If you're planning a few days exploring the southern Cheviots, Clennell Hall makes a cracking base. It's just beyond Alwinton in the Coquet Valley, with walks heading straight into the hills and plenty more to see around the valley.
I stayed here for a couple of nights and did exactly that, heading out during the day to places including Linhope Spout, Lady's Well, Harbottle Castle and Biddlestone Chapel, then back to Clennell Hall afterwards.
You'll want to leave yourself a bit of time for a wander around the hall too. There's plenty to have a nose at before you've even got your boots on.
A stay with a bit of character
Clennell Hall isn't a polished modern hotel where every corridor and bedroom looks exactly the same. It's an old country house with parts dating back centuries, so expect ornate ceilings, mullioned windows, wood panelling, big old staircases and plenty of little details to investigate.
Which obviously I did.
I particularly liked the Reivers Room, which sits on the ground floor of the original pele tower. The bar is worth a nose at too, with all that dark wood panelling coming from Haggerston Castle. Canny pints too!
Outside you've got extensive grounds and gardens, with the River Alwin running through the valley and hills rising all around you. It's a lovely spot to come back to once you've finished exploring for the day.
A cracking base for the Cheviots
Clennell Hall puts you in a great spot for exploring the southern end of the Cheviots, with walks heading out from Alwinton and plenty more within easy reach.
You don't even need to get the boots on to see some of the best scenery. The long road from Alwinton up the Upper Coquet Valley towards Chew Green takes you deep into the hills, passing some smashing places along the way.
When I stayed, we mixed the walking with exploring the wider area, heading off to waterfalls, castles, chapels and whatever else we'd spotted nearby before coming back to Clennell Hall.
Plenty of room to stay
Clennell Hall has a mixture of guest rooms along with bunk rooms, so it works whether you're looking for somewhere for a couple of nights or you're heading up with a bigger group.
There's a bar and plenty of space around the hall to relax once you're back, which is always appreciated after a day wandering around the hills.
The hall also hosts weddings, events and larger groups, but if you're here for the Cheviots, its location is the big attraction. Alwinton, Clennell Street and the Upper Coquet Valley are all right there, with plenty more only a drive away.
Just remember to leave yourself enough time to have a proper nose around the hall while you're there!
