The Best Castle
Hotels in Durham

Historic property. Popular among couples. Within easy driving distance of Newcastle, Durham and Sunderland, the magnificent spectacle of Lumley Castle has dominated the County Durham landscape for over 630 years. Surrounded by beautiful parklands overlooking the River Wear and Durham County Cricket Ground, the castle is a Grade I listed monument to a bygone age of chivalry and honour. Lumley Castle is also the first and only historic site in the UK to have its own Escape Room – Lily of Lumley – a truly immersive and thrilling Escape experience. The hotel is ideally located to explore the North East of England and more, being just 11 miles south of Newcastle, 8.1 miles north of Durham and 12 miles west of Sunderland. The hotel boasts 71 luxurious and uniquely designed bedrooms – elegant drapes, four poster beds, feature baths, rooms with stunning views and complimentary Wi-Fi internet. Dine in the splendor of the newly refurbished Knights Restaurant, offering seasonal Al a Carte Menu's and an extensive selection of fine wines to complement your meal (table reservations are essential). Indulge in a sumptuous afternoon tea, relax and unwind in the also, newly refurbished Library Bar, or choose an intimate private dining experience. Show full description

Historic. Great value. Walworth Castle Hotel is in the rolling Tees Valley countryside, west of Darlington. Dating back to 1189, this historic building is set in 18 acres of stunning lawns and woodlands. Walworth Castle Hotel boasts an outdoor seating area with parasols to the rear of the hotel, which seats over 50 people. In the evening you can enjoy a relaxed carvery meal around the open fire or dine more formally in the elegant restaurant, awarded an AA rosette for food excellence. Some rooms have impressive four-poster beds and a hot tub, with striking views of the lawns and countryside. The rooms are furnished with luxurious fabrics and magnificent decor. Free wireless broadband access is available in the hotel. Show full description

Historic. Comfortable beds. Situated just 3 miles from Peterlee, Hardwicke Hall Manor Hotel offers a bar and restaurant. This traditional manor house is also just 6 miles from Hartlepool and Seaham is a 20-minute drive away. The classical Hardwicke Hall Manor Hotel has free onsite parking. Durham is just 25 minutes’ drive away and Newcastle upon Tyne is 27 miles from the property. With free Wi-Fi throughout, the individually designed rooms at Hardwicke Hall include a TV and tea and coffee making facilities. Each room benefits from an en-suite bath or shower room. Many rooms overlook the gardens. Boasting a fine reputation for first class cuisine, the a la carte restaurant offers lunch and evening meals. Guests can enjoy a carvery lunch during weekdays and a traditional roast on Sundays. The lounge bar offers sandwiches and an extensive wine list. The property is within 3 miles of Hartlepool and Peterlee. Seaham is 5 miles away. Show full description

Beautiful. Great restaurant. Set in 24 acres of parkland just 10 miles away from the city of Durham, the Beamish Hall Country House Hotel, BW Premier Collection is a 13th-century hall that has been restored to its original splendour and is now an exclusive country house hotel. Next door to Beamish Open-Air Museum, the Beamish Hall Country House Hotel, BW Premier Collection is located 12 miles north-west of the historic city of Durham and 8 miles south-west of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Furthermore, the famous sites of Hadrians Wall, Lindisfarne Castle, Chester Roman Fort and Hexham Abbey can also be found nearby. For a more relaxing stay you can enjoy a stroll round the extensive gardens or a round of golf on the tree-lined parkland course at Beamish Park golf club. One of the most picturesque courses in the region, it is set in a lovely verdant location with fabulous vistas across the splendid Durham countryside. Show full description

Close to beach front. Nice style. Stunning pool facilities. Built in the style of a Manor House making it one of the most distinctive hotels in Northumberland. Overlooking the Derwent Valley, this beautiful hotel is located within easy reach of Newcastle and Durham. Derwent Manor is set in 20 acres of land and the interior is every bit as impressive as its exterior. For modern, professional and friendly service in a grand setting, any visit to Derwent Manor will be a memorable one. Most of the spacious en-suite bedrooms have timber-beamed ceilings and all have one or two double beds. Prego Restaurant, with its huge open fire, serves a range of English and continental cuisine in stylish surroundings, while hearty bar meals can be enjoyed in our Antler Bar and Lounge. For the corporate requirements or for social occasions and weddings, the hotel boasts a range of Conference and Banqueting Suites seating up to 300 guests. Leisure Club with indoor pool, sauna, spa bath and fitness centre. Show full description

