For those of you feeling the January blues, a trip out to the countryside can often be the perfect antidote. One country hotel with a burgeoning reputation is the Coquetvale, a handsome 14-bedroom venue in the heart of Rothbury Northumberland's historic market town.
Dating back to the 19th century, the property possesses a rich history originally built by 1st Baron, William Armstrong in the 1870’s as a railway house at which to service guests visiting his beloved Cragside House.
Today, Cragside is but one of a number of nearby local attractions which also include Northumberland National Park, Alnwick Castle, Kielder Water, Brinkburn Priory and Rothbury Golf Course. For those adventurous folk, the site also offers numerous country walks/hikes, clean trout-fishing rivers and heart-stopping stargazing opportunities all within a close proximity. You could say that there’s nowhere better to reacquaint with nature.
When all of this demands a break, the Coquetvale offers deluxe accommodation furnished to an impeccable standard. Rooms are divided into three categories – classic, superior and loft – each with their own charms and amenities.
Classic rooms form the hotel’s basic offering, all complete with Flat Screen TVs, bespoke Hypno beds and en-suite bathrooms. These also include a range of twin, double and family options.
The hotel’s recently-refurbished Superior rooms, the “Ingram” and the “Cheviot” are spacious affairs at the front of the property. These huge, 26 square metre bedrooms feature double aspect windows affording sweeping views across Northumberland National Park and the Coquet Valley. These are perfect for those who prize a little extra space with dedicated seating areas.
The Coquetvale’s four ‘loft’ rooms are cosy and characterful with sloping ceilings and canvases from local artists, Dave Pickard and David Tallberg, adorning the walls.
Whilst Rothbury’s bars & restaurants are all within short walking distance, the Coquetvale also boasts its own in-house eatery which serves seasonal food in refined surroundings alongside a swish bar area stocked with world beers, guest ales and fine wines. The dining area has been sympathetically designed, retaining its original features such as its ornate period cornicing and decorative ceiling roses. Again, large double windows showcase the hotel’s idyllic surroundings.
Its menu is a vibrant mix of locally-supplied meat /poultry dishes and Italian pizza/pasta favourites. A capacious, double-deck pizza oven also supplies a takeaway pizza service during which guests can drop in and collect as they fancy.
For those dropping in, The Coquetvale also caters for a range of meeting and events from day meetings for companies and local organisations to residential meetings for those from further afield. The Coquetvale also accommodates a number of sporting groups, from golfing trips to shooting parties to those looking to explore the Cheviots by foot or mountain bike.
For those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life be it for business or leisure purposes The Coquetvale in Rothbury has to be on your radar.
