Hotel Review: The Northumberland Arms, Northumberland

The hotel is in a relatively quiet position, away from the main street and overlooking the River Coquet on the outskirts of Felton village, with its artisan bakery and well-stocked village stores. A mile from the A1, it's easily accessible, plus it's a good base for reaching popular places such as Alnwick and the coast without being in the centre of things. However, there is nothing in the immediate environs apart from riverside walks.

By car: around 2 hours from Edinburgh, 3 hours from Manchester and 5 hours 30 minutes from London. There is free parking on site.

By train: There are direct trains to Morpeth station from Edinburgh Waverly ( 1 hour 30 minutes) and London Kings Cross (3 hours 30 minutes). The hotel is a round 15 minute's drive from the station. Book trains to Morpeth.

The substantial Georgian building, originally a coaching inn, has been given a smart but relaxed rustic look mixing original features of exposed stone walls, beamed ceilings and flagged or wooden floors with scrubbed tables, farmhouse chairs, velvet-covered sofas and Anglepoise lamps. Heathery and mossy-green colours keep a countryside feel.

As it's a pub-with-rooms, there's no guest lounge, although there's the occasional sofa, plus one part of the bar is carpeted and set slightly higher and has a wood-burning stove. For warmer days, there's a large riverside terrace across the road. Staff are mainly local and have the characteristic north-eastern friendliness.

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Terrace
• Pet friendly
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

The generous bedrooms are furnished in country-house fashion but with a clever eye for detail and style. Carefully chosen pieces of vintage and antique furniture are set against soft colours, statement headboards, faux-fur throws and feature wallpapers. Bathrooms are sleek and modern with walk-in showers and several have free-standing baths.

Room types: St Michael's Church, Eshot Castle, Brainshaugh Priory, Thirston House, Bockenfield Market, New Moor Tower

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with shower, The White Company toiletries, Ringtons teas

The all-day menu offers well-priced pub classics mixed with some snazzy street food; throughout there are a few spicy twists. A starter of ham and black pudding terrine or twice-baked cheese soufflé could be followed by harissa-spiced lamb flatbread, a noodle box or spiced roasted cod, as well as traditional burgers, and fish and chips.

Restaurant: casual, refined gastropub fare. Mains from £12.95.