The Good Hotel Guide is the leading independent guide to hotels in Great Britain & Ireland, and also covers parts of Continental Europe. The Guide was first published in 1978. It is written for the reader seeking impartial advice on finding a good place to stay. Hotels cannot buy their way into the Guide. The editors and inspectors do not accept free hospitality on their anonymous visits to hotels. All hotels in the Guide receive a free basic listing. A fee is charged for a full web entry.
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Headlam Hall
Darlington, Co. Durham
The real charm of this grand country house, with sweeping gardens, terraces, oak panelling and swish spa, lies in its warm and informal atmosphere.
Good Hotel Guide Review
The hotel experts at the Good Hotel Guide
The real charm of this grand country house, with sweeping gardens, terraces, oak panelling and swish spa along with 'a convenient location in a hamlet a few miles from the A1' lies in its warm and informal atmosphere. 'The staff were courteous and friendly, the atmosphere – very much country house – relaxing and congenial,' says one reader. Run by the Robinsons, a local farming family, the creeper-covered 17th-century hall has flagged and polished-wood floors, panelled walls, an orangery brasserie, terraces overlooking walled gardens. Yet there's nothing stuffy about the interiors, with tartan carpets and comfortable tweed-covered armchairs. There is plenty of space to relax in, from the elegant drawing room and fire-warmed library bar to the spa and gardens. Bedrooms have a modern country-house feel, and range from ones in the main hall, with original features and antiques, to contemporary spa bedrooms and more rustic mews and coach-house rooms. Don't book one near the kitchen if fan noise bothers you. The 'excellent' Modern British menus offer 'variety and value' from slow braised belly of pork to fresh broad bean pasta. (Simon Tonking, A and T Ellis)
Hotel Details
Address
Gainford, Darlington, Co. Durham, DL2 3HA, England
Telephone
01325730238
Bedroom
38. 9 in coach house, 6 in mews, 7 in spa, 2 suitable for disabled. 1 s/c apartment with hot tub.
Openings
all year except 24–27 Dec.
Background Music
all day in bar, restaurant.
Children
all ages welcomed, under-4s free, extra bed £120, children's high tea, no under-7s in restaurant in evening.
Dogs
allowed in some bedrooms (no charge), not in restaurant.
Credit Cards
Amex, MC, Visa.
Prices
B&B doubles from £185, singles from £155. À la carte 3 courses £52.
Other Reviews
Facilities
lift, bar-restaurant, brasserie, lounge, drawing room, private dining rooms, in-room TV, civil wedding licence, 4-acre garden, spa, indoor pool, tennis, 9-hole golf course, EV charging, public rooms wheelchair accessible, adapted toilet.
Location
IN THE MEDIA
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