Review on Otterburn Castle Country House Hotel
Founded by a cousin of William the Conqueror in 1086 as a bastion to repel the marauding Scots, this fortified Northumbrian country house is etched with history. The medieval Pele Tower was incorporated into a more spacious dwelling during the eighteenth century and the place first became a fully-fledged hotel in 1947 – although it is currently owned by a local farmer.
It stands in 32 acres of its own estate fronted by terraced lawns and surrounded by woodland. Otterburn Tower also has fishing rights on a three-mile stretch of the nearby River Rede for anyone who fancies trying their luck on the water.
Produce from the hotel's vegetable garden, local farms and –of course – the river all finds its way into the kitchen, where the cooking has a modern Anglo-French flavour. Marinated loin of Longwitton lamb is given niçoise treatment with a black olive tapenade dressing, while fillet of beef from the same farm is served with cauliflower crumble, Madeira jus and parsley purée.
You might begin with home-cured gravlax, dill crème fraîche and honey-mustard vinaigrette or home-smoked chicken with spicy peanut dressing, and finish off with sticky toffee pudding, local Doddington ice cream or a plate of Northumbrian cheeses.
Cuisine
Anglo French
Chef
Jake Williamson
Restaurant Opening Times
Lunch: Mon-Sun
Dinner: Mon-Sun
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card