Overlooking Durham’s heritage coast, this Georgian mansion, all sea views and sofas for sinking into, is ‘a wonderful place, combining luxury and style with a friendly, relaxed approach’. Styling throughout is contemporary – bold going on audacious. Spacious bedrooms, each equipped with bathrobes, slippers and an espresso machine, are individually styled; some have French windows that open onto a private terrace and garden. ‘Our large suite had a huge bed with a wonderfully soft duvet – utter luxury.’ Pick among a choice of eating places. Ozone restaurant serves light meals of pan-Asian fare; in Byron’s restaurant – where the rich colours are inspired by a portrait of the mad, bad poet, who entered into an ill-fated marriage here – chef Damian Broom’s daily-changing menu places the emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. A typical dish: aged beef sirloin, celeriac, mushroom tapioca, fondant potato. Beaches and rugged cliffs await, with walking and cycling routes along the coast (and bicycles to borrow), but choose to dilly-dally: an atmospheric walkway leads to the Serenity Spa and its swimming pool, ‘lovely just for relaxing in’. (P and SG). Seaham Hall is also a member of Pride of Britain hotels.