Inside Cumbria’s serene Netherby Hall which offers a taste of Downton Abbey

CRUISING down the winding drive we were greeted to the striking sight of Netherby Hall and knew we were in for a VERY special weekend.

Just a short hop over the border, the centuries old grade II listed mansion – which is built on the site of a former Roman Fort – is set against the beautiful backdrop of peaceful Cumbrian countryside.

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Never have my partner Katie and I been somewhere so beautiful. We felt like we’d stumbled across the set of Downton Abbey or some other equally as posh and grand show.

The stunning home features an amazing drawing room. The ornate detailing in the wooden walls and sconces alongside the phenomenal acoustics makes for a grand yet intimate space, perfect for classical or jazz music, so it’s no wonder it often plays host to concerts and events.

A short walk from the main building – which is still a private residence, sits the courtyard of a newly renovated cobbled Victorian stable, filled with one and two-bedroom self-catered luxury apartments.

Our own little piece of holiday heaven was the Clock Tower apartment, named after the beautifully restored clock on the stable roof.

It was bright, spacious and welcoming – a perfect place for a luxury staycation with relaxing at the top of our agenda.

Tiny details really set the place apart. Beautifully lit wooden beams, freshly cut flowers from the garden, sustainably sourced toiletries with their own signature scent, a luxurious and comfortable bath, and a wood burner to help stay cosy on cold winter nights.

Pictures of the building before its renovation and Victorian carriages gave a sense of the history of the property and added to its unique charm.

After settling in, we took a walk through the grounds to the stunning walled garden. The serenity washed over us as we strolled, admiring the beautiful flowers (clearly where the bouquet in our apartment came from) and traditional Victorian greenhouses full of fruit and veg.  Sitting in the quaint conservatory, it was hard to feel anything but relaxed.

The walled garden is where Netherby Hall grow botanicals used to create their very own gin. Refreshing and clean, it contains notes of coriander, tonka beans and lemon verbena. It converted my partner from someone who would normally avoid the spirit, below, into an avid fan.

That night we were picked up by Netherby’s complimentary Mercedes minibus transfer service (featuring our driver’s adorable Dachshund, Millie) to take us for dinner at the nearby Pentonbridge Inn.

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Located a few miles north of Netherby Hall, the Pentonbridge Inn is surrounded by spectacular views of both Cumbrian countryside and Scottish hills.

It is a casual fine dining restaurant, which has been awarded three AA rosettes and a Michelin plate and as we were welcomed by attentive staff we could see why.

Before dinner, we enjoyed a drink in the rustic bar – Netherby gin of course – as we soaked in the warm and comfortable ambience.

Dinner was a sensational eight-courser with  perfectly paired wines. The food was fantastic – every dish featured innovative twists on fresh and locally sourced cuisine, with most of the fruit and vegetables grown at Netherby.

Delicious details like compressed apples paired with mackerel made for an unforgettable culinary experience. But the highlight was dessert, which featured delicious sorbet and strawberries from Netherby Hall soaked in elderflower.

Next day a short car ride took us to Hadrian’s Wall and Carlisle Castle, with a stop for shopping in Carlisle.

With the weekend drawing to a close it was hard to tear ourselves away from the serene luxury of Netherby Hall. The trip home definitely felt longer than the journey there.

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