Summer Attractions at Headlam
13 June 2024
Our new “Make the most of your visit” leaflet is proving popular with guests and non-residents alike. Year-round, there’s so much to do both on site at Headlam Hall and in the beautiful rolling countryside of lower Teesdale which surrounds the hotel and estate.
Of course, for many, the gem at the heart of Headlam Hall is the Spa. Open daily until 9pm, the spa’s facilities include a 15m pool, sauna, steam room, outdoor hydrotherapy pool, relax area and gym. Relaxing and invigorating spa treatments can be booked in the spa, and the treatment menu includes such favourites as a Hot Stones Massage, Indian Head Massage or a Five Element Aroma Facial.
Outside, our lovely tennis court was relaid last year and our new outdoor gym equipment is ideal for fine days. And of course, Headlam’s 9-hole USGA accredited golf course is renowned for its challenging holes, covered driving range and popular resident PGA Golf Pro, Darren Pearce.
A little further afield, Headlam Hall is ideally situated for exploring this very beautiful corner of the Durham Dales, including the lovely market town of Barnard Castle and the nearby river Tees. One of Headlam Hall’s lesser-known activities is fishing on the Tees, whereby guided fly fishing can be arranged for guests with our partners Fly Fishing Yorkshire, who offer tuition for beginners and can supply all the required equipment and permits.
Nearby attractions to Headlam include the stunning Bowes Museum, which is located on the outskirts of Barnard Castle, just nine miles from Headlam. This huge French chateau boasts a world class collection of art and sculpture, including the majestic Silver Swan automaton at the entrance to the Museum, which celebrated its 250th anniversary last year. Between 20th July 2024 and 19th January 2025, The Bowes will be showing its exhibition “Kith and Kinship” which will feature over 50 works from Northern artists Norman Cornish and L S Lowry.
Just 15 minutes from Barnard Castle is Raby Castle, family seat of Lord Barnard, and one of the finest medieval castles in England. Raby Castle is famous for its events throughout the Summer and Autumn, and has recently launched The Rising, which boasts heritage buildings, remodelled gardens, stylish shopping and extended local food and drink areas for its visitors.
Another wonderful place to visit is the National Railway Museum’s northern outpost – Locomotion – in Shildon near Bishop Auckland. Being part of the Science Museum Group, and with free entrance to visitors, Locomotion has recently completed a brand new £8m collections building. County Durham is known as the cradle of the railways, and Shildon - the world’s first railway town – will be at the heart of the nation’s “Railway 200” celebrations next year, the 200th anniversary of the railways.
Nearby, the market town of Bishop Auckland has recently seen the restoration of Auckland Castle which has opened it to visitors. Also open now is the town’s Spanish Art Gallery, and Bishop Auckland is of course also home to Kynren, the amazing outdoor show themed as “An Epic Tale of 2,000 years of England” which takes place on weekends between 27th July and 14th September 2024, and will be performed by a 1,000-strong cast and crew on a 7 acre outdoor stage.
Two more top outdoor attractions which can be explored by guests during their stay at Headlam Hall are High Force (England’s tallest waterfall) which is in a particularly beautiful area of Upper Teesdale, and Hamsterley Forest, a delightful 2,000 hectare oasis which is perfect for walking, wildlife watching or cycling, with trails for leisurely riders or for high-octane downhill mountain bike riding.
Together with Headlam Hall’s suggested walking, jogging and cycling routes (and you can now hire an e-Bike at the hotel), there are also lots of suggested local shops and other places of interest included in the new “Make the most of your visit” leaflet. And if you really want to splash out - perhaps on a special birthday or anniversary gift - why not hire one of the hotel’s four superb classic cars. An Aston Martin for the day – now that really will be a day out with a difference!