Have you ever discovered a place so special that you don’t know whether to tell everyone about it or keep it to yourself as your own treasured, very special place?
Recently we found somewhere that invoked exactly that dilemma. Netherby Hall in Carlisle, Cumbria. A place that combines luxury and history and a lot of magic!
Netherby Hall is an outstanding grade II* mansion house, steeped in history from the Roman times to the modern day, and it is magnificent in every way!
Where do we begin? Let’s start with the history because it goes back centuries and involves a Roman fort!
Centred around a 16th Century pele tower, Netherby Hall has been developed over the centuries with later additions in the 17th, 18th and 19th Century. The Hall is built on the site of a Roman fort known as “Castra Exploratorum” and it is believed that some sections of the house have been built using some of the fort stones.
If settlements could talk, Netherby Hall would have a fascinating story to tell – records show it has been occupied for at least 2,000 years.
By AD80 the Romans were probably using the site as a base, it’s quite possible, perhaps even probable, Netherby Hall sits on ground that had been settled perhaps hundreds of years before Julius Caeser cast his eyes on our “tin islands”.
We were totally in awe and fascinated.
Bring you into the here and now, Margo and Gerald Smith bought Netherby Hall in 2014 and have transformed it into a modern hospitality enterprise with nine luxury self-catering holiday cottages and apartments, as well as a venue that is available for corporate event hire and a variety of events throughout the year.
The house stands in 36 acres of parklands with extensive lawns, a Victorian pleasure garden and a walled garden covering just over an acre. The meticulously restored estate has spectacular views over the undulating landscape to the Scottish hills beyond, with the best of both worlds, situated between the Lake District and Scottish Highlands.
The walled kitchen garden provides delicious produce for award-winning Pentonbridge Inn, (Netherby’s very own fine dining restaurant a few minutes’ drive down the road courtesy of a complimentary Mercedes minibus), throughout the year with the help of the original Victorian greenhouses.
We were also lucky enough to visit Pentonbridge Inn during our stay – but more of that later.
There is no shortage of things to do here, there are many lovely walks nearby. Langholm Fells can be reached approximately 20 miles away and the Northern Fells of the Lake District around 25 miles away where you can climb mountains such as Skiddaw, or visit the Caldbeck Fells and enjoy the views over the Solway estuary.
Hadrian’s Wall walk runs from Carlisle to Bowness on Solway and makes for a very pleasant walk passing through villages such as Drumburgh and Port of Carlisle, and if you love fishing you will be in your element.
Now let me tell you about the accommodation. This is something else which blew our minds and again, it is difficult to know where to start.
Half of this magnificent house is occupied by the owners and the other half has been transformed into the most luxurious self-catering apartments we have ever seen, let alone had the pleasure to stay in!
We stayed in The Engineer, a 1-bedroom self-catering luxury apartment, named after one of the 19th century horse-drawn coaches that passed through nearby Longtown. It boasts a sizable primary bedroom with a king size bed and features original solid oak beams.
Under the beautiful oak-beam ceiling, we had a luxurious and peaceful night’s sleep and the views from the bedroom are simply breath-taking. Downstairs in this beautifully spacious open plan, split level apartment, the living area combines a cosy fire-side nook with corner kitchen and dining area, generously equipped to provide optimal comfort and convenience. Everything is of the highest standard and nothing has been left to chance. If you need it – it’s there!
Palatial in size, the en-suite bathroom has both a luxurious walk-in shower and large free-standing bath because they know these are the little luxuries you’ll appreciate when time is your own to enjoy. It’s the perfect couple’s retreat.
There are larger apartments and also picturesque holiday cottages and holiday homes, ideal for families and groups looking for a little more privacy or space.
If you are looking for something special with a focus on luxury, this is the place for you and while you’re there, make sure you eat at Pentonbridge Inn. We experienced one of the best tasting menus we have had in a very long time. A full feature on Pentonbridge Inn will follow shortly.
But for now, hop over to www.netherbyhall.co.uk and make your booking – before word spreads!
Oh, and make sure you tell them we sent you. You can thank us later.
Netherby Hall, Netherby, Longtown, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA6 5PR
Contact: 01228 792732
Operating Hours: 8:00 – 16:30
