aydon Castle and a Roman Town that sits alongside Hadrian’s Wall.

After a day exploring Northumberland’s beautiful communities, Emerald Restaurant offers an evening of fine dining. Intricately designed, our premier dining destination provides a 5-star culinary experience within an inviting atmosphere. Skilled chefs utilise locally-sourced ingredients to craft dishes that live long in the memory before you toast the first evening of your luxurious stay with a nightcap in 1832, our stylish bar.

Day Two

Waking up in one of our intricately-designed bedrooms, get ready for another beautiful day of your Three Day Break, beginning with a delicious à la carte breakfast in Cloisters Restaurant and Bar. 

Strap your boots on for a day of exploring the great outdoors. Northumberland is awash with places of rare beauty, including the internationally-renowned Hadrian’s Wall. This UNESCO World Heritage Site not only carves an incredible path through the nearby countryside but also provides a fascinating insight into life in Roman Britain. So, whether you wish to walk alongside its magnificent structure, discover the secrets of its past or simply wish to see it for yourself, Hadrian’s Wall is a 2,000-year-old landmark that stays with you forever. We can also arrange trips to other local historical sites such as Vindolanda and Chesters Roman Fort.

Should you prefer exploring nature at its finest, Sycamore Gap can be located by walking alongside Hadrian’s Wall. Take in Northumberland’s rolling countryside while you find out why Sycamore Gap is one of the country’s most photographed trees. Further rewards for exploring our local countryside include Wareshaw Linn, a trail that guides you past wildlife on the way to discovering an enchanting 30ft high waterfall, and International Dark Sky Park at Kielder Observatory. Europe’s largest area of protected night sky and England’s officially finest spot for a stargazing experience is only an hour’s drive from our magnificent estate, making it a must-see during your Three Day Break.

Day Three

With so much to do and see in the local area, not to mention within our historic estate, you could be forgiven for exploring more of Northumberland today or taking the opportunity to discover what else our glamorous hotel has to offer.

Our impressive golf course includes 27 holes of championship-level challenges, allowing players of all abilities to develop their game in beautiful surroundings and, if you wish to experience a delicious post-game lunch, our purpose-built lodge offers gastro-pub style dishes in an informal and welcoming atmosphere. 

Should you prefer to unwind in a place of total harmony, The Retreat, our tranquil spa, provides treatments that transport you to a state of well-being and balance. Skilled in delivering Germaine de Capuccini and Natura Bissé rituals, out therapists will make each of your senses feel rejuvenated. Highlights of our latest spa brochure include De-Stress Face Therapy and the Matfen Hall Bespoke Detox and Pollution Defence Body Massage, while our Retreat Days include a treatment of your choice, a three-course lunch in the lounge of The Retreat, full access to our luxury pool and thermal suites and complimentary robes and slippers.

Why not spend the afternoon indulging in some retail therapy? Personal shopping excursions to Fenwick Department Store in Newcastle upon Tyne can be arranged, complete with private chauffeur transfers. Or perhaps you’d enjoy a distinctive Afternoon Tea in The Orangery. With stunning views of incredible parkland, our dedicated tea lounge is the perfect spot to enjoy a selection of mouth-watering cakes and delicious finger sandwiches created by our in-house team and accompanied by your choice of Newby Teas, Café Du Monde Coffee and Laurent-Perrier Champagne. 

Enjoy the warm weather by strolling through our beautiful gardens, Le Jardin Hollandaise, explore our vast 300-acre estate or simply take the time to sit in the sun on our spacious Terrace, before experiencing an exquisite dining experience in Cloisters Restaurant and Bar. Select from steak and seafood classics served amongst the stunning architecture of our original courtyard and with fabulous views of our majestic stained-glass window. 

Round off the final evening of your Three Day Break with us by returning to 1832, where new and old favourites are enjoyed, including classic and speciality cocktails, Laurent-Perrier Champagne and wines, beers and spirits from around the world. Far from the ordinary tourist trail, our unequalled paradise is perfectly located to uncover a hidden Northumberland, while indulging in a host of luxurious experiences.