Castle keep at Stanhope Castle in Stanhope | Must-See County Durham Hot Tub Cottage

About Castle keep at Stanhope Castle

Castle Keep at Stanhope Castle is a stunning apartment set within a historic castle in County Durham. This spacious ground-floor accommodation sleeps 7 guests across four bedrooms and has been extensively renovated to create a stylish holiday home that still showcases original stone walls and period features.

Located in the market town of Stanhope, you'll find plenty to do nearby. The town offers specialist food shops, coffee spots, art galleries and even a heated outdoor swimming pool. Pleasant riverside walks start right from your doorstep. The private hot tub and sauna provide perfect relaxation after exploring the beautiful Durham countryside.

The accommodation includes three double bedrooms (one with en-suite shower), one single bedroom, a family bathroom with roll-top bath and a separate shower/sauna room. The modern kitchen comes fully equipped with electric oven, gas hob, microwave and fridge/freezer. Entertainment needs are covered with Sky TV and WiFi throughout.

Nearby attractions include Hamsterley Forest (5 miles, 15 minutes), Killhope Lead Mining Museum (8 miles, 20 minutes), Barnard Castle (15 miles, 30 minutes) and Beamish Living Museum (20 miles, 40 minutes). Each offers fantastic day-trip options for all ages.

Castle Keep at Stanhope Castle is perfect for families or groups seeking a unique base to explore Durham. With off-road parking for two cars and town amenities within walking distance, everything you need is close at hand.

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At Sykes Cottages

Need To Know

✓Hot tub
✓ Electric oven and gas hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, toaster, kettle, TV and WiFi
✓ Fuel and power included in rent
✓ Bed linen and towels included in rent
✓ Off road parking for two cars
✓ Shared gardens with picnic benches
✓ Sorry, no smoking
✓ Shop and pub 0
✓01 miles
✓ Sorry no pets and no smoking
✓ Please note: This is first floor property and access to the property is via 14 external step, no steps inside
✓ Please note no stag or hen parties
✓ Note: This property has a refundable Good Housekeeping bond of £150
✓ If you are booking this property for a celebratory reason please call Sykes Reservations
✓ Please note: Weekend checkouts are permitted at this property; however, changeovers cannot be carried out during weekends, please keep this in mind when booking

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What Guests Love

Discover why our guests keep coming back to Castle keep at Stanhope Castle

Historic Castle Setting

Stay in a real castle with original stone walls and period features while enjoying modern comforts and stylish renovations.

Hot Tub & Sauna

Relax in your private hot tub or unwind in the sauna after a day exploring the beautiful Durham countryside.

Spacious Accommodation

Four bedrooms sleeping seven guests with three bathrooms gives everyone space to spread out and enjoy their holiday.

Town Centre Location

Walk to pubs, shops and restaurants in Stanhope town centre - everything you need is just minutes away.

Thoughtful Touches

Guests mention the bathrobes and special touches that make this property feel luxurious and well-maintained.

Perfect for Special Occasions

Many guests book for birthdays and celebrations, with the unique castle setting creating unforgettable memories.

Getting To Castle keep at Stanhope Castle

Find your way to your perfect countryside retreat

By Car

To reach Castle Keep at Stanhope Castle by car, take the A689 which runs through Stanhope town. The castle is located in the heart of the market town and is easily spotted. You'll have convenient off-road parking for two cars upon arrival.

By Train

For those traveling by rail, the nearest station is Bishop Auckland, approximately 14 miles away. From there, you'll need to take a taxi or bus connection to Stanhope to complete your journey.

