A HOTEL and spa, which takes home in a building with over 2,000 years of history, is celebrating ten years since it first opened as a leisure facility.

In a celebratory event on Wednesday, November 27, Rockliffe Hall marked a decade of its hotel, golf and spa and looked to the future of the historic Darlington building.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

The hall's Chairman, Warwick Brindle, welcomed guests with an opening speech and reviewed its road to becoming the only five-star hotel in the North-East.

With future plans to expand the country house in the next year, Mr Brindle thanked those who have supported the hall since it opened and added extra gratitude to its staff.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

He said: "The key is to keep building an improving. It's all about the service and the customer's experience.

"You can build it and people will come, but if staff don't deliver the best service then it won't work.

"Our staff do a fantastic job to make this a great experience for guests so for that I thank them. Here's to another great ten years."

Mr Brindle's Speech was following by a historic talk from The Northern Echo's Chris Lloyd, who took the audience on a speed-tour of Rockliffe Hall's past from ancient settlement, to becoming the home of the influential Darlington Backhouse family, to serving as the training ground for Middlesbrough football team before transforming into the home of leisure it is today.