Curated luxury hotels in Chester-le-Street

• 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.

Located in Washington, Holiday Inn Washington by IHG is within a 15-minute drive of Beamish Open Air Museum and Durham University. This hotel is 8.4 mi (13.6 km) from Quayside and 9.5 mi (15.2 km) from St. James' Park.

With a stay at Beamish Hall Hotel, BW Premier Collection in Stanley, you'll be next to a golf course, within a 10-minute drive of Beamish Open Air Museum and Beamish Wild. This golf hotel is 8.5 mi (13.6 km) from St. James' Park and 9 mi (14.5 km) from Quayside.

With a stay at Hotel Indigo Durham by IHG, you'll be centrally located in Durham – a 1-minute drive from Durham University and 15 minutes from Beamish Open Air Museum. This hotel is 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from St. Nicholas Church and 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from Gala Theatre Durham.

With a stay at Radisson BLU Hotel Durham in Durham, you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Durham University and Crook Hall and Gardens. This eco-friendly hotel is 9.1 mi (14.6 km) from Beamish Open Air Museum and 0.5 mi (0.9 km) from Gala Theatre Durham.

Located in Durham, Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa is within a 15-minute drive of Durham University and Beamish Open Air Museum. This golf hotel is 3.1 mi (5 km) from St. Nicholas Church and 3.1 mi (5 km) from Gala Theatre Durham.

Located in Washington, Mercure Newcastle George Washington Hotel Golf and Spa is within a 15-minute drive of Quayside and Beamish Open Air Museum. This golf hotel is 7.5 mi (12.1 km) from St. James' Park and 13.9 mi (22.4 km) from Durham University.

With a stay at Farnley Tower Guesthouse in Durham, you'll be in the historical district, within a 5-minute drive of Durham University and Gala Theatre Durham. This hotel is 9.4 mi (15.1 km) from Beamish Open Air Museum and 0.8 mi (1.4 km) from St. Nicholas Church.

With a stay at Delta Hotels Durham Royal County, you'll be centrally located in Durham – a 1-minute drive from Durham University and 14 minutes from Beamish Open Air Museum. This eco-friendly hotel is 0.2 mi (0.4 km) from St. Nicholas Church and 0.2 mi (0.4 km) from Gala Theatre Durham.

Located in Stanley, Black Horse Beamish is a 3-minute drive from Beamish Wild and 6 minutes from Beamish Open Air Museum. This inn is 7.1 mi (11.5 km) from Tyne Bridge and 7.3 mi (11.7 km) from BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art.

Located in Durham, OYO The Townhouse is within a 15-minute drive of Durham University and Beamish Open Air Museum. This inn is 0.4 mi (0.6 km) from St. Nicholas Church and 0.4 mi (0.6 km) from Gala Theatre Durham.

Centrally located in the historic city of Durham Delta Hotels by Marriott Durham Royal County boasts views of Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle and is situated on the banks of the River Wear.

Each room at Delta Hotels by Marriott Durham Royal County Hotel features a flat-screen TV. Some rooms offer views of the River Wear and upgraded bathroom facilities.

Cast Iron restaurant serves a buffet-style breakfast. The Cast Iron Bar, along with the Terrace, serves a selection of sandwiches, mains, sides and desserts along with classic and contemporary cocktails, wines, spirits, beers and soft drinks.

The hotel offers an indoor gym accessible to hotel guests 24 hours.

The hotel is 13 miles from Sunderland and less than 20 miles from the centre of Newcastle. High Force Waterfall is 36 miles away and Beamish Museum can be reached in 15 minutes by car.

Located in Gateshead (Lamesley), Riding Farm Cottages is within a 10-minute drive of Beamish Open Air Museum and Angel of the North. This family-friendly hotel is 6.9 mi (11.1 km) from Washington Old Hall and 7.6 mi (12.2 km) from BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art.

Located in Durham, within 12 km of Lumley Castle and 20 km of Beamish Museum, Victoria inn provides accommodation with a bar and free WiFi throughout the property as well as free private parking for guests who drive. The property is situated 25 km from Stadium of Light, 26 km from The Glasshouse International Centre for Music and 27 km from Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. The inn features family rooms.

Theatre Royal is 27 km from the inn, while MetroCentre is 29 km away. Teesside International Airport is 39 km from the property.

Ten miles from Newcastle, The Bowes Incline Hotel offers en suite rooms and a 100-seat restaurant. Rooms are well equipped with TV, free Wi-Fi and coffee and tea-making facilities.

The restaurant offers a variety of English and European cuisine and there are also extensive options for vegetarians. The Long Bar offers a wide selection of wines, spirits and cask ales.

Rated 4-star by Visit England, Bowes Incline Hotel is one mile from the A1, and within 20 minutes of Newcastle International Airport and Central Station. The Angel of The North can be seen from the hotel.

Overlooking countryside, The Bowes is within walking distance of an equestrian centre and a fishing lake. Several golf courses are also within easy reach of the hotel.

Situated in Stanley, 3.1 km from Beamish Museum, Hotel 52 Stanley features accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a restaurant. This 4-star hotel features free WiFi and a bar. The property is non-smoking and is located 11 km from Lumley Castle.

All rooms in the hotel are fitted with a TV. The rooms have a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer.

MetroCentre is 11 km from Hotel 52 Stanley, while The Glasshouse International Centre for Music is 14 km from the property. Newcastle International Airport is 24 km away.

With a stay at Maldron Hotel Newcastle, you'll be centrally located in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, steps from Chinatown and within a 5-minute walk of St. James' Park. This eco-friendly hotel is 1 mi (1.7 km) from Castle Keep and 1.1 mi (1.8 km) from Quayside.

With a stay at Hotel Indigo Newcastle by IHG, you'll be centrally located in Newcastle-upon-Tyne – a 7-minute walk from St. James' Park and 11 minutes by foot from University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. This eco-friendly hotel is 0.7 mi (1.1 km) from Northumbria University and 1.1 mi (1.8 km) from Quayside.

With a stay at Crowne Plaza Newcastle - Stephenson Quarter by IHG in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, you'll be within a 10-minute walk of Castle Keep and Chinatown. This eco-friendly hotel is 0.7 mi (1 km) from Tyne Bridge and 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from Eldon Square Shopping Centre.

When you stay at Great North Hotel in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, you'll be near the airport, within a 10-minute drive of Quayside and St. James' Park. This hotel is 15.1 mi (24.3 km) from Beamish Open Air Museum and 0.7 mi (1.2 km) from City of Newcastle Golf Club.