We stayed two nights at the Lumley Castle. It is fun and friendly and, being a converted grand house that was originally a castle, quite a dramatic pkace to stay. Rooms in the casle itself have to fit in with the original castle design, so can be quite interesting. The rooms in the Courtyard and mews are modern and well fitted. They were not. big, though. We had dinner and tw greakfasts there. The Back Knight restaurant has character and the waitresses dress in a sort of Renaissance costume which is quite fun.
The food was OK, I would not say special, as is usual in the North East there was lots of it! If I had a criticism of the service it would be that no one leaps to take your bags to the room, apart from that its pretty good

I booked this for my partners birthday. Room, bed and breakfast, bottle of house wine and a discount in the black knight restaurant from a deal online. The room was lovely and cozy. Waiting staff were not great and if you dont drink wine there isnt much choice of drink with Your meal. Food was ok im a fussy eater and it wasent great buy my partner said the food was lovely. Food and drink is quit expensive

We spent one night in a castle room. We were very disappointed that the room was so small as a quarter of it had been used to build an en-suite. In spite of that the room was well furnished and the bed was sooo comfortable. Everywhere you go in the castle the floorboards creak loudly, but it is a very old castle. We arrived early and booked in although our room wasn't ready, so we had a small lunch in the drawing room. The communal rooms are quite dark and furnished in mostly dark red furniture which adds to the atmosphere. The dining room is similar with lots of candles and is quite romantic. The food was very good and well served. All the time music is being played but it is classical, no pop music here. We asked a couple of the staff if they had come across any ghostly activity and each said yes. The top of the house (rooms 50 and up) seems to be where it most happens. The well outside in the courtyard where Lilly Lumley was thrown down after she was murdered has been known to have spooky moments also. We were on the first floor and we did not see or hear anything. The breakfast was continental or cooked and was most enjoyable. There was a wedding on the day we were there but it did not interfere with our enjoyment. There are castle view rooms which look very nice and they face the castle just in the courtyard.