A Blissful Retreat

We arrrived safely back home from

a glorious break at Matfen Hall in

Northumberland . 3 days was certainly

not enough at this historic peaceful place.

On our way there - we stopped at Blanchland .

A tiny rural village a half hours drive way .

The only shop / postoffice ...

Entrance to Blanchland Abbey

built in 1165

many of the clusters of snowdrops ...

Matfen Hall - picture postcard

Built in 1832 - and opened to the public in 1999 .

Set in 250 acres of land with golf courses

and various walks ..

The conservatory room ...

Our bedroom ...

The Pool spa area ...

We ate breakfast in the libray room .

Which had these vintage books within reach.

I wanted to pick one and have a look inside ..

Outside The Great Hall -
Cloister court

With the stained glass window ..

How it looked many years ago ...

And today ...

It was difficult to photograph - as the room

was dimly lit - but i managed to get a few ..

Bottom of the stained glass window ..

The glorious colours at the top ...

left hand view with coats of arms ..

The walk up the staircase ...

me ;o)

The view - set for a wedding ceremony .

The bride to be - glides down the staircase

The drawing room ...

With a large open fireplace ..

Large bay window - and pair of curtains !

Early dusk -

looking onto the golf course ...





And the Hall lit up ....

Just a few shots of the local area ...

Rolling countryside with mist on the hill top ..

A stream at Vindolanda - a roman ruins

near Hadrians wall .

My attempt at an arty shot ;o)

I think i took a dozen shots - at

different setings to get a mist / ghost effect

of the water . This was one of the best ones .

Matfen Hall was one of the places

that inspired me - with very friendly

attentive staff . Stunning scenery and

above all - a place to relax and wind down .

I wait for our next visit there .