Rockliffe Hall is a sprawling resort-style hotel located on the County Durham-North Yorkshire border, and on the outskirts of the picturesque Hurworth-on-Tees village.
This luxury hotel is set within a beautiful 365-acre estate around a largely Victorian hall and boasts one of the largest and best spas in the UK, as well as an immaculately kept 18-hole Championship golf course, tennis courts and some of the best dining you will ever have the privilege of enjoying.
There are no visitor attractions in the immediate locality; the North York Moors plus historic Durham are both about 30 minute-drive away. In many ways though, this works in its favour, as most guests are happy to stay on site – after all, there is little reason to want to leave with so many great amenities available to make the most of.
Rockliffe Hall has to be the one of the finest luxury hotels outside of London, and one to rival even the world famous Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland in the luxury stakes – especially if you love a game of golf.
Hotel
Despite its idyllic rural location, this five-star hotel, golf and spa resort is actually very easy to get to, set close to the A1M (coming from either direction) and also to Durham Tees Valley airport just 10 minutes away.
The 365 acres of land and stately house was once the private home of the Backhouse family (famous, of course, for co-founding Barclays Bank), and apparently dates all the way back to 1863. It’s now owned by entrepreneur and Middlesbrough FC owner Steve Gibson (a hero in these parts) and is a member of the coveted POB Hotels collection – which comprises some of the very best independent hotels across the British Isles.
First impressions count, of course, and Rockliffe Hall certainly offers that initial wow factor with its striking red building, surrounded by the beautiful golf course, luscious lawns and woodland. The brick-built Old Hall has Georgian origins but was altered in Victorian times. Its sandstone mullions have been cleverly extended sideways into a much larger ‘New Hall’ that is designed to effectively mirror the original style, and it segues into a sprawling, semi-circular spa with grand stone balustrades, making it architecturally very pleasing to the eye.
Overall, expect huge bedrooms, both contemporary and traditional, Michelin quality dining at The Orangery, one of the UK’s top spas, plus attentive but not over the top service.
Rooms and suites
The hotel is home to 61 bedrooms and suites, which are located in either the New Hall, the Old Hall or a separate house located on the hotel’s impressive grounds, known as Tiplady Lodge.
My room was located in the New Hall, an extension of the original building which hugely benefits from its south-facing aspect, ensuring each room (or suite come to that) offers guests quite stunning views across the immaculate landscaped gardens and the Championship golf course. Put simply, it’s nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Rooms are quite classic in style, but don’t compromise when it comes to technology, mod cons and amenities. Mine was very spacious, with an expansive living area featuring a rather large sofa and several armchairs, and was thoughtfully equipped (something many luxury hotels surprisingly fall down on).
The New Hall rooms were designed in partnership with leading local interior designers, Cocoon and Bauer. The décor is a calming and classic aesthetic with pops of colour accentuating the neutral palette and adding texture and an element of dimension.
The super king-sized bed was rather sumptuous, and certainly one of the biggest I’ve slept in (in recent memory). The quality of the bedding was high, and so comfortable that I could have easily slept for days – perhaps even months. It was a real highlight, and some might say the most important part of the room. After all, a good night’s sleep is essential, and you’ll certainly get one should you choose to stay here.
Another big plus of the room was the superbly-designed separate dressing room area, as this offered privacy and some level of separation. There was plenty of space to get ready without stepping on each other’s toes or getting in each other’s way, making for a smooth and relaxed morning and evening routine.
The beautiful marble bathroom was very impressive, and featured a double sink, walk-in monsoon shower and separate bath, which even had its own wall mounted TV. Not something you often see even in high-end hotels, and a testament to Rockliffe Hall’s dedication to offering maximum comfort.
Other notable features of the room included mood lighting, air-conditioning, a separate toilet, and an outside terrace with seating (perfect for the warmer months).
Some might say they lack a sense of the ‘wow’ factor, but overall, the décor is inoffensive and relaxing, and the room is so spacious, well equipped and well-designed that it doesn’t really even cross the mind.
