Lovelady Shield Country House Hotel, Alston ➤ Reviews, Rooms & Prices 2025

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Key details

About the Hotel

Lovelady Lane, Alston, United Kingdom, CA9 3LX

Lovelady Shield Country House Hotel is a historic Georgian property located in the Cumbrian countryside, near Alston. This hotel is situated on the former site of a 13th-century convent, surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and scenic views. With 2 AA Rosettes, the on-site restaurant features an award-winning wine menu and emphasizes locally sourced ingredients. The hotel serves as an exemplary base for exploring the natural beauty of the North Pennines and the Lake District.

Location

The hotel is conveniently located along the Pennine Way, approximately 45 kilometers from the Carlisle Lake District and 72 kilometers from the nearest airport. It is positioned amidst the natural beauty of the North Pennines, offering easy access to local attractions such as Nenthead Mines and the South Tynedale Railway. The hotel's serene setting along the River Nent provides guests with a tranquil retreat away from urban bustle.

Rooms

The hotel offers modern and elegant accommodations, including double rooms and family units that can accommodate up to four guests. All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, bathrobes, tea and coffee making facilities, and televisions with DVD players. Guests can enjoy stunning garden views, with some rooms including private balconies that enhance the relaxing atmosphere.

Eat & Drink

Guests can dine at the on-site restaurant, which serves a range of British and continental specialties made with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant has received recognition with 2 AA Rosettes and provides an extensive wine list of over 100 award-winning selections. Breakfast is available as a free cooked-to-order option, ensuring a satisfying start to the day.

Leisure & Business

Lovelady Shield is equipped with amenities that include free private parking, landscaped gardens, and a terrace for relaxation. The hotel allows for certain bookings for group events, including pre-wedding celebrations, and offers leisure activities such as guided walks and swimming routes in the nearby natural parks. Safety features at the property include smoke detectors and a security system.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Deluxe King Room

Max:

2 persons

30 m²

Bed options:

2 Single beds

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room details

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Economy Single Room

Max:

2 persons

10 m²

Bed options:

1 Single bed

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Standard King Room

Max:

2 persons

16 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

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Getting around

A list of all available modes of transport

City Centre

Alston 4.0 km

Airports

Carlisle Lake District (CAX) 42.8 km

Newcastle (NCL) 74.8 km

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Exquisite Tasting Menu

“The seven-course tasting menu was a culinary adventure, with each dish brilliantly presented and bursting with flavor.” view full review

Charming Comfort

“Our room was not only warm and cozy, but also beautifully furnished, creating a lovely atmosphere for relaxation.” view full review

Modern Touches

“The bathroom featured modernized elements that perfectly complemented the charming, historic feel of the hotel.” view full review

Welcoming Ambiance

“The inviting living area, complete with a roaring coal fire, made it the perfect spot to unwind and socialize.” view full review

General

No smoking on site
Parking
Pets allowed
Smoke detectors

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Children

Cots

Room features

Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Heating

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

Lovelady Lane, Alston, United Kingdom, CA9 3LX

Map view

Lovelady Lane, Alston, United Kingdom, CA9 3LX

City landmarks

Blaghill Mine

2.8 km

Wellgill Spelter Works

2.9 km

Museum

South Tynedale Railway

4.0 km

Hillersdon Terrace Alston

St John's the Evangelist Church

3.3 km

Station Yard Goods Shed

Hub Heritage & Transport Museum

4.0 km

Peter's Pit

3.4 km

Krupps Mill

3.5 km

Nenthead House Old Smelting Mill

Nenthead Mines

4.0 km

Quaker Meeting House

3.7 km

Church

Saint Augustine of Canterbury Church

3.8 km

Bentyfield Mine

3.7 km

Alston Methodist Church

3.9 km

Whitesike Mine

3.9 km

Catholic Church of Saint Wulstan

3.9 km

Jacob Walton Memorial

3.9 km

Site of old Waterwheel

3.9 km

Scraithole Mine

3.9 km

Alston Moor Golf Club

4.2 km

Museum

The Hub-Heritage Museum

4.0 km

The Hub

4.0 km

South Tyne Railway

4.0 km

St Johns House

4.9 km

St John's Church

5.0 km

Castle Nook Farm

Whitley Castle Roman fort and vicus

6.6 km

Haggs Mine

11.8 km

Restaurants

Restaurant at Lovelady Shield House

2.3 km

Nenthead Road

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

80%

liked the hotel and would stay again

8.0/10

Great

Rooms

7.4

Location

9.6

Service

7.4

Dining

9.4

Jordan

United Kingdom, October 2024

9.0/10

I had a lovely stay at the hotel, which provided a comfortable and clean environment with friendly staff who made me feel welcome. The location is picturesque, perfect for exploring local walking trails and being close to Hadrian's Wall. However, I found the dining experience a bit overpriced, despite the excellent quality of the meals. Overall, it was a pleasant experience, but there's always room for improvement.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were clean and had a very comfortable bed, offering splendid views of the moor. I was also pleased to find tea and coffee making facilities.

