Willow restaurant opens at Hadrian’s Hotel on former Hjem site

Willow restaurant has opened at Hadrian’s Hotel in the village of Wall, taking over the site formerly home to Michelin-starred Hjem.
Willow is headed by chef Aaron McLellan. (©Sean Elliott)

Willow restaurant has opened at Hadrian’s Hotel in the village of Wall, taking over the site formerly home to Michelin-starred Hjem.

Located near Hexham, the venue has undergone a full refurbishment and now operates as a combined gastropub, restaurant and boutique hotel.

The business is led by Jack Brown and Alice Lawson, who are also part of the partnership behind Nest, which is listed in the Michelin Guide.

Willow is headed by chef Aaron McLellan and offers a seasonal tasting menu from Wednesday to Saturday, along with a traditional Sunday lunch service.

A separate gastropub serves a casual menu of snacks and traditional pub dishes.

Inspired by traditional British pubs, the space includes open fires and wooden interiors.

Hjem was launched in 2019 by Alex Nietosvuori and Ally Thompson-Nietosvuori and earned a Michelin star in 2021.

The Tyne Valley restaurant closed at the end of 2025, six years after opening, as its owners plan to develop a new purpose-built restaurant with rooms.