Guest User
November 7, 2023
We received a very warm and friendly welcome on arrival at the hotel. Our room was spacious, with a huge bathroom, but both were warm and cosy despite the low temperatures outside, and everything was very clean. Our large, four-poster bed was comfortable. The floors do creak a bit, and we knew every time someone passed outside our room, but it is an old building, so that's just part of the character. There were a couple of chairs in the room, but I would have liked something a bit larger and more comfortable - the room is big enough to take it! The wood-paneled restaurant is cosy and intimate, and there is a good menu, with enough choice to cover dining on successive nights. The wine list is very good, and reasonably priced. One thing to watch out for is that the bar is closed an hour or so after the restaurant empties, so you may want to order another drink when asked. Breakfast is very good, with a good choice of fruit juices and hot and cold items, and the cooked food is perfectly cooked and presented. Despite there being very few staff - mainly Elena and her son Alex - service is friendly, prompt and efficient. The Castle is in a remote spot, but is actually within easy driving distance to quite a few attractions, such as Cragside, Wallington and Belsay. We really enjoyed our stay and will, hopefully, be back again.