Gary & Danielle's Northern Exposure

To be honest we were so tired we could practically have gone to sleep anywhere so when we drove up to Newforge House it was with a sense of relief. This Georgian guest house is run by husband and wife team John and Louise Mathers. The house has been in the family for six generations and has had previous incarnations as a linen mill and a farm.

John got permission from his Mum and Dad to convert the family home and it opened as a guest house four years ago. His parents now live in the 'pig houses'. Unbelievably there were no bathrooms and no central heating before the conversion. Our room, the Hanna room, named after John's mother's maiden name, has a four poster bed. We slept like logs and were ready for our cooked breakfast the next day. After a rest in the peaceful garden it was off to the next destination.

BACKGROUND

The guest house opened 4 years ago. It won a Northern Ireland Tourist Board Guesthouse award in 2008 and was winner of the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards Non Hotel Accommodation 2009. Newforge House is also listed in Good Food Ireland.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

The guest house has six en suite rooms, each named after the maiden names of the six generations of the family. The Hanna room is one of the 'superior' rooms with an en suite with a large bath and separate shower.

A three-course seasonal dinner with coffee or tea and homemade chocolates is available to guests Tuesday - Saturday, from 7pm - 8.30pm, or a light supper may be arranged. Residents are welcome to invite their own guests for dinner. 24 hours notice is required for all dinner reservations.

COST

Rates are per person per night bed and breakfast with variations according to high and low season. The Hanna room rate £155.00 - £165.00 double occupancy, £99.00 - £105.00 single occupancy. Three course seasonal dinner £32.50 per person. For other room rates and information check the website.

Newforge House

BOOKING

You can use the enquiry form on the website Newforge House

Tel. 028 9261 1255

Or email enquiries@newforgehouse.com

Newforge House

58 Newforge Road

Magheralin

BT67 0QL

SIMILAR PLACES

Discover Northern Ireland - Accommodation finder www.discovernorthernireland.com/accomfinder/

Ireland's Blue Book www.irelands-blue-book.ie

Hidden Ireland www.hiddenireland.com

Northern Ireland Tourist Board www.nitb.com

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