The Best Places to Stay Around Durham
With plenty of great options for stays, why not take a break in Durham?
OYO The Townhouse
In brief: A boudoir-style boutique hotel in historic Durham.
Our highlight: The less-than-ordinary interiors and garden chalets with hot tubs.
Insider guide: A Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse in Durham’s Old Elvet, backing onto the cricket ground, this intimate hotel is all rich velvets and glittering chandeliers. There are just eight bedrooms in the main house and three lodges with outdoor hot tubs in the garden. There’s a small bar and dining room where breakfast is served but no evening meals are available, but with the delights of the beautiful city on your doorstep there is no shortage of great places for dinner.
Durham DH1 3HN
0191 359 2440
oyorooms.com
Radisson Blu Hotel Durham
In brief: A contemporary hotel with stunning views over the River Wear.
Our highlight: The hotel’s ideal location for exploring the historic city of Durham.
Insider guide: With 207 rooms there’s plenty of choice ranging from standard rooms to suites, with options for families too. The popular Jozef’s Restaurant & Bar serves a range of signature and classic British dishes, and once you’re done exploring Durham’s cobbled streets and UNESCO world heritage sites you can head to the hotel’s Nu Spa with its three treatment rooms, an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi, and a well equipped gym.
Frankland Lane, Durham DH1 5TA
0191 372 7200
radissonbludurham.com
South Causey Inn
In brief: A vibrant country inn in the Beamish Valley.
Our highlight: The quirky accommodation, with everything from luxury penthouses to a converted vintage double-decker bus.
Insider guide: Independent and family-owned, South Causey Inn is known for its eccentric interiors, an on-site antique shop, and a Pets Corner packed full of alpacas, sheep and rabbits. The pub and restaurant have retained a classic country feel, with log-burning stoves in the snug where you can relax with a glass of wine or a cocktail, whilst the kitchen team work with the best local farmers and markets to source fresh ingredients.
Beamish Burn Road, Stanley DH9 0LS
01207 235555
southcausey.co.uk
The Old Paper Mill
In brief: A chocolate box cottage for two along a quiet farm lane near Burnopfield.
Our highlight: This stone cottage was once a paper mill in the mid-18th century, powered by a stream.
Insider guide: Whether you’re spotting deer, badgers or red kites from the conservatory, cooking in the hand-painted kitchen or outside with the barbecue, a stay at The Old Paper Mill is always peaceful. Just half a mile from the scenic Derwent Walk Railway Path, exploration awaits and ample storage space for bikes makes that a breeze.
Burnopfield
01573 226711
crabtreeandcrabtree.com
Kip & Nook
In brief: Unique glamping experiences in a beautiful rural landscape.
Our highlight: The Cabin, a secluded, dog-friendly, converted-container with log-burner and hot tub.
Insider guide: Kip & Nook offer a different kind of glamping experience, whether you choose to stay in their cabins, containers, loft, barn or pitches. The OG container for two has a stylish open-plan interior, The Loft offers a relaxing retreat for a joint couples trip and The Barn is great for a group gathering. Even the pitches come with their own wood-fired hot tub. Guests will love the on-site yoga studio, Sauna & Ice Bath Experience and homemade pizzas (available to pre-oder).
Pinkney Carr Farm DL2 2RD
01325 344584
kipandnook.com
The Auckland Project
In brief: Cosy cottages in the heart of Bishop Auckland.
Our highlight: Lightfoot Cottage – its front garden nestles right beside the gates of Auckland Palace and the cottage itself extends either side of the original palace walls.
Insider guide: These individually-designed holiday cottages are perfectly situated for making the most of what Bishop Auckland has to offer. Sheriff’s Tower Cottages, tucked away on Silver Street are ideal for families or two couples. Or why not book The Clarence? An Edwardian property, it sits at the top of sloping grounds with views through the trees to Auckland Palace. Guests at all the cottages will receive Unlimited Passes to The Auckland Project’s attractions, 10 percent discount in The Auckland Project’s restaurants, free and private off-street parking, and after-hours access to Auckland Palace’s Walled Garden until 10pm. From 22nd November–31st December guests can also enjoy unlimited access to AGLOW, the town’s Christmas light trail in the grounds of Auckland Palace, and unlimited access to the brand-new Christmas at the Palace.
Bishop Auckland
aucklandproject.org
The Nest
In brief: A chic retreat on the banks of the historic Hurworth Burn Reservoir.
Our highlight: Wren – with its super-king size bed and private balcony with outdoor hot tub.
Insider guide: The Nest’s luxury one-bedroom lodges and elevated treehouses all come complete with outdoor hot tubs, as does the spacious, five-bed home-from-home for larger groups. Cyclists will want to head onto the surrounding historic railway paths, and if the weather allows, you can walk by the Hurworth Burn Reservoir before heading home to watch the sunset from a bubbling hot tub, glass of fizz in hand.
Red Hurworth Farm, Hurworth Burn Road, Wingate
TS28 5NN
0333 090 3817
restatthenest.co.uk
40 Winks Hospitality
In brief: A newly renovated, Grade II-listed guesthouse on the banks of the River Wear.
Our highlight: Unrivalled views of Durham Cathedral and Castle.
Insider guide: 40 Winks is perfect for a luxury short stay in the heart of Durham city. This extraordinary guesthouse offers a unique experience, blending comfort with elegance in nine ensuite bedrooms, which offer plush beds, Molton Brown toiletries and complimentary refreshments. Breakfast is taken in the dining room, but guests can also relax with drinks in the cosy snug.
40 South Street, Durham DH1 4QP
40winkshospitality.co.uk
