Majestic castles, beautiful beaches, rolling countryside and breathtaking views – Northumberland is a great destination for a UK break. What’s more, there are plenty of charming, characterful properties that’ll make an excellent base for your rural getaway.
Top of your list for sightseeing in Northumberland is likely to be Hadrian’s Wall, the fortification that protected the northernmost edge of the Roman province of Britannia. Other historic sites you can visit nearby include the forts of Housesteads, Vindolanda, and Chester.
If castles are your thing, Alnwick Castle is a great day out too (Harry Potter fans may find it looks familiar). You can even splash out on a stay in a magnificent castle, like Langley, with plenty of battlements, candelabra and suits of armour to pique the imagination of adults and kids alike.
Alternatively, you might want to head for one of Northumberland’s expansive beaches, with a visit to pretty Alnmouth or Beadnell Bay. Or, choose an indulgent spa break in a period country house like Matfen Hall, where you can soak away your aches and pains after a day out exploring. In cosy B&Bs like St Valery in Alnmouth, you can also feel worlds away from it all, staying in one of just three bedrooms.
Whether you’re looking for lavish luxury or cosy comforts, we’ve handpicked 14 of the very best Northumberland hotels that make a great base for exploring this beautiful county.
1. The Cookie Jar, Alnwick
This beautifully-decorated former convent is now a unique haven for visitors to the charming town of Alnwick. Interiors are country-house-contemporary in a soothing palette of blues and creams, punctuated by leather armchairs, designer lighting, and decorative glassware.
Choose to stay in The Chapel, which wows with its magnificent proportions, stained-glass windows, and free-standing bath; or the cosier attic-floor Alnmouth room, with its characterful exposed beams.
This Cookie Jar is tucked away on the northern side of Alnwick. But it’s only a five-minute walk to the centre of town and the entrance to Alnwick Castle, the country’s second-largest lived-in castle, home to the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland.
If shooting is your thing, this is an ideal base too, with dedicated secure gun cabinets, drying facilities, and dog kennels all available.
2. Lord Crewe Arms, Blanchard
You can almost feel the history seeping from the walls of this historic hotel in pretty Blanchard, which has played the role of Abbott’s lodge, manor house, pub, and now, hotel, since it was built back in the 12th century.
Inside, you’ll find a glorious tumble of rooms choc-full of period features – flagstone floors, mullioned windows, and a gigantic fireplace (with original priest hole!) that dominates the dining room.
Cosy up with a board game and a tipple in the atmospheric Crypt bar, or venture out to explore the surrounding fells. The hotel can arrange fishing trips, cooking demos, and even stargazing adventures.
Everything in this small village is walkable, so it’s an easy stroll to the historic Abbey, the tea rooms, and the river Derwent. Hop in the car to visit Hadrian’s Wall or Hexham (both a half hour drive), or keep going a little further to Durham or Newcastle.
3. Eshott Hall, Morpeth
This attractive country-house hotel will charm you from the moment you arrive, with its pleasing Georgian proportions and wisteria-covered facade.
Inside, just 11 tastefully-decorated bedrooms await, with plenty of luxury touches like carved headboards, plush chaise longues, and marble-topped furniture. Rooms are generously-sized, with some located in the lodge house and the converted stables. Common areas are elegant and cosy, straight out of a Jane Austen adaptation.
There’s a terrace, tennis court, and croquet lawn, and clay-pigeon shooting can be arranged. You’re just five minutes from the A1 here too, but you wouldn’t know it, as the hotel is enveloped in leafy grounds (including its own kitchen garden) and feels like an incredibly glamorous home away from home.
4. Langley Castle Hotel, Hexham
It’s not often you get the chance to stay in a castle, and Langley Castle is the real thing: a medieval fortress with towers, battlements, stone staircases, and heavy oak doors.
There’s bags of atmosphere here, thanks to rich velvets and all the historical trappings you’d expect, including suits of armour, candelabras, and portraits in enormous gilt frames. Bag a room in the castle (some are in converted outbuildings) for the full experience – four-poster bed, heavy drapes, and impressively thick stone walls.
You can also admire views of Handrian’s Wall from the battlements (it’s a 20-minute drive away), and for a banquet befitting of your stay, head to Josephine’s restaurant for a fine dining experience where everything is made from scratch.
5. The Joiners Arms, High Newton-by-the-Sea
The Joiners Arms is perfect for a rustic, romantic getaway by the coast, just a 10-minute walk from Low Newton, one of Northumberland’s most attractive beaches.
The decor is rich and warm with plenty of wood, leather, and red velvet. Bedrooms are luxurious and romantic, with plush carpets and carved beds, and some have in-room baths. Go all out and book the shepherds hut, which has a wood-burning stove and a hot tub.
The food here is filling and hearty too, including local fish and seafood – the perfect fuel for bracing coastal walks.
6. Doxford Hall Hotel & Spa, Alnwick
Another delightful country-house hotel, Doxford Hall has the added bonus of a spa, setting the bar high for true relaxation. The Aqueous spa has five therapy rooms and a treatment menu of facials, hot stone massages, and body contouring. There’s a small pool, whirlpool bath, sauna, and steam room too.
Rooms are elegantly furnished in neutral tones, with mainly reproduction furniture in keeping with the Georgian style. Communal areas are welcoming and spacious – and there’s a library with plenty of books to borrow and an inviting outdoor terrace that’s perfect for afternoon tea.
For a dose of nature, you can also stroll through the wooded grounds looking to spot a red squirrel, or get lost in the maze. The pretty Beadnell Bay is also reachable by car in 10 minutes, and Alnwick in 15 minutes.
