Why We’re One Of The UK’s Best Places To Stay

Last month, we were named by The Times and The Sunday Times as one of the 100 Best Places To Stay In The UK For 2024. Not only are we delighted to receive this prestigious accolade, but we are equally proud of our place in the top 20, as we lie in 13th place. 

Everyone here at the jewel in Northumberland’s crown would like to thank our loyal guests and visitors for their support, while we congratulate our dedicated team as we were also named as one of the UK’s Best Countryside Hotels. As we continue to provide memorable experiences for everyone who walks through our magnificent entrance, we look at some of the reasons we have been named as one of the best hotels in the country.

The Great Hall

Whether you join us for a stay, a spa experience or to dine in one of our restaurants, The Great Hall offers a breathtaking moment as you step forward and take in its stunning architecture and historical furnishings.

Featuring in The Times, The Great Hall received special mention for its staircase that’s ‘built for sword fights and a cathedral-scale stained glass window that floods the space with cinematic light’. No matter how many times you have ventured to our estate, the impact of seeing this majestic venue in all its glory lives long in the memory.

Beautiful Bedrooms And Suites

An overnight break at one of the Best Places To Stay In The UK ensures you’ll be unwinding in spectacular surroundings. Each of our 63 rooms, from Classic Bedrooms to Luxury Suites, provides a blissful location to relax, whether you’re joining us for a romantic night away or a week-long family holiday. Our Classic Rooms, full of character, are furnished with everything you need for an elegant getaway, while our Balcony and Deluxe Rooms boast unparalleled views of the Northumberland landscape that surrounds us. 

And for pure opulence, both our Luxury Rooms and Luxury Suites effortlessly demonstrate every inch of their classification. Set in the 19th Century house and furnished with high ceilings, magnificent chandeliers and marble bathrooms, these rooms offer extra details that will – understandably – lead to a return stay. Complimentary bottles of Laurent-Perrier Champagne, an arrival courtesy of our own private chauffeur and Egyptian cotton sheets on Emperor-sized beds are just some of the ways these rooms make your stay truly unforgettable.

Dining At Its Finest 

During your stay, you’ll be spoilt with a choice of dining experiences as our range of restaurants, bars and lounges offer guests everything from distinctive Afternoon Teas in The Drawing Room to à la carte dishes in Cloisters Restaurant and Bar. 

Emerald Restaurant, our premier dining destination, offers five-star dining experiences, complete with stunning surroundings, impeccable service and views of our unique parkland. Whether you join us to indulge in our Tasting Menu from Monday to Saturday or are staying on Sunday and so, can enjoy a traditional lunch that afternoon, our imaginative seasonal menus will please every palate. Both prior to and after your evening of fine dining, why not enjoy a drink in 1832? Named after the year Matfen Hall first opened, this sophisticated bar also boasts its very own gin, distilled by Hepple Spirits Company. Simply unwind with refreshments as Northumberland offers a remarkable backdrop.

Amongst the stunning architecture of our original courtyard sits Cloisters Restaurant and Bar, which provides a unique dining experience throughout the day and into the evening. With the freshest locally-sourced ingredients, our skilled chefs create delicious dishes to enjoy beneath beautiful sunshine or a blanket of stars, thanks to our brilliant glass ceiling.

The Drawing Room, steeped in history and elegance, is the perfect setting to experience Afternoon Tea. Savour delicate finger sandwiches as you gaze upon our enchanting gardens, relish handmade scones while reclining on bespoke furniture and adore sweet treats as you admire our grand fireplace. Originally commissioned for Buckingham Palace, our fireplace was deemed too risqué for the Royal Family and so, was installed in The Drawing Room. With the option of Newby Teas, Cafe Du Monde Coffee and Laurent-Perrier Champagne, your Afternoon Tea experience will be one that is as distinctive as it is delicious.

For wine connoisseurs and novices alike, our charismatic and intimate cellar provides a fascinating insight into some of the world’s finest wines. Personal tastings can be arranged, elevating your stay with us into something truly inspirational as our experts provide the opportunity to enjoy fine wine in its optimum condition.

Time To Unwind

The Retreat, our spa, offers a host of treatments and rituals that will help you unwind during your break. Symbolising an extension of the relaxation you feel by simply staying at Matfen Hall, our sanctuary of tranquillity invites you to enjoy experiences uniquely focused on your wellbeing. 

Skilled therapists are on hand to provide facials, leg therapy and full-body massages from Germaine de Capuccini and Natura Bissé, meaning that – from your head to your toes – you’ll begin to feel like a new you during your spring getaway. And, with a beautiful swimming pool under our expansive glass roof, you can take a leisurely dip where the water meets the sky before being rejuvenated in our thermal suites.

Explore Our Unique Outdoor Areas

Throughout spring, the promise of warm weather makes it that little bit easier to enjoy a night or two away from home. And, with Le Jardin Hollandais, unique parkland and a large terrace, you’ll not be short of places to enjoy the longer days and better weather at Matfen Hall. 

From exploring the wildlife that lives among our beautiful grounds to finding a quiet spot in our gardens to sit and watch them bloom around you, our estate is the perfect place to escape the stresses of everyday life and discover the real you.

Tee Time On Impressive Courses

If you enjoy the outdoors, but prefer to unwind on the fairway, our golf courses allow players of all abilities to experience gold-standard golf while taking on enjoyable challenges. Surrounded by the rolling Northumberland countryside, our courses are open 7 days a week, so whenever you are staying, you can take on championship-level features such as our dry stone ‘Ha-Ha’ and a several picturesque water obstacles. Our Golf Academy also boasts a Driving Range installed with advanced Toptracer technology, so you can fine-tune your game with interactive games and virtual rounds on world-famous courses.

As we celebrate our position as one of The Times’ 100 Best Places To Stay In The UK For 2024, we look forward to proving our guests with many more unforgettable experiences in the heart of Northumberland. To plan yours, click here.