These two luxury Northumberland venues are opening their doors to Bitcoin

Luxury venues Charlton Hall and Doxford Barns are opening up their doors to Bitcoin investors by announcing plans to accept payment in the souring cryptocurrency for guests holding lavish weddings at either venue. Property entrepreneur and bitcoin investor Richard Shell made the announcement, confirming that his company would be the first multi-venue operator in the UK to accept the virtual currency.

The entrepreneur revealed that the move will create opportunities to reach new audiences and help position the two luxury venues at the forefront of the international cryptocurrency community. "My enterprising personality naturally makes me want to bring something new and different to the table for the ventures I invest in," said Shell.

"Large companies have been accepting payment in cryptocurrency for years now and it’s becoming more commonplace to transact in this way," he continued. "With online marketplaces also opening up their options, we need to embrace this movement if we’re serious about what we do."

With approximately 5.8 million cryptocurrency investors – Bitcoin being the most highly used – recent months have seen property markets open up to virtual currencies, most famously with Michelle Mone OBE's luxury Dubai development.

Shell's investment in rural Northumberland has seen an increase in luxury tourism to the area, prompting his expansion to Charlton Hall, a grade II listed 18th century building set in 150 acres of land in Alnwick. The eight-bedroom property boasts a bold colour courtesy of interior designer Jo Aynsley and three bars, including a speakeasy style bar for cosmopolitan visitors.