Lumley Castle Hotel

• Fairytale castle
• Escape room
• Themed events

With its towers, grand interiors and rooms fit for royalty, the Lumley Castle Hotel is like something out of the fairytale books. It sits on a hill surrounded by parklands, between Durham and Newcastle. It’s also opposite Durham County Cricket Ground, so you can walk to matches. You can spend your days exploring the North East England, or making yourself at home in its beautiful rooms, restaurants and bars.

You can choose to stay in the castle itself, or the courtyard. And upgrades to one of the three suites really are worth it for the four poster beds, rolltop or jacuzzi baths and countryside views. When you’re not in your room, there’s a cosy library bar to chill out in – even in winter, there’s often a log fire going. They serve brunch, as well as bits like toasted ciabatta sandwiches, sharing platters and soups for lunch. In the main Knights restaurant, meanwhile, you can dine on duck breast, monkfish or rump of lamb under a dramatic vaulted ceiling.

There’s always something going on at Lumley Castle. The hotel runs lots of fun events, from Elizabethan banquets and Motown nights to 80s-themed bingo and breakfast with Santa. And did we mention the escape room? Yep, you can book in to play Lily of Lumley without leaving the castle walls.