Off-road parking for two cars

Bishop Auckland station (14 miles)

Easily accessible from the A689

Attractions & More Nearby

Everything you need within easy reach

Hamsterley Forest

Distance: 5 miles

DL13 3NL

Killhope Lead Mining Museum

Distance: 8 miles

DL13 1AR

Barnard Castle

Distance: 15 miles

DL12 8PR

Weardale Way

Distance: 0.2 miles

DL13 2PZ

Stanhope Dene Woodland Walk

Distance: 0.5 miles

DL13 2PQ

Rookhope Valley Trail

Distance: 6 miles

DL13 2BG

Durham Dales Centre

Distance: 0.3 miles

DL13 2FJ

Stanhope Market Square Shops

Distance: 0.2 miles

DL13 2PZ

Bishop Auckland Town Centre

Distance: 14 miles

DL14 7NP

Stanhope Bus Station

Distance: 0.3 miles

DL13 2PZ

Bishop Auckland Train Station

Distance: 14 miles

DL14 7TL

Stanhope Medical Centre

Distance: 0.4 miles

DL13 2NG

Hamsterley Forest

Distance: 5 miles

DL13 3NL

Killhope Lead Mining Museum

Distance: 8 miles

DL13 1AR

Barnard Castle

Distance: 15 miles

DL12 8PR

Weardale Way

Distance: 0.2 miles

DL13 2PZ

Stanhope Dene Woodland Walk

Distance: 0.5 miles

DL13 2PQ

Rookhope Valley Trail

Distance: 6 miles

DL13 2BG

Durham Dales Centre

Distance: 0.3 miles

DL13 2FJ

Stanhope Market Square Shops

Distance: 0.2 miles

DL13 2PZ

Bishop Auckland Town Centre

Distance: 14 miles

DL14 7NP

Stanhope Bus Station

Distance: 0.3 miles

DL13 2PZ

Bishop Auckland Train Station

Distance: 14 miles

DL14 7TL

Stanhope Medical Centre

Distance: 0.4 miles

DL13 2NG

Is Castle keep at Stanhope Castle Right For You?

Discover why this cottage is ideal for different types of visitors

For Families

Kids will love staying in a real castle! The spacious grounds offer room to play, while Hamsterley Forest (5 miles) provides mountain biking, walking trails and a play area. Stanhope's heated outdoor swimming pool is perfect for summer splashes. The apartment's four bedrooms give children their own space and Sky TV keeps them entertained on rainy days.

For Couples

The Castle Keep offers couples a truly special retreat. Soak in the private hot tub under the stars or unwind in the sauna after countryside walks. The master bedroom with en-suite provides privacy, while the roll-top bath adds a touch of romance. Stanhope's pubs and restaurants are just steps away for intimate dinners and the unique castle setting creates an unforgettable romantic break.

Pet Friendly

Castle Keep at Stanhope Castle does not accept pets. The property maintains a strict no-pets policy to ensure the comfort of all guests and to preserve the quality of the accommodation. If you're traveling with pets, you'll need to find alternative accommodation in the Stanhope area that welcomes four-legged visitors.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at Castle keep at Stanhope Castle

The Bonny Moorhen

Located 0.2 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: DL13 2PF

Durham Dales Centre Café

Located 0.3 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: DL13 2FJ

The Pack Horse Inn

Located 0.2 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: DL13 2PQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about Castle keep at Stanhope Castle

Does this cottage have a hot tub?

Yes, Castle Keep has a private hot tub for guests to enjoy. It's perfect for relaxing after exploring the Durham countryside and adds a touch of luxury to your stay.

Is it pet friendly?

No, Castle Keep at Stanhope Castle does not accept pets. The property maintains a strict no-pets policy to ensure comfort for all guests.

How many bedrooms does Castle Keep have?

The property has four bedrooms in total. These include three double bedrooms (one with an en-suite shower room) and one single bedroom, comfortably accommodating up to seven guests.

Are there steps to access the property?

Yes, there are 14 external steps to access the property. Once inside, the accommodation is all on one level with no internal steps.

What facilities are available in the kitchen?

The kitchen is fully equipped with an electric oven, gas hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, toaster and kettle. Everything you need for self-catering is provided.

Is there parking available?

Yes, there is off-road parking for two cars directly at the property. This makes it convenient for guests arriving by car and exploring the surrounding area.

