Historic and Period Hotels in County Durham: Walworth Castle, Seaham Hall and more

Also see our special guide to Historic Hotels in the City of Durham

Walworth Castle. Darlington

Through much of England’s turbulent history, Walworth Castle has remained standing. Indeed, it has had to endure many trials of its own.

With origins dating back to the 12th Century, the building has been owned by several notable families but almost feel into ruin during the 1500‘s - the east and west wings were both rebuilt during the reign of Elizabeth I.

Although the castle has played host to numerous dignitaries during its history, the most notable guest to take respite within its safe walls was King James I - the man who would later be targeted in the infamous Gunpowder Plot. Arriving on the 14th of May 1603 while en route to London for his coronation, it is widely believed that his stay was so agreeable he rewarded the then owner, Elizabeth Jenison, by knighting her son-in-law.

By the end of the seventeenth century, however, Walworth was somewhat less popular with the monarchy - in 1689 the Papist castle was scoured for weaponry among fears of a rebellion against King William and Queen Mary.

In more recent times the building has served as the military headquarters for the Durham Light Infantry during World War II, and as a school for girls. In 1981, following extensive refurbishment, Walworth Castle finally reopened as a privately owned hotel. Superbreak | Expedia | Best Western Europe

Seaham Hall. Seaham

Today, Seaham Hall is one of the leading hotel and spa resorts in Northern England. Two centuries ago, however, it was where one of poetry’s most controversial figures, Lord George Gordon Byron, married Annabella Milbanke. Superbreak | TripAdvisor | Mr & Mrs Smith | Expedia | www.lastminute.com

More period and historic accommodation in County Durham...

Chester-le-Street

Lumley Castle. A truly impressive building dating back over 600 years and offering a range of “bedchambers” to guests. Expedia | LateRooms | www.lastminute.com

Darlington

Hall Garth Hotel, Golf & Country Club. A sixteenth century house surrounded by over 60 acres of parkland. Includes a 9-hole golf course and leisure club. LateRooms | Superbreak

Headlam Hall. A seventeenth century Jacobean country house which today offers 40 en suite guest rooms, a 9-hole golf course and spa. www.lastminute.com | LateRooms

Durham

Beamish Hall Classic Hotel. A listed building dating back to the seventeenth century. LateRooms | www.lastminute.com

Old Well Inn, The. A 17th century inn at the heart of the market town of Barnard Castle. LateRooms

Redworth Hall Hotel. An early Georgian manor house built in 1744. LateRooms | Superbreak | www.lastminute.com | Hotel's Own Site

Swallow Three Tuns, The. A sixteenth century coaching inn. Expedia | www.lastminute.com

Middleton in Teesdale

Brunswick House. Built around 1760, this B&B guest house is ideally positioned for those seeking to explore the lovely scenery of Teesdale itself. Lastminute.com

Morpeth

Embleton Hall. Built in 1730 and further extended in the Victorian era, this intimate country house hotel is situated only 30 minutes from Newcastle upon Tyne. www.lastminute.com

Pity Me

The Lambton Hounds Inn. In the gloriously and curiously named village of Pity Me near Durham, The Lambton Hounds is a 250 year old coaching inn which offers seven guest rooms. Interestingly, its lounge bar is that of the Titanic’s sister ship, RMS Olympic. LateRooms

Rushyford

Eden Arms, The. Former coaching inn dating back to the 17th century. Expedia

Shincliffe

The Seven Stars. A collection of former cottages dating from 1724, combined to form a country inn since around 1890. www.lastminute.com

Spennymoor

Best Western Whitworth Hall. Bonnie Bobby Shaftoe was born here in 1732 when it was his family seat. Today it is grade-II listed building offering 29 guest rooms. www.lastminute.com | Hotel's Own Site

West Auckland

The Manor House Hotel & Country Club. A sturdy Jacobean country house whose foundations are thought to date back as far back as the 1100’s, The Manor House is rightfully Grade-I listed. It offers 35 rooms in total, with those in the Courtyard (Standard Double / Twin) accepting well-behaved dogs. LateRooms

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Believe in ghosts? There are more historic places to stay in the Haunted Hotels in the North East of England section.