One of the more interesting opportunities to land in my inbox this month was the chance to review Marshall Meadows Manor House in Northumberland.
The luxury hotel is in touching distance of Berwick and is perfectly placed to explore the Scottish Borders.
Berwick is an old childhood favourite of mine with many family members hailing from there so it was great to return to this part of the world.
The hotel is conveniently located just off the A1 so after a pleasant journey of just over an hour, we checked in to find a healthy throng of guests tucking in gallantly to Sunday Lunch.
First impressions were immediately good. Marshall Meadows boasts an impressive Georgian façade with impressive sea views from a restaurant with local renown.
We were allocated Room 1 which we subsequently discovered was the Bridal Suite. This was a sumptuous haven of comfort of luxury with four-poster bed, dedicated lounge area and three glorious bay windows with ample light and panoramic sea views.
The large bathroom, with large freestanding bath and rain shower, was put to good use after a morning run the following day.
This is a hotel with much charm and character, personal and warm from check-in to checkout. However, those after something a little different can choose one of the hotel’s luxury pods, set in the grounds of the estate.
These boast great views over the rolling farmland and still offer all the class and amenities you’d expect from four star silver accommodation. Their innovative shape champions efficiency and has been designed to minimise energy loss in line with modern sustainability concerns.
After enjoying a pre-dinner drink from our complimentary mini bar, we headed down for a true fine dining experience at the hotel’s award winning in-house restaurant, Restaurant 1782. It has recently been awarded a one AA Rosette too!
With the small matter of England’s Round of 16 World Cup tie against Senegal to watch later that evening, we dined early but were still met with exceptional food and service from our genial waiters, Fraser and Mark.
Winter was kicking in on a frost-bitten Berwick night which made hearty, warming food the order of the day from the a la carte menu.
The spiced parsnip soup was a revelation for me with two hunks of dunkable sourdough while my wife Lisa enjoyed the oven-baked Goats Cheese cannelloni.
Lisa followed on with the blackened Shetland salmon – a nice marriage of influences local and exotic served with a side of sauteed kale.
The 10oz rib eye from the grill meanwhile was sourced from the Borders and served with chunky, fluffy chips which will live long in the memory.
This was washed down with an excellent bottle of Sicilian White while I enjoyed a fine glass of Malbec with my steak.
Even with a match to catch, Lisa couldn’t turn down the obligatory cheeseboard laden with all her farmyard treats.
Breakfast comes in various forms – both continental, and hot included. A full English the following morning really sets you up for exploring the sights or sadly for us, the journey back.
Much like England’s fortunes in the World Cup, it was all over too soon!