What's special about the bathrooms?

The property features three bathrooms in total. There's a family bathroom with a roll-top bath, an en-suite shower room to one bedroom and a separate shower/sauna room.

What can I do in the local area?

Stanhope offers pubs, specialist food stores, coffee shops, art galleries and a heated outdoor swimming pool. Nearby attractions include Hamsterley Forest, Killhope Lead Mining Museum and pleasant riverside walks.

Popular Stays Near This Cottage

Castle keep at Stanhope Castle Reviews

Nicola

The property is truly impressive from the moment you arrive incredibly spacious, spotless, beautifully decorated, and stocked with everything you could possibly need and more! . Thoughtful touches like dressing gowns provided for each guest in every room really elevate the experience. The only small downside was not being able to figure out how to use the sauna, but I'm sure a quick guide would solve that easily. That said, the owners are exceptionally responsive and professional if you do need anything. A fantastic stay overall would definitely return! in fact we have already booked again for 2026.

Overall the property was very nice and is nearly perfect. The space is great. We were 2 families and all had enough space that it didn't feel we were on top of each other. The apartment is very modern and finished to a high level. There's just a couple of small things that need improvement. 1 of the bathrooms would improve greatly if it had a shower in. Using the one in the sauna with no lock isn't the best. The 1st bedroom door did not shut properly without slamming. Couple of signs near the hot tub saying careful slippery. I'm not sure if there is something up with the heating. First 2 nights fine 3rd night the radiator in bedroom would not turn off and made the room so hot.

This property delivered everything and more ,exceptionally clean with very high standards . Luxury and it had everything for our needs during our stay we had the privilege of meeting the owner and he was informative and helpful during our stay. the area has so much to offer for your stay. Rabys waterfall and castle a must to visit . the steam room and jacuzzi did not disappointed . we will be coming back ,a very relaxed break. thank you to the owner .5 star and more.

Castle keep was gorgeous and perfect for our extended family stay. Lots of room for everyone! The photos doesnt do the size justice! loved everything about it really. The only niggle I have is that we were asked for a bond of 250 and in the listing it states 150. The owner said this was due to a large group booking however the lodge as advertised is for 7 people so not a large group just the amount well 1 less than the actual listing so that makes no sense! I think this should be changed on the listing. The deposit was also slow to be returned so keep this in mind if you dont have the spare money.

We had such a great holiday at Castle Keep! We went as a family of seven and the accommodation was so spacious and well maintained. Having a sauna inside the apartment was amazing as it meant us weary parents could use it in the evening when the kids were asleep. Stanhope is a lovely village. The river is just a few minutes walk away with plenty of safe places for the kids to play in the water and there is a great park. We will definitely be returning!

We enjoyed a wonderful family birthday celebration in very comfortable and stylish accommodation set in a lovely location.

Had to shovel both outside and inside the gate in order to get our cars in and out. Overall the inside was great however some things are clearly worn down and therefore feel like the price was high in comparison to the quality of furniture we received. The hot tub wouldnt seem to get very hot, we could still feel the heat however in comparison to previous stays it wasnt as hot

Gillian

Our stay was six friends who wanted chill and a catch up , could not have been better. The house is stunning, beautiful decor, comfortable sofas and beds. Kitchen is well equipped. We cooked the first evening and first morning, plenty cutlery and utensils. The second evening we ordered from roots of India, absolutely delicious. Perfectly positioned to wander round stanhope. Hot tub and sauna were an added bonus. Would most definitely recommend.

Had an absolutely smashing holiday in Castle Keep, clean as a whistle and really really comfortable. Our children loved staying in the castle and if we're ever in the area again we'll be back! Extremely friendly neighbour too! Lent us a big cooking pot which was very nice of him. Thanks again

I booked this property as a surprise for my friend's special birthday, and it exceeded expectations! The property is stunning, full of character, with lots of thoughtful touches that emphasise the castle feel. The host was amazingcommunication was quick, and they were incredibly accommodating, helping to make the weekend truly memorable for a special birthday celebration.

