Matfen Hall has opened a new golf course. (Image: MATFEN HALL)

Matfen Hall has opened a new 18‑hole championship course and putting green – the latest chapter for the Northumberland country estate that even Barcelona’s stars fell in love with on their visit to the North East earlier this year.

New era for golf at ‘Hogwarts hotel’ Matfen Hall

Northumberland’s first and only five‑star country estate has welcomed its first players onto The Douglas, a redesigned championship layout that blends nine new greens with the best of the original course.

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Running through dry stone walls, natural water hazards and alongside the River Pont, it offers sweeping views across more than 300 acres of countryside.

As part of a multi‑million pound overhaul of its golf facilities, Matfen Hall has rebuilt eight greens on the former Douglas course and added a new ninth on Standing Stone, then merged the two to create the new layout.

The estate’s Dewlaw course remains as a nine‑hole option, giving members and guests a choice of challenges on site.

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Also now open is The Himalayas, an 18‑hole putting course close to the main house, designed for everyone from complete beginners to seasoned golfers.

Families staying at the hotel can step straight out and play, making golf part of a wider short break rather than something reserved for regular players.

First milestone in a major golf revamp

The opening of The Douglas and The Himalayas marks the first major milestone in a full refurbishment of Matfen Hall’s golf set‑up. Later this summer, The Academy is due to follow – a 15‑bay driving range with Toptracer technology, Power Tee and an all‑weather 18‑hole putting course.

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Head of marketing James Huntly said the launch weekend brought wonderful weather and a strong mix of guests and visitors as members and invited players tested the new course for the first time.

An invitational event on The Douglas kicked things off, followed by a more family‑focused Sunday as The Himalayas welcomed its first guests.

Matfen Hall expects The Academy and the rest of the revamped facilities to be ready within a couple of months, aiming to welcome the first visitors before the end of the summer.

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The ambition is to set a new standard for golf in the region, positioning the estate as a destination for serious players as well as leisure guests from across the North East.

Why Barcelona’s players were wowed

When Barcelona came to Tyneside for their Champions League tie at St James’ Park earlier in 2026, the squad chose Matfen Hall as their base – and quickly compared it to Hogwarts.

Video clips shared on social media showed players stepping into the grand hall and gothic interiors, with one describing it as “like Harry Potter” and “very nice”.

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Set in a 19th‑century mansion with chandeliers, wood‑panelled rooms and views across parkland, Matfen Hall offered the Spanish side a quiet, self‑contained retreat about 15 miles from Newcastle.

Posts from fans and journalists leaned into the Harry Potter theme, highlighting how the estate’s grounds, libraries and historic feel made it stand out from a standard city‑centre hotel.

That high‑profile visit underlined Matfen Hall’s appeal not just for golfers, but for elite athletes and teams looking for privacy, space and top‑class facilities in the North East.

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Luxury stay in Northumberland’s first five‑star estate

Away from the fairways, Matfen Hall offers 63 bedrooms ranging from classic rooms to luxury suites, spread through a building rich in local history.

Guests can explore extensive parkland, relax in a spa and fitness suite, or use the hotel as a base for visiting Hadrian’s Wall, Tyne Valley villages and the wider Northumberland countryside.

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The estate has undergone a multi‑million pound refurbishment, with upgrades to the Great Hall, dining spaces, bar areas and bedrooms, and in 2024 it was awarded an AA five‑star rating. In 2025 it joined the Pride of Britain collection, placing it alongside a hand‑picked group of high‑end hotels across the UK.

Food and drink are central to the offer, from the Emerald Restaurant’s tasting menus and Sunday lunches through to relaxed all‑day dining at Cloisters and afternoon tea in the Drawing Room.

The 1832 Bar and The Keepers, a contemporary restaurant just off the course with a balcony overlooking the estate, give visitors plenty of options to unwind after a round on The Douglas or time spent on The Himalayas.