Region guide

Shooting Hotels in the North East

The North East is one of the great unspoilt sporting parts of England. Northumberland's moors run for mile after empty mile, the woods drop into deep dene country, and the shoots — grouse on the high ground, driven pheasant in the valleys — keep their reputation honestly. County Durham and the Tyne valley extend the same character south, with smaller estates and a strong tradition of walked-up days. The pace is slower up here, the drive between drives often longer, and the country itself does much of the work.

A North East hotel earns the trip when it sits close to the moor or the shoot, takes wet tweed and tired dogs in its stride, and sends up a proper dinner. A fire and a long bar are a fair test, a view of empty country a bonus.