Northumberland luxury hotel starting work on multimillion-pound spa project

Directors at luxury Northumberland hotel Matfen Hall have revealed work is poised to start on a multimillion-pound spa which aims to put the venue on the UK map as a leading leisure destination.

The Matfen property was acquired by Walwick Estate Group in 2022 – owned by True Potential founder Sir David Harrison – after being part of the Blackett family since the 1830s. Following the deal the country hotel, spa and golf estate was closed for a number of months to make way for a major refurbishment programme, reopening last summer to reveal the results which included upgraded bedrooms, renewed leisure facilities and the restoration of the Grade II-listed building’s Great Hall.

Now the company is weeks away from starting its latest project – the creation of a new spa which will take total investment to date above £40m. The hotel secured planning permission last year for the creation of the spa, with plans showing how the a new internal courtyard willl be created alongside the new wing, which will accommodate additional treatment rooms, a yoga studio, bar/dining and the pool, bathing and thermal cabins.

Commercial director James O'Donnell said the new spa, which will take 11 to 12 months to complete, aims to draw guests from across the UK to Northumberland.

He said: “The ongoing process is the repositioning of the hotel as a luxury destination. Previously it’s fair to say Matfen was more of a wedding venue with accommodation alongside a golf course and spa, and were quite disparate businesses under one umbrella.

“Sir David is aiming to create a luxury destination for the whole country, and in doing so the investment is unmatched in recent times anywhere outside of London, running into several tens of millions. The development of a n