Service

9.0

The staff were incredibly helpful and welcoming, going out of their way to ensure a great experience.

Location

10.0

The hotel is nestled in a beautiful, secluded area along the River Nent, which is excellent for local hiking and exploration.

Dining

8.0

The breakfast was superb, one of the best I've had, but I felt it was a bit overpriced at £16.

Facilities

7.0

The facilities were good, but I feel there could be improvements, especially regarding the amenities offered.

Sidney

United Kingdom, October 2024

6.6/10

I had a mixed experience at the hotel. The location is peaceful and has a lot of character, which I appreciated. However, the condition of the rooms left much to be desired, with some maintenance issues. Service was hit or miss; while some staff were helpful, others could have been friendlier. On the bright side, the dining experience was excellent, especially the quality of the meals served.

Rooms

5.0

The rooms were not ideal with a loose toilet seat and some tiles in the bathroom needing attention. The view was quite disappointing as well, facing discarded washing machines and other debris.

Service

6.0

The service was a bit inconsistent. While the receptionist was cheerful and accommodating, check-in could have been friendlier.

Location

9.0

The hotel is situated in a tranquil and beautiful area just outside Alston, making it a lovely spot for a getaway.

Dining

9.0

Dining was a highlight of my stay, with an excellent seven-course dinner menu and satisfying breakfast options.

Facilities

5.0

Facilities were average, with a lack of modern amenities that would enhance the stay.

United Kingdom, September 2024

7.8/10

The hotel is situated in a picturesque rural area, perfect for walking and exploring. The rooms are spacious and inviting, offering lovely views, but the service left much to be desired as I encountered some rude staff members. Dining was excellent, showcasing locally sourced ingredients. Overall, it offers great value for money despite a few service hiccups.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were spacious and inviting, with a lovely large bed where I slept incredibly well. The views of the grounds and stunning scenery beyond were just beautiful.

Service

5.0

Unfortunately, the service was very rude and unhelpful during my stay, which put a damper on the experience.

Location

9.0

The hotel is in an area of outstanding beauty, just outside the lovely town of Alston. There are great walking opportunities nearby, making it a lovely getaway.

Dining

10.0

The dining experience was superb, featuring one of the best breakfasts I've ever had, along with a very high standard seven-course dinner, showcasing impressive quality ingredients.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel provides a few nice amenities, but nothing overly luxurious or modern, which could have enhanced the overall experience.

Rosie

United Kingdom, September 2024

8.6/10

My stay at the Lovelady Shield Country House Hotel was delightful. The location is stunning, nestled in the picturesque North Pennines with lovely fields and a stream nearby. The rooms were clean, warm, and comfortable, though I did notice a few minor issues like a loose toilet seat. The dining experience was simply top-notch, featuring both a fantastic seven-course dinner and one of the best breakfasts I've ever had. The only downside would be the minor maintenance issues in the room, but overall, it felt like great value for money.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms were clean, warm, comfortable, and nicely furnished, but I did spot a loose toilet seat and some loose tiles in the bathroom.

Service

9.0

The service was excellent, with our waitress being very informative and clearly talented, which made our dining experience even better.

Location

10.0

The location is absolutely idyllic, surrounded by beautiful countryside and a charming stream, making it a little gem.

Dining

10.0

The dining experience was superb, with an impressive seven-course dinner and an exceptional breakfast; it was one of the best quality breakfasts I've ever eaten.

Facilities

7.0

The facilities were decent, providing what I needed for a comfortable stay, though some improvements could be made.

Sebastian

United Kingdom, August 2024

8.8/10

I had a lovely stay at the hotel, which is located in a beautiful area that's perfect for exploring the North Pennines. The rooms were spacious and tidy, featuring comfortable beds and some nice amenities. The staff was friendly and always willing to help me. However, the noise from a generator during the night was a bit disruptive. Overall, it was a great value for money, especially with the excellent dining options.

Rooms

8.0

The room I stayed in was a good size and very clean, with a comfortable bed and all the necessary tea and coffee making facilities.

Service

9.0

The service was great, with a cheerful receptionist who was super helpful throughout my stay.

Location

10.0

The hotel has a fantastic location, surrounded by fields and a picturesque stream, making it perfect for nature lovers.

Dining

10.0

Dining was one of the highlights with a very high standard of food, especially the impressive seven-course dinner.