Set in the heart of the postcard-perfect village of Blanchland in Northumberland, the Lord Crewe Arms has a vast and varied history.
With origins dating back to the 12th century, the building began life as a guest house for the newly established Blanchland Abbey, welcoming travellers and pilgrims for centuries.
Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539, the property passed through several owners before eventually coming under the care of the Lord Crewe Trustees.
Today, it still carries the atmosphere of a medieval retreat, complete with stone walls and roaring fires.
Its rich heritage remains visible throughout the hotel’s architecture, and one could be forgiven for mistaking it as a Game of Thrones set.
What immediately stands out about this stunning hotel is the setting. Blanchland itself is breathtaking – a quiet, picturesque village surrounded by the wild landscapes of the North Pennines.
And thankfully the hotel makes the most of this location, offering a genuine escape from the hustle and bustle, despite being just a 40 minute drive from Newcastle.
We are staying in one of the garden cottages, Penny Pie. Tucked away from the main hotel, it combines traditional stone-built character with modern comforts.
The room is compact but thoughtfully equipped, with touches such as soft white bathrobes, quality toiletries, a coffee machine and delicious homemade fudge and biscuits. There is a sense of genuine comfort rather than polished formality.
Our room also has a telescope to take advantage of the clear night skies that make Blanchland a superb destination for stargazing – once the sun sets there is no light pollution.
The bathrooms are decorated well with tongue-and-groove panelling and traditional basins. The huge freestanding tub was a particular highlight and the perfect spot to relax.
Tucked away beside beautifully maintained gardens, the cottages are ideal for those wanting a bit more privacy while still enjoying access to the hotel’s dining and facilities.
Surrounded by the peaceful scenery of Blanchland, the hotel is a perfect base for walking, relaxing and exploring the North Pennines countryside.
Mercifully, the weekend we are visiting the weather has decided to play ball, and we are lucky enough to be able to reap the benefits of the stunning gardens outside the hotel. With sweeping views and easy access to the bar, it’s a real high point of the stay.
With the sun still shining we opt for a walk around the nearby Derwent reservoir and the hotel caters brilliantly for walkers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Guests can borrow waterproof coats, Le Chameau wellies and detailed walking maps from the drying room. There is also a gun-room – the hotel is popular with shooting parties on the surrounding estates – plus fishing equipment to borrow.
These thoughtful touches really help guests explore the surrounding North Pennines landscape.
The hotel is also notably dog friendly, with lots of walkers, bikers and hikers enjoying a well earned pint in the garden with their pooches.
Beneath the hotel lies the atmospheric Crypt Bar, one of the Lord Crewe Arms’ most distinctive features.
Housed in a vaulted medieval cellar, it combines candlelit ambience with exposed stonework making it an ideal spot for evening drinks.
The whole place manages to strike a careful balance between historic character and contemporary comfort.
Long wooden tables in the restaurant perfectly suit the building’s medieval heritage. Yet this is far from a gimmicky historical reenactment. The atmosphere remains stylish and relaxed.
We enjoyed dinner at the restaurant both nights of our stay, where the menu is a celebration of northern British produce – no frills just executed with refinement.
Fresh sourdough with rich Jersey butter was a solid start to the meal. Standout starters included the venison, prune and pistachio terrine – the earthy game flavours lifted by truffle mustard and crisp cornichons.
The twice-baked Northumberland cheese soufflé was wonderfully light yet intensely savoury, while the smoked salmon paired brilliantly with sharp pickled cucumber and silky dill crème fraîche.
For mains, the Northumbrian dry-aged fillet of beef was exceptional, elevated by the indulgent bone marrow crust and served with a confit Roscoff onion.
The wild garlic, squash and goat’s cheese was enjoyable but the stand-out was undoubtedly the North Sea halibut, delicately cooked with a rich shellfish sauce and sweet crab cake on the side.
The sides of buttered Jersey Royals, asparagus with wild garlic pesto, and confit leeks with smoked bacon were equally delicious.
Desserts over the course of our stay ranged from the mango and passion fruit knickerbocker glory to the set vanilla cream with poached Yorkshire rhubarb and honeycomb, which was incredibly fresh.
The Seville orange marmalade steamed pudding had a hit of rich citrus warmth, served alongside a silky vanilla custard. The warm Bakewell pudding with vanilla ice cream was pure comfort — buttery, indulgent and deeply satisfying.
Breakfast the next day is served in the first-floor dining room, overlooking the rolling moorland, where you can begin with a carefully prepared continental selection before moving on to indulgent cooked-to-order dishes.
Options range from creamy porridge topped with clotted cream and whisky to grilled local kippers, home-smoked salmon served with crumpets and crème fraîche, and a hearty full Northumbrian breakfast.
Ultimately, the Lord Crewe Arms succeeds because it offers more than just accommodation. Whether visiting for a winter weekend beside the fire or a summer walking break in the Northumberland countryside, it feels like a destination with soul and character.
For more visit – www.lordcrewearmsblanchland.co.uk
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