Lovelady Shield

'The setting is lovely; the local staff were pleasant and homely,' say visitors this year to Peter and Marie Haynes's country hotel. It stands on the site of a 13th-century convent on the banks of the River Nent. There are unrestricted views of the countryside from the large gardens of the white-fronted Georgian building, which is approached by a tree-lined drive. A visitor, who was unimpressed by the red carpet in the hallway, liked her 'beautiful' bedroom: 'The curtains were sumptuous and tasteful. Excellent tea- and coffee-making facilities, including a cafetière.' In the dining room, chef Barrie Garton serves 'well-presented and interesting' dishes on a seasonal menu. His style is British 'with continental influences', perhaps truffled goat's cheese, wild mushrooms, pine nut and nettle salad; duo of Alston spring lamb, pomme purée, spinach and girolles. Recommended wines accompany a seven-course gourmet menu. The lounge and bar have a traditional country house decor ('no sign of trendy designer bleak'). Breakfast is 'excellent, with lots of choice'. There is good walking on marked footpaths from the door. 'Good value.' (Barbara Watkinson)

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  • The setting was peaceful and the house is lovely apart from the carpet in the entrance. Our beautiful bedroom had sumptuous curtains, excellenet tea/coffee facilities. Staff were pleasant and homely. Dinner was tasty and interesting, apart from the cheese course, but the dining room lacks character.

    Barbara Wakinson, 14/10/2011

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Local attractions

The Lake District
The largest of the English National Parks and the second largest in the United Kingdom.
Alston
Small market town with cobbled streets.
Bowes Museum
This magnificent building stands in the historic market town of Barnard Castle, and houses internationally significant collections of fine and decorative arts.

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Discount Vouchers

This hotel accepts the following discount vouchers:

  • Online vouchers

    These entitle readers to a 10% discount off their normal B&B rate for a single night's stay

    Print voucher

  • Book vouchers

    This hotel accepts discount vouchers which entitle readers to a 25% discount off their normal B&B rate for a single night's stay. Each printed copy of the Guide contains six vouchers worth in total about £150. BUY THE GUIDE

    Buy the guide

Contact Details

Lovelady Shield

Lovelady Lane, nr Alston ALSTON Cumbria England CA9 3LX

Telephone

01434 381203

Website

www.lovelady.co.uk

Discount Vouchers

This hotel accepts discount vouchers which entitle readers to a 10% discount off their normal B&B rate for a single night's stay

Further Information

Bedrooms

12.

Open

all year.

Facilities

2 lounges, bar, restaurant, conference facilities, civil wedding licence, 2-acre grounds (river, fishing, croquet, woodland walks), unsuitable for disabled.

Background music

'definitely not'.

Children

all ages welcomed.

Dogs

not allowed in public rooms.

Credit cards

Amex, MasterCard, Visa.

Prices

B&B £55-£110 per person, D,B&B £85-£140, set dinner £27.50-£32, special breaks, Christmas/New Year packages.

GHG voucher offer

Buy the guide and claim 25% off B&B rates on certain dates