Lumley Castle Hotel (Durham)

I attend a wedding at Lumley Castle a week last Thursday (as photographer). Whilst we didn't stay over we did get to see the 'Bridal Suite' known as the King James Suite. Location - set on the outskirts of Chester-le-Street the hotel is on top of a small hill surround by trees it does give you the impression you're in the middle of nowhere, despite being 5 minutes from the A1. It's a great location for exploring the area, visiting Beamish, 15-20 minutes drive to the Coast or Newcastle/Metro Centre or 10 minutes to the historic town of Durham. It's also within walking distance (approx 10mins) of Durham County Cricket Club. There is a sweeping ...  Read the complete review

In the run up to my husband's 40th birthday last year I was repeatedly warned that I wasn't to arrange any form of celebration - no party, no balloons, no embarrassing picture in the local newspaper, no banners hanging in our town's marketplace. No, if I wanted to still be married the day after his fortieth, I was advised to completely forget that it was his birthday at all. Of course, I couldn't do that and in the weeks before I began searching for somewhere we could go for the night that would be a bit special but not too far from home. After extensive research... ok then, asking a few friends, it appeared that place was Lumley Castle Hotel. ...  Read the complete review