If you like your weekend escapes to include a seamless blend of luxury and creativity, The Tempus at Charlton Hall is an experience that feels like stepping into a fairytale. Dreamy, whimsical elegance awaits from the second you pull into the estate.
Let’s start with The Tempus’ boutique interiors. It’s clear that every corner of the transformed outbuildings has been meticulously designed to offer something more than just a comfortable stay. This eclectic, maximalist design is a bold statement, and it totally works. Picture rooms dripping in rich velvets, playful pops of colour and unexpected art installations await at every turn. It actually feels a lot like stepping into Alice’s Wonderland. With 33 bedrooms and suites on offer, the design of each is fantastical and memorable. Each room has its own personality and our bolthole for the night included rich turquoises, a statement headboard, an eclectic but mesmerising wallpaper design and chic furnishings from the light fittings to the window seats. Each bathroom at The Tempus is next level luxury with free-standing bath tubs or oversized walk-in rainfall showers, and of course the highest quality hand wash, shampoos and lotions.
The best hotel rooms are never just about the aesthetics though —the comfort level here is also unparalleled. The bed was cloud-like – perfect for sinking into after a day exploring the Northumberland countryside and its gorgeous beaches like Bamburgh and Seahouses. Little touches, like a Nespresso machine in the room and underfloor heating made the stay feel extra indulgent.
Dinner at the on-site restaurant is always a really cool experience. With a lavish and opulent bar area which seamlessly flows into the dining area, this light, bright area complete with atrium looks out onto the Charlton Hall estate’s acres of greenery. The farm-to-table concept shines through, with local ingredients crafted into dishes that were as visually stunning as they were delicious. We feasted on mountains of fresh Shetland mussels and Craster kipper and Northumberland cheese croquettes which were packed with flavour. The steak came with gigantic onion rings and the richest, creamiest sauce, while my ‘lush’ pie of the day was full to the brim with chunky soft and tender beef and a delicious gravy. Perfect puff pastry on top finished off the dish. Breakfast the next morning was equally impressive and sitting in The Orangery with a coffee, pastries and perfectly cooked eggs made for a very pleasant start to the day.
Strolling around the estate is magical with the main Charlton Hall building an impressive sight. The grounds are steeped in history, and there’s something almost whimsical about the mix of modern art installations and classic Georgian architecture. You can take a quiet walk, stumble upon hidden sculptures, or relax with a coffee while soaking in the views of the rolling hills. It truly feels like a retreat away from it all. New for this year is the estate’s tipi tent which is great in summer for a glass of wine or a cocktail complete with live music evenings and outdoor pizza van, but in winter, I can’t wait to see it transformed into a festive Christmas hideaway – a red wine next to the fire pit sounds like a wonderful way to while away the weekends.
We loved our stay at The Tempus at Charlton Hall so much, that we booked to go back in December before we’d even checked out! It’s where luxury meets eccentricity, and every detail is designed to surprise and delight. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a stylish retreat with friends, or even a solo escape, this is the place to book. I left feeling inspired and refreshed and can’t wait to come back again! Book your stay here.
