A CENTURIES old pub has undergone a £1.5m refurbishment, to become one of the region’s leading hotels.

The Lord Crewe Arms, in Blanchland, near the Northumberland-County Durham border, was formerly the abbot’s house and kitchens of a nearby medieval abbey but has been an inn for around 300 years.

It is named after Lord Nathaniel Crewe, an 18th century Bishop of Durham.

During its revamp, surveyors found ancient stained glass and the original cloister walls.

The Grade II*-listed hotel is run by the Lord Crewe charity, its refurbishment was carried out in conjunction with Calcot Hotels and a reopening event was held on Saturday, April 26.

Nicky Farquhar, Calcot’s interiors designer, said: “We’ve tried to create low-key luxury with a sense of fin and wit with each of the 21 rooms being given its own unique character.”

The manager is Tommy Mark and the head chef is Simon Hicks. For further details, visit lordcrewearmsblanchland.co.uk