Old Hall rooms are ballroom-size, more classic and elegant in terms of décor, and offer traditional furnishings, as well as featuring some rather grand windows.
Meanwhile, over in Tiplady Lodge, you can expect sumptuously fitted rooms which feature double beds, spacious bathrooms and seating areas, and are furnished with rich velvet cushions and throws with a contemporary twist. Tiplady Lodge is just a short walk from the hotel, with close access to the Old Hall, golf course and all restaurants. Most have either a patio or a Juliet balcony, and all rooms overlook the Old Hall and golf course beyond.
Food and drink
The hotel boasts a 3AA Rosette fine-dining restaurant called The Orangery but this accolade does not do the quality of the cooking on show here – or the results – full justice. It might not hold a Michelin star, but the food is certainly worthy – in fact, it’s a Michelin star restaurant in all but name.
Here, head chef Paul Nicholson creates rather wonderful dishes based around fresh and locally sourced seasonal produce, with the cooking style best described as modern British. The Orangery, which is part of the original Old Hall building, is quite a formal affair with a smart dress code, while the dining space itself, with its cast-iron pillars and vast windows, is rather interesting.
As well as using the very best seasonal produce, Paul’s ethos extends to championing sustainability, and many of the dishes use ingredients grown in the walled kitchen gardens or foraged from within the estate.
We enjoyed the tasting menu on the night, which is priced at £95 but worth every penny. There is also a three-course à la carte menu priced at £70 per person.
You know you are in for a gastronomic treat when the appetizer is off the scale. The beef and 36-month aged parmesan cappuccino with onion bread was quite stunning; a glorified ‘marmite on toast’ with an incredible depth of flavour, it really was divine, and the ultimate in comfort food on a rather cold November evening.
Next up was the Orkney scallop, a masterclass in how to treat quality produce. Served with celeriac, smoked cod roe and pine, the two large scallops were cooked to perfection so that they were plump and ever so juicy. I was intrigued with the addition of the smoked cod’s roe; a forgotten culinary delicacy. Packed with protein and beneficial fats, it offered a lovely rounded flavour and really worked well with the scallop. Heaven on a plate.
The salt-aged Highland venison also won my approval, to put it mildly. The perfect autumn meat, it was served with oxtail, chervil root, malt and elderflower. How can you not enjoy melt-in-the-mouth venison? It was like cutting through butter. In fact, the venison was the star of the whole tasting menu, perfectly cooked and handled with the utmost care and attention. When it comes to great cuisine, it really doesn’t get much better than this.
Another standout dish was the pan-seared foie gras, which was served with a gingerbread sauce, pecan, apple and toasted brioche. A feast of flavours and textures, the unusual addition of the gingerbread was a masterstroke and worked beautifully with the richness of the foie gras – a perfect combination and something I have never seen or tasted before. I would question whether foie gras should still be on a tasting menu given the fact it’s an acquired taste and is something many might find difficult to justify from an ethical standpoint. But if you are a fan, then you probably won’t find a better version anywhere else in the country.
For chocolate lovers, the decadently rich, but elegantly smooth, Valrhona chocolate with a caramel tuile, milk and yuzu ice cream is sure to delight. Texture wise this dish really excelled, with the softness of the chocolate and the crunch of the caramel tuile working well together. A great way to end a really well put together menu and a real showcase of the chef’s culinary talents that was undoubtedly Michelin star quality.
Wine lovers, meanwhile, will be in heaven here, too. There’s a rather extensive wine list, although the excellent sommelier on the night was able to pick out two or three different glasses that were a perfect match for the food.
A rather wonderful breakfast is also served in The Orangery, and if you’re hungry in the mornings, then be sure to opt for the Full English, which was perhaps the finest ‘fry up’ I’ve ever eaten (and I’ve had quite a few).
For more informal dining, head to The Clubhouse for casual dining and dishes such as homemade fishcakes and shoulder of lamb, with mains averaging around the £25 mark. Boasting views over the hotel’s championship golf course, it’s open all day, every day, and is a great choice if you’re looking for a more informal place to dine.
