Calcot Hotels relaunches the Lord Crewe Arms

07 April 2014 by Janet Harmer

The 21-bedroom Lord Crewe Arms at Blanchland, on the Northumberland-Durham border, is to re-open this week following a £1.5m renovation, under the management of Gloucestershire-based Calcot Hotels.

Extensive work on the 18th century, Grade-II-listed property has been undertaken by Lord Crewe's Charity (formed in 1721 under the terms of the will of Nathaniel, (Lord Crewe) in partnership with Calcot Hotels, owners of owners of Calcot Manor, Barnsley House and the Village Pub.

Nathaniel, Lord Crewe, was Bishop of Oxford, then of Durham for 47 years.

Richard Ball, chairman of Calcot Hotels, said the objective had been to restore the property, which has been closed since January 2012, to create an affordable and comfortable country hotel of quality. "We aim to forge a strong reputation for great food, wine and local beer alongside genuine hospitality for all," he explained.

"Sensible pricing will bring great value-for-money, whilst reflecting the level of investment required to attain and maintain high standards."

The Lord Crewe Arms' new interiors have been designed by Nicky Farquhar, design director at Calcot Hotels.

She has translated the antiquity and architecture of the medieval village of Blanchland and the Lord Crewe Arms in a contemporary manner, embracing the colours and contours of the surrounding, dramatic Northumberland landscape. The bedrooms features six colour schemes: green, yellow, blue, orange, purple and red.