Lovelady Shield (Hotel) by River Nent
Introduction
The photograph on this page of Lovelady Shield (Hotel) by River Nent by Andrew Curtis as part of the Geograph project.
The Geograph project started in 2005 with the aim of publishing, organising and preserving representative images for every square kilometre of Great Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Man.
There are currently over 7.5m images from over 14,400 individuals and you can help contribute to the project by visiting https://www.geograph.org.uk
Image: © Andrew Curtis Taken: 20 Oct 2020
The Lovelady Shield Country House Hotel closed in October 2019 and is now in a somewhat dilapidated state. It was reported that, "Barclays Bank have now taken ownership of the hotel while it remains for sale in two parts. The main Georgian hotel is for sale at £975,000 and six holiday cottages are separately on offer at £1,250,000." Hexham Courant, 29th October 2019: https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/17999820.alston-country-hotel-closes-doors/ https://web.archive.org/web/20201022194638/https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/17999820.alston-country-hotel-closes-doors/ The Guardian in 2004 reported: "From the front door you can walk straight into an area of the High Pennines that is remote and utterly unspoilt. The River Nent runs through the garden, and at the bridge four footpaths meet. The house, hidden down a long and suitably bumpy drive, was rebuilt in 1832. The cellars date from 1690, the foundations from the 14th century when it is thought a religious order stood here. No noise, save for sheep in the fields, the birds in the trees and a burbling river that you can hear if you sleep with your window open. Peter and Marie run the place with a hint of eccentricity and masses of charm. A small rag-rolled bar and pretty sitting rooms full of clocks and log fires give a low-key, country-house feel. Long windows in all rooms bring the views inside, and French windows open up for Pimm's on the lawn. The food is superb: Barrie is a master chef, and you dine surrounded by gilt mirrors, sash windows and fresh flowers. Upstairs, dark hallways lead through old pine doors to bright bedrooms with window seats, maybe a sofa, good furniture and Scrabble; most have gorgeous views." Guardian, 21st November 2004: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2004/nov/21/hotels.unitedkingdom.observerescapesection https://web.archive.org/web/20151009150254/https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2004/nov/21/hotels.unitedkingdom.observerescapesection