Wynyard Hall Hotel & Spa

It doesn’t get much grander than the arrival here: a long drive through lush parkland, over a handsome stone bridge before sweeping in to a crunchy-gravel drive infront of a massive Corinthian portico. This vast, stone building, with its decorative parapets, huge sash windows and assorted stone lions, is all you would expect of a Georgian stately home built for the Third Marquess of Londonderry. Inside, it doesn’t disappoint, either. Double-height rooms are awash with marble, gilded pilasters, plasterwork ceilings and walls hung with gallery-size portraits. There’s a central lobby with stained glass dome, a huge library - perfect for afternoon tea - a glittering Mirror Room, and even a marble-clad chapel. On sunny days, take your book and coffee to sit on the terrace overlooking the lake. Bedrooms are vast, many with fireplaces, softened with pretty English wallpapers, deep-pile carpets, thick silk curtains and views over parkland or lake. Families could opt for one of three cottages (sleeping six), a 10-minute walk from the Hall; more contemporary and two with hot-tubs. There are more hot-tubs in the spa, which is squeezed into the tiny space of the former boathouse. It can get cramped - and it’s a mixed changing room! - so book in advance to ensure you can make use of the facilities. Dinner, in the grand dining room, is either a brasserie menu or a la carte; the latter full of theatricality and technical high-jinks, such as cheese ice cream served in savoury cornets. Durham, with its Castle and Cathedral, is 30 minutes’ drive, but most people come to wander the grounds - which include a walled garden - sip cocktails on the terrace, and indulge in a touch of the grand life.

Why do people love staying in your hotel?
Guests love coming here for a nice, relaxing escape. We’re surrounded by 150 acres of parkland, so it’s the perfect place to come if you want to switch off from the world for a weekend. The Hall is particularly grand, so Wynyard Hall is also the ideal setting for birthday or anniversary stays.

What is there to do in the area?
Beamish Museum and the Bowes Museum are a short drive away, or if you prefer browsing local shops, Durham and Yarm are popular choices. For guests that enjoy being outdoors we have recently redeveloped the rose gardens and Wynyard Woodland Park is a stone’s throw away.

What kind of breakfast do you offer?
The most delicious full English breakfast or a continental breakfast.

Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally?
On the Brasserie menu you’ll find classic British dishes with a little Wynyard twist, while our A La Carte menu includes some dishes created using sustainable, home-grown ingredients, foraged from our parkland and surrounding estate. Our Afternoon Tea offering is also highly recommended.

Which are your most popular room types, and why?
Guests seem to love our executive doubles or suites – each one is of a bespoke design and the view across the lake is magnificent!

What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms ?
We can provide cots in bedrooms. Some of the larger bedrooms have sofa beds and high chairs are available for dining.

What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers?
We provide an exceptional experience – where exquisite charm meets contemporary comfort.
Surrounded by 150 acres of historical landscape, you’ll find it hard to escape the sense of tranquility that encompasses Wynyard Hall.