Recommendations for Durham

Icklebeans

Hello all,

It is my 30th birthday in March and I will be 7 months pregnant with twins. We are planning a couple of days away and fancied Durham.

I am looking for personal recommendations for central (I will be pretty huge by then so the more central the better) hotels, b&b's and restaurants. All budgets considered - just got to be cosy beds and good food!

Thanks in advance!

Nicola

Blue264

Haven't visited Durham myself but I've heard that the best and most central are Grafton House, the Radisson and Three Tuns.

totallybored

I'm from Durham originally so I've not stayed in any hotels there myself. However, the centre of Durham is quite small.

I knew someone who worked at the Three Tuns as a student. It's central but could be a bit 'tired' in rooms etc by now. The Radisson and Grafton House are quite new but having a quick look I'd go for the Grafton House as it looks really nice.

An alternative could be York. There is a bit more do there. Don't get me wrong, Durham is a lovely city, but you would find more restaurants etc in York. Or you could do both depending on where you're from and how you're getting there (both are on the east coast main line for trains).

AHAR

Hi,
I live near and work in Durham so I've never stayed in any of the accommodation but I know where they are! The Royal County and the Three Tuns are very central but I don't think they're cheap.
Durham is quite hilly and all the central B&Bs I can think of, including the Grafton, would require a some kind of walk up a steepish bank to get to.
Here are a few to look at:
Georgian Town House - I've occasionally booked visitors to my workplace in here and the owners sounded lovely on the phone!
60 Albert Street - My Japanese friend stayed here when she visited and said it was very nice and friendly.
Farnley Tower - Yet more hill climbing for this one.

I usually walk past the Grafton House if I pop into town during my lunch-hour and it's on an amazing old street across the river from the Cathedral. I was surprised when it appeared on such a quiet residential street.

Restaurants I've heard good things about but never been to include Oldfields on Claypath and the Pump House - important visitors at work usually get taken here!
Have a nice time!

whitfreak

I was a student at the uni so had little use of the hotels (graduated 2007). And certainly cant comment on the radisson as it was still being built. But there is a premier inn as part of the gala theatre development, so thats about a 2 min walk to the market place 8min to the cathedral, or the cathedral bus (50p a day) stops close as well.

If you go out of term time then some of the colleges rent out rooms on a b&b basis, including University College (the castle), although be aware some of the rooms can be very basic if you get rooms designed for first years or a few centuries old.... (although i know they add extra bits for guests as opposed to students). Also parking is an issue if staying at a Bailey (old) College. http://www.dur.ac.uk/conferences/ for Castle/Hatfield, St Chads and Johns deal with B&B enquires through their own websites. I've listed the bailey colleges in the centre of town, all with a bit of history about them.

Hmm food. Based on my last visit (march 08), lots of chain restuants in the gala theatre area. oldfields just around the up claypath is very nice and very expensive, slightly further up the road is Capital durham's best curry house. At the bottom of crossgate is sakura which is a japanese experience with the food cooked in front of you. NumJai a very good thai restuarnt is in the milburngate shopping centre. Hoards of Italians all much of a muchness, cant comment of pubs and their grub as I dont really remember what they were like.

For lunch there are numerous cafes, try cafe continental for large amounts of cake (botton of elvet bridge, oppsite the swan and three), Hollathans (also on elvet) and Vennals hiding behind shops off silver street.(my lawyer mates swore by theses...) Must also mention Zen (near the prison) as their lunch time menu (was) is alot more reasonable than their day time if eastern fusion is your thing.

Hope this helps,

(No my memory isnt that good, I had to refer to the fresher guide book I wrote before leaving)

colmil

I am from the area, and would agree that Durham is perhaps not the best place for a pregnant lady!

For example, to visit the cathedral will involve walking up a long street unless you pay to go through the barrier in the market place.

Don't get me wrong, Durham County has some lovely spots but I would suggest that you consider staying at say the Travelodge or Travelinn, Bannantyne also has place on the A167 and tour around from there.

You could then visit Durham and also you are a short ride from Newcastle, the Metro Centre, Corbridge, Hexham, and also consider visiting Slaley Hall, famous for golf, but which has two walks you can suit to your needs.

They also have an offer on until March Sun-Thurs a double room, breakfast, and a bottle of wine for £79 a room(don't suppose the free golf would interest you!)

Ask if you need any other information,

Regsards

singlehouseholder

Depending on what kind of food you like, there's a nice Slug n Lettuce in the centre, you can get 50percent vouchers off with them most of the time. When I go to Durham I try and find the £9 rooms in Travel lodge, which is a 10-15 walk away from centre, but as you'll have a very big belly a taxi'd be your best bet, costing 3-4 smacks. Durham is a fantastic place to visit. Oo also, the Gala theatre is next to the Slug, so if you fancied a show/film then a bite to eat, you'll be well located.I agree with the OP, Durham is a poor mans York, but still nice to visit.
Have a great time byw.

Icklebeans

Thank you so far on the recommendations!

We are from West Yorkshire, and was looking for somewhere within two hours drive (not the Lakes though - plan to go there in the summer when the twins are born). We have already stayed in York about 5 years ago which was why we are looking at Durham - somewhere that has history and things to do for a couple of days.

Please keep the suggestions coming - all ideas greatly received!

x

Becles

Durham city centre is very hilly and some streets are cobbled and uneven too. Make sure you take very sensible shoes!

It's a beautiful city though. I enjoy just wandering round taking it all in!

There's a Bella Italia just off Silver Street, next to the river. If it's warm enough, they have a lovely terrace out the back over looking the river. It's so pretty and peaceful, it's hard to believe you are in a city centre. If it's too cold to sit outside, they have a conservatory where you can sit and look over the river. I've had a few nice meals there with my husband. It's underneath the Cafe Rouge (which is also very nice as well!)

Icklebeans

Thanks to all who replied so I thought I would bring an update!

Well, I turned 30, still pregnant with twins and yep, we made it to Durham!

We stayed at Cathedral Town House B&B which suited our needs perfectly. We ate out twice - once at Oldfields (lovely atmosphere and food) and also The Pump House - very posh and we had a lovely intimate meal!

Thanks again!

mookybargirl

Agree with some of the other posts. Radisson opened in November. The rooms are nice and the corner rooms are quirky, but spacious. The parking isn't free but the street parking is free overnight. It's a short walk to middle of town from there. The Royal County, which is a Marriott is also in a good location. Free parking, and very central.