Business Details
Luxury Historic Hotel in County Durham
Nestled in the historic county of Durham, The Manor House Hotel offers guests a unique experience steeped in history. Dating back to the 15th century, our Grade 1 listed building combines historic charm with modern amenities, providing a relaxing and comfortable stay for business and leisure visitors. We pride ourselves on friendly customer care, high-quality food sourced from local artisan producers, and exceptional facilities including a luxury spa, event spaces, and 32 well-appointed bedrooms.Our commitment to sustainability focuses on reducing waste and energy consumption while collaborating with partners to address environmental concerns. As a family-owned establishment, we ensure every guest experiences the timeless elegance of our 12th-century manor house, enhanced by contemporary comforts and a warm, professional service.
Services
Luxury Accommodation
Wedding Venue
Spa Breaks
Event Hosting
Historic Tours
Fine Dining
Accessibility Services
Pet-Friendly Stays
Conference Facilities
Local Partnerships
Highlights and features
- Family-owned historic venue with 15th-century architecture and modern comforts
- Award-winning spa shortlisted by the Good Spa Guide in the North East
- Sustainable practices reducing environmental impact while maintaining quality
- Dedicated wedding team with 75+ years of combined experience
- Partnership with the Auckland Project offering exclusive visitor discounts
Associations and certifications
- Disability Confident Employer
What people say
Stunning building
Exceptional spa
Friendly staff
Delicious food
Charming history
Services
Luxury Accommodation
Our 32 well-appointed bedrooms combine historic charm with modern comforts. Each room features free Wi-Fi, tea/coffee facilities, and flat-screen TVs. Located in both the main manor house and courtyard buildings, guests can choose from cosy doubles to spacious family suites with original features like wooden beams and fireplaces.
Wedding Venue
Host weddings from intimate ceremonies to grand celebrations for up to 120 guests. Our dedicated wedding team offers bespoke packages including venue hire, catering, and accommodation. The historic setting features a beautiful walled garden and recently refurbished Knights Hall, with options for twilight or midweek budget-friendly events.
Spa Breaks
Access to thermal facilities including sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, and heated pool. Choose from 25-50 minute Temple Spa treatments with packages starting at 45. The spa is adults-only (18+), with child swim times available. Recently shortlisted as a top 7 spa in the North East by the Good Spa Guide.
Event Hosting
Versatile spaces for events from baby showers to corporate conferences. The Eden Room accommodates 6 guests while the Knights Hall hosts larger gatherings. Facilities include AV equipment, catering services, and accommodation for attendees. Ideal for christenings, anniversaries, and themed parties with bespoke package options.
Accessibility Services
Disability Confident Employer with accessible courtyard rooms and ground-floor facilities. The lounge and brasserie welcome guide dogs, with designated pet-friendly areas. Note that the historic building has limited wheelchair access to upper levels and some rooms may have connectivity issues due to construction.
People
Josh Gamsby
General Manager
Josh oversees all operations at The Manor House Hotel, ensuring the highest standards of service and guest experience. With extensive hospitality experience, he leads the team in maintaining the hotel's unique blend of historic charm and modern luxury.
Judita Mileriene
Head Chef
Judita leads the culinary team, creating menus that showcase local ingredients in the hotel's restaurant. Her expertise ensures guests enjoy high-quality dining experiences from breakfast to evening meals, reflecting the region's seasonal produce and artisan suppliers.
Clare Davidson
Wedding & Event Co-ordinator
Clare specialises in creating bespoke wedding experiences with over 75 years of combined team experience. She works closely with couples to design personalised packages, utilising the hotel's historic venues and recently refurbished event spaces for memorable celebrations.
Courtney Cox
Spa Manager
Courtney manages the award-nominated spa facilities, overseeing treatments and guest experiences. She ensures the spa maintains its reputation as one of the North East's top destinations, with Temple Spa products and packages designed for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Billie Botha
Food & Beverage Supervisor
Billie provides exceptional front-of-house service in the restaurant and lounge areas. Recognised for outstanding customer service, she contributes to the hotel's positive reviews through her warm hospitality and attention to guest needs.
