Meal in the bar plus a few drinks. I have to say that "Betty" in the bar was quite exceptional, was amazing in terms of general approach, people skills just excellent, warmth & friendliness. A credit to herself & of course the Lumley Castle team. Additionally in the breakfast restaurant Gemma (our waitress) was a superstar. Great level of service, very easy to talk to with great smile with the perfect "Geordiness" thanks to both Betty & Gemma (pumpkin girl) for adding value

On arrival, the man in reception was a little forceful for my liking. A small matter maybe. All I would say is that, "you only one chance to make a first impression"

When the 1st Baron Lumley created his castle in 1389 did he in fact have a premonition that he would benefit from a county cricket ground just 15 minutes’ walk down the hill? Sadly for him he was to lose his head almost 600 years before he would have the chance to see his team play. However two Surrey supporters have just praised his honour such that we had the chance to stay in such a wonderfully atmospheric setting. Well looked after throughout by a friendly team of local staff, we enjoyed good-quality dinners, breakfasts, several helpings of "Newkie Brown," and spookish walks through dimly-lit corridors where history and maybe even the presence of previous occupants are there to be felt. All this, and a week of cricket as well; does life get any better?

A fantastic location just packed with history and medieval character. We opted for one of the cheaper rooms in the court yard and it was exceptional, very comfortable and supremely clean. There is a restaurant as well as food in the bar and for the 2 nights we were there both could be classed as 'Fine dining ' . Drinks bumped the price up a little but it was a great experience and we will probably visit again but it's a bit of a trek from where we live in Somerset . We would have no hesitation in recommending a stay here as it's a good base to visit Beamish , The Farne islands and Newcastle .

Beautiful castle hotel with fantastic decor. Our room was gorgeous, high ceiling, lovely decoration, Comfy bed. Great spacious shower. Lovely choices for breakfast 😋

It took a while to find our room, a bit like a maze. We had an evening meal in the Library Bar & Lounge which was very nice but the tables are not designed for having a meal at. There was The Knights Restaurant which looked lovely with proper tables but was more expensive and for people that like wine with a meal, not us!! The room we had was lovely but there was a table in the toilet room with a shelf underneath, that looked like it had had an ornament on as there was dust all around where it had been. High ceilings in the room had dust in the corners. The shower was great but the tray was filling up and I took top off the drain hole but still not going down straight away, but it did eventually, think it was quite blocked!

Excellent breakfast menu with plenty of choices We ate dinner in the dining room twice and both times the food was superb, also has an extensive wine list The Library Bar is a comfortable area in which to relax and enjoy a coffee or pre-dinner drink The staff in all areas were friendly, professional and very helpful.

The service could have been better in the Barons' Hall, where we attended a private function. The staff seemed to be under pressure, and attracting their attention was a challenge. We waited a long time before someone produced the wine list, which finally appeared during our first course. To be fair, there was a wedding celebration on the same day, which would have put extra pressure on the staff.

The room was spacious, warm and very comfortable. Food in the bar was lovely and breakfast was superb - great choice of hot and continental. Every member of staff we met was very friendly, polite and helpful and we really enjoyed our few days in this amazing place. The castle is in lovely grounds and very well situated for Beamish museum, Durham and beautiful countryside beyond including Hadrians Wall and various Forts along the way

The only problem we had was parking one evening when we got back. Everywhere we tried was full but the castle is so popular this wasnt really surprising

This was a lovely, peaceful break in an amazing setting. The grounds were all very well cared for and wish we'd had time to explore them more and to go on one of the tours of the castle. We had a courtyard room which was spacious, tastefully decorated, wonderfully comfortable and warm. An unexpected bonus was being able to park so close to the room. We ate breakfast on both days and on one night ate in the bar (did not eat in the restaurant). All the food we had was very good and nicely presented. All the staff were very efficient and helpful. All the public rooms: reception, bar and dining rooms as well as the corridors made the most of their setting within the castle and the castle's history was well presented.

There was some noise transfer of footfall from room above and neighbouring staircase, but voices did not carry so it was not a problem.

The location was ideal for exploring Durham, Beamish museum and the outlying areas. Having a railway station at Chester Le Street is so useful. Around a mile and half stroll from Lumley Castle to Chester Le Street going through a recreation park to access both regular buses in the High Street or trains at the station to get around. We took a bus from Chester Le Street directly to Beamish Museum and back again. Free for retired people with bus passes. But very cheap to pay for all passengers. Lumley Castle is very quiet being positioned away from traffic and bustle. It is set in beautiful parkland. Very good place to relax with access to a library room, a quiet indoor room and many areas outside with tables and chairs. The highlight for us were the evening meals and breakfasts. Excellent fine dining meals or snacks on offer. The staff are wonderful with a happy attitude shown towards the guests staying here. They helped with all requests. Great social experiences. Plus the ancient aspect of living inside a 14th century castle with a perfect blend of antiquity, artefacts, artistic decor and character. If you like unusual settings. Lumley Castle is supreme! We loved it.

It is so lovely that we cannot fault it.

From the moment we arrived, I was enchanted by its stunning historic atmosphere, it truly feels like stepping back in time. The architecture is breathtaking, and every corner of the castle has a story to tell. The rooms were beautifully decorated, combining old-world charm with modern comfort. I especially appreciated the little touches that made the stay feel special, from the cozy dressing gowns to the luxurious bedding. The staff were warm, welcoming, and attentive, making us feel right at home. One of the highlights of our visit was Phil’s tour of the castle. He was absolutely fantastic. Phil is friendly, funny, and incredibly knowledgeable. Phil brought the castle’s history to life with fascinating facts, ghostly tales, and a wonderful sense of humor. You can tell he’s passionate about the place, and that enthusiasm made the whole experience so engaging and memorable.

This is a stunning castle, heaped in history and loved we had access to the state rooms and able to explore. The staff were so well trained, friendly and so happy to help. Breakfast and dinner in the restaurant were superb. Will definitely come back and stay. This is by far the best overall place we’ve stayed. Fabulous

Unfortunately, the gentleman who does the guided tours was away and aside from an A4 sheet there didn’t seem to be anyone who knew the history of the castle to talk to which was a great shame. One silly thing, we had two keys, one to the outside door, one to the room, both identical, every time I got the wrong key to the room, maybe a distinguishing difference would be helpful?