The restaurant is particularly well known for its mouth-watering Sunday lunch menu, with classic starters like chicken liver parfait and the prawn cocktail followed up by a choice of delicious meats with all the trimmings. From roast beef or rosemary salted lamb to Toulouse sausage, you can expect light and fluffy Yorkshire puddings, crispy roast potatoes and an array of classic vegetable sides – with options like the seared salmon and bubble and squeak catering to pescatarians and veggies. Round things off with the chocolate mousse or the sticky toffee pudding for a thoroughly indulgent Sunday treat – it’s a must if you’re staying over a weekend.
There is also the option of the spa’s Nu Sana’s Asian-influenced dishes. This is a casual eatery, located above the award-winning spa and offers a healthy, nutrition-led menu featuring nourishing dishes, as well as some more indulgent plates to give diners the option of ‘everything in moderation’. The miso cod with stir-fried Asian greens, crispy garlic, cashew and sticky rice is a highlight of the menu, and as well as dining indoors, if the weather is fine then you can eat out on the terrace overlooking the beautiful grounds.
For a quintessentially British experience, be sure to save time for afternoon tea, which is served in The Orangery. Featuring a delicious array of finger sandwiches and savouries, decadent sweet treats and, of course, the traditional scones with jam and cream, you can wash yours down with a traditional cup of English breakfast tea or upgrade to champagne instead. Currently, there’s a festive edition of the afternoon tea available, which looks delicious – and if you’re travelling with children, there’s also an afternoon tea designed especially for kids.
Spa and wellness
The spa is rather special to say the least and is easily one of the UK’s finest. Spread over an impressive 50,000 square feet, this haven of tranquillity is designed to ensure the utmost in rest and relaxation. As well as offering a variety of holistic wellness treatments including massages and facials, Rockliffe Hall was the first location in the UK to launch the revolutionary FACE SPAce, featuring a unique menu of ‘active lifting’ facial treatments. Combining cutting-edge skincare technology with the utmost in luxury, it offers a modern twist on the traditional spa experience. I enjoyed the CALM and SOOTHE treatment during my visit, which was 60 minutes of pure indulgence. A soothing and skin restoring facial that aims to improve skin strength and deliver visible lifting results, I left feeling 10 years younger.
Don’t leave the spa without paying a visit to the outdoor Spa Garden, which offers a multi-sensory experience that blends the outdoors with the indoors. The infinity Edge Experience Pool allows you to take in spectacular views down over the estate whilst indulging in a spot of hydrotherapy massage, while the glass-fronted sauna was the perfect place to sweat out those toxins and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of dry heat whilst remaining connected with the surrounding nature. There are also tepidarium beds – contoured and heated tiled loungers designed to enhance relaxation and reduce stress, and lying on one for a while was thoroughly blissful. Although the spa itself is alcohol free, you can order from a menu of champagnes, wines and beers whilst out in the spa garden.
To do
For active types, Rockliffe Hall is also home to one of the biggest and most impressive hotel gyms and fitness studios in the country. The Technogym flagship site for the North of England, it’s fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment including Artis Skill Line and Kinesis ranges, as well as an extensive array of free weights, so you’ll find all you need for your cardio, strength and functional workouts. Technogym, by the way, is the official supplier to the Olympic and paralympic Games for the past two decades, so when I say the equipment here is quality, this is the kind of calibre we’re talking about.
There are also tennis courts on site at the hotel if you fancy a game, so if you’re a keen player then you’ll be in your element.
The hotel is a golf lovers paradise, with an immaculate 18-hole Championship course designed by world-renowned course architects Hawtree. Each hole comes with its own unique set of characteristics to keep the challenge fresh, making Rockliffe Hall the perfect choice if you’re thinking of a golfing break with friends or fellow enthusiasts.
In a nutshell
Luxury, indulgence and relaxation abound at Rockcliffe Hall, the gem in the north that entices you in and make you never want to leave.
Factbox
Double rooms from £280 in low season; and from £330 in high. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi.
Address: Hurworth Rd, Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington DL2 2DU
Phone: 01325 729999
Website: rockliffehall.com
All imagery credit: Rockliffe Hall
