The Best Boutique Hotels in Northumberland, England

Something of an institution in these parts, the Lord Crewe dates to the 12th century, when it served as the abbot’s house at Blanchland Abbey. Today it’s a huddle of deliciously decorated country inn rooms (categorised as cosy, canny and champion) with tartan throws, wood burners and Farrow & Ball shades of sage green, custard yellow and navy blue. Don’t miss an atmospheric drink in the cavernous, medieval-vibes Crypt Bar.

This Grade II-listed inn is in pint-sized, charming Beadnell village, trimmed by the soft, pale-gold sands of Beadnell Bay. In summer, this is the place to surf, kitesurf, sail or even scuba dive, plus here you get to retreat to lovingly designed gastropub luxury: all polished stone walls, William Morris prints, tweedy chairs, and retro phones and clocks.

If you’re thinking Northumberland is a weird place to find a château, well, you’d be right – yet somehow this stylish stay just works. This whimsical pile, in the riverside village of Otterburn, is part manor house, part strawberry-pink gingerbread cottage. The tropical-feel gardens and handsome conservatory have been created with weddings in mind, but holidaymakers are just as welcome in the 25 designer rooms, which wow with exposed-brick walls, Spanish-style tiling, copper bathtubs, jungly murals and burnished golden bed frames.

The cute name of this B&B belies the luxurious, sexy interiors. Richly textured in ocean blues, biscuit and cream, they feature strikingly different printed headboards, nature-inspired art, thick open-weave woollen throws and cloudlike Hypnos mattresses. Most showstopping is the Chapel Suite, where arched ceilings and stained glass windows will have you saying a prayer of thanks. Downstairs is a chic blue-and-white bistro with a generous outdoor terrace – make sure you pop in for a heavenly afternoon tea.

There’s an old-fashioned charm to this country inn in the riverside village of Wark, just to the southeast of Northumberland National Park and an hour’s drive to the coast. Wood beams, tartan rugs and apple-green chesterfields cosy up the pub and restaurant, while smart and modern rooms sleep between two and four. Great-value family rooms also have a double, plus bunk beds. Nearby is the lovely market town of Hexham and bracing hikes into the national park.

An affordable little base in suburban Ashington, a 15-minute drive from the Northumberland coast, the Portland has a welcoming bar and kitchen annexed by 12 smart rooms. It’s not winning any interior design awards, but everything is comfy, contemporary and efficiently run by a friendly team. Hang out in the convivial bar, where families tuck into roast dinners around the centrepiece of a huge, fairy-lit indoor tree.

In blustery, wildlife-speckled Alnmouth, a great base for bracing coastal walks and picturesque seaside lunches, the Whittling House has a bar so chic it wouldn’t look out of place in the trendiest cities in the world. Perch by the crackling log fire for a fine wine, then totter off to your glam digs: some with industrial-styled tiled showers, and others sporting nautical blue panelling and vintage travel posters. Harry Potter fans, take note: the nearby Alnwick Castle starred as Hogwarts in the movies and often holds events for Potterheads.

Also in chocolate-box Alnmouth, this cutesy inn – trimmed with hanging baskets of geraniums and potted shrubs – loves seafood. From hulking beer-battered fish to more delicate platters of lobster, crab or smoked salmon, you’ll have to dine here several times to get the full picture. Rooms are light and modern, in earthy, sandy tones. With just eight of them, there’s an intimate feel and guests often get chatting by the bar.

Set in Alnwick, almost next door to the famous castle, the Dirty Bottles has been a public house since the 1600s, but was bought and revamped in the mid 2010s. Just four lavish, exclusive-feeling rooms come in jewel-coloured tones with boldly designed bed frames and flock wallpaper. Downstairs, a cosy joint serves pub classics and smoky barbecue fare. Ask for the ghost story behind the name – it’s a cracker.