The Lord Crewe Arms can be found in the tiny village of Blanchland in Northumberland.
Location
The village of Blanchland, where The Lord Crewe Arms can be found, is about 25 miles from Durham and a little less than that from Hadrian’s wall and is a picture-perfect little village. Built from the remains of a Twelfth-Century abbey, The Lord Crewe Arms hotel occupies the lion’s share of the village and is stuffed full of over 800 years of history.
Style & Character
The ancient stone walls, arches, and roaring fire at The Lord Crewe Arms are atmospheric and put you in the mood for a hearty banquet before you even make it to the restaurant. The vaulted Crypt bar is extremely inviting for drinks and is brimming with character with a huge fireplace, a cozy atmosphere, and the best ales around.
Rooms
21 bedrooms look out upon the Northumberland landscape, with a choice of locations from Abbot’s Guest House and Miner’s Cottages to the village’s Angel of Temperance’. No two rooms are the same, and all are homely enough for slippers and socks. “Cosy Rooms” are perfect for a couples retreat or the lone traveler, warm-up, feet up, & enjoy. Larger “Canny Rooms” are perfect for relaxing and unwinding. The largest “Champion Rooms” are the epitome of understated countryside luxury and the perfect setting for bubbles and robes – true Northumberland chic.
All rooms include a king-size bed with sleepy linen, cozy robes, Aromatherapy Associates smellies, flat-screen TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, and, most importantly, delicious cookies! Canny rooms also have a Roberts radio. Champion rooms have Bluetooth music stations and their own Nespresso coffee machine. All promise that perfect night’s sleep synonymous with countryside air.
Food & Drink
There are two restaurants. The Larder and Bishop’s Dining Room both serve ‘proper’ unpretentious country grub.
Chef Simon Hick’s is in charge and specializes in traditional food with a contemporary twist and a focus on local, seasonal produce, which fits the whole feel of the place. He brings a passion for the homegrown to the tables and mouthwatering seasonal dishes from the kitchen garden and smokehouse. Expect hocks, shins, shanks, and steaks, ducks sizzling fireside, just picked veg and ‘Crewe’ smoked salmon.
Maintaining the traditional theme, the atmospheric yet contemporary eating spaces have antlers on the wall, beautiful views, and rustic loaves of bread cut on the central table. In the fireside restaurant, food from the fireplace is the ‘feature.’ The medieval fireplace was once hidden in by unruly Jacobites and was built by the French to spit-roast local cuts, so expect melt-in-your-mouth meats daily.? Goosnargh ducks and chickens are the fireside signature.
Conclusion
We love the location of The Lord Crewe Arms right in the middle of the countryside. We also love the gardens with picnic tables on the lawns to enjoy a summer pint and the inviting fireside Crypt bar. Such a brilliant place to get sozzled on a cold night. This is the kind of hotel you will return to if simply for the pre-dinner strolls around the village and along the windy footpaths near the hotel.
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