Huntercrook Lodge

Rolling hills and the Tyne Valley form the backdrop to this substantial lodge set on elevated ground in rural Northumberland. The building is designed upside-down: bedrooms occupy the ground floor, while the first floor opens into a sprawling living space with vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the landscape beyond. All four bedrooms have their own bathrooms; one offers twin singles, two are doubles, and one features a zip-and-link super king arrangement. Essentials like bed linen, towels, heating and wi-fi are provided.

The open-plan first floor combines kitchen, dining and lounge in one generous room, with doors leading out to a decked terrace. The kitchen is fully equipped for cooking. The real draw for group gatherings is the setting: an eight-person hot tub nestles into a sunken terrace area surrounded by pergola, while the gardens include a pond, fountain, BBQ and ample seating. At dusk, solar lights illuminate the grounds. Parking accommodates four cars. The lodge is non-smoking and unsuitable for children under nine; the pond is unfenced and there is a balcony with large gaps. It does not accept hen or stag parties.