Beach front location. Highly elegant. Outstanding SPA facilities. Immerse yourself in our world. Live the Rockliffe life... Set within a beautiful 365 acre estate on the County Durham and North Yorkshire border, Rockliffe Hall boasts one of the largest spas in the country, an 18 hole championship golf course and award-winning food. Experience the north of England's most iconic resort destination. If you're looking for a romantic break, a stunning venue for weddings and special occasions, or an impressive place to do business, our world-class resort is the ideal destination. Set in the quiet village of Hurworth, with five-star leisure facilities at your fingertips, forget the outside world and enjoy everything our country retreat has to offer. Relax or be active, celebrate or focus on business, the choice is yours and the pleasure is all ours. Discover the treasures of Durham, the drama of the North East coastline, and the rugged beauty of the North Yorkshire moors. Home to vibrant towns, picturesque villages, gorgeous countryside and stunning coastline, we're more than just a pretty face. Get ready to explore and enjoy North East England, which is bursting with surprises! Rockliffe Hall offers the flagship Orangery restaurant with menus created by head chef Paul Nicholson. Show full description

Romantic. Great views. South Causey Inn is a family-owned hotel with a ‘country feel’ family pub, restaurant, and cocktail bar and is recognised for genuinely kind and generous service. The hotel has 60 unique bedrooms and suites, from cosy en suite rooms to themed suites with private parking, luxury hot tubs, plush interiors, waterfall showers, private gardens, copper baths, and more. The hotel is perfectly positioned to offer unique cultural experiences in an incomparable location between Durham and Newcastle Cities, whilst also embracing Northern history, with the world famous Beamish Museum, and Tanfield Railway just a stone's throw away. South Causey Inn can also provide you with a stunning country wedding, with four on-site wedding venues set in 100 acres of scenic countryside. Each venue has been individually designed with bespoke interiors, making them completely unique and stand-alone venues that can cater for ceremonies and events of all sizes. Show full description

Beach front location. Luxurious. Amazing pool. Ramside Hall Hotel Golf & Spa is set within a 350-acre estate, featuring 2 Championship golf courses, with a combined 36 holes amidst mature woodlands and lakes. The spacious bedrooms, many with scenic views, feature elegant décor and modern bathrooms, work desks, satellite TVs with Sky and BT Sports and luxurious Elemis toiletries. Just 450 yards from Junction 62 on the A1M, the hotel is just a 5-minute drive from the historic city of Durham and 25 minutes from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Newcastle Airport is a 30-minute drive away. There are many upgrades available, including use of a chauffeur-driven Bentley Mulsanne. The hotel boasts 4 restaurants including the award-winning Rib Room Steakhouse & Grill and Fusion with a pan-Asian menu. Pemberton’s Carvery offers traditional British cuisine throughout the day and informal dining is also available in the Clubhouse. Complimentary spa access includes access to the indoor 25-metre swimming pool, bubble pool, steam room and sauna. Access to the hydro-pool and outdoor pool is reserved for guests on spa packages and members. During busy times guests will be limited to a 1-hour time slot and guests may be allocated access on check-in. A tempting menu of Elemis treatments is available within the Spa, subject to availability. Booking is highly recommended to avoid disappointment. Show full description

Delightful property. Cosy rooms. Popular among couples. Around 45 minutes’ drive from Durham and Hexham, Westgate Manor is an elegantly styled Victorian manor house with fine views of the beautiful Weardale countryside. It offers luxurious en suite rooms with free parking and WiFi. Westgate Manor is around 21 miles from the town of Bishop Auckland, 30 miles from Durham Cathedral and just under 1 hour’s drive from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Each bedroom has a flat-screen TV, a Bluetooth speaker, seating area and tea and coffee facilities, and some include a king-size four-poster bed. All have an en suite bathroom with a shower and bath, and a hairdryer, toiletries and bathrobes are provided. The house includes a guests’ lounge with large flat-screen TV, high ceilings, large windows and a log-burner in the original fireplace. The library and dining room features floor-to-ceiling bookcases and provides an impressive location for taking morning coffee, afternoon tea or fancy a drink from the bar. You will find a selection of local micro brewery ales as well as a selection of spirits, liqueurs and wines. A full cooked breakfast is served each morning, and dinner is available by arrangement at an additional cost. Northumberland’s Kielder Forest Park and the Yorkshire Dales are both a similar distance away. Show full description

Charming. Great location. Popular among couples. OYO The Townhouse is set in a Grade II-Listed Georgian town house, offering individually themed rooms in Durham’s charming Old Elvet area. Durham Cathedral and the 11th-century castle are within 10 minutes' walk. Tastefully designed interiors feature in all rooms, placed in either the 18th-century town house, garden or main house. Durham Rail Station is less than 1-mile from the property and Newcastle city centre can be reached after a 15-minute train journey. The banks of the River Wear and Durham University Cricket Club are 150 metres away. Show full description