Questions
What wedding packages are available at The Manor House Hotel?
We offer bespoke wedding packages starting from £1595 for intimate ceremonies up to 120 guests. Options include venue hire, catering, accommodation, and themed decorations with a dedicated team to create your perfect day.
Can I access the spa facilities without booking accommodation?
Spa access is primarily for residents, with day use available at £20 per person. Non-residents may access facilities during specific times if space permits, with treatments bookable separately.
Are pets allowed at The Manor House Hotel?
We welcome well-behaved dogs in designated courtyard rooms at £15 per night. Pets are not permitted in main manor bedrooms or the restaurant, but the lounge and brasserie areas are pet-friendly with waste disposal facilities provided.
What accessibility features are available?
As a historic building, we have limited wheelchair access. Ground-floor facilities and courtyard rooms offer better accessibility. We participate in the Disability Confident scheme and can provide specific room details upon request to ensure your comfort.
How do I book a room with spa access?
Spa access can be added to any booking for £20 per person per night. Simply request this when making your reservation online or by phone to ensure priority access to our thermal facilities and pool.
What dining options are available for non-residents?
Non-residents are welcome in our restaurant and lounge areas. The restaurant serves seasonal menus for lunch and dinner, while the lounge offers lighter meals and drinks. Groups of 8+ should contact us directly for reservations.
Reviews (7)
Judy Rukin
Jun 18, 2022
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We stayed here during our visit to Kynren. All the staff: hotel, restaurant, cleaning staff were very helpful and pleasant. This is a medieval building with accompanying atmosphere and unexpected features which all enhanced our visit. Although a massive refurbishment is planned, I hope the character of this beautiful building is maintained. We look forward to seeing you all again next year, thank you, Judy and Pip
Elaine Wilson
Jun 13, 2022
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Went to my brothers Wedding on Friday 10 June 2022. Everything was excellent. Thanks to the staff they were very helpful and friendly and professional. Clean inside and outside had a very nice seating area. Could not fault it. Thanks to staff for a very enjoyable day.
Kirsty Dalton
May 29, 2022
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We stayed 1 night, we got the superior room which whilst big wasn't particularly clean, the carpets were really grubby and there were dead bugs on the window sill and in the bathroom. It's a shame as it has beautiful features just needs some serious TLC. I wouldn't stay again.
Paula Mansell
May 29, 2022
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My partner and I stayed at the hotel and we couldn't recommend it enough. The food was to a great standard, friendly staff and rooms had clearly been recently refurbished. Definitely will be back and already recommended it to family we were visiting in the area for dinner
Freddie Fudge
May 28, 2022
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Absolutely loved our stay here. The spa and treatments were brilliant. The room was Boutique-y which was lovely. Afternoon tea was an absolute treat! The only downsides - - Breakfast buffet was stone cold. When notified the waitress wasn't very happy to be told so. - The old slide up style window in our room wouldnt stay open. On the whole, very very nice stay.
Marie Girdlestone
May 12, 2022
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I stayed here last night for my Hen Party and the spa and hotel are absolutely amazing. The treatments I had were fantastic and very relaxing. The staff were so friendly and go out of their way to help. I was upgraded to a superior room and the room was the most beautiful room. I can not recommend this hotel and spa enough. The food was delicious. Aiden went out of his way to make sure this experience was the best it could be, what a fantastic person he is, it really makes all the difference. Stuart also added to this amazing experience, such friendly amazing staff. I will most definitely be returning with my (soon to be) husband. Thank you to you all Marie
Rosemary Blenkinsop
Apr 27, 2022
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Great staff particularly Aiden and housekeeping staff, so pleasant and happy. Food good, service good including breakfast, and reasonable prices. Rooms upgraded tastefully and spa superb, lovely facial.
