Hands up who likes Northumberland! The ‘last wilderness’ in England has a band of followers in the know, who love to holiday there every year, or more often. They include Teessiders and Tynesiders, who may love the bright lights of home, but also need to escape from time to time to tranquility.

It may be that you are indeed a lover of the Northumberland coast or National Park, but have you heard of Whitfield and the West Allen Valley? I have to say I hadn’t, and though I had driven within a few miles of the valley many times, I had not noticed it. So to venture there in search of the new Parmontley Hall Country Lodges was a real expedition!

Whitfield Estate is a beautiful 25 square mile country estate owned by the Blackett-Ord family for the past 250 years. That sense of timelessness is now open to others, as a lovely secluded clearing by the river is now being populated by long-lasting lodges.

The A686 is one of the top ten most scenic drives in Europe, according AA magazine. It is over 1000ft above sea level at this point. The minor road through the Whitfield Estate runs parallel to the A686, but the park is simply not visible from the road, so is in keeping with the values of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

I visited in April, hard on the heels of Professor David Bellamy, who had officially opened the lodge park the previous weekend. Already looking forward to the visit, I was delighted to be staying in one of my top three favourite lodges, the Pinelog Skyline. I took hardened camper Mike Fry along for a taste of luxury! And such it proved to be...

WHO FOR?

Parmontley Lodges are for people who love peace and quiet, and want to have a regular bolt-hole deep in the countryside. Typically they might be semi-retired and have time to get away from it all whenever they want to. Parmontley has an eleven and a half month holiday licence, running from March 1 to February 14 and with well-insulated lodges on sale, you could holiday in great comfort at any time of the year.

It’s ideal if you like to fish, walk, cycle, play golf or simply relax in a lovely setting. You can walk from the door, with footpaths on the estate and beyond.
Those who would like to get in early, to help shape the friendly atmosphere, have a choice of pitch. There are about 17 pitches alongside (and above) the river, but as with every park there will be reasons why some like one area of the park, and others a differing view and location.
Note that you must have a main address elsewhere – your Parmontley lodge cannot be your main residence.

PERFECT POSITION

The park is just a 20-minute drive from Alston, one of the highest towns in the UK. A similar journey time takes you to the attractive and interesting market town of Hexham in the other direction, as well as Hadrian’s Wall and the string of villages along it, and Roman visitor centres. You can also scoot along to Newcastle if you need a change from all that peace and quiet (I wouldn’t!)

The Parmontley Lodge area is deliberately kept free of entertainment and the like. There are several golf courses within half an hour. The Lake District is within an hour if you want to venture further afield. The Northumberland coast is within driving distance and day trips could be to Craster for your kippers, Bamburgh with its castle and the beautiful Holy Island (Lindisfarne) and its heritage. Inland gems are Alnwick with the Castle and famous garden and tree house, and the upmarket Rothbury and fabulous Cragside gardens (National Trust).

Fishing is available on the Estate itself, several miles of riverbank belonging to the Whitfield Estate. Entertainment ‘laid on’ includes red squirrels, curlews, red and black grouse and even oyster catchers!

I’m sure some will regard shopping as an intrusion into their peace and quiet. You could restrict that activity to the village store at Whitfield. Or Hexham has endless interesting shops and a couple of big-name supermarkets. It is also a market town and has an Abbey to visit. Allendale and Alston also have a smaller selection of shops.

SHARING THE BENEFITS

John Blackett-Ord is no absentee landlord, he is hands-on with all the different aspects of the estate, and came to meet us on arrival. He has been concerned to get the park just right – in effect, to share some benefits of estate life with holiday home owners.

John’s right hand man is Bob Cowen, who is site warden and more, and is a real enthusiast for his job and the place! You can be sure of a hearing if you have questions to ask about ownership on Parmontley. His wife Margaret had prepared the lodge for our visit and it was the height of comfort with thoughtful touches, so we had everything we needed – and more.

THE SKYLINE

Parmontley has bought a Pinelog Skyline 38ft by 20ft three-bedroomed lodge as a show home. The name Skyline refers to the huge triple rooflight, which allows light to pour in. The front end of the lodge is also mainly glass, and there are side windows, too, in the living space, so the overall effect is of a flood of light. This lodge is sited near the entrance to the park, allowing a view of the whole area, towards the river on the left and the steeply-sided bank where sheep were grazing on the right.

I love the layout of the Skyline, with a natty corner unit with space for hi-fi equipment on an undershelf, as well as above for the LCD TV, and under for the remote-controlled electric fire. Two comfortable sofas are positioned at right angles, and behind the one is the spacious dining area. The open plan kitchen is a kind of hook shape, allowing for a useful cupboard to back onto it in the dining area.