Roxanne

The location of the Castle Keep is really special and finding the entrance is not problem at all. The photos of the inside don't really do the place justice we found it far bigger than expected and the kids spent the first 30 mins playing hide and seek! The furnishings are well maintained, clean and plush. The hot tub was beautifully warm on arrival and the sauna was a very indulgent and special treat! We will definitely be back.

Lovely property in a unique setting, plenty of space and all features as described. Close to local amenities, shop, pub etc, but also very quiet at night. Great location for walks be sure to head up to the hill to the old quarry and the stepping stones over the river. Very clean and in good condition, plenty of hot water etc. Strange set up with one heating thermometer shared between the neighbouring property and heating doesn't work in some rooms and owner suggested it was my responsibility to balance the radiators better which made me laugh. Other than that all good.

The property was presented beautifully with everything you might need for a stay away . The bathrobes are a nice touch . Things that need attention . The outside stairs could do with a little fence at the top as its a low wall and quite a long drop on an evening the lighting is poor . The heating does not work in the double bedroom at the back the radiator in the bedroom never got warm. This does not reflect on the castle itself . We enjoyed our stay and the surrounding area is lovely . Just be aware of the cleaning bond you have to pay before arrival you do not get back on the day of departure it gets paid back once the cleaners have been in but you get no indication when this might be ?

Booked Castle Keep as a special treat for my 70th birthday and was not disappointed. The apartment is very spacious and full of wonderful surprises . Being clean, well equipped, nicely decorated and really just very lovely. We all had a fantastic stay and will definitely be going back. Thank you

Outside area needs attention and sharing heating control with cosy cave not convenient. Otherwise an enjoyable time.

Castlekeeps is an amazing property and brilliant location. Would give this a big ten out of ten.

Deborah

Beautiful property, great location, great view of the high street and lots of little extra touches. Would definitely recommend.

This place is sooo nice had a lovely girls birthday weekend . ... Decor and facilities were fab and spotlessly clean .

Melanie

Delightful property, beautifully furnished, great location.

Kerrie

Lovely week away with family, Castle Keep was pure luxury the children felt like royalty. Immaculately clean and very well equipped for all of us. Would recommend to anyone area was lovely and locals very friendly.

Sally-ann

Fabulous weekend away with friends in the most luxurious of settings. We all felt like royalty staying in Castle Keep with the elegance of the apartment and facilities available

Richard

We thoroughly enjoyed our few days at Stanhope Castle. An immaculately presented, spacious holiday home. Luxurious yet homely. We will definitely be back!

Catherine

Lovely apartment, spacious and very clean with plenty of storage. Loved using the hot tub and sauna with towels and dressing gowns supplied. Apartment very handy for local shops, pubs, cafes and craft centre. Lovely local walks and scenery. Would be nice addition to have garden furniture for the grassed area by the hot tub and a cover for the hot tub that's easier to pull on off. Looking forward to going back again sometime soon.

Dianne

Fabulous apartment. Beautiful throughout. Would definitely book again.

Prakash

An amazing experience for all seven of us. The place was as described and I would recommend to all. The kids really enjoyed the experience and I'm sure will cherish the memories for a lifetime.

We had a lovely stay at Castle Keep. Nicely furnished, spacious, with well equipped kitchen and good WiFi didnt reach some bedrooms, probably due to the thick stone walls!. The sauna and hot tub added something special too. We had a minor issue with the heating, but this was resolved quickly with no fuss. If the weather had been better we probably would have taken advantage of the location for more walks, but the apartment proved a lovely place to just hang out and spend time together as a family.

Richard

Sauna does not work and radiators also did not work in ensuite bedroom. Would recommend some security lighting in courtyard and steps as very difficult to see at night.

