- Play Hard
- 14th Jan 2026
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Matfen Hall: Northumberland’s hidden gem for Sunday lunch, serene stays and spa days
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January can feel a little grey. The festive sparkle is gone, evenings are long and “new year, new me” energy fades fast. Now is the perfect time to treat yourself to a stay at Matfen Hall.
With elegant suites, an unforgettable Northumberland Sunday lunch and a spa experience designed to melt stress away, it’s the perfect way to recharge and start the year feeling refreshed.
Whether you are searching for luxury hotels in Northumberland, planning a romantic escape or just want to treat yourself, Matfen Hall offers everything you need for a memorable weekend.
RESEST AND RECHARGE AT NORTHUMBERLAND’S ONLY 5-STAR HOTEL
Just half an hour from Newcastle upon Tyne, Matfen Hall sits in 300 acres of breathtaking countryside. This is not just any Northumberland hotel; it is a grand estate blending five-star luxury with warm northern charm.
Recently refurbished with millions invested and crowned Best Countryside Hotel in the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2025, the estate exudes elegance from the moment you arrive.
Walking through the Great Hall, sunlight pours through stained glass windows and the comforting scent of log fires fills the air. The rooms are designed for ultimate relaxation, with emperor-sized beds, marble bathrooms and luxurious touches that make every stay feel special. Time slows down here, giving you space to rest, unwind, and indulge in simple pleasures.
THE ULTIMATE SUNDAY STAY
Cost: £405 (based on two sharing)
If you have been searching for the best Sunday lunch Northumberland has to offer, Matfen Hall’s Sunday Stay package is ideal.
The package includes an overnight stay in one of the luxurious rooms, a delicious two-course Sunday lunch in Emerald Restaurant, complimentary access to The Retreat Spa and an à la carte breakfast the following morning. Plus, you can also arrange early check-in and late check-out, allowing a relaxed, unhurried experience.
Arriving on Sunday, you can enjoy a leisurely lunch, wander the estate, unwind in the spa and then fall into a blissful night’s sleep. Breakfast in the elegant surroundings of Emerald Restaurant the next morning provides a gentle start to the week ahead.
SUNDAY LUNCH AT MATFEN HALL
Available from 12pm – 4.30pm
Cost: two courses – £35 | three courses – £45
Emerald is Northumberland’s only AA 3 Rosette restaurant, making it one of the finest dining destinations in the region.
When it comes to Northumberland Sunday lunch, Emerald Restaurant at Matfen Hall is hard to beat. The menu showcases the very best seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
Expect starters like celeriac and truffle soup with toasted sourdough, beetroot and fennel salad with orange and walnuts or chicken liver parfait with onion chutney and brioche.
Mains feature treacle-cured sirloin of beef, roasted pork belly or a nut roast, all served with roast and mashed potatoes, carrot and swede mash, seasonal greens, Yorkshire puddings and rich gravy. There is also a fish of the day option with new potatoes and seasonal greens in a delicate white wine sauce.
Desserts range from apple and blackcurrant crumble to citrus tart with almond, kalamansi curd and yuzu mousse, as well as sticky toffee pudding with miso butterscotch sauce. A selection of three artisan cheeses completes the indulgence.
THE MATFEN HALL SPA EXPERIENCE
No luxury staycation is complete without a visit to The Retreat at Matfen Hall, which offers a sanctuary for mind, body and spirit.
Enjoy relaxing by the pool and thermal suite experience, indulge in treatments and rituals tailored to personal wellbeing or soak in the hot tub while leaving the outside world behind.
Want to make your spa experience extra special? Book a Champagne afternoon tea for some indulgence while promoting calm and reflection. A spa visit here is about investing time in yourself, resetting and emerging refreshed.
Good news, there’s a spa refurbishment planned for summer 2026 promises an even more immersive experience. We’re so excited about it.
SCENIC WALKS AROUND MATFEN HALL
Fancy a refreshing walk to blow those cobwebs away and fresh country air? The Northumberland countryside is right on your doorstep when you stay at Matfen Hall.
Greenlee Lough
Length: 3.5 miles
Just a short drive away is Northumberland’s largest natural lake and ideal for a winter walk with beautiful wetlands and a wide variety of flora and fauna.
Sycamore Gap
Length: 1.8 miles
For history lovers, the walk to Sycamore Gap Tree along Hadrian’s Wall offers rolling hills, expansive skies and views of new shoots growing beside the protected stump of the illegally felled original.
Walks on Matfen Hall Grounds
Matfen Hall offers tranquil grounds perfect for gentle strolls or longer walks. Meander through landscaped gardens, wooded paths and rolling lawns, taking in the historic architecture and peaceful countryside views right on your doorstep.
Matfen Hall, Matfen Village, Northumberland NE20 0RH
Rachael Ellis
Head of Content
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
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