Gardens and Grounds
Step outside Newcross Hall and you’ll find a slice of paradise. The gardens and grounds are hidden behind an arched gateway on the edge of the village. Inside the sandstone walls, you’ll find forested grounds running to 20 acres
Kids will love wetting their wellies in the shallow tributary of the River Eden, while grown-ups set the steaks sizzling on the stone barbeque nearby. There’s an archery lawn for the adventurous, walled vegetable gardens for the Fearnley-Whittingstalls and a play area for the kids.
Living Spaces
The drawing room with oriental rug and open fire conjures up visions of the families gathering for music recitals after dinner. But you’ll probably just enjoy breaking out a good book in front of its crackling flames.
The regal feel continues with the gentlemen’s library, again with open fire, and the spectacular oak-floored dining room with open fire salvaged from a local castle. The living room’s the place to chill among family and friends after a hard day on the fells, and the large breakfasting kitchen with Aga is perfect for informal meals.
The sandstone terrace, accessed by French doors from the family living room, comes with built-in barbeque for sunny al-fresco dining.
The biggest surprise is upstairs on the second floor. A games room complete with full-size snooker table. You can imagine how it got there as you pot the black.
Cooking and DIning
The kitchen here is so full-on that you’ll probably want a dabble yourself. There’s an oil-fired, four-oven Aga, gas hob and additional oven, plus a microwave. Two American fridge/freezers sit side-by-side and conveniences include a dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer. But hey, you’re on holiday, so we’ll forgive you if you want to be catered for.
We recommend great caterers who can offer hearty fare, using fresh local ingredients, prepared and served to you in the grand dining room at Newcross Hall. Choose from various catering options including Lynn Hilditch Catering, Ribble Valley Hog Roasts or Karen Rhodes Weddings & Events. Who does the washing up? Them, of course.
But you might prefer a drop-off service. Just whistle and Lynn Hilditch can provide your wholesome meals with none of the hassle.
You can get groceries delivered from Sainsbury’s or Tesco, or have more exotic chef-prepared specialty local meats and veg brought right to your door. How about Staffield Hall meat pies followed by Rowley’s Raspberries that you picked yourself from our field?
Bedrooms
There are nine bedrooms sleeping 20 of your nearest and dearest, and a further three bedrooms sleeping six in the nearby Newcross Cottage.The master double comes with huge bed and dressing area. In the en-suite, you’ll find a pleasant choice of built-in shower and cast-iron roll-top bath. Follow a short passageway to the Jacobean Room, with five-foot double bed convertible to singles as you wish. Wash away your cares in the large rainfall shower. If you fancy a little meditation, follow the external sandstone staircase to the herb garden in the cobbled courtyard.
The remaining bedrooms are pretty grand too. The Chinese double bedroom comes with en-suite shower room; the en-suite Regency double has an antique canopied four-poster with choice of shower or bath. Ideal for young families, the Regency gives access to the twin Georgian room, which comes with 3′ twin beds.
You’ll feel like Marie Antoinette in the French Empire double bedroom with 5′ bed. The cake comes care of the invigorating power shower over the bath, also accessible from the landing.
Up on the second floor, the snooker room sits handy for impromptu nocturnal billiards. The Victorian double bedroom with 5′ antique four-poster has acres of room and en-suite facilities. The Edwardian double comes with 4’6″ bed and en-suite shower room. In the Nursery bedroom, you’ve got options: the two 3′ twin zip-and-link beds can convert to a 6′ double on request. However you play it, you’ll enjoy soaking in the en-suite’s rolltop bath or singing in the shower. Yet another shower room with WC sits by the billiards room.
What people say
Mystical and magical
Walk the Eden Valley or pop up to The Shepherd’s Inn (take your dog). Picnic by the River Eden or explore the mystical and magical Long Meg stone circles. Potter La Brocante Emporium for antiques or eat out at The Fetherstone Arms, where steaks this good are rare indeed. Or medium rare.
