Labernum Lodge – Springhouse Country Park

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what struck me first about Labernum Lodge? It’s not actually in a town at all – it sits right in the middle of Springhouse Country Park near Slaley, which honestly feels like you’ve stumbled onto some well-kept Northumberland secret. I mean, most people drive straight through this part of the county on their way to Hadrian’s Wall, but they’re missing something pretty special tucked away here.

The lodge itself has this sort of effortless boutique feel without trying too hard, if that makes sense. They don’t bother with star ratings (probably because they’re doing their own thing), but honestly, that 8.9 rating tells you everything you need to know. The building feels substantial – proper thick walls that keep things quiet, which you’ll appreciate since you’re surrounded by actual countryside, not just the view of it from a window. What I really loved was how they’ve managed to keep that country house atmosphere without making it feel stuffy or overly formal. The common areas have these comfortable spots where you can actually relax with a book, and the staff genuinely seem to know the area well – they’ll point you toward walks that aren’t in the standard guidebooks.

The location is honestly perfect if you want to explore this part of Northumberland properly. You’re close enough to Hexham for a proper market day (about 20 minutes by car), but you can also disappear into the hills around Slaley for hours without seeing another soul. Parking’s never an issue – there’s plenty of space, which sounds obvious but isn’t always the case with these converted country properties. The evenings are particularly lovely here; once the day visitors clear out of the country park, it gets properly quiet in that deep countryside way where you notice sounds you’d forgotten existed. I actually found myself staying up later than usual just sitting outside, which says something about the atmosphere they’ve created. Check-in was refreshingly straightforward too – none of that overly choreographed welcome routine you get at chain places, just efficient and friendly people who clearly enjoy what they’re doing.