7. The Beaumont
Why not stay in the attractive market town of Hexham at The Beaumont, a contemporary townhouse hotel? You can wander the charming streets and visit the 12-century Abbey, jump in the car to see Hadrian’s Wall (a 40-minute drive), or do a similar-length journey for a spot of stargazing at a nearby observatory.
This is an attractive hotel with a bar-restaurant popular with locals and guests alike – almost everything is made in the kitchen from scratch. Glass bi-fold doors along the street open up onto a pavement terrace, lending a European feel when the weather is fine.
Choose a characterful room at the front of the property with feature wallpaper and a stylish bathroom – a couple even have roof terraces – or choose a more competitively-priced standard room in the rear extension.
8. Walwick Hall, near Hexham
This gorgeous country-house hotel is located on the line of Hadrian’s Wall and well-placed for history buffs, eager to visit the area’s Roman sites. Housesteads Fort and Vindolanda are a 15-minute drive away, and Chesters Roman Fort is across the road.
The plush decor befits a Georgian country mansion, but soft colours and feature wallpapers keep things contemporary. Bedrooms are comfortable with plush carpets, sparkling marble bathrooms, and big sash windows for absorbing the wonderful Tyne Valley views.
There’s a bijou spa with a pool, steam room, and spa-bath, and a concise treatment menu of facials, massages and other beauty treatments. There’s also a tennis court and gym.
The restaurant serves up excellent Modern British dishes with everything prepared from scratch, and there’s a great selection of gins in the bar.
9. The Whittling House, Almouth
A charming restaurant-with-rooms just five minutes’ walk from the beach, The Whittling House is a welcoming spot with rustic decor and a colour palette of blues and sands complementing its coastal setting.
Once a Victorian villa and farm cottage, this place is bigger than it looks. The 10 rooms are airy and bright with colourful furnishings, and suites look out over both the sea and countryside.
The restaurant serves bistro-style food with a focus on seafood, and Sunday lunch is served all day on Sundays. You can also request a packed lunch if you’re spending the day out exploring – just ask for recommendations for local hikes and cycling routes from the front desk.
10. Marshall Meadows, Berwick-upon-Tweed
This elegant Georgian manor house is apparently the most northerly hotel in England, being under a mile from the Scottish border. There’s direct access to the coastal path, and two miles away in Berwick-upon-Tweed (it’s just over an hour’s walk along the path if you fancy it), you’ll find art galleries, historic Elizabethan walls, and even a micro-pub.
Interiors are elegant, with polished-wood floors, deep blue walls, and painted shutters, and there’s a welcoming bar-drawing space that invites you to linger.
Bedrooms reflect the heritage of the building, yet have contemporary touches with feature walls and accents in fresh coastal shades. Rooms in the stable block and wood-clad pods in the gardens come with access to a hot tub.
11. St Valery, Alnmouth
This adults-only boutique B&B in a generously-proportioned Victorian villa is a real treat. Original features abound – high ceilings and tiled fireplaces – pepped up with modern accents like dove-grey walls, unique rugs, and designer light fixtures.
There are just three bedrooms, each light and airy with stripped wood floors and fresh colour palettes. Dogs are welcome for an extra fee, with a few house rules, and they’ll get to sniff hello to Roxy, owner Harvey’s terrier.
Alnmouth is one of the county’s most picturesque villages, and you’re a five-minute walk from the expansive sands of Alnmouth beach. Ten minutes away by car is Alnwick and its celebrated castle too.
12. Slaley Hall Hotel Spa & Golf Resort, Hexham
A welcoming, family-friendly Edwardian manor house set within its own grounds, Slaley Hall is a great place to relax and unwind.
Pick a characterful room in the original building – think oak panelling and bay windows – or choose from more modern quarters in one of the sandstone extensions. There’s a well-equipped Elemis spa, which has a 20m pool, jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, and multiple treatment rooms, as well as a health club and two golf courses.
Pop to Hexham for afternoon tea or drive to Chesters, Housesteads, or Vindolanda (30 minutes away) for a healthy dose of Roman history.
13. The Percy Arms, Chatton
The historic Percy Arms dates back to the 16th century, when it was a coaching inn on the Duke of Northumberland’s estate. It presides over the village of Chatton, with flourishing window boxes adorning its sash and bay windows.
Stay in one of the five bedrooms and enjoy the country-house decor, which makes for a cosy stay. There’s a log fire to gather beside in winter and outside seating to enjoy in warmer weather. You can also hire walking boots and there’s space to dry out wet walking gear.
The food is classic village pub fare – with some decent ales and wines to pair alongside. And Chillingham Castle and Bamburgh Castle are both close by, and it’s 20 minutes to the coast too!
14. Matfen Hall
You won’t forget your stay at this gorgeous Gothic mansion in a hurry. Bursting with impressive original features and situated in hundreds of acres of parkland, Matfen Hall is impressively luxurious.
Step into the atmospheric entrance hall and be greeted by double-height ceilings, huge wooden doors, ornate windows, hunting paraphernalia, and a balustraded roof. Higher category bedrooms in the main hall are similarly impressive, with emperor-size beds (there are more contemporary-style bedrooms in the new wing).
Running trails and woodland walks are right on your doorstep here, and there’s also a golf course and gym. Not to mention The Retreat spa and indoor pool, where you can feel pampered with a treatment menu offering massages, facials, and beauty treatments.
Final thoughts…
Northumberland is an utter gem with some of the country’s most beautiful countryside and coastline; there are plenty of sights and activities to amuse everyone, from hikers and stargazers to history buffs and spa bunnies.
You can explore our full range of Northumberland hotels using the button below. Or for more inspiration on what to see while in the area, check out this list of 8 unforgettable beauty spots in Northumberland.
Have you stayed in any of these hotels? Or are you planning to book one? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.