County Durham - 218 places to stay
Hotels | Bed & Breakfast | Inns | Self Catering | Budget | Holiday Parks | Attractions | Activities | Shops | Sports | Directory
Principal Towns: Durham, Darlington, Hartlepool, Chester-le-Street, Barnard Castle, Bishops Auckland
Situated in the north-east of England, County Durham is an eclectic mix of the remote and sparsely populated dales and moors of the North Pennines in the west, the Great North Forest in the north, reclaimed Durham Heritage Coast in the east as well as highly urbanised areas. It’s one of the most attractive places to visit ‘up North’ for whatever reason and for however long as it manages to cater for most tastes whether modern or heritage based, as well as offer some great general tourist facilities and attractions, from museums and castles to great nature reserves, coastal spots and parks for outdoor activities.
The compact city of Durham itself is shaped by the River Wear which flows right through it, enclosing the centre on three sides to create Durham's "peninsula". It’s a hilly city claiming to be built upon the symbolic seven hills and, high above the Wear, in the most prominent position in the whole city, you won’t be able to miss Durham Cathedral which dominates the skyline. Durham Cathedral is one of the finest Norman buildings in Europe and contains the historic remains of St Cuthbert as well as The Venerable Bede. Together with Castle which stands opposite it, originally built by the Normans in 1071, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and both are essential stops for any visitor to the city, even if not visiting as a tourist. There’s also a wide range of modern shops and restaurants in Durham which merrily co-exist with the Victorian Market area. As most of the shopping area is closed to traffic, there’s a nice relaxed feel to the centre and it is particularly enjoyable in the summer when there is some terrific street entertainment.
North Durham is a heady mix of wooded river ravines and valleys, dramatic moorland and rocky crags. Nature lovers will be particularly interested in its standing as one of the few remaining homes of the endangered red squirrel. The River Derwent is the focal point in the area and it feeds into the popular Derwent Reservoir, which is a magnet for sailing boats of all types and sizes so nautical enthusiasts should head here. Other points of interest include Causey Arch, the world’s oldest surviving railway bridge which is near the former mining town of Stanley. Whilst you are there you will also spot the world’s oldest existing railway upon which you can enjoy a three-mile steam journey on the Tanfield Railway and take in the impressive collection of vintage trains carriages housed in Britain’s oldest engine shed. North Durham happens to also be home to the Beamish Open Air Museum , one of the largest and finest museums of its type anywhere in the world and a brilliant day out for all the family.
You’ll find more reminders of the county’s railway heritage if you head to the South of the county. The town of Shildon was where George Stephenson ’s ‘Locomotion’ was first placed on the rails for the inaugural run of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. The town also boasts the National Railway Museum 's first ever 'outstation'. Thanks to National Lottery award, this branch of the Museum comprises a 6,000 square metre collections centre which is home to up to 60 vehicles from the national collection.
Moving eastwards you’ll come across the Durham coast with its sandy beaches and 11 mile Coastal Footpath. The success of area is testament to the incredible hard work and funding by various councils, government agencies, community groups and local individuals, which have brought about the dramatic transformation of beaches blackened with coal waste, the restoration and protection of grassland meadows, wooded valleys, streams and wildlife habitats along the coast. Since then there has been a whole raft of wildlife protection plans designed to safeguard important habitats along the coastline. Castle Eden Dene, Durham’s largest wooded coastal ravine, is already a National Nature Reserve, home to the rare Durham Argus butterfly and marine life such as dolphins, harbour porpoises, minke whales and basking sharks which pass regularly along the coast also figure highly in protection plans.
In the west of the County you will find some of the highest and wildest scenery in England. Part of the North Pennines, it is one of the country’s largest Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and meshes together rugged upland, majestic waterfalls, river valleys and green meadows with amazing panache making it an essential place for lovers of the great outdoors. It’s in the Durham Dales that you will find High Force, England’s largest waterfall, where the River Tees crashes 70 feet to rocks below. The Dales, particularly Teesdale, are recognized as one of the most precious wildlife areas in Britain and are especially recognized for the importance of their bird-life. They are home to one of Europe’s most important colonies of wading birds such as lapwings, golden plover and curlews.
.
