European Championships

During preparatory training ahead of the European Championships, the England football team chose to be based at the 5-star, award-winning resort, Rockliffe Hall in County Durham.

Friday 9th July 2021, image courtesy of the Football Association.

With England reaching their first major final since 1966 after a tense Euro 2021 victory over Denmark, the team began their journey to success this summer at Rockliffe Hall. Ahead of the kick-off of the European Championships, the England team chose the 5-star County Durham hotel as their base for preparatory training and press conferences. The entire England team stayed on property including Captain Harry Kane, Manager Gareth Southgate, and much-loved players Harry Maguire, Raheem Sterling, and Jack Grealish.

On arrival, the players were taken to their elegant and luxurious Rockliffe Hall rooms and suites, notably commenting on the beautiful golf course views, surrounding countryside, meandering River Tees, and of course the tile TVs in the sleek bathrooms.

The European Championship finalists were able to conveniently train at Rockliffe Hall’s neighbouring £7m Rockliffe Park facility which boasts a state-of-the-art sports science department and gym, rehabilitation areas as well as two outdoor synthetic surfaces for training in all conditions. The official training ground for Middlesbrough Football Club, the training HQ which competes with the best training facilities in the world and is looked upon favourably by most Premier League clubs. A returning club, England teams have trained at the site previously and Team GB used it as a base as they prepared for the London 2012 Olympics.

Outside their training players enjoyed relaxing in Rockliffe Hall’s award-winning spa, where the dedicated Spa Concierge were on hand to cater to all needs, and the indulgent treatment menu provided the perfect environment to relax and unwind. Players specifically enjoyed the indoor-outdoor Spa Garden and its infinity edge hydrotherapy pool overlooking the golf course. Other spa facilities at Rockliffe Hall Spa that the teams used included the indoor hydro pool, 20m swimming pool, roman sauna, steam room, tropicarium, salt inhalation room, igloo, juice bar, tepidarium, experience showers, infrared sauna, heated bench, and mind therapy room.

Whilst following a specific nutritionist menu during their time at Rockliffe Hall, both teams were extremely tempted by Rockliffe Hall’s 3AA Rosette Orangery Restaurant and The Clubhouse. Downtime for the team was found at Rockliffe Hall’s 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Hawtree - the world-renowned course architects. It proved an ideal evening activity to take the players’ minds off the day's training and warm-up friendlies enabling an all-important fresh perspective for the following morning.

Commenting on hosting the teams, Rockliffe Hall’s Managing Director Jason Adams said: “Myself and my fantastic team were delighted to look after England during their training for the European Championships. The team displayed the utmost professionalism and politeness to staff and their fellow guests at the hotel during their stay. We look forward to welcoming them in future years.”