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We are very fortunate to have beautiful and natural countryside on our doorstep in the North East. Whilst my friends were stuck in airport security queues last weekend my partner and I were rediscovering the delights of Teesdale. We decided to stay at the newly refurbished High Force Hotel which is ideally situated opposite the entrance of the main footpath to the High Force waterfall.
It had been an unseasonably chilly early June day so the friendly welcome along with the warm atmosphere we experienced on arrival was well received. The traditional country inn would be an ideal retreat after walking along the Teesdale valley or north Pennine hills. The hotel is dog friendly too.
The menu in the hotel restaurant has dishes that are wherever possible, locally sourced. My main of sirloin steak was cooked to my preference (well done) and came with a side salad, onion rings, mushroom and tomato along with hand cut chips. Served piping hot it felt like the chef had taken time and effort to cook my meal. I particularly liked the thick and tasty peppercorn sauce that accompanied the steak. Priced at £27.00 this seems to be the going rate in restaurants for a sirloin steak.
My partner decided on the roast salmon fillet which came with herby new potatoes, spring onion, edamame and peas, citrus beurre blanc. Completely priced at £17.00 the salmon was soft and tender in the middle and would merit a return visit.
I adore cheese so the option of the High Force cheeseboard was most welcome. Served with a strong and robust Barbers Mature Cheddar, a soft and creamy Barncliffe Brie and a tangy Harrogate Blue it was all perfection to my tastebuds. Accompanied by grapes and chutney it might have benefited from the addition of a goats cheese to justify the £10.00 price.
My partner sampled the sticky toffee and date pudding served with either ice cream or custard. Priced at £6.50 this was indeed a guilty pleasure, a very rich and satisfying one.
The rooms
We retreated to Room 9, which is one of the biggest in the hotel. Each of the ten guest bedrooms has unique features and a carefully thought-out stylish interior. The hotel itself combines country charm with fresh, modern facilities and captures the country spirit of the place, celebrating the acres of agricultural land, vast woodlands, unique landscapes and distinctive buildings of Upper Teesdale.
Initially the room felt quite chilly but after a quick word with the friendly and helpful staff this was soon rectified. The mix of Victorian furniture mixed alongside a contemporary design seemed to work perfectly.
We liked the old wooden window shutters that when shut gave a warm and snug feeling to the room. The comfortable bed gave a great night’s sleep. Although the main road sits just outside the hotel, it is seldom used at night and is very quiet, the windows being double glazed too.
Sightseeing and exploring
A copious freshly cooked County Durham breakfast set us up for a busy walking and sightseeing day ahead.
High Force and Low Force
Guests at the hotel receive free parking and access to the High Force Waterfall. Walk across the road from the hotel through the gateway and down a gently sloping gravel pass for ten minutes and you arrive at one of Britain’s most spectacular natural sights. High Force is an awe inspiring 21 metre drop waterfall on the River Tees. In the early morning summer sunshine the sound of the waterfall gushing down with the smell of wild garlic growing in the woods made for a memory we will never forget.
Further down the road is Low Force, although not as high as it’s big sister it is still very impressive. Walking across the meadow from the car park at Bowlees Tourist Information Centre to Low Force you will discover the Jubilee Arch, a seven metre ceremonial arch clad in the fleeces of over 200 local Swaledale sheep- be quick though as the arch is only there until 13 June!
Raby Castle
Further afield you might like to visit Raby Castle. Today, Raby is the seat of Lord and Lady Barnard and the Vane family. It is also home to an impressive range of art, textiles and furniture from England and Europe dating from the 17th to the 20th Century.
You can get around the castle interior in around 90 minutes, we enjoyed talking to the informative guides who were sat in most of the rooms -look out for the Octagonal Room – you will definitely gasp in awe when you enter the room!
Outside the extensive grounds contain a Deer Park and a good walk around the High and Low Ponds. The Walled Garden is currently being refurbished and when reopen will form part of The Rising – an exciting development and restoration which will include new gardens as well as retail and dining experiences.
After two days spent in Teesdale we had discovered a stylish, comfortable and friendly hotel, rediscovered the natural beauty of the region and had a thoroughly enjoyable time – much better than being struck in an airport queue!
The High Force Hotel, Alston Road, Forest-in-Teesdale, County Durham, DL12 0XH
