This is an advertisement and based on a visit in October 2020. Please always check information direct with hotel before booking as details can change over time.
Close House is a country estate offering award-winning golf courses, fantastic dining, beautiful walks and gorgeous accommodation. You will find Close House near Heddon-on-the-Wall in Northumberland and just over a 20 minute drive from Newcastle City Centre. It is super easy to get to by car, just a few minutes from the A69.
We stayed at Close House during October Half Term 2020 after booking in the summer. We had such a brilliant time and really think the estate is a bit of a hidden gem in North East England. There is SO much more on offer than just golfing (although if golfing is your thing, you will find the very best at Close House).
I received such positive feedback from readers as I posted live on Social Media during our stay and for many, this was their first look at what Close House had to offer so I was absolutely devastated when just two days after our visit, accommodation providers were forced to temporarily close their doors during a national lockdown in November. I decided to postpone this review thinking that accommodation would open back up in December/January, especially when it is a self-contained lodge and it would be more appropriate to share then.
However further restrictions were imposed as the Coronavirus spread and as I type this, Close House is still unable to open for non-essential overnight stays due to Government restrictions. I will be honest, I am sick of not being able to write about travel and I know through looking at my blog analytics that many readers feel the same and are now taking the plunge booking breaks for this summer and beyond.
Who knows what the rest of 2021 has in store but I just feel like I cannot sit on this post forever so here it is. I will re-share this post once we are allowed to travel but there is no harm in browsing now and I know that some of you will feel confident enough to book overnight stays for later this year now too but obviously, do so at your own risk.
Close House Accommodation Options, Prices & Offers
Close House feels fairly exclusive with just 16 Courtyard suite-style bedrooms plus a private lodge and pavilion in the estate grounds.
Courtyard Bedrooms
There are a range of offers available including 'Play & Stay' from £135 per person which includes 1 night dinner, bed and breakfast plus 2 rounds of golf.
The Courtyard bedrooms are within easy walking distance of the golf courses, golf academy and No19 restaurant and there is ample free parking in a car park.
The Pavillion
The Lodge
Extra children can be accommodated in some rooms / properties for a small additional fee.
Email enquiries@closehouse.co.uk to check availability, ask about current special offers or requests and to make a reservation with children or you can browse and book online here. Please note, these prices were checked in October 2020 and obviously, things look a lot different for the hospitality industry now.
If you are interested in staying at Close House, I highly recommend signing up to their newsletter (a sign-up form is available at the bottom of their homepage). They regularly share last minute availability and exclusive deals to subscribers.
A Lodge with a Hot Tub at Close House - A Review
A question that I am asked time and time again is whether I know of anywhere which offers one-night stays with a hot tub. I have to say, there are not many places which offer this due to the additional time needed for cleaning and changeovers but Close House is one of them.
The lodge here is a premium property which is reflected in the price and the longer you stay, the better value your stay will be.
The lodge at Close House is perfect for a small family celebration such as a special birthday or anniversary. The addition of the hot tub definitely adds to the sense of occasion.
The lodge here is a premium property which is reflected in the price and the longer you stay, the better value your stay will be.
The lodge at Close House is perfect for a small family celebration such as a special birthday or anniversary. The addition of the hot tub definitely adds to the sense of occasion.
The lodge consists of two bedrooms, both with their own large and luxurious en-suite bathroom (complete with fancy lighting and THE best power showers). Each guest is provided with their own fluffy white robe and slippers for use throughout their stay which was a nice touch, especially for the children.
Each bedroom has it's own TV and those all-important sockets by the bed.
There is a large lounge area with comfortable seating and Sky Sports TV is included which was fab for Steve and the boys.
Plus a breakfasting kitchen area - there is no cooker but you will find a dining area, sink and tea and coffee making facilities. Enough for light meals, lunch or takeaway but you wouldn't be able to cook a full meal here. Not that you would want to with such a fantastic restaurant on the estate but more on that soon.
I must say I was surprised that there wasn't a coffee machine and think they missed a trick here as it is pretty much expected when staying in luxury accommodation these days. We made do with sachets of Nescafe and a kettle though.
Obviously, the first thing the kids checked was if there was WiFi and I can confirm that there was. It is free, easy to log into and was more than enough for all five of our devices.
I would describe the lodge as luxurious yet very welcoming. I certainly didn't feel like we were on eggshells there with the family and worried they would damage anything - we all felt very welcome and were able to relax.
The best bit about the lodge is definitely the hot tub in the garden which is covered over and comes with some pretty cool features including LED mood lighting in both the tub and on the ceiling plus surround sound built into the tub/room which is super easy to connect to via Bluetooth.
The kids were straight into the hot tub at the first opportunity and they througoughly enjoyed themselves. With the lighting and surround sound, they really turned it into a bit of a party for themselves and like I say, staying here would be perfect for a teen/tween birthday celebration.
The hot tub room has its own fridge, table and chairs too so you could set up a drinks station / nibbles in there if you wanted to.
I cannot tell you how good relaxing in a hot tub felt after the year we have had. Even if just for one night. It felt like paradise and I feel very, very lucky that we were able to do this. It really was such a treat.
