High Force Hotel

from $162
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“A welcoming traditional country inn – close to the spectacular High Force waterfall - with smart, richly coloured, country house-style bedrooms that feel relaxed rather than fussy. The bar is friendly, the food filling and there are good walks from the doorstep.”

Hotel review

Take the exhilarating drive up Teesdale towards the Pennine moorland and you’ll find this former shooting lodge turned country inn in splendid isolation. Even more dramatic, it’s just a 10-minute walk from one of England’s most spectacular waterfalls - High Force. Not England’s highest, but its 21-metre drop has the biggest volume of water of any of the country’s waterfalls.

The white-washed building, set back from the roadside, has a ground-floor bar and entrance hall that is exactly what you want in a welcoming country inn: stripped-wood floors, window seats, scrubbed tables, open fires and a log-burner, walls hung with hunting scenes, and the day’s newspapers scattered around.

The dining room, however, with its unexpectedly smart sea-blue panelled walls, dark-wood polished floor and glowing tea-lights, hints that the bedrooms might also surprise. With their bold colours, elegant headboards, jazzy wool blankets and well-placed antiques, it’s clear that a considered eye has been at work – that of Lady Barnard of Raby Castle, to be exact. The hotel is part of Raby Estates, the family business run by Lady and Lord Barnard (the castle is 30 minutes down the valley near the market town of Barnard Castle).

Although no bedroom is huge, they make clever use of space – a sliding door to the bathroom in one, shelves for bedside tables in another – so they feel relaxed while walls are hung with artwork from Raby Castle. Bathrooms are shower-only apart from two; one with a splendid clawfoot bath and a lovely old-fashioned chain-pull loo.

Dinner is elevated pub food such as chargrilled beef burger with crispy bacon, pan-seared duck breast, and sausage and creamy mash. The wine list, however, is restaurant-standard and extensive.

After breakfast – which includes delicious fruit and honey pots, and omelettes as well as the full English – take the walk to the waterfall; the roar is quite spectacular."

Helen's hot tips: Check out the temporary exhibitions at the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle; past ones have included Vivienne Westwood. Look out for the selection of cakes and scones on the bar; made fresh every day by the pastry chef.

Helen Pickles

Recommended for

  • Restaurant

    • Hearty, home-cooked British classics and traditional Sunday roasts, made with locally sourced produce from Upper Teesdale

  • Country Escape

    • Wake to peaceful Upper Teesdale, wander to High Force waterfall, then cosy up by the fire over seasonal local dishes

  • Other Activities

    • Walk to High Force and marvel at one of England's most breathtaking waterfalls

  • Trekking

    • Hike a scenic stretch of the Pennine Way through beautiful Upper Teesdale

  • Wildlife Area

    • Spot rare birds and wildflowers in the North Pennines National Landscape

  • Fishing

    • Cast for salmon on the River Tees with a seasonal fishing permit

  • Sights nearby

    • Explore the grand rooms, gardens and deer park at Raby Castle

  • Pet friendly

    • Four legged friends are welcome, charges may apply

  • Outstanding location

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Full of character

  • Good wine list

  • Family Suites

  • Hills & mountains

  • Riverside

  • Inn

  • Child friendly

  • Traditional

  • Charming

  • Luxury

  • Intimate

  • Romantic

  • Secluded setting

Facilities

  • Rooms

    10 rooms in this hotel

  • Restaurant

    Hearty, home-cooked British classics and traditional Sunday roasts, made with locally sourced produce from Upper Teesdale

  • Parking

    Free parking is possible on site, no reservation needed

  • Pet friendly

    Four legged friends are welcome, charges may apply

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Wifi

  • Good wine list

  • Meeting Room

  • Fireplace

  • Communal Dining

  • Bar

  • Family Suites

  • Bath robes

  • Suites

  • Garden

  • Child friendly

  • Sitting Room

  • Room service

  • Safe

  • Satellite / Cable TV

Activities

  • Other Activities

    • Walk to High Force and marvel at one of England's most breathtaking waterfalls

  • Trekking

    • Hike a scenic stretch of the Pennine Way through beautiful Upper Teesdale

  • Wildlife Area

    • Spot rare birds and wildflowers in the North Pennines National Landscape

  • Fishing

    • Cast for salmon on the River Tees with a seasonal fishing permit

  • Sights nearby

    • Explore the grand rooms, gardens and deer park at Raby Castle

Map & Location

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