Up until our little Northumberland trip we had only had 1 night away during the summer holidays, so our holiday in a 3 bedroom lodge at Slaley Hall was very much needed. After our traditional stop at Tebay Services on the M6 (the BEST services as it’s like your favourite farm shop opening up on a motorway) we arrived at our 3 bedroom lodge.
I knew what to expect as we had stayed at Slaley Hall last year, but you still get the wow factor when you first enter. We have stayed in A LOT of lodges over the years, and our 3 bedroom lodge at Slaley Hall always amazes me with the size. The kitchen is about 3 times the size of mine at home, and the kitchen inventory is pretty impressive (think 3 different chopping boards).
But the best bit about the lodges is the set of wheels you get. I am seriously contemplating taking up golf after riding around in one at Slaley. Mind you we went to the driving range one day, and I can honestly say The Williams are rubbish at the sport.
What I love about Slaley (apart from the golf buggy) is the fact you get your own space in your self catering lodge, but have all the hotel facilities available to you. We went swimming, enjoyed a drink in the bar, and on the final evening had a lovely meal at the 19th hole restaurant.
We also ventured to Hexham which is a pretty little town about 15 minutes drive away. And even the teen was impressed as it had a WH Smiths and Waterstones to feed his book buying habit. Plus good old Wetherspoons managed to feed us all for just over £20.
Further afield is Newcastle, about a 45 minute drive away. We spent the day with our friends who live in Whitley Bay, and we had a fantastic time in Newcastle. Another city I didn’t realise was so hilly, as we ambled up from the Quayside to the city centre. If you love shopping you can’t go wrong with Newcastle, plus there is plenty of eating places. We opted for Turtle Bay which was vibrant, fun and great food.
Our little trip to Northumberland was just what we all needed before launching ourselves into school and the routine of life.
I paid for our 3 night trip through Hoseasons online
Ahh! It’s fab up here in the North East isn’t it…hehehe
It sounds like you had a lovely break. The lodge looks perfect x
Would love to return and explore more of your beautiful coastline too. You certainly live in a beautiful part of the country x
Oh my goodness, the size of the kitchen!! That looks amazing and judging by all the lovely photos, it is in a great location too.
I have never seen a kitchen that big in a lodge before, plus the picture only shows about half of it. It’s a shame we didn’t really cook in it x
Looks fantastic- I’ve only ever popped in to Slaley Hall, I have yet to visit properly but those lodges look fantastic – Steve would LOVE three types of chopping board! haha! So pleased you enjoyed your stay x
I highly recommend them Sam, and perfect for a great base. When we stayed last year I didn’t realise how close they are to Newcastle x
Ooh there’s so much I want to say about this post, I don’t know where to start! I’ll try the beginning!
You had your own golf buggy! Not just ring for someone to take you for a ride?
How amazing is that!
I love the idea of lodges as part of a hotel – best of both worlds. The lodge looks fabulous.
Hexham – I used to live near there, very pretty market town.
Whitley Bay – I lived there until I was three and then lived in Newcastle itself. Lovely to see my home city on your blog today.
Turtle Bay – we discovered this restaurant in Exeter last year and really enjoyed it.
Love your comment Trish. Yes the golf buggy was outside our lodge and you get to use it for the duration of your stay. It’s a brilliant way of getting around the estate. I am pretty sure you would love Slaley as we seem to like the same holidays don’t we. Ah you certainly grew up in a beautiful part of the world, we loved wandering around Hexham (and the teen didn’t even moan lol). Turtle Bay is great isn’t it. I will have to try the one in Liverpool which is our nearest one x
Wow! This is a lodge with a ‘wow factor’. I love it that you get a gold buggy too 🙂 A little break can often be just as refreshing as a long one! Thanks for sharing with #MondayEscapes
We love going on mini breaks and I was so looking forward to it by the time the summer holidays came around. It definitely had the wow factor Claire x
I’m so pleased you had a great time on my home turf! I’ve actually never been to slaley before! The lodges look fab!
We definitely need to come back up and explore more of the North East. The lodges are amazing Cat x
It looks great. I’m pleased you had a nice time in our area and finally got to enjoy Turtle Bay. Hope you got some 24 1 cocktails.
How did I miss the 2 4 1 cocktails. Oh well another reason to go back one time and try them. Food was delicious x
Fabulous photos of Newcastle and Slaley Hall looks a lovely place to visit and unwind.
Also, I am extremely impressed that your son has a book buying habit! Sadly my boys gave up reading a couple of years ago.
He spends most of his pocket money and birthday money on books so I can’t complain. Don’t get me wrong he also spends alot of time on his phone (typical teen lol). Slaley was a wonderful break x
It looks like you had a wonderful time, even though I love close I am so tempted to book a stay in those lodges! I am glad you enjoyed Newcastle, totally agree the climb from the quayside to the centre is a killer! I Love Turtle Bay x
The lodges are definitely the place if you want to get away from it all for a few days, but has Newcastle not too far away too. It was the perfect place for us and I am sure we will back to discover more of the North East x
Having your own golf buggy is the most amazing thing ever, my girls would just LOVE that!! #MondayEscapes
Karen we had some hilarious golf buggy moments, needless to say I was FAR better at driving it than my husband lol x
Oh I love the whole vibe of Turtle bay its just so much fun and you know how much I love Slayley Hall its the most beautiful place so stylish and friendly I loved the lodges and the cocktail bars are just beautiful x
It is definitely so stylish and friendly, though also child friendly which is good. I will have to try the Turtle Bay in Manchester and Liverpool next x
Looks like you had such a great time in Northumberland. I love the north so much! If the weather can play ball for a few days, it’s an amazing place xx