• 2013 Ashes Test England v Australia

9th – 13th August

• Durham Summer Nights Live

5ive, Blue, Atomic Kitten  - Friday 19th July 2013

‘The Voice’ & Pop Superstar Jessie J!  - 20th July 2013

To book or enquire in regard to accommodation, please call +44 (0) 191 389 1111 or email reservations@lumleycastle.com

To enter simply go to our facebook page and ‘Like’ the page then send your best image of Lumley: interior, exterior, past, present, a special occasion and so on… the image with the most ‘likes’ on the 30th April 2013 wins! Simple as that, so happy snapping and sharing…Good Luck!

Terms & Conditions:

1. All entrants must be aged over 18 years.

2. To enter, ‘Like’ our page on Facebook (facebook.com/lumleycastle.com) and email your best photograph of Lumley Castle, interior/ exterior to facebook@lumleycastle.com with details of who took it, where and when it was taken.

3. Limit of one photo per entry in the competition.

4. The competition is not open to employees or agents of Lumley Castle Hotel or Coombe Abbey Hotel.

5. The photo with the highest number of ‘likes’ on Lumley’s Facebook page before midnight at the end of the 30th April will win. In the case of a tie, the main admin of our Lumley Castle Facebook page will break it by ‘liking’ the photo prefered most.

6. The entrant of the ‘Win Dinner, Bed & Breakfast for Two at Lumley Castle Photo Competition’ will receive  Dinner, Bed & Breakfast in a Castle Feature Bedroom for two people. He/she will be notified by the main admin of our Lumley Castle Facebook page by posting a comment on the photo that has won and be informed by email. The photo will also be featured on our www.lumleycastle.com website and will be the profile picture of our Facebook page, following the month won for a limited time.

7. The prize is non-transferable and must be taken within 6 months of being received. Subject to availability, excludes the month of December 2013.

8. We’d love to be able to tell people who’s won and may ask for you to let us use your name in our publicity materials, but would only do so with your consent.

9. By posting your photos, you give permission to Lumley Castle to publish your pictures on our www.lumleycastle.com website and our Facebook page and use them in the future for promotional purposes in connection with this competition. We will give full credit to the photographer.

10. You must have taken the photograph yourself or have permission to distribute the photograph by whoever has taken the picture and owns the copyright.

11. The photo competition closes midnight 30th April 2013.

‘Winding corridors, stone floors, grand archways and gardens – it’s the stuff of fairytales. Yet Lumley Castle is not just about looking the part: the atmosphere, service and cuisine are all out of this world.

We had donned our finest garbs for an exquisite meal at Lumley Castle. Greeted by our charming waitress, we took in the immaculate table linen, fresh roses and well- spaced tables – it all heralded an evening to remember. Chef Richard Chilver is taking the dining experience to new levels. My deep-fried monkfish cheeks were crisp on the outside and soft within, the scattered caper berries adding a subtle sharpness. My companion’s heritage tomato and buffalo mozzarella salad featured seven types of locally grown tomatoes, dark balsamic pearls and baby basil leaves.

Despite being tempted by the grill menu’s locally produced dry- aged beef on the bone, my companion plumped for the Lumley signature dish: beef fillet stuffed with blue cheese. Intrigued by the accompanying beetroot gnocchi, I chose the oven- roasted duck breast. This dish was a triumph and the sweetness of beetroot worked beautifully. Ihadn’t been planning on indulging in dessert but as soon as I saw the options I knew it would be futile to resist. I can only describe our choice as pure heaven in a dish; the chocolate marquise tasted quite exquisite with crimson poached cherries.’ - Tyne & Wear Food & Drink Guide 2013

Stay in a great British castle

From a B&B in Cumbria to a turreted Gothic pile in Scotland, Tom Chesshyre picks the top 20 places to live like a king.

Overlooking the Durham County Cricket Club’s ground by the River Wear. Lumley Castle was built in the 14th Century. It is rumoured to be haunted and when the Australian cricket team stayed here in 2005, the batsman Shane Watson was said to have slept on the floor of another player’s room as he was so frightened. Bedrooms are decorated in rich reds and pinks, with oil paintings. The vaulted Black Knight Restaurant serves hearty dishes such as ham hock, pork belly and venison… Doubles from £89 with a bottle of wine on arrival and 20 per cent off at the Black Knight, three courses from about £30 (0191 389 1111, lumleycastle.com)

We received this lovely comment from one of our suppliers:

“Just wanted to say thank you to all concerned for this afternoon. Exactly how a wedding fayre should be… Chocka Block. Well done, see you soon” - Keith Hood Photography

Our next Wedding Fayre is on Sunday 17th March 2013, 1.00pm – 4.00pm. Hope to see you there! But if you can’t wait until then, come and have a look around. Our next Wedding Showcase is on 20th January 2013.

Wedding Fayres & Showcases at Lumley Castle