Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
teens or pre-teens (though you don't have to stay on-site to use the course). There's
also an indoor pool, children's prices (and lessons) on the golf estate, and a kids' menu
in the Keeper's Lodge “pub restaurant” or family dining (6-7pm) in the Library Print
Room Restaurant. But parents aren't forgotten—there's a very good spa. The rooms,
some set up for families, come in a variety of guises, from fairly traditional in the old
part of the hall to more contemporary in the newer part. If you feel like exploring, ask
for a map of local routes, a Matfen Wildlife leaflet, and a packed lunch from the
kitchen, or inquire about the Hadrian's Wall Adventure tour.
Matfen, Northumberland NE20 0RH. www.primahotels.co.uk/matfen.
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01661/880-6500.
53 units.
£130-£300 double. Rates include breakfast (half-board available). AE, DC. MC, V. Free parking.
Ameni-
ties:
3 restaurants; bar; adventure course; golf estate; kids' book/DVD/games library; spa and leisure
club with pool.
In room:
TV, DVD (by request), hair dryer.
EXPENSIVE
Chillingham Castle
For those enraptured by the lovely castles that pepper the
Northumberland coast, this 12th-century stronghold in Capability Brown-designed
grounds 20 minutes' inland of Bamburgh offers several self-catering apartments (the
largest sleeping seven or more), plus ghost tours on certain evenings. There are also
daytime tours of the parkland, state rooms, dungeons, and torture chamber, and tours
to see the world's only wild cattle (www.chillinghamwildcattle.com). You don't have
to stay on-site to book a tour, but many visitors can't resist the chance to stay in a
medieval castle or its former coaching rooms (rooms in the latter are larger but
cheaper). The very private Guard Room, for couples, is where the relief watchmen
slept. Furnishings are homey rather than plush, with a shabby-chic esthetic. Beware
that some guests can find the castle a bit too spooky…
Chillingham, Northumberland NE66 5NJ. www.chillingham-castle.com.
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01668/215359.
£100-£170
apartment for 2, £200-£340 apartment for 4. MC, V.
Amenities:
Free access to parkland and garden;
castle tours (extra charge).
In room:
TV, kitchen.
MODERATE
Coastal Retreats
The Northumberland coast is prime holiday cottage
territory, but Coastal Retreats stands out, with all its cottages and beach apartments
awarded the English Tourism Council's 5 Stars Self Catering accreditation. The con-
temporary interiors are professionally designed and include little luxuries such as
woolen throws; some have wood-burning stoves. Kids are welcomed with dressing-up
boxes, Wendy houses (playhouses), games rooms, trampolines, and more—the firm's
own Starfish child-friendliness rating system helps find the best option for your fam-
ily. Leisure club membership is included for those who'd like a swim or some pamper-
ing. There are sister country retreats, too (www.countryretreatsuk.com).
Northumberland coast (various addresses). www.coastalretreats.co.uk.
&
0191/285-1272.
£470-
£1,299 cottage for 4 per week (shorter stays available). MC, V. Free parking.
Amenities:
Vary by cottage
but generally include games and toys; games room; health club membership.
In room:
TV/DVD/CD,
books, kitchen, movie library, wood-burning stove (some), Wi-Fi (free).
Leaplish Waterside Park
For those who like to get away from it all, these
Northumbrian Water-owned lodges (with adjoining caravan park) offer a great base
for nature lovers and watersports enthusiasts visiting Kielder Water & Forest Park
(p. 669). The relative isolation is compensated for with amenities including a sauna,
indoor pool, play garden, mini-golf, birds-of-prey center, fishing, boat rental, and
lakeside restaurant and bar. The four- and five-star Scandinavian-style lodges won the
David Bellamy Gold Award for Conservation, boasting private verandas where you
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