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- 13th May 2022
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7 reasons to visit High Force Hotel and Waterfall, County Durham
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If it’s a luxurious rural retreat you’re after for your summer staycation, then look no further than High Force Hotel.
Set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the beautiful surroundings of Upper Teesdale, High Force Hotel is the perfect base from which to explore everything this nook of the North East has to offer – and we mean everything.
The hotel itself dates back to the early 19th century, when it was built as a country hunting lodge, so your accommodation is steeped in the history of generations of visitors. But simply step outside and you’ll discover a wealth of a natural, historical and cultural heritage that cannot fail to ignite the senses and inspire the imagination – not least because of the magnificent waterfall that gives the hotel its name.
Don’t believe us? Fair enough. But you might want to check out these 7 exceptionally excellent reasons to stay at High Force Hotel, just in case we can change your mind…
HIGH FORCE WATERFALL
It would be remiss of us to talk about High Force Hotel without mentioning the magnificent waterfall it’s named after. Because (spoiler alert) – it’s a corker.
Nestled within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and part of a Global Geopark, High Force Waterfall and the stunning landscape that surrounds it have been millions of years in the making.
The Waterfall itself is one of the most impressive in England – the River Tees having plunged 21 metres over a daring precipice into this gorge for thousands of years already. But the rocks it reveals are far more ancient, with origins dating back over 300 million years!
Not that this awe-inspiring cascade is the only draw to the area. Surrounded by a stunning upland landscape, visit High Force Waterfall and you’ll be greeted by open moors, flower-rich hay meadows, intimate woodland, ancient settlements, tumbling rivers, curious wildlife, a fascinating cultural heritage, some of the rarest flora and fauna in the UK, and a centre-point from which you can enjoy a whole host of adventures. All this, under some of the darkest night skies in Europe.
Have you come to these parts to enjoy a walk or two in the great outdoors? You’ve come to the right place! Part of the River Tees in the beautiful Upper Teesdale, and located along the Pennine Way footpath, Low Force Waterfall is the perfect place to go nature watching or to stop for a picnic. Only a few miles from High Force, Cow Green Reservoir offers a peaceful moorland walk to the impressive Cauldron Snout Waterfall, on the border between County Durham and Cumbria. Bowlees Visitor Centre, located in the heart of the Durham Dales, offers plenty of inspiration for North Pennines adventures – plus a café and gift shop. And just a short walk from the car park you’ll find popular local beauty spots Summerhill Force and Gibson’s Cave. So, you’ll never be short of inspiration!
High Force even hosts special interest breaks throughout the year, so you can dedicate some quality time to your chosen hobby in the relaxing, unspoilt scenery of these parts.
So, if you fancy making like JMW Turner, who famously painted the waterfall back in 1822, and try your own hand at capturing the changing colour palette of this vista in art, you’d like to lend a little love to your lens and dust off your photography skills, or you want to sit back and soak up the dark skies with a little stargazing, you’ve come to the right place. (Bonus points if you can spot the mystical aurora of the Northern Lights – it has been known!).
EAT AT HIGH FORCE HOTEL
An army marches on its stomach, right? And if you’re expected to spend every day of your staycation getting out and about in the great outdoors and exploring everything this nook of the North East has to offer, then you’re going to need to fuel up with only the finest cuisine.
Which, handily enough, is just what you’ll find at High Force Hotel. Serving delicious, home-cooked food from morning ‘til night, all in a relaxed setting – we’re talking breakfast, snacks, light bites and lunches right through to decadent evening dining – you’ll not struggle to tickle your tastebuds during your stay.
At the heart of every dish served here? Local produce. At the High Force Hotel, an integral part of their ethos celebrates local producers, and their seasonal menus always include locally sourced ingredients – whether it’s the free-range hen and duck eggs in your full English, which are supplied from High Beverley Farm just a few miles away, the freshly ground coffee that makes you feel human from local artisan roaster Lonton Coffee Co.,or the Raby Venison and Longhorn Beef on the evening menu, the meals you’ll tuck into at High Force Hotel are created with a conscience.
Are you after an extra helping of comfort with your culinary offerings? Your wish is the High Force Hotel team’s command. You can choose to eat in one of their two cosy bars (complete with open fires and log-burning stoves), in the tearoom, outdoors on the patio, in the courtyard or in the garden here, and you can still expect the same exceptional level of customer service. Or you can relax in their beautiful Garden Room, which offers a cosy fine dining experience and can even be transformed into a private event space.
Fancy a snack on the go? Don’t forget about High Force Kiosk, by the hotel’s car park, which is the handiest place to pick up ice cream from local creamery Brymor.
SLEEP AT HIGH FORCE HOTEL
What better way to relax after a long day’s exploring, eating, drinking and making merry in ways that only you know how, than to sink into a sumptuous deluxe super king bed, surrounded in rustic countryside luxury?
Sounds pretty perfect, right? And luckily for all of us, at High Force Hotel we’re spoilt for choice in this particular style of opulent accommodation. Each one of their 10, individually designed bedrooms has been newly refurbished and finished to a tastefully high standard, is bursting with style and character and retains many of the building’s original Victorian features.
The hotel itself effortlessly combines country charm with fresh, modern facilities to capture the rural spirit of your surroundings – celebrating the acres of agricultural land, vast woodlands and unique landscapes of Upper Teesdale, without sacrificing any of your home comforts.
And while you can take your pick from the Deluxe Super King, Classic, Double or Single room options depending on the size of your party, most rooms can be twinned if required and all are fully equipped with a range of beautiful Temple Spa toiletries, a selection of tea and freshly ground coffee, snug duvets and luxury linen – so a good night’s sleep is a given.
DOG FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION
A holiday isn’t really a holiday if you have to leave your dog behind, is it? It feels like a piece of your heart is missing; like you’ve left a limb behind, and you can’t seem to relax as much as you know you should because you can’t help thinking about your little four-legged fur baby and if they’re ok.
Well, worry no more guys – High Force Hotel is a dog friendly accommodation option that refuses to sacrifice style for comfort, or luxury for a few muddy pawprints.
Whether you’re visiting the area for a stroll to the Waterfall, you’re stopping by for a spot of Sunday lunch, or you do decide to stay the night (or two), your dogs will be made to feel most welcome every step of the way.
Simply ask the High Force Hotel team about their dog friendly rooms and let them know about your pooch at the time of booking and they’ll even throw in some doggie treats ready for the arrival of your best boy or girl.
Where this hotel is handily situated, we know one thing for sure – you won’t run out of routes for ‘walkies’ anytime soon!
HLN Top Tip: A fee of £10 per stay does apply to dog friendly bookings. But it seems a small price to pay to have your best friend on holiday with you.
High Force Hotel & Waterfall, Alston Road, Forest-in-Teesdale, County Durham DL12 0XH
Tel: (+44) 01833 622336
Email: [email protected]
Beth Williams
Digital Manager
Beth is our Digital Manager and can be credited with how everything at HLN ‘looks’ – from the website to our social media and twice-weekly emails. She’s also the super organised one in the team and keeps us all on-track. A born and bred scouser, Beth moved to Newcastle six…
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