Top 16 Castle Hotels in Northumberland (and Luxury Manor Houses)

I’ve spent most of my life in Northumberland, a place with endless numbers of castles, manor houses, and stately homes.

One of the most castled regions on the planet, the area has lots of big ol’ buildings to explore, and many of them offer elegant and extravagant overnight stays.

So in this article, your good old friend Travelness.com has brought you the top 16 castle hotels and manor house hotels in Northumberland.

Looking for laid-back stays? Spa-centric indulgence? Or a spooky spectacle with ghosts and ghouls? We’ve covered it all!

1. Langley Castle

West of Hexham and very close to Haydon Bridge, Langley Castle is perfectly located for lots of adventures in Northumberland and the North Pennines. Within close proximity, you have Hadrian’s Wall, loads more great hikes, and some of Northumberland’s cutest villages.

But overnight stays in the castle itself are (of course) the real highlight here. The 14th-century castle has been given some great modern flourishes, including a beautiful glass pavilion and trendy fine dining menus. But the bedrooms hark back to their distant past, with four-poster beds, old-school furnishings, and heavy stone walls.

Some bedrooms even have spa baths and saunas.

The place has won a massive number of awards, including North East England’s ‘best small hotel of the year’ on a hefty six occasions.

The Langley Castle team even offers dark-sky experiences. During these experiences, you visit Kielder Observatory and see more stars than you’ve probably ever seen in your life.

• Best for: Couples seeking a romantic break
• Location: Southwest Northumberland, just above the North Pennines
• Stars: 4
• Price range: £££
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Spa: No
• Jacuzzi: No
• Pools: No

2. Bamburgh Castle

My favorite castle in the whole of Northumberland, Bamburgh Castle has a bunch of different accommodation options, with 10 different places to stay.

But of them all, the place has two right inside the castle walls. Neville Tower and the castle’s medieval clock tower both offer overnight stays—if you’re keen to really indulge, stay in one of those two places. Both are absolutely beautiful and totally traditional, but with tasteful modern touches.

And because they’re both lofty towers, their views are absolutely incredible. Neville Tower looks over the coast, while the clock tower looks over the other side of the castle, onto the nearby cricket pitch.

If you’re on the hunt for something a little more affordable, instead check out some of the castle’s lodges and cottages.

Bamburgh Castle is perched over what might just be the best part of Northumberland’s coastline. If you want to explore Northumberland’s coast, you won’t find a better location than this.

• Best for: Couples and families who want to feel like castle royalty
• Location: Bamburgh, on the northern part of the Northumberland coast
• Price range: ££££
• Pet-friendly: Only in some rooms
• Spa: No
• Jacuzzi: No
• Pools: No
• Website

3. Chillingham Castle

Alright, here’s something totally different for you.

While most of the hotels and houses on this list are about luxury, decadence, and class, Chillingham Castle is all about trying to make contact with the spooky specters of Northumberland’s grisly past.

Want to visit a torture chamber? Or go on a ghost tour? Or cry yourself to sleep because you think there might be a headless woman walking around your bedroom in the middle of the night? In Chillingham Castle, you can do it all!

The place is also in a good location for hiking, with great proximity to the coast on the east and the Cheviots to the west. That said, most guests are here to explore the spooky stuff, not the nearby walks and wanders.

The castle has 8 different places to stay, and they all offer different perks (and different ghosts).

• Best for: Spotting spooky specters
• Location: Northern Northumberland, sort of between Bamburgh and Wooler
• Price range: £££
• Pet-friendly: No
• Spa: No
• Jacuzzi: No
• Pools: No
• Website

4. Otterburn Castle

Otterburn Castle is situated in what might just be my favorite village in the whole of Northumberland.

The castle itself is great—set in 32 acres of countryside, it was first built in the 9th century, and the exteriors haven’t changed much since (well, apart from some useful maintenance, obviously).

Inside, you get a great restaurant and bar, and 17 rooms. The made-to-order breakfast is beautiful, with some great traditional stuff.

Best of all, if you want to go hiking or cycling in Northumberland, this place is possibly the best-located accommodation on our list. Really central for adventures in all parts of Northumberland, it’s easy to access every other part of the region from here.