The views from the lodge over the grounds and countryside and in the surrounding estate are stunning. We slept beautifully and past sunrise but a reader messaged me to say that if you can make it up at dawn, there is a good chance you will see deer on the golf course and around the estate if you take an early morning stroll.
Oh and you have your own cute little bistro set in the garden too. A little chilly for October but it would be lovely to sit out here in Spring/Summer.
Overall, we were really impressed with the lodge and would definitely stay here again if we were looking for a short stay with a hot tub in Northumberland. Once restrictions allow, it would be perfect for a girls getaway and not too expensive if you split the cost four ways. The lodge was comfortable and felt like such a treat. I love that we could create a bit of a party atmosphere in the hot tub for the kids yet later switch this to a place to relax for us grown ups later.
Dining with Kids at Close House
We were really impressed with the restaurant which offered fabulous views of the grounds and was home to some of the friendliest staff we have ever encountered. It does feel like a treat dining here but it is also unpretentious and children are made to feel more than welcome. Considering the style and quality of the dining experience, I think the prices are extremely reasonable and we will definitely be heading back for a family Sunday lunch when we are in the area (and when restrictions allow).
Apologies but my website has decided to upload these photos in reverse order but I am just going to go with it. Starting with dessert......
I like that the menu is a real mix of home comforts and informal dishes yet includes a selection of more refined dishes too. There really is something for everyone. I could not resist this burger which was epic! All freshly prepared and with a mountain of delicious homemade chips. What more could you want. There is a photo of the menu from our visit further down this post.
The twice baked cheddar souffle was another star dish. I could eat this every day if I had the chance. It was perfect for autumn and definitely one of those dishes which was a hug in a bowl.
Service throughout was prompt, relaxed and super friendly. The type of place where the staff take a little time to chat/don't rush you yet also don't impose on your evening too (aka the best kind of service).
We dined from the 'Stay and Play' menu which is the menu for those staying on a dinner inclusive deal but you can also order from the main menu with an allowance too. Examples of current menus and prices can be found on the Close House website here.
I don't know about you but my kids are obsessed with bread when they dine at a restaurant. They ordered bread to share and salted popcorn as we indulged in our starters. I like doing this if us grown ups order a starter as it is inexpensive yet keeps the kids entertained and stops them from moaning that they are starving as they watch us tuck in and wait for their mains. It is good to know this is an option here.
I don't know if this was intentional / due to COVID but there was a slight gap in our tables. With no childcare available for over a year, this is as good as date nights get but I was happy to take it. Once we had ordered, the kids filled in their wordsearches / chatted amongst themselves and Steve and I felt as if we were enjoying an actual night out. Well kind of.
I think the kids menu is really reasonable. You know how I get frustrated if there are no veggie options available so Heidi was happy that she had the choice of pizza or pasta here. The portions are good and would suit under 12s.
We dined pretty early with the kids in tow and the restaurant started to get busy as we left. It was mostly couples or groups of friends who had spent the day golfing but there were a couple of families there too. The restaurant still lends itself to a romantic evening, the staff seemed to be old hands at seating families together and couples in a more secluded and private spot.
Breakfast at Close House
Breakfast is taken in the No.19 restaurant where again, you can take in those glorious views. I bet it is lovely sitting on the balcony with a coffee in the Spring/Summer.
Again, non-residents can enjoy breakfast at Close House. All are welcome.
No.19 use the best local suppliers and produce where possible and it really shows, the quality is excellent.
Family Walks at Close House
One of the real assets of Close House is their beautiful landscaped grounds which weave through the golf courses and surrounding countryside. Golfers, overnight guests and diners are all welcome to take a stroll and I think a family Sunday lunch followed by a walk through the grounds would be a pretty perfect Sunday. I cannot wait to be able to do this with the extended family.
You can ask for walking routes and directions at reception or just do as we did and have a little stroll. Below are a few photos from our morning walk. The grounds are perfectly manicured and filled with various sculptures too - brilliant for keeping the interest of younger ones.
You can ask for walking routes and directions at reception or just do as we did and have a little stroll. Below are a few photos from our morning walk. The grounds are perfectly manicured and filled with various sculptures too - brilliant for keeping the interest of younger ones.
Attractions and Days Out near Close House
- Wylam Waggonways - a popular spot to walk or cycle
- Prudhoe Castle - a Norman Castle and the only one in Northumberland to resist the Scots
- Hadrian's Wall
- Cherryburn - a National Trust Hidden Gem
- Corbridge - a lovely village with independent shops and a Roman Fort
- Hexham - a bustling market town with a fantastic park
- Brocksbushes - a popular spot for fruit picking in the summer and pumpkin picking in autumn
- Wheelbirks - a traditional ice cream parlour
- Newcastle Upon Tyne - my favourite city with fantastic museums, architecture, restaurants, theatres, galleries and Quayside
- Golf at Close House - it is super easy to add a round of golf onto your stay, simply ask on booking or book a special package
The team at Close House really are fantastic and I am so pleased we were able to experience a stay here. I know that Close House is somewhere I am going to recommend to families looking to celebrate with a special meal or overnight stay time and time again.
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Oh wow, this place looks amazing. How relaxing does that hot tub look and those lights make it even cooler! Fantastic!
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