Built in 1720 by Sir Henry Liddell of Ravensworth, Eslington Hall sits in a delightfully peaceful spot surrounded by expansive lawns and gentle wooded parkland. Now the home of the 9th Baron Lord Ravensworth, the Hall stands on the north bank of the River Aln at the southern base of the ‘Ryle Hills’ and two miles west of the village of Whittingham.
Curiouser and curiouser: the main country house was first constructed as a second home for the Liddells; a close friend of whom was one Lewis Carroll, whose titular character in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is thought to be the young Alice Liddell.
Arriving at The East Wing, the inviting entrance leads to an-Aga warmed kitchen with original flagstone flooring and granite worktops. Adjacent is the large dining-room perfect for grand get-togethers with family and friends.
The comfortable drawing room features an open log fire and grand piano just waiting for the next pianist to visit. There is a large door that leads out onto the fabulous grounds at the front of the house which are for guest use. A lily pond offers a delightful peaceful spot to sit and paint or glimpse some of the local bird and animal life. There is outside furniture, a BBQ and traditional garden games are available on request for you to use on a summer’s day.
The East Wing has five well-appointed and elegantly decorated en-suite bedrooms, each. There is an upstairs snug-room which is perfect for children to play in and watch a movie.
Wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy access to the three dedicated hides in the estate’s extensive grounds, each kitted out with a table and chairs, binoculars and bird books. Settle in and watch the resident red squirrels, which are returning to the estate thanks to the current red squirrel project, munching away at the feeding stations. In addition to these playful characters, look forward to spotting kingfishers, herons, hedgehogs and deer.
From this slice of vintage countryside between the coast and Cheviot Hills, you can just as easily explore the rugged beauty of the undulating Northumberland National Park as make seaside daytrips. There is plenty to explore including the Ingram Valley and Simonside Hills which are close by for hikes to waterfalls. Friendly Northumbrian villages festoon the immediate area, and rounds of golf, National Trust properties or shorter walks are readily available.
A trip to the coast to explore Northumberland’s beautiful beaches such as Alnmouth, Holy Island or Bamburgh is also very tempting in all seasons. Rothbury, just up the River Coquet, offers lovely little boutiques and inns, while Alnwick is famous for another majestic castle used in the Harry Potter films.
Please note that we also offer Eslington Lodge in the grounds of the estate sleeping up to six guests. If availability allows, groups of up to 16 can rent both homes together.
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