Lord Crewe Arms Hotel, Blanchland (Northumberland)

A 12th Century building with a boutique hotel ambience and a unique interior.

Summary

13th century buildings (or older)
Breakfast included
Free car parking (on site)

Facilities

Free broadband access
Shared gardens
Woodland walks

Food and Drinks

Restaurant
English breakfast (included)
Lunch available (at additional cost)
Dinner available (at additional cost)
Bar

Nearby recreations

Recommended walks
Pub (a short drive)
Historic houses
Golf course (a short drive)
Recommended restaurants (a short drive)

Introduction

Enjoy a boutique stay at The Lord Crewe Arms Hotel. Experience the friendly welcome, unique interior and rural tranquillity that one would expect to accompany a building, part of which dates back over 800 years. The 12th Century Hotel’s links with the past are still widely visible today. Stunning stone fireplaces, ancient timber beams, stone flag floors and many more period features contribute to the authentic atmosphere and individual charm.

The location is ideal for the pursuit of several outdoor activities including sailing & fishing on the Derwent reservoir, clay pigeon shooting and walking. It is an excellent touring base for the North East with attractions like Hadrian’s Wall, Durham University, Durham Castle and Cragside all within 30 minutes drive away. The market villages of Corbridge and Hexham are just minutes away and the Metro shopping centre of Newcastle is also just 35 minutes drive away.

History to the present day

Historically fascinating The Lord Crewe Arms Hotel’s links with past are widely visible today. Formely part of the Abbey, the hotel was origionally built as the Abbots Lodge, guest house and kitchens of Blanchland Abbey. Tucked away, high inside the chimney you can still see the infamous priests hiding hole.

On the dissolution of the Abbey in 1536, its estates and buildings were aquired by the Radcliff family and in 1623 passed to the Fosters of Bamburgh. Tragically, in 1701 the last male heir of the Bamburgh Fosters was brutally murdered in Newcastle and the Blanchland estate passed to his two co-heirs, his sister, Dorothy Foster, and his nephew, Thomas Foster. In 1699 Dorothy wed Lord Crewe, Bishop of Durham who subsequently bought the estate from her for the sum of £20,676; Blanchland has retained its connection ever since.

Thomas Foster was later appointed commander of the Jacobite Forces during their rebellion in 1715. Having no qualifications for such a position he later surendered to the government and was imprisoned in Newgate gaol. In an act of heroism, Thomas’s sister, also named Dorothy, braved an icy journey on horseback down to London under the disguise of his servant to aid her brothers escape. Following a carefully crated plan, she arrived in London three days before Thomas was due to stand trial for high treason, enabling him to escape his brutal fate. Legend has it that the two returned to the Lord Crewe Arms where Thomas was secretly hidden within the Priest’s hiding hole before his escape to exile in France. Dorothy is then said to have staged a fake funeral at Bamborough for her 'dead' brother, filling a coffin with sawdust for burial in the churchyard. She returned to The Lord Crewe where her spirit has remained ever since Her presence has been felt by many in her quarters where she roams the building waiting the return of her beloved brother Tom.

Food and Drinks

Breakfast is served from 8.00 am - 10.00 am. Earlier service can be arranged upon request.

The restaurant is a superb early 18th Century room with open fires and spectacular views of the Durham High Fells. Head Chef and his staff will prepare traditional, locally-sourced cuisine with dedicated service giving you a dining experience to remember.

The Crypt Bar: Full of character with a stone flagged floor and stone vaulted ceiling, the hotel bar, with accompanying snug, offers a selection of wine wines and real ales that can be enjoyed by the warmth of the crackling open-place fire.

Grounds and gardens

This delightful village in the North Pennines is set on the County Durham/ Northumberland boundary. Against a backdrop of deep woods and open moors and little altered over 250 years, Blanchland has been described as one of England’s prettiest villages. The unspoilt qualities of the area deem Blanchland to be counted amongst one of only six listed villages in the country. Its beauty has attracted the attention of two of England most celebrated poets. Both Phillip Larkin and W.H. Auden were impressed with its honey coloured buildings and surrounding landscape. What’s more, its natural beauty make the village a frequent setting for period films set in the 18th century such as those based on the novels of Catherine Cookson.

Other facilities

Pet Friendly in some rooms. Free WI-FI available in some public areas of the hotel.

The village itself has recently been voted home to Britain's Wildest Walks (Times, 2010) and the hotel is listed in the Top 100 Famous Pubs in Britain (Telegraph, 2010).

Just 15 miles from Hadrian's Wall, Durham Cathedral & Durham Castle World Heritage Sites. Great attractions such as Beamish Museum and The Alnwick Garden are within easy reach.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: The Square, Blanchland, County Durham, Northumberland, DH8 9SP, United Kingdom

Check In: 3.00pm Check Out: 11.00am

Directions: On the border between Northumberland and County Durham.

From the A68 to the West of Consett in Co. Durham, take the B6278 to Edmundbyers. Turn right on to the B6306 for Blanchland and enter the village as you go over the bridge.

From the South, turn off the A1(M) on to the A68, just North of Darlington.
From the Roman Wall to the North, follow the B6306 from Hexham.

Nearest train station is at Riding Mill Durham and Chester-le-Street on the East Coast Main Line

Newcastle Airport is less than 25 miles away.

More photos of Lord Crewe Arms Hotel, Blanchland

Lord Crewe Arms Hotel

Crypt Bar

Restaurant