Matfen Hall in Northumberland has completed a £50 million redevelopment aimed at enhancing its status as a premier luxury destination. The project, which spanned six years, culminates with the upcoming opening of The Retreat spa, set to establish the property as Northumberland’s only five-star hotel housed within a Grade II listed country house.
Scheduled to open within weeks, The Retreat nearly doubles the size of the previous spa facilities. It includes an 18-metre indoor swimming pool situated beneath a vaulted beamed ceiling. Guests will have access to a broad range of wellness amenities, such as a Jacuzzi pool, Himalayan salt sauna, traditional sauna, aromatherapy steam room, steam and experience showers, as well as therapeutic spaces for sunlight and red light treatments. Additional features comprise the Brass Monkey Ice Baths, a Hyperbaric Chamber, six treatment rooms, and various dedicated relaxation areas, including a relaxation room, sunroom, and private lounges. A gym equipped with Techno-Gym equipment, alongside a Pilates and yoga studio, rounds out the health and fitness offerings.
This spa expansion follows the earlier launch this year of The Douglas, Matfen’s newly designed 18-hole golf course. The course features nine new greens alongside existing ones, incorporating elements such as dry-stone walls, natural water hazards, and the nearby River Pont to create a distinctive golfing experience.
Alongside leisure facilities, the hotel offers two dining options. Emerald, which holds Northumberland’s only AA 3-Rosette rating, serves as the hotel’s fine dining restaurant. Cloisters, a newly conceived seafood, grill, and champagne bar, has been transformed from a former open courtyard into a vibrant gathering space. The area is now enclosed beneath a dramatic glass roof supported by curved timber structures, with brass detailing that complements the historic character of the building.
The comprehensive refurbishment seeks to preserve Matfen Hall’s architectural heritage while providing enhanced luxury and modern amenities for guests, reinforcing its position as a leading hospitality venue in the region.