The Dukes Grill, Slaley Hall Click to View Virtual Tour

The Terrace, Slaley Hall Click to View Virtual Tour

Set in 1000 acres of Northumbrian countryside crowned by a spectacular Japanese Garden and and 2 championship Golf Courses. It has extensive indoor and outdoor pursuits. Offer subject to a full non refundable payment at the time of booking to confirm the reservation. Hadrian’s Wall approximately 6 miles away, Beamish Museum approximately 30 miles and the Metro Centre is situated 25 miles away.
Slaley Hall, in Northumberland, was once a glorious sporting estate of around 3,000 acres lying south of Hexham and just north of the Derwent Reservoir on the Durham border. In the mid-1980s, to the amazement of many, it fell into the hands of developers who built houses and golf-courses across the land and gutted the house to create a vast modern hotel.

Originally built by the Hunting family in the Victorian baronial style typical of sporting estates of its sort throughout Scotland and northern England. It lay amid unspoilt countryside, moorland and forests which were rich in wildlife. From the moors a river ran through Italianate gardens and then through a series of cascades to a lake fringed by Rhododendrons and Azaleas. Originally the house was much larger, built on three floors with high pointed towers and a massive pitched roof.

However, following the First World War and the slaughter of a whole generation of young men, a fundamental change in English social habits occurred. The sensationally lavish Edwardian arrangments made to cater for and entertain very large numbers of guests for shooting and fishing house-parties – often lasting for a month or more in both the autumn and Spring seasons – declined.

Shortly after World War ll Slaley Hall was bought by Major & Mrs Jack Priestman who had sold a similar property, Shotley Park, nearby. No longer needing to live near Ashington Collieries, which they had owned prior to nationalisation of the coal industry in 1948, they concentrated on developing the excellent shooting, hunting and fishing at Slaley Hall. They acquired additonal moorland and invested heavily in forestry and improving the estate’s farms.

Slaley Hall is now a country house golf resort in Northumberland in North East England, which hosted The Great North Open between 1996 and 2002. It is surrounded by 1000 acres (4 km²) of Northumberland forest and moorland. It also hosts Weddings, Anniversaries, Parties and Business events in the hotel run by the De Vere Group.

It has many facilities including an indoor swimming pool, beauty salon, steam room, sauna, gym, sun beds, jacuzzi, and driving range.

The England National Football team usually stays at Slaley Hall when they are playing in the North East of England. The hall has been used for concerts by Elton John, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Paul McCartney, Paul Weller and The Cure.

Read more on the history of Slaley Hall here, courtesy Christopher Long: Slaley Hall, website

The Great Hall, Matfen Hall Hotel Click to View Virtual Tour

The Conservatory, Matfen Hall Hotel Click to View Virtual Tour

Matfen Hall is a 19th century country mansion in Matfen, Northumberland, England the seat of the Blackett Baronets and now also an hotel and country club. It is a Grade II* listed building.
The manor of West Matfen was owned in the 13th century by Philip de Ulcote and passed through his sisters to Felton, by marriage to Hastings and later to Lawson. In 1625 the estate was bought by Lancelot Fenwick of a branch the old established local family of Fenwick Tower. The manor and manor house, West Matfen High Hall, was sold in 1680 to John Douglas. His granddaughter and Douglas heiress married Sir Edward Blackett Bt. in 1757, thereby bringing the estate into the Blackett family.
The present house was built to replace the old manor, in 1828 for Sir Edward Blackett, 6th Baronet. The impressive Jacobean style mansion has a three storey seven bay entrance front. An important internal feature is a full height Gothic hall.
Sir Hugh Blackett, the 12th Baronet and Lady Blackett have converted their home into an hotel and country club.

Matfen Hall is now a magnificent, privately owned, country house hotel set in the beautiful Northumbrian countryside close to Hadrian’s Wall. The fantastic new Spa & Leisure complex is open, along with a brand new state of the art conference room and extra luxurious bedrooms. Each of Matfen Hall’s 53 bedrooms have their own charm and character combining modern facilities with traditional opulence. All rooms are en-suite, with satellite TV, direct dial telephone and all the amenities you would expect. The Premier and Executive rooms are particularly spacious with seating areas and luxurious bathrooms. Four Poster bedrooms are also available for that extra special occasion. Exquisitely furnished with book or print lined walls, the Library and Print Room Restaurant is much more than a hotel restaurant. For those who are serious about their food it is a genuine fine dining experience. A member of Classic British Hotels.

360º Virtual Tours

HMS Trincomalee Click to View Virtual Tour	Sailors Quarters, HMS Trincomalee Click to View Virtual Tour
The Galley, HMS Trincomalee Click to View Virtual Tour	Midhsips, HMS Trincomalee Click to View Virtual Tour

History of HMS Trincomalee

HMS Trincomalee is a Royal Navy Leda-class sailing frigate built shortly following the end of the Napoleonic Wars. She was ordered on 30 October 1812 and was finally launched on 12 October 1817. After serving as a hulk, she was restored to her original appearance, and now serves as a museum ship.

The Trincomalee is one of two surviving frigates of this era (her sister HMS Unicorn is now a museum ship in Dundee). She was built in Bombay, India in 1817 by the Wadia’s in teak, due to oak shortages in Britain as a result of shipbuilding drives for the Napoleonic Wars. The ship was named Trincomalee after an action in 1782 between the Royal and French navies off the Ceylon (Sri Lanka) port of that name.

