Matfen Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa

Matfen Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa – Emerald Restaurant

Overview

Tucked into the heart of the Northumberland countryside near Matfen village, Matfen Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa is a grand 19th-century stately home now acclaimed as one of the North East’s most impressive luxury retreats. A five-star destination in an easy drive from Newcastle (about 17 miles, 30 minutes), it balances heritage architecture with contemporary comfort, catering to couples and friends seeking a memorable gourmet break or a leisurely escape with championship golf and spa indulgence. At the core of the experience sits the Emerald Restaurant, the hotel’s culinary jewel and a draw for food enthusiasts from across the region.

Eat

The Emerald Restaurant is Northumberland’s only AA 3 Rosette dining room, offering a refined tasting menu experience in an elegant, chandelier-lit setting. Expect modern British cookery with an emphasis on seasonal regional produce, sourced from local farms and the estate where possible. Thoughtfully composed dishes are plated with artistry – starters might combine shellfish and fresh garden vegetables, while main courses showcase precisely cooked beef, venison or locally caught fish with bold but clean flavours. The kitchen brings balance and classical technique to every plate, with inventive accents and vibrant sauces adding interest without excess. Recent menus have included foraged herbs, North Sea seafood and heritage-breed meats, and a carefully curated wine flight complements the progression of courses. Warm yet polished service completes the picture, making each dinner, celebratory lunch or Sunday roast feel special.

Sleep

Matfen Hall’s accommodation brings the house’s grand period character up to date with 21st-century comfort. There are over fifty individually styled rooms and suites, many with sweeping views over the landscaped parkland, golf course or rolling fields beyond. Interiors blend heritage details—such as deep sash windows, carved wood and high ceilings—with plush superking beds, contemporary furnishings and bespoke lighting. Marble bathrooms in higher-grade rooms add another layer of luxury. Couples, special occasion groups and mature families will find the atmosphere unhurried and quietly indulgent, equally suited to unwinding after dinner or retreating from the everyday.

Retreat

Over a two-night stay, enjoy Matfen Hall’s impressive leisure facilities: a spa with pool, jacuzzi and numerous treatment rooms, a 27-hole championship golf course, and gentle rambles through mature parkland gardens or alongside the nearby Tyne valley. The picturesque nearby towns of Corbridge and Hexham offer bustling markets, independent shops and historic abbeys, while Hadrian’s Wall and Lordenshaws provide excellent hiking within a short drive. For those travelling by train, Matfen is about 25 minutes by road from Hexham station. Whether reading by the fire, savouring a crafted cocktail in the bar, or relishing a tasting menu adorned with Northumberland’s finest, Matfen Hall is a rich base for the best of rural North East England.