A stay at Lumley Castle Hotel in County Durham
Like the idea of a stay in an English castle? It’s possible at the Lumley Castle Hotel, a four-star property with a state-of-the-art escape room and a restaurant serving modern British cuisine.
Places to stay
Hope and Anchor South Ferriby gastropub
Staying at The Hope and Anchor at South Ferriby means an opportunity to relax with a couple of drinks while dining on tasty, well-presented and reasonably priced food in an informal environment.
Seaham Hall hotel and spa in County Durham
Seaham Hall is a five-star hotel in County Durham with an luxury spa and two restaurants. The Dining Room is inside the Georgian manor house while Geko is by the property's Serenity Spa.
The Black Bull in Sedbergh, Cumbria
The Black Bull is well-placed as a base for people who appreciate outdoor activities. The rolling Howgill Fells rise above Sedbergh. Windermere, in the Lake District National Park, is less than 40 minutes’ drive away.
Dakota Hotel Newcastle: luxury by the Tyne
Stuart Forster reviews a stay at the Dakota Hotel Newcastle, the new boutique hotel on the city’s Quayside. Disclosure: Stuart was invited to stay at the Dakota Newcastle to attend a press preview, ahead of the luxury hotel’s official opening on 29 March 2025. Some of the links and banners below are affiliate links, meaning,...
The Cookie Jar in Alnwick, Northumberland
The Cookie Jar is in premises previously occupied by the Convent of Mercy. If you’re looking for a special treat, reserve the Chapel, a suite whose stained glass windows and name provide unmissable hints as to the room’s former use. We popped in for a glance around and were impressed by the sinfully opulent decor.
A night at Langley Castle in Northumberland
As the location for surprise meal and overnight stay, Langley Castle proved memorable. I enjoyed the experience and would happily visit again.
When it comes to choosing date night locations the gauntlet is down — to use saying derived from issuing the challenge to a duel medieval times. I’m now going to have to raise my game.
SCHLOSS Roxburghe hotel and spa near Kelso
One of my favourite aspects of staying at SCHLOSS Roxburghe was participating in a whisky tasting led by Carrie-Anne Jones. A whisky ambassador, Carrie-Anne spoke knowledgeably and passionately about whisky's heritage, Scotland's whisky-producing regions and why she had chosen the three whiskies that we sampled in Bar 1745: a limited edition Sauternes wine cask finish 12-year-old from Speyside's The GlenAllachie distillery, a dram of 18-year Bowmore and a tequila cask finished 15-year-old malt from Deanston.
Matfen Hall in Northumberland
Birds are chirping and geese are honking on the far side of the fairway as I raise the sash window of my vast guestroom at Maften Hall in rural Northumberland. It’s pleasant to wake with a view overlooking a championship standard golf course.
Quinta da Timpeira Douro Valley homestay
The Douro Valley is known for being the home of the world’s first demarcated wine region and the area from which grapes are sourced to produce Port.