A charming English manor house close to the A1 road. WiFi is free in public areas and food is served all day. Built on foundations which date back to the 12th Century, the hotel is reputed to have been Henry VIII’s hunting lodge and home to the Eden family. These include Durham Cathedral and Castle, the Durham Dales, Bishop Auckland, and Barnard Castle. It houses secret passages and even a friendly ghost or two! Set in its own landscaped grounds and equipped with multi-functional rooms, it is an ideal base for exploring County Durham's many attractions. The Manor House Hotel is a dog friendly hotel and dogs are more than welcome to come into our bar/lounge/brasserie areas. We only have certain rooms that cater for dogs these are located in our courtyard and are our double or twin rooms. There is a £10 charge per night per dog, this can be added upon booking to settle on check in. Please notify the team as early as possible if you plan to bring your lovely dog with you. Show full description

Beach front location. Stylish. Great value. From the moment you catch a glimpse of the wonderful 1693 Georgian façade, you know you are somewhere special. The Blackwell Grange Hotel is a stunning 17th Century mansion, which enjoys an enviable setting in the beautiful County Durham countryside. Nestled in wooded parkland on the outskirts of Darlington and located between the North Yorkshire Moors and the Pennines, yet only forty-five minutes from the historic cities of York and Newcastle, Blackwell Grange provides a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. After a busy day exploring the North East, or a day of hectic meetings, relax in the leisure club situated on-site at Blackwell Grange. You can enjoy a dip in the heated swimming pool, jacuzzi, or a workout in the gym – or enjoy a pre-booked treatment in our beauty salon. In Havelock's Restaurant, our experienced team have developed menus using the best fresh produce to ensure that your dining experience is second to none. Taking time to discover new dishes, savour new flavours and taste exquisite wines from around the world is is all part of the Blackwell dining experience. Every one of our talented chefs is passionate about delivering delectable dishes, with outstanding service throughout. Show full description

Farnley Tower is situated in an elevated position, providing views over Durham Castle, Cathedral and surrounding countryside. The guest house is a prominent Victorian mansion, renowned for its architecture and gardens, with an on-site restaurant and bar, free Wi-Fi and car parking. All 17 bedrooms are individually designed and spacious. The restaurant and bar, Holi & Bhang, is open 7 days a week and specialises in Indian cuisine. Guest can relax in the patio area overlooking the garden. Farnley Tower Guesthouse is less than a 10 minutes’ walk from historic sites and river walks. There are many cafe, boutiques, galleries and museums nearby. Show full description

Surrounded by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, The Teesdale Hotel is a former 18th-century coaching inn with free on-site parking, an extensive wine cellar and a well-stocked bar with local real ales. French doors lead from the bar onto the patio, where food and drink can be enjoyed. The historic town of Barnard Castle is a 20-minute drive and features the world-famous Bowes Museum. A log fire is featured in the bar, which also offers refreshing ciders and a selection of malt whiskies. Meat from local butchers, trout from local anglers and Teesdale's own Cotherstone Cheese are included on the varied restaurant and bar menu. Each Teesdale room offers a TV, work desk and tea/coffee making facilities. England's largest waterfall, High Force, is only 4.5 miles away and can be reached via a scenic walking route. Show full description

The 17th-century Old Well Inn is in the town of Barnard Castle, with a traditional cosy bar and spacious en suite rooms that each have a TV and tea/coffee making facilities. The Castle Wall forms part of the boundary of The Old Well Inn, and the property is located close to the popular antique quarter, in the centre of this historic market town. Raby Castle and High Force waterfall are within a 30 minute drive. The Old Well is an award-winning pub with a wide range of cask ales. The food menu is based around a selection of traditional British recipes. There is a conservatory, comfortable lounge and private beer garden. The hills of Teesdale are on the property's doorstep, and fishing is possible on the River Tees. Show full description

Elegant. Superb breakfast. In the heart of the historic market town of Barnard Castle, The Three Horseshoes Hotel is a 17th century building less than a mile from the River Tees. Inside, there is free Wi-Fi access for all guests, a bar and a restaurant. Raby Castle, a 14th century fortification surrounded by a 200 acre deer park, is also a 13-minute journey in the car. High Force Waterfall, one of the largest in Britain, is a 26-minute drive away. The elegantly designed rooms at The Three Horseshoes each include an en suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries, a flat-screen TV with a DVD player, a hairdryer, a desk and a scenic view. In the mornings, guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast. The restaurant also serves an extensive dinner menu in the evenings that can cater for those with specific dietary requirements. From the hotel, Bowes Museum is a short 3-minute drive away. Show full description