Hotel berhampiran Wharton Park, Durham

The room was spotless and nicely furnished with THE comfiest bed! The bathroom was large and there were copious fluffy white towels (but no bathrobes as described). The views were tremendous and it was really close to Durham. The lounge area was lovely and accessible all the time. But…the breakfast was self-service continental style and we (and the other couple staying) loaded and put on the dishwasher which we’ve never done in a B&B before! The bedroom is within a conservatory and it was sooo hot. On our final night we asked for a fan as we couldn’t get a breeze from the window as the conservatory door was closed at night. The fan made for a better night’s sleep and I would suggest that the rooms have one in there permanently. On the confirmation email it did say that guest rooms were not guaranteed noise free. Maybe a touch of an understatement! We could hear the man next door having a good old yawn and if we weren’t talking ourselves, we could hear their conversations. Eeeek. It was a lovely location but I did think it was expensive. We used our Christmas present BuyAGift ‘2 night luxury stay’ vouchers and as we stayed a 3rd night, we paid the difference which was £230! Ouch.

Really enjoyed our stay at Bannatyne Durham. The room was very clean and well set out with all amenities. The staff were also very helpful on arrival allowing us to check in way before formal check in time. The location is great, just a few minutes off the A1(M) giving great links, the bus stop is just at the end of the road giving access to the very regular bus services into the city centre. Also a large retail park next door. Would have preferred a proper double bed rather than the two singles put together. Main issue was the shower which only had half the screen and had a slow drain. Also find, which isn’t unique to this hotel, that the hotel is significantly overheated which combined with an excessively thick duvet made for a difficult night’s sleep. We booked directly which gave us access to the gym and pool for no additional cost. The gym was a little dated (needing new kit) and gym changing rooms weren’t the cleanest. Overall, very good value for the price paid. Would also stay again.

We arrived in Durham late afternoon after driving for hours from the Lakes district via Hadrian's wall in Hexham. We were greeted by the host William. After check-in we asked William for directions to Durham Cathedral. Unfortunately we got lost and couldn't get there. We got back to the B&B very tired and disappointed as we only had the date of arrival to visit the Cathedral. We were tired and told William that we will just rest up for our trip up north the next day. William wouldn't hear of it and offered to drive us to the Cathedral and even wait for us while we toured the Cathedral. We were embarrassed and did not want to trouble him but he insisted and took us in his car, acting as a tour guide he drove past many attractions and got us to the Cathedral. Once I knew the way, I asked if we could return to the B&B so I could drive us in our own car to the Cathedral and spend the evening around there. He recommended a few restaurants as we drove past them and took us back. We managed to drive back and attend evening song and then spent a lovely evening walking around. If it weren't for William, we would have just spent the evening in our room feeling sorry for our selves. Our room was at the top floor. As I was parking the car, my wife took a small suitcase in. An elderly woman insisted on carrying the bag upstairs and no matter how many times my wife tried, she insisted on taking it up. Breakfast was great. Although only street parking is available, William assured us that the area was safe and he was right. This is a family run B&B and William and his family could not be more hospitable, friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend Moor End Guest House.

Beautiful location, I attended a friend's birthday party best service was received at the buffet restaurant in the evening and again in the morning by a younger blonde eastern European woman, she went so out of her way to help me both times, I wish I had asked her name. The buffet breakfast had everything you could possibly want, well worth the $17 cost.. I booked the Coleman Suite and it was beyond amazing, but the basic rooms some of my friends had seemed overpriced.. I should have used to pool, sauna and other amenities but there was no time with the party, I would recommend staying for at least 2 days next time. Wonderful stay, just too short.

Stayed here for 2 nights and it was an amazing hotel , very clean , great staff and beautiful rooms . There is a thia restaurant attached to the hotel and their food was outstanding and the service was high quality . There was also a bar serving pub classics too and was very reasonably priced. I would defo stay here again and visit the restaurant as its a hidden little gem of a place.

The drive up to the castle was was fantastic as the view of the castle looked stunning. The entrance to the court yard for parking was quaint and inviting. The look of the court yard looking at all the out buildings looked inviting and very well presented. The “stocks” make for great entertainment The entrance to the reception is like looking for the secret door but the plaque at the side with history information explains why and is interesting to read. Inside the reception is is quite dark but this for me added to the ambience of the place. The staff where welcoming, polite and explained the hotel set up. We stayed in one of the room in the courtyard which was beautiful. Very nicely decorated and good value for money. The room was cozy. We’d booked to have a meal in the Knights Restaurant and we had pre drinks in the bar first The walk to the restaurant through the corridor into the central courtyard was very different yet beautiful. It’s so old and it was nice to see it was decorated and kept within “keeping” The bar again was inviting and cosy and it was great to see that the drinks and wine list was very reasonably priced. So often places know you are a target audience and inflate the prices ridiculously however in our opinion the castle had not done this. There was a good choice of cocktails and the “smoked” cocktails added that something a little bit different and we didn’t mind paying a few pounds more for the “quirkiness”. Again the staff where very professional, friendly and well presented. The walk from the bar/lounge area to the Knights Restaurant was stunning through the corridors of the castle and past a lovely looking staircase and when we walked into the restaurant I was overwhelmed as it was stunning and not what I was expecting. The arched ceiling, the lighting, the privacy of how the tables where set out we felt was very nice. We thought it all created a romantic setting. It was very secluded but included. The menu choice was good and the food was beautiful. The service was great too and again the staff were very professional, polite and very well presented. The prices on the menu varied so I would say they’d catered fo most people’s budget and it was your own choice on how much you spend Our nights sleep was comfortable and the walk back from the restaurant to the courtyard was well lit but again in keeping with been in a castle environment. Great use of mood lighting. My husband even went into the stocks on the was home (🤣) Breakfast the next morning again did not disappoint. The selection was fantastic and plenty of food to choice from Overall we can can not fault our experience. It was a lively venue with great facilities and very well presented. The staff where Courteous, polite, friendly and very well presented. I would recommend this as a place to go and stay. We must go back so we can stay in one of the castle rooms as I am sure they would be as good and maybe even more “quirkier” than the courtyard rooms which were very nice.

15 mins by car to Newcastle nothing around in walkable distance however an amazing restful place. Beautiful nature, good food and amazing service!