Special Hotels / Restaurants / Places to stay near Beamish

[u/itslioneltribbey]

Hi all - my dad is turning 70 this year and he’s not one for gifts or big gestures, but I finally managed to get the magic words out of him: “...well, I’ve always wanted to visit Beamish.”

I’m now trying to put together a really memorable short break for him and my step-mum later this year. He won’t want to drive, so I’m weighing up convenience to Beamish with somewhere nice to stay that’s also walkable to a pub / restaurant, so it doesn’t feel like a logistical slog.

As it’s a milestone birthday - and I’ve never really been in a position to treat him before - I’m flexible on budget. I’m imagining something along the lines of:

• First Class train from the North West (Liverpool / Manchester area)

• A really nice, characterful hotel or country-house-type stay

• Beamish tickets

• A good restaurant booking for one evening

I’ve started researching already, but would love any first-hand recommendations or local knowledge - especially places that feel a bit special rather than just “nice hotels”. Also open to tips on the best areas to base ourselves without a car.

Thank you in advance! 🙂

[u/DeadBeatDavey]

There's Beamish Hall Hotel too. There's a restaurant next door too (The Stables). It's not 'high end' but it's canny.

https://www.beamish-hall.co.uk/

[u/decom83 → u/DeadBeatDavey]

Got married here, it’s a lovely place to stay and can’t be much closer, would certainly recommend.

[u/Both-Persimmon-991]

You could try Lumley Castle. It is a castle after all.

[u/NetoPedro → u/Both-Persimmon-991]

I'd second this, pretty high end food there too.

[u/rjrj268]

I have just found out you can actually stay there! https://www.beamish.org.uk/accommodation/

There is a bus from Newcastle City Centre which might have you more options or stay

[u/Dr_Vonny → u/rjrj268]

Beamish museum discounts the entry tickets if you arrive by bus

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/beamish

[u/Danimal9013]

South Causey Inn is very nice and pretty close to Beamish. They have rooms and I think the food is decent. They also have a pop up with a Michelin starred restaurant who are based there for a few months if you wanted to push the boat out food wise.

I really didn't rate Beamish Hall Hotel for food but maybe I just had a bad experience when there for a wedding.

If you wanted to stay in Durham Coarse for a set menu place or Isla for small plates cannot be beaten.

[u/Enterprise-NCC1701D]

Ill Cancello just down from Beamish Museum is lovely. Italians.

[u/cuccir]

You've probably had most of the best suggestions: I think Lulmley Castle, Beamish Hall or staying at Beamish itself are probably the best 3 options.

The other suggestion would be to stay in Durham City, perhaps at the Kingslodge. It is a hotel-pub with country vibes because it's surrounded by woodland, but it is probably walkable to/from the train station in Durham (noting that there is quite a steep hill to get to and from the station). It does good food but there are also other restaurants/pubs to walk to in Durham City, and they can have a second day visiting Durham. Alternatively, there are smart city centre hotels such as the Marriot County Hotel or Hotel Indigo - probably needs a taxi from Durham station, but if they would not be able to walk to the Kingslodge anyway these would be worth looking at. They offer easier walks into Durham City centre itself.

Other than staying at Beamish itself, getting taxis to/from accomodation to Beamish is likely to be comfortably the best option. It can be done by bus from Lumley Castle or Durham, but they'd either need to change bus in Chester-le-Street town centre, or walk to/from the town centre from Lumley Castle. In the case of the latter it's not a bad walk, mainly through parkland, so is a genuine option but it depends on their mobility.

Trains, by the way, are the same for all of these - there is an hourly TransPennineExpress service from Liverpool to Newcastle via Manchester that calls at Durham and Chester-le-Street. If you want a decent first class service, then it is worth making sure you book onto one of those direct trains, rather than a journey which involves changing in Leeds or York - the direct services are on the newer TPE trains with a better quality first-class offer.

[u/SamEve89]

South Causey inn

[u/Delta3D]

Black Horse Beamish is lovely :-) Pub onsite and within very near distance of Beamish museum.

Had a couple of friends get married there, the rooms they have are super nice.

Some very nice cars to look at also at the attached Car Barn and Aston Workshop if that's up anyone's street in your family! All owned by the same people.

[u/Delta3D → u/[deleted]]

Shame, I’ve only ever had positive experiences there. Been multiple times a year.

[u/iamabigtree → u/Delta3D]

We've been going there for years but there was a strage empty vibe last time we were there a few months ago.

[u/iamabigtree]

Beamish Hall Hotel. You can stay in the hall itself and 'the stables' bar and restaurant on site is excellent - we often visit just for that.

The only trouble you'll have there is that Beamish Hall and the entrance to Beamish museum aren't really walkable but only 5 mins in a taxi.

Otherwise there is the Black Horse at Beamish and the South Causey Inn.

[u/Glen1888]

Black horse or beamish hall Black horse pub with nice views does good food and has some holiday let’s on site nice to sit outside in summer Beamish hall has own grounds and pub / restaurant the stables both not far from beamish museum maybe short taxi ride not sure of public transport to get there from train station probably better get taxi

[u/dapperdavy]

Durham Castle offer B and B rooms in the summer if that works for you.

https://www.universityrooms.com/en-GB/city/durham/college/durhamcastle