The facilities of the stay were great. The house was very clean too. However, on the day we arrived, there was barely no heating at all. Very concerned, we contacted who was looking after the property, and the reply that came back was to ask us to intrude on a honeymoon couple staying in the apartment below us and get them to sort the situation. We were not comfortable with this at all. The heating only really came back after about 5 hours. Furthermore, we left on a Sunday, and we were expecting the house to be checked on the same day or the day after at the most, so we could get our bond money. Only after we left were we informed the house would not be cleaned checked until almost a week later Friday. We didnt think it was acceptable to keep a 150 bond for almost a week after our stay. Even though the property itself was more than up to standards, we wont be staying again due to the customer service we received.

Matthew

Very nice accommodation nothing at all to complain about. Highly recommended.

Rachel

Such a beautiful spacious apartment which exceeded all expectations . Amazing facilities, everything was provided . We could not have asked for more! .The tub & sauna were an added bit of luxury and fabulous after a busy day . The area offers so much for visitors , stunning walks on the doorstep , local shops , bars & takeaways . We will definitely be back. Thank you

We had a lovely stay in the castle. The property is very spacious and well equipped, leading to a relaxing stay. It's also well located, both within Stanhope and in the North Pennines. Would definitely recommend.

Hannah

We had a fantastic time here. This booking was originally made for Christmas 2020 and was moved twice due to the pandemic it was certainly Worth the wait, the property is beautiful And facilities are outstanding. Will definately be back

We had an amazing stay at Castle Keep. The apartment was huge, well designed and clean it provided plenty of room and space for everyone. We loved the hot tub and sauna which we used daily. We would definitely love to return at a later date!

Mireille

We missed not having a green space to sit down outside. And the swimming pool is not part of the estate and has to be booked in advance for early evening swim only. Otherwise everything was perfect.

Gillian

The only thing that let this down was the information book. Didnt give a lot of information about the accommodation and facilities in the local area.

Barbara

Fantastic accommodation. Everything you need is there with high quality fixture and fittings. Gave me a few decoration ideas. Stanhope is a lovely place with plenty of walks nearby. Go and get some bath salts from the shop by the bug behind the Dales center. Such a helpful lady. Lots of day trips accessible and overall a really good place to chill. Can see us returning.

Maurice

Owners and staff very friendly brilliant location.

Michele

The accommodation at Castle Keep was amazing and has everything you could wish for. Although we didn't use the sauna, we made use of the hot tub most evenings.The friendly owners are only a phone call away should you need them & only too willing to help. The castle is situated in the great location of Stanhope & has all the amenities you could wish for, 2x pubs, Freddies fish & chip shop highly recommended, butchers, bakers, Coop, bank etc. just to name a few. There is even a pizza van that parks in the main square on a Thursday evening between 6 & 9 & cooks a pizza of your choice whilst you wait. Although the swimming pool & Weardale Railway is closed at the moment due to Covid restrictions. We would definitely stop there again when visiting the area.

Charles

Stanhope is a really nice town and the area is great with lots of things to see & do, and so much history.

Interesting to be staying in a castle with own suit or armour. Good location able to enjoy lovely walks without getting in car. Accommodation spacious, well equipped kitchen. Shame more of Durham attractions were not open after some lifting Covid restrictions. Local castles, forts and swimming pool remained closed.

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Castle keep at Stanhope Castle, Stanhope

About Castle keep at Stanhope Castle

Need To Know

More Cottages With Hot Tubs You May Like

What Guests Love

Historic Castle Setting

Hot Tub & Sauna

Spacious Accommodation

Town Centre Location

Thoughtful Touches

Perfect for Special Occasions

Getting To Castle keep at Stanhope Castle

By Car

By Train

Attractions & More Nearby

Is Castle keep at Stanhope Castle Right For You?

For Families

For Couples

Pet Friendly

Dining & Cafes

The Bonny Moorhen

Durham Dales Centre Café

The Pack Horse Inn

Frequently Asked Questions

Location Name

Popular Stays Near This Cottage

Castle keep at Stanhope Castle Reviews