The Town House

Close to Durham centre, but away from the crowds, this Georgian town house surprises with its French boudoir style. Fun and romantic, with an intimate dining room and outdoor hot tubs. Sitting on Old Elvet, one of Durham’s historic streets, this handsome Georgian town house is strolling distance from both the city centre and riverside. Its smart, brick exterior does little to prepare for what you find inside: dark, richly coloured rooms thick with velvet drapes, damask wallpapers and glistening chandeliers. Dotted here and there are gilt-framed mirrors, oil paintings and marble busts; you wonder whether you’ve wandered into a Parisian boudoir. It’s tastefully done, although your eyes may need to adjust to the sultry lighting. The eight bedrooms in the main house follow the same theme with rich colours of red, amethyst and gold, and generous amounts of velvet. There’s a definite sense of flirtation; some rooms have baths in the bedroom, one has a four-poster bed, others have showers which can be open or screened off to the bedroom. For ultimate romance, choose one of the lodge rooms in the rear garden; each has a private outdoor hot-tub with wine and picnic hampers included in the price. Eating in the intimate dining room, with its purple-velvet chairs and leopard-print carpet, is a nice mix of fun and formality. The menu is Modern British; steaks a speciality. Breakfast is particularly good, with dishes - including a splendid Durham grill that will set you up for the day - cooked to order. Return from a day doing Durham’s historic sights to a drink on the terrace overlooking the garden and views down to the river.