Order a free County Durham Holiday Guide here
If you like this, Share it
Destinations
Recommended Hotels See Map
- Rose & Crown Hotel (The) Barnard Castle *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV - The Morritt Barnard Castle *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Beamish Park Hotel Beamish *featured*
Licensed, Restaurant - Park Head Hotel Bishop Auckland *featured*
Licensed, Restaurant - The Old Mill Knitsley Consett *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV - Clow Beck House Croft on Tees *featured*
Licensed, Restaurant - Headlam Hall Hotel Darlington *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - St George Hotel Darlington *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - Walworth Castle Hotel Darlington *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - Durham Marriott Hotel Royal County Durham *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - Whitworth Hall Hotel Durham *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Guisborough Hall Guisborough *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - The Windmill Hartlepool *featured*
Licensed, Restaurant - Teesdale Hotel Middleton-in-Teesdale *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - The Forresters Hotel & Restaurant Middleton-In-Teesdale *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Chimneys Hotel Peterlee *featured*
Licensed, Restaurant - Hardwicke Hall Manor Hotel Peterlee *featured*
Licensed, Restaurant - The George Hotel Piercebridge *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Staincliffe Hotel Seaton Carew *featured*
Licensed, Restaurant - Whitworth Hall Country Park Spennymoor *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Parkmore Hotel Stockton-On-Tees *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities
Hotels bookable online See Map
- Jersey Farm Hotel Barnard Castle *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, Restaurant - The Croft Croft on Tees *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Gym, Restaurant - Hall Garth Golf & Country Club Darlington *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Hotel Bannatyne Darlington Darlington *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - King's Hotel Darlington *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Rockliffe Hall Darlington *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - The Croft Darlington *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Gym, Restaurant, Satellite TV - Beamish Hall Durham *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Bowburn Hall Hotel Durham *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Satellite TV - Fallen Angel Restaurant with Rooms Durham *book online*
Licensed, Historic, Restaurant, Satellite TV - Honest Lawyer Hotel Durham *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Hotel Bannatyne Durham Durham *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, TennisCourt, Restaurant - Kings Lodge Hotel Durham *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Kingslodge Durham *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Radisson BLU Durham Durham *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Radisson SAS Durham Durham *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Ramside Hall Hotel & Golf Club Durham *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Redworth Hall Hotel Durham *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, TennisCourt, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - The Bay Horse Inn Durham *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Grand Hotel Hartlepool *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Gables Hotel Haswell Plough *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Highfield Hotel Houghton Le Spring *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Satellite TV - Helme Park Hall County House Hotel Tow Law *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Satellite TV - Manor House Hotel & Country Club West Auckland *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, Restaurant, Conference Facilities
Bed and Breakfast See Map
- Marwood House Barnard Castle *featured*
TV in rooms - The Otter Bishop Auckland *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - The Otter Hotel Bishop Auckland *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic - Old Manse Guest House Chester le Street *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking, Disabled - Dowfold House B&B Crook *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected, Parking - Business Class @ Greenhills Darlington *featured*
TV in rooms - Railway House Darlington *featured*
TV in rooms - The Harrowgate Hill Lodge Darlington *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking, Disabled - Cathedral View Town House Durham *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected - Moor End Bed & Breakfast Durham *featured*
TV in rooms - St Aidans College Durham *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking, Disabled - The Victorian Town House Durham *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected, Parking - Newlands Hall Frosterley *featured*
TV in rooms - Catlow Hall Hartlepool *featured*
TV in rooms - The Marine Hotel Hartlepool *featured*
TV in rooms - York House Hartlepool *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic, Parking - Kingswood Hotel Stockton-On-Tees *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking
Pubs & Inns
- Ancient Unicorn Barnard Castle *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Old Well Inn Barnard Castle *book online*
Food, Children Welcome, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Red Well Inn Barnard Castle *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Billingham Arms Hotel Billingham *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Bridge Inn Bishop Auckland *book online*
Food, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Castle Hotel Bishop Auckland *featured*
Food, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Lambton Arms Hotel Chester Le Street *featured*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Old Mill Coxhoe *featured*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Kings Hotel Darlington *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Harrowgate Hill Lodge Darlington *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Royal Oak Durham *featured*
Food, Children Welcome, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Seven Stars Inn Durham *featured*
Food, Children Welcome, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Lambton Hounds Inn Durham *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Lodge Durham *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Lodge Durham *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Kings Head Lanchester *featured*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Four Alls Ovington *featured*
Food, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Rose & Crown Hotel (The) Romaldkirk *featured*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Three Horseshoes Inn Thornley *featured*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards
Self-Catering See Map
- Eggleston Hall Barnard Castle *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Three Arch Cottage Beamish *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Greenwell Farm Bishop Auckland *featured*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Darlington Apartments Darlington *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Luxury Darlington Apartments Darlington *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Littlewhite Farm Cottages Durham *book online*
Pub Nearby, Disabled, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Lyncroft Cottage Frosterley *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Cornmill Cottage at Stowhouse Farm Cottages Lanchester *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Whitbridge Middleton-in-Teesdale *featured*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Short Breaks, Pets Allowed, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Old Mill - Luxury Serviced Accomodation Stockton-on-Tees *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Short Breaks, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - New Hall Farm Wolsingham *featured*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Short Breaks, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards
Brit Quote: |
|
On this day: |