Though not the biggest lodge available, the layout allows for three good bedrooms, including the master with en suite shower room, and excellent shower – which I can vouch for! I was able to view the second Sky TV from my comfortable bed. This luxury show home is available to purchase fully-furnished for £135,000. Or at this early stage in the park’s development, you could choose another pitch and have a similar one sited. The particular lodge we stayed in was clad in larch, stained in a muted green wash, which blends in perfectly in this setting.

THE FULL WORKS

Part of my try-out package was a three course meal for two at the Elk’s Head, about 1.5 miles from the park, which is owned by the Whitfield Estate and noted for its big portions. You are looked after by Darren, with his softly-spoken Northumberland twang. If you look at the park it will be important to try this eatery. We experienced beautifully-cooked and substantial portions, so much so it was necessary to take a walk afterwards!  The Elk’s Head also does ‘fish night’ takeaways on Fridays.

To preview the lodge park without leaving your armchair, send for a brochure and an appetite-whetting DVD comes with it, giving you a moving flavour of this new and exciting venture. Bob says they call the park ‘Brigadoon’ because like the mythical village, which is nowhere to be seen on a map, it seems to appear out of no-where and is untouched by the evils from the outside world. Quite a thought!

VERDICT

This hidden gem may take a while to get known – it is so secluded that even a long-term local resident who passes daily did not know it was there! But if you want to be part of a secret, this is a good time to go and look at the lodges, park and area. There are rooms at the Elk’s Head, and you can sample the fare. All at reasonable prices. Me, I’d want a pitch with a river view, perhaps number 16. While the flora and fauna already abound, more planting using native species is underway as each lodge is sited. It is certainly a very special opportunity to share in a privileged location, like a small village eventually comprising 92 lodges.

LOCAL INFO

• Local amenities: There is a village shop in Whitfield, with further shops, including Co-op, post office and bank in Allendale, four miles away. Most other shops, including supermarkets, can be found in Hexham or Haltwhistle.
• Health: There are health centres with GPs in Allendale (where the Co-op has a pharmacy) and Haydon Bridge (7 miles). Dentists, opticians and the hospital are in Hexham.
• Public transport: The nearest rail service is from Haydon Bridge to Newcastle or Carlisle for onward journeys. One bus runs Tuesday and Friday through Whitfield on the Alston-Hexham route.
• Eating and drinking: There is a clubhouse on low Haber Caravan Park, but it does not sell food. The nearest pub is the Elk’s Head (see main article). Haydon Bridge has a tandoori and a chippy, while Hexham has restaurants for all tastes.
• Entertainment: The single screen Forum cinema in Hexham shows latest releases. The Empire Theatre at Consett (18 miles) has a cinema showing recent releases and also hosts amateur and professional music events, shows and drama. The Lamplight Arts Centre at Stanley (23 miles) hosts shows and an art gallery. There is a leisure centre in Hexham.

WHAT CAN I DO AROUND HERE?

Swing the lead – Or at least visit the North of England Lead Mining Museum at Killhope, across the border in Co Durham. Tours of the workings, regularly changing exhibitions on the industry and community of the area, as well as art shows.

Do not pass go – Or rather, go to jail, Hexham Old Gaol and Moot Hall, that is, housing the Border History Museum. The 14th-century buildings have excellent col-lections relating the story of the border country.

Get well soon – Possibly with the help of plants and herbs from Dilston Physic Garden, near Hexham, a contemporary collection. There is also a sensory garden full of natural scents, and courses in plant medicine and complementary therapies.

Lord it at the manor – Aydon Castle, about five miles from Hexham, is one of the finest and most unaltered examples of a 13th-century fortified English manor house. It’s surrounded by woodland, and was more recently, until 1966, used as a farmhouse.

FOR SALE

As well as the Skyline at £135,000, an Advent showhome is already sited and available for £155,000. This one has a superb location overlooking the river. A third lodge, a Wessex, is in the process of being sited. Ground rent for 2008 is included in the price of the lodge for 2008, as are decking and steps on Phase One lodges. Each lodge has two turfed parking places

CONTACT

Parmontley Hall Country Lodges, The Estate Office, Whitfield, Hexham, Northumberland NE47 8HD. Tel: 01434 345273. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.parmontleylodges.co.uk

• Open March 1 to February 14
• 35-year licence, extensions possible depending on condition of lodge
• Ground rent £2,450 + VAT for 2009; 2008 fees included in purchase price
• Ground rent includes maintenance and landscaping of all common areas, rates, water charges, the maintenance of drains and the sewage system and other utilities, security (including CCTV and electronic gates).
• Gas and electricity metred and billed by park
• Full time warden on site
• Leisure use only – owners must have permanent address
• No Council Tax payable
• No sub-letting permitted
• Users are entitled to membership of the club house on Low Haber Caravan Park
• Ground rent £2,45


This park review was published in the August 2008 issue of Park & Holiday Homes magazine. To order our latest issue please click here.


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