Trincomalee finished her Royal Navy service as a training ship, but was ‘reduced to reserve’ in 1895 and sold for scrap 2 years later. However she was then purchased by George Wheatley Cobb, restored, and renamed Foudroyant in honour of HMS Foudroyant, his earlier ship that had been wrecked in 1897. She was used in conjunction with HMS Implacable as an accommodation ship, a training ship, and a holiday ship based in Falmouth and remained in service until 1991 when she was again restored and renamed back to Trincomalee. Until his death in 1929, the Falmouth-based painter Henry Scott Tuke used the ship and its trainees as subject matter.
The Trincomalee holds the distinction of being the oldest British warship still afloat as HMS Victory, although 52 years her senior, is in dry dock.

Now listed as part of the National Historic Fleet, Core Collection, following her recent restoration the Trincomalee has become the centrepiece of the historic dockyard museum in Hartlepool, United Kingdom, known as ‘Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience’, which also includes PS Wingfield Castle.

Read more: Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience, official website
Read more: HMS Trincomalee, official website
The above article is courtesy of Wikipedia: Read More

360º Virtual Tours

The Lawns, Crathorne Hall Click to View Virtual Tour	The Terrace, Crathorne Hall Click to View Virtual Tour
The Restaurant, Crathorne Hall Click to View Virtual Tour	The Lounge, Crathorne Hall Click to View Virtual Tour
Example Bedroom, Crathorne Hall Click to View Virtual Tour	The Bar, Crathorne Hall Click to View Virtual Tour
Morning Room, Crathorne Hall Click to View Virtual Tour	The Sunk Garden, Crathorne Hall Click to View Virtual Tour

History of Crathorne Hall

One of Yorkshires grandest country house hotels, awarded four red stars for exceptional quality and service and has been recognised as one of the top 200 hotels in the country,Crathorne Hall is set in 15 acres of woodland with views of the Leven Valley, the River Leven & the Yorkshire Moors, yet conveniently located only 8 miles from Durham Tees Valley airport, 10 miles from Darlington city centre, and Middlesbrough & Stockton-on-Tees.For those visiting the area for pleasure, the Yorkshire Dales are close by, Captain Cook Museum and Lightwater Valley Theme Park is only 33 miles away. Crathorne Hall also provides the opportunity to take a walk, jog along one of the walking trails but also wander the well manicured lawns.After this, return to the hotel for a hot toddy by the roaring fire in the drawing room or a chilled glass of wine under an umbrella

Built in 1906, overlooking the Leven Valley on the edge of the Yorkshire Moors, Crathorne Hall is at once grand and stately, warm and welcoming.

Owned by the Dugdale family until 1977, Crathorne Hall has played host to politicians, courted royalty and delighted socialites over the decades. Yet despite moving in stately circles, the house has stayed true to its roots as a place of entertainment and relaxation. Now it is yours to explore.

Crathorne Hall Hotel is set in 15 acres of private grounds and has been awarded the prestigious accolade of 4 Red Stars, being among the top 200 hotels in the UK and Ireland. The hotel has 37 bedrooms, all of which have recently been refurbished and offer the likes of LCD televisions, complimentary internet access and luxury toiletries. There are also a number of feature bedrooms, offering large open spaces, luxurious bathrooms and some with balconies.

Crathorne currently offers a two Rosette restaurant and will be opening a brasserie concept later this year. The food makes the highlight of any visit, set in a grand dining room with views over the lawns and surrounding grounds.

360º Virtual Tours

The Lounge, The Judges Hotel Click to View Virtual Tour	The Conservatory, The Judges Hotel Click to View Virtual Tour
Dom Perignon Dining Room, The Judges Hotel Click to View Virtual Tour	The Bridal Suite, The Judges Hotel Click to View Virtual Tour

History of The Judges Hotel

History plays quite a part in this gracious country house hotel and its extensive grounds. Built on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors in 1881 for the former engineering family, the Richardsons of Hartlepool, Kirklevington Hall was their home throughout the 1914-1918 war during which most of the family was lost.

Following the death of the only surviving member in 1940, the estate passed into the hands of a Hartlepool entrepreneur prior to being requisitioned by the Army towards the end of the last World War. The Army built a massive bunker within the grounds, which became a vital, secret command centre for the North East. With two feet thick reinforced concrete walls, it has now been converted to a modern residence for members of the Downs family – Judges current owners.

During the 1970s Kirklevington Hall became home to the countrys Judges when they were on circuit to Middlesbrough courts hence the current name. In 1989 the circuit Judges no longer required the Hall and it was acquired by the Downs family. They were no strangers to developing high quality country house hotels as they had already created Crathorne Hall Hotel, prior to selling it as a successful operation to the Virgin group.

Extensive utility development and a total refurbishment programme were undertaken and in 1994, Judges at Kirklevington Hall was launched. The Family and its small team, many of whom worked alongside them at Crathorne, subsequently set about restoring the 22 acre grounds to their former glory.

The beautiful gardens now comprise graceful lawns that sweep down from the Halls sunny terraces to a tiny river, which meanders across the estate via waterfalls and under ornate bridges. There are extensive rhododendron beds, formal features, herbaceous borders and a herb garden which provides the Kitchen with fresh produce. There is also a Victorian walled garden graced by old fruit trees and current developments incorporate a sizeable vegetable garden and greenhouse.

Natural woodlands complete with a network of unobtrusive pathways provide guests with a chance to stroll, jog or simply sit quietly on a shady wayside seat and watch the many birds, squirrels and rabbits at play or even the occasional deer or pheasant who wander into the grounds to sample the lush vegetation.

The above article is courtesy of The Judges Hotel official website: Read More