Matfen Hall tees up a new golf academy and spa in Northumberland

Set in more than 300 acres of Northumberland parkland, about 30 minutes from Newcastle and close to Hadrian's Wall, Matfen Hall has been quietly reinventing itself, and 2026 has been a big year.

The house has deep roots. The Blackett family came to the estate in 1757, and the present Jacobean-style hall was built in 1832 for Sir William Blackett, 6th Baronet. Now Grade II* listed, it has a full-height Gothic hall, with a starry vaulted ceiling and stained glass that still impress guests today.

From 1965 to 1994 the house was leased as the Northumberland Cheshire Home. Sir Hugh and Lady Blackett later converted it into a hotel and country club, which opened in 1999. Today it has 63 bedrooms, from classic rooms to luxury suites, and holds an AA five-star rating, with three AA rosettes for dining in 2026.

Golfers have plenty to celebrate. The Douglas is Matfen Hall's newly christened 18-hole championship course, combining nine newly designed and reimagined green complexes with the character of the original layout, including dry-stone walls, natural water hazards and the River Pont. A second course, the Dewlaw, offers 9 or 18 holes, there is a Himalayan putting green, and hotel residents enjoy complimentary tee times.

The newest addition is the Golf Academy, set to open in mid-August 2026. It features 15 covered Toptracer bays, a nine-hole par-three course, a short game area, the Mini Matfen 18-hole putting course and PGA coaching. "No membership is needed, and the Academy is open to everyone," the hall says, making it a great option for families and beginners.

There is more to come. Aurelius at Matfen Hall, a reimagined spa, is due to open this autumn, adding another reason to stay a little longer.

Inside, the hall's five dining areas and its Great Hall and Drawing Room, with its welcoming fire, make it just as appealing on a winter weekend as in the height of the golf season.

With Roman history on the doorstep and the quiet of the Northumberland countryside all around, Matfen Hall makes a handsome base for exploring the county.

Rooms, golf bookings and spa news are on the Matfen Hall website.