The new year is nearly here, 2025 coming in on a wave of sparkling celebration to bring bright promise and dreams of magic to come. And, as we stand at the shoreline of 2025, it’s time to take a moment to reflect on the months gone by. At our Northumbrian estate, 2024 was a year of excitement, celebration and new beginnings. Join us to look back on 2024 at Matfen Hall.
Spring
The season of renewal was one of celebration at Matfen Hall. As our gardens and grounds blossomed into life, we ushered in the start of the wedding season as happy couples made our historic hall the setting for their special day, surrounded by their loved ones in peaceful Northumbrian countryside. (PS – spring blossom may herald the start of the traditional wedding season, but here at Matfen Hall we host weddings and special celebrations all year round).
In March our team had their own reason to raise a glass as Matfen Hall was named in The Times and Sunday Times Best Places to Stay. And we made it a double celebration in May, becoming the first and only Northumberland hotel to be awarded five AA stars.
Spring’s radiance made its way indoors as we unveiled a fresh new look, each of our 63 bedrooms and suites individually redecorated and refurbished to offer a private haven of calm luxury.
Summer
Summer enticed us all outdoors with the launch of a new garden trail, taking guests on a self-guided tour of the serene grounds that surround the hotel. Offering a gentle balance of history and botany, guests are invited to stroll through mature woodland and manicured gardens and scan QR code panels to learn about the plants, trees and wildlife that call our estate home.
June teed off in style with our annual West Nautical Matfen Hall Pro-Am event, as teams gathered to play our three top-rated golf courses, enjoy good company and stunning Northumbrian scenery in equal measure. Vickers Bet were named this year’s winning team but our hole-in-one challenge went without a winner – perhaps 2025 will be the year!
The season closed with an opening, as The Keepers opened its doors for the first time.
Our new purpose-built lodge, The Keepers pairs world-class golf facilities with relaxed dining and spectacular views.
For golfers it houses the region’s only Foresight Hawk Simulator, alongside one-to-one PGA pro coaching and custom fit sessions in The Golf Lab. And, nestled in our parkland grounds it’s also home to our latest dining destination, open to golfers, guests and club members to an informal lunch, sunset cocktails and stone-baked pizzas with panoramic views of the Northumbrian countryside.
Autumn
Autumn’s gilded light brought a season of golden moments on the estate. We were privileged to host a very special occasion – a 100th birthday. Arriving to a bouquet of a flowers and a surprise rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ from our team, the birthday girl enjoyed a celebratory Afternoon Tea served in the elegant and historic setting of our Drawing Room.
In October we got into the spirit of the season with a cauldron full of Halloween fun for the half term holidays.
Families enjoyed brewing delicious potions at 1832 bar, got stuck into monstrous craft sessions and cosied up with spooky films in The Vault.
With adjoining rooms, menus to appeal to every palate and multi-sport games in our simulator studio, Matfen Hall is the perfect choice for a family break all year round.
November brought more reasons to celebrate as the hall was named the UK’s Best Countryside Hotel in the Conde Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence. And the end of Autumn was greeted with the snow and the start of the festive season as we hosted a Luxury Christmas Shopping evening.
Winter
Crisp, cold and twinkling with excitement, winter at our Northumbrian hideaway is always pure magic. The hall was decked with boughs of estate greenery and glowing lights as we prepared for Christmas with special Candle Making and Wreathmaking events as well as our timelessly enchanting Festive Afternoon tea.
And in just a few days time, the Champagne will flow as we welcome guests to ring in the new year with a black tie gala, 5 course dinner and live music, all leading up to a fireworks spectacular lighting up the grounds at the stroke of midnight.
So, cheers to 2024 and here’s to another year of milestone moments, shared celebrations and exciting new developments at Matfen Hall. Sign up to receive our newsletter and be the first to hear of upcoming events and special offers.