Silver oaks lodge

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what? Silver Oaks Lodge is one of those places that completely catches you off guard – in the best possible way. I mean, when you’re driving through Bockenfield Country Park near Felton, you’re not exactly expecting to stumble across this gem tucked away in the Northumberland countryside. It’s the kind of boutique spot that doesn’t bother with official star ratings because, honestly, it doesn’t need the validation. The whole place has this understated confidence that I found pretty refreshing.

The location is actually brilliant if you know the area. You’re literally in the heart of Bockenfield, which means you can walk straight out onto those gorgeous woodland trails without dealing with any of the usual tourist car park nonsense you get at other Northumberland spots. I stayed there in late September and the whole place felt like it was wrapped in this golden autumn light – the kind of setting that makes you understand why people move to the countryside and never look back. The rooms themselves are proper boutique style, nothing cookie-cutter about them. Mine had these lovely reclaimed wood details and honestly, the bed was fantastic (you know how hit-or-miss boutique hotel beds can be). What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets at night – you’re far enough from the A1 that you don’t get any of that motorway hum, just the occasional owl if you’re lucky.

The staff clearly know their stuff about the local area too, which makes such a difference when you’re exploring somewhere new. They pointed me toward this brilliant little pub in Felton village that I never would have found otherwise – proper local knowledge, not just the usual tourist trail recommendations. Parking’s straightforward (always a relief), and check-in was refreshingly low-key. Look, it’s not going to blow your mind with flashy amenities or anything, but that’s sort of the point. The 7.3 rating feels about right – it’s solidly good without being perfect, and I mean that as a compliment. Some places try too hard, but Silver Oaks just gets on with being a really pleasant place to stay in a beautiful part of the world. If you’re planning to explore Northumberland properly – maybe do some serious walking or just want to decompress somewhere that feels genuinely peaceful – this is exactly the sort of base you want.