• Best for: Couples on a romantic trip
• Location: Otterburn, on the southeastern tip of Northumberland National Park
• Stars: 4
• Price range: £££
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Spa: No
• Jacuzzi: No
• Pools: No

5. Dunstanburgh Castle Hotel

Dramatic, atmospheric, and alluring, Dunstanburgh is one of my favorite castles in Northumberland. Plonked right on one of the region’s best beaches, the place is actually a ruin, and you can’t sleep inside the confines of the castle.

But if you want to stay close by, you can sleep in the misleadingly-titled Dunstanburgh Castle Hotel. An elegantly-updated place right beside the castle, this maybe isn’t the type of overnight stay you came to this list for. But if you like castle hotels and manor house hotels, you’ll also love this place.

It’s the perfect combination of retro and modern, with some great contemporary touches in an otherwise-traditional place. And because it’s a little more low-key than most other accommodations we’ve featured on this list, it’s a good choice for a budget stay.

It’s an absolutely brilliant place for exploring all of the Northumberland coastline. In terms of prime locations, it doesn’t really get any better than this—both north and south, you have incredible places to visit.

• Best for: An affordable stay right on the Northumberland coast
• Location: Embleton, very close to the Northumberland coast
• Stars: 2
• Price range: ££
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Spa: No
• Jacuzzi: No
• Pools: No

6. Walwick Hall Country Estate and Spa

Okay, we’re moving away from castles, and onto country halls and manor houses. And our first place with a spa—exciting!

This overnight sensation is half-modern-half-retro, with contemporary elegant interiors that complement the Georgian history and appearance of the place.

Walwick Hall Country Estate and Spa is set in 100 acres of land, so there’s plenty of space to rove and wander. Even better, if you want to explore Hadrian’s Wall, Walwick Hall is in the absolute perfect location. Perched right on the official trail, you can explore lots of hikes in the nearby area, along with most of the wall’s most iconic spots (such as Housesteads and Sycamore Gap).

The hall was renovated in February 2022, so the whole place feels fresh and new, perfect if you like staying in ultra-upmarket luxury.

• Best for: Romantic breaks, spa indulgences, and nearby hikes
• Location: North of Hexham, along Hadrian’s Wall
• Stars: 4
• Price range: ££££
• Pet-friendly: No
• Spa: Yes
• Jacuzzi: No
• Pools: Yes

7. Doxford Hall Hotel & Spa

Set in 10 acres of grounds, Doxford Hall Hotel looks pretty similar to Walwick Hall, but it’s a little more elegant and upmarket inside, with period-style furniture. If you want to feel like you’re wandering around old-school England, staying here is a great way to do it.

Inside, there’s an ultra-classy library, all wood, leather and pomp, along with a lovely pool and an indulgent spa.

But the hall’s most impressive feature is probably the on-site restaurant, which has been awarded 2 AA rosettes. They specialize in local ingredients, regional specialities, and the type of meals that look more like an art exhibition than a plate of tasty food.

And on top of all that—the location is excellent, pretty close to Dunstanburgh Castle. If you want good proximity to the seaside without being right on the shore, this place is in a perfect location.

And as a lovely little bonus, the prices are surprisingly low.

• Best for: Romantic stays, classy food, elegant interiors, and being close to the beach
• Location: West of Embleton, close to the northern part of Northumberland’s coast
• Stars: 4
• Price range: ££
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Spa: Yes
• Jacuzzi: Yes
• Pools: Yes

8. Eshott Hall

Between Morpeth and Alnwick, Eshott Hall is in a brilliant location for exploring some of Northumberland’s biggest and best towns (including Amble, Alnmouth, Warkworth, and Alnwick and Morpeth themselves). So if you prefer town-hopping to hiking, you’ll likely love the place.

But the hall itself doesn’t feel remotely urban—with its plant-covered facades, massive trees and lovely grounds, it’s a proper rural retreat. Inside, there’s an atmospheric library along with lots of classy white-and-cream decor (so try not to spill anything).

You get a tennis court and lots of woodland, in a hefty and impressive 450 acres. And if you want to shoot or hunt in the local area, the Eshott Hall team can help you to do both. If you want to wander and explore the grounds of a massive estate, this is without doubt one of the best picks on our list.

All of that said, there’s no spa or jacuzzi, so it’s not a great spot for an uber-indulgent stay.

• Best for: Families and couples who want to see nearby towns
• Location: Between Morpeth and Alnwick, in southern Northumberland
• Stars: 4
• Price range: ££
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Spa: No
• Jacuzzi: No
• Pools: No

9. Matfen Hall

This place is ridiculously welcoming and beautiful, and it’s one of my favorite accommodations on this list. I once did a best man’s speech here, cos my friend got married at the place, but I suppose you probably don’t care about that.

Anyway, one of the loveliest buildings in Northumberland, this place is classy, elegant and upmarket, but it’s also surprisingly down-to-earth, with friendly staff and an inviting atmosphere. They have 53 bedrooms and 5 dining areas, all with excellent food.

Set in a massive 300 acres of gorgeous greenery, the grounds are a lovely place for a wander, and they feel more like a country park than just a house’s garden.

If you want to indulge yourself, there are spa and massage facilities, along with a pool and a fitness center. The hall even has an on-site 27-hole golf course, perfect if you like pitching and putting. It’s actually one of (if not) the best golf courses near Newcastle.

Like a few other places we’ve featured on this list, it’s very well-located for exploring Hadrian’s Wall.

• Best for: Weddings, events, playing golf, and a great romantic stay
• Location: Southern Northumberland, between Hexham and Ponteland
• Stars: 5
• Price range: ££££
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Spa: Yes
• Jacuzzi: Yes
• Pools: Yes

10. Slaley Hall

Slaley Hall is a massively popular getaway for lots of Northumberland residents.

It’s a former Edwardian mansion house, but it looks more like a castle, so it’s a good choice if you want the castle vibe, but with plenty of modern indulgences. If you’re looking for a good spa, book up here—it has some of the best spa facilities in Northumberland, along with a nice pool.

Set in an absolutely massive 1,000 acres of forested countryside, the grounds are huge, with plenty of space to explore—these grounds are even home to 2 privately-owned PGA Championship golf courses

And beyond all that, it’s one of the most fun-packed accommodations on our list, perfect if you’re traveling with kids or friends. The hall offers off-road driving, segways, archery, quad biking, and clay pigeon shooting.

And for outdoor adventures outside of the grounds, it’s in a great location. You’re right on the outskirts of the North Pennines, one of the most underrated hiking hubs in all of the UK—I absolutely love the place.

• Best for: Hugely modern indulgences in a castle-like setting, and lots of space to explore
• Location: Just south of Hexham, on the outskirts of the North Pennines
• Stars: 4
• Price range: ££££
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Spa: Yes
• Jacuzzi: Yes
• Pools: Yes

11. Macdonald Linden Hall

Macdonald Linden Hall calls itself a ‘golf and country club,’ which already tells you a lot about the place. The one golf course here is really impressive, with excellent views of the surrounding area.

Set in 450 acres of private land, the well-groomed gardens are beautiful, though they’re not as impressive as some of the other places we’ve featured on this list.

The on-site Dobson Restaurant has been awarded an AA rosette, while the staff are very attentive and friendly. The small but excellent spa includes a hot tub, a steam room and a pool.

In terms of location, this place is best if you want good proximity to both coasts and mountains—and all of Northumberland’s best towns. It’s basically plonked right in the middle of all the action and adventure, so it’s a fantastic base if you’re planning to explore all of Northumberland in one big bumper trip.

The whole place isn’t quite as modern or upmarket as some of our other options, but it still offers a lovely stay. All in all, it’s a pretty relaxed place

• Best for: Playing golf, a laid-back stay, and a location right in the center of Northumberland
• Location: Central Northumberland, between Morpeth and Rothbury
• Stars: 4
• Price range: £££
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Spa: Yes
• Jacuzzi: No
• Pools: Yes

12. Budle Hall

A family-managed overnighter, Budle Hall is the absolute epitome of comfy and cozy, and it’s such a homely place to spend a few days.

The place has a few different options for overnight accommodation (including even a campsite!), but if you want the fully-indulgent experience, you should of course stay in the main hall. Inside, the team have four rooms, and they all offer a beautiful bed and breakfast.

If you want a really great breakfast to munch on, you’ll genuinely love this place. They have lots of filling, varied options, and they specialize in using local ingredients and suppliers.

And as a great bonus, the location is brilliant, especially if you want to explore this part of the Northumberland coast. It’s just west of Bamburgh, so you’re super close to Bamburgh beach—but you’re also close to some quieter but equally-beautiful nearby stretches.

Overall, it’s one of my favorite getaways in Northumberland.

• Best for: Quiet parts of the Bamburgh coastline, a really cozy stay, and a delicious breakfast
• Location: Budle, just west of Bamburgh
• Price range: ££
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Spa: No
• Jacuzzi: No
• Pools: No
• Website

13. Clennell Hall Country House

Much lesser-known than most other entries on this list, Clennell Hall Country House is an unbelievably beautiful place, and I’m not really sure why it mostly flies under the radar. If you’re looking for underrated, you’ve found it. You get a gorgeous house in a gorgeous garden, and a lovely atmosphere.

Cozy and calm rather than gargantuan and grand, it’s a perfect place for a quiet escape. And the home-cooked food is tasty, traditional and hearty.

Best of all, it’s in an absolutely incredible location.

Right next to Alwinton and Harbottle, it’s nestled in the most overlooked part of Northumberland National Park. If you like hidden hikes on quiet trails, this is where you want to be—for hiking, I’m tempted to claim that this is the best manor house hotel in Northumberland.

• Best for: Couples, a quiet stay, and excellent hiking
• Location: Right next to Harbottle and Alwinton
• Stars: 4
• Price range: £££
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Spa: No
• Jacuzzi: No
• Pools: No

14. Le Petit Château & William De Percy

Right next to Otterburn Castle (which we’ve already mentioned earlier in this guide), this is another great place if you want to stay in the endlessly-charming village of Otterburn. Again, it’s well-located for adventures both on foot and bike.

Pretty unusual, the place has been transformed in the style of a French-inspired small-scale castle, and even features a so-called ‘Mediterranean garden.’ It’s really chic and boutique—and if you like upmarket and classy, you’ll love it.

With period furniture and strange fixtures and fittings, this is probably the most unusual place on our list. Themed and atmospheric, it’s like Disneyland for adults who like period homes.

It’s most famous for hosting weddings. So if you’re getting hitched in Northumberland, this place is a brilliant choice.

• Best for: Romantic breaks, getting married, and enjoying the strange interiors
• Location: In the center of Otterburn
• Stars: 4
• Price range: £££
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Spa: No
• Jacuzzi: No
• Pools: No

15. Chatton Park House

Once the private residence of the current Duke of Northumberland, Chatton Park House is one of the classiest bed and breakfast establishments I’ve ever seen. But despite its appearance, it’s still a very down-to-earth place, with friendly owners, hearty food, and very warm welcomes.

If you want a great combination of both welcoming and classy, it doesn’t get much better than this—it’s everything a top-quality bed and breakfast should be. It looks like a manor house, but it feels very much like home.

Because it’s right between Wooler and Bamburgh, you have great proximity to both the best part of the Northumberland coastline, and all the great hikes of the Cheviots. Excellent for outdoor adventures!

And on top of all that, it’s a very quiet, relaxing place.

An important note: because it’s an adult-only accommodation, you can’t stay here if you’re traveling with kids.

• Best for: Couples, a quiet escape, and enjoying a great bed and breakfast
• Location: North Northumberland, between Wooler and Bamburgh
• Stars: 5
• Price range: £££
• Pet-friendly: No
• Spa: No
• Jacuzzi: No
• Pools: No

16. Fairfield House

A five-star extravaganza of quality and class, Fairfield House bed and breakfast is pretty similar to Chatton Park House, but in a slightly more populated area.

Right on the edge of Warkworth, it’s in a great location if you want to explore excellent nearby places like Amble, Alnmouth, Alnwick and Morpeth. And if you want to head into the nearby city of Newcastle, you don’t have to travel too far (which isn’t the case for most places on this list!).

The decor is all beige, cream and clean, giving the retro home a modern twist. If you like classic elegance, you’ll love it.

For a bed and breakfast, the menu is surprisingly diverse and varied—and the food is excellent.

• Best for: Enjoying a great bed and breakfast experience, and a rural stay in a populated area
• Location: Just on the outskirts of Warkworth
• Stars: 5
• Price range: £££
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Spa: No
• Jacuzzi: No
• Pools: No

Final Words and Further Reading

There they are—the 16 best castle hotels and manor house hotels in Northumberland. Thanks for reading!

Of them all, my favorite castle hotels in Northumberland are Langley Castle and Bamburgh Castle. But if you’re instead looking for a hall or country house, my #1 pick is Matfen Hall. That said, they’re all brilliant places to stay, no matter which one you choose.

For more accommodation options, check out my selection of the best luxury cottages in Northumberland.

If you want to know anything else about Northumberland, check out our guides to the region’s best hikes, castles, and beautiful places.

See you next time!