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The Sage Gateshead is a centre for musical education, performance and conferences, located in Gateshead on the south bank of the River Tyne, in the north-east of England. It opened in 2004.
The venue is part of the Gateshead Quays development, which also includes the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

The centre occupies a “curvy glass and stainless steel” building designed by Foster and Partners, Buro Happold (structural engineering), Mott MacDonald (building services) and Arup (acoustics), with views of Newcastle and Gateshead Quaysides, the Tyne Bridge, and the Gateshead Millennium Bridge. The planning and construction process cost over £70 million, which was raised primarily through National Lottery grants. The contractor was Laing O’Rourke. The centre has a range of patrons, notably The Sage Group plc who contributed a large sum of money to have the building in their name. Sage Plc have helped support the charitable activities of The Sage Gateshead since its conception.
The venue opened over the weekend 17 – 19 December 2004. Rather than open in traditional fashion with a gala concert, The Sage Gateshead offered free admission to an opening weekend showcasing a variety of performers in diverse styles, in keeping with its philosophy that no genre of music should be valued above another.

The Sage Gateshead contains three performance spaces; a 1,700-seater, a 400-seater and a smaller rehearsal and performance hall, Northern Rock Foundation Hall. The rest of the building was designed around these three spaces to allow for maximum attention to detail in their acoustic properties. Hall One was intended as an acoustically perfect space, modelled on the renowned Musikverein in Vienna. Its ceiling panels may be raised and lowered and curtains drawn across the ribbed wooden side walls, changing the sound profile of the room to suit any type of music.

Hall Two is an intimate venue, also acoustically excellent and possibly the world’s only ten-sided performance space. Even the building’s concourse was designed with attention to acoustic properties, allowing it to be used for informal music-making. Below the concourse level is the Music Education Centre, where workshops, community music courses and day-to-day instrumental teaching takes place.

The building is open to the public even when there are no performances taking place. Visitors can see rehearsals, soundchecks and workshops in progress. It has five bars, a brasserie, the “Sir Michael Straker Café”, and “The Barbour Room” – a multi-purpose function room which holds around 200 people. There is also “ExploreMusic”: a technologically well-equipped musical branch of Gateshead public library, stocking books, and current magazines covering all aspects of music, a CD library with listening posts, and computers with free internet access, subscriptions to music websites, and music software.

What’s on at The Sage Gateshead

Above information sourced from Wikipedia. Read the whole article for The Sage Gateshead

Go to The Sage Gateshead official website

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A small luxury hotel twenty minutes from Newcastle Seaham Hall is the leading luxury hotel and spa destination resort in Northern England. AA Hotel of the Year 2004 this is a place to indulge yourself where service is founded on instinctive hospitality where the food is pure delight and where quality and attention to detail keep us awake at night not you.Linked to the hotel by a magical underground walkway The Serenity Spa is oriental in design and inspired by Feng Shui. Voted Best Spa for Style by The Sunday Times and Best UK Spa Destination by Conde Nast Traveller The Serenity Spa offers over eighty different treatments. Together they provide the indulgence of a luxury boutique hotel and a unique oriental spa resort just twenty minutes from Newcastle fifteen minutes from Durham and three hours from London.

History

Seaham Hall was one of the many properties acquired by Charles William Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry through his second marriage to Lady Frances Anne Vane-Tempest. She was one of the greatest heiress’s of the time. She stood to inherit nearly 65,000 acres (260 km2). The family did not spend much time at this residence but used their Irish house – Mount Stewart, which was more impressive. In 1815 the poet Lord Byron married Anne Isabella Milbanke at Seaham Hall.

Lord George Gordon Byron married Annabella Milbanke, daughter of Sir Ralph Milbanke at Seaham Hall in 1815. He was the most prolific and controversial of the English poets. Aristocrat, rake and revolutionary, he is celebrated as much for his exploits and good looks as he is for his poetry. Byron lived for the life of the senses, declaring as much when he said. “The great object of life is sensation, to feel that we exist – even though in pain”. Author of ‘Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage’ and ‘Don Juan’, he was a literary star of a kind never seen before. ‘The Corsair’ of 1814 sold 10.000 copies in a single day, a feat seldom achieved by a novel, let alone a book of poetry. It still holds the record for a book of poetry sold in such a short time.

The Londonderrys developed one of the County Durham estates into what is now the modern harbour town of Seaham. This town was designed to rival nearby Sunderland. The house was named after this town. The house is now no longer in the family’s hands as it was sold but is now a Health Spa housed in the same building.

Map & Directions

Seaham Hall Hotel Lord Byrons Walk Seaham SR7 7AG Postcode for Sat Nav: SR7 7AG

Directions Perched on the edge of the North Sea and surrounded by some of the wildest, most beautiful countryside in the land. Seaham Hall is just three hours from London by train, and a good deal less if you fly. (We’re close to two international airports: Newcastle and Teesside.) FROM THE SOUTH A1 Take the exit at Junction 62 for the A690 signposted Sunderland. Travel North through Houghton le spring until the roundabout signposted A19. Take the exit for the A19 (Teesside) southband. Come off the A19 at the first exit marked B1404 Seaham. At the traffic lights go straight ahead onto Lord Byron’s Walk. Follow the road for half a mile and go over a level crossing, and then turn right into Seaham Hall Hotel and Serenity Spa Entrance. FROM THE NORTH A19 Come off the A19 at the B1404 Seaham junction. At the junction turn left into Seaham. At the traffic lights go straight ahead onto Lord Byron’s walk. Follow the road for half a mile and go over a level crossing, and then turn right into Seaham Hall Hotel and Serenity Spa Entrance. FROM THE SOUTH A19 Come off the A19 at A1018 Sunderland and Ryhope junction. At the roundabout turn right onto the B1285 to Seaham. At the traffic lights turn left onto Lord Byron’s Walk. Follow the road for half a mile and go over a level crossing, and then turn right into Seaham Hall Hotel and Serenity Spa Entrance. For Events and Conferences: Do not turn right into the Seaham Hall Hotel and Serenity Spa entrance but continue straight on. At the T junction turn right and the Seaham Hall meeting and events car park is approximately 100m further along to the right.

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Map & Directions

Slaley Hall Hotel Slaley Hexham (nr Newcastle) NE47 0BX Postcode for Sat Nav: NE47 0BX

Directions By Car Slaley Hall is easy to find from the A1. From the South, take the A68 link road and follow the signs to the Hall. From the North, take the A69 toward Corbridge. Then follow the A68 south and look for the signs. By Rail Slaley Hall is 7 miles from Hexham Station and 30 miles from Newcastle mainline Station For more information: National Rail Enquiries By Air Newcastle Airport is 28 miles away 35 minutes by taxi.

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Map & Directions

Crathorne Hall Hotel Crathorne Yarm North Yorkshire TS15 0AR Postcode for Sat Nav: TS15 0AR

Directions By Car Crathorne Hall is just minutes from the A19 , the main access route through the north east. Take the A67 turning off the A19 and the hotel is then clearly sign posted. By Train Nearest Train Station: Darlington – 15 miles from the hotel By Air Nearest Airport: Durham Tees Valley – 8 miles from the hotel

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Address & Directions

The Judges Hotel Thirsk Rd Kirklevington Yarm TS15 9LW Tel: 01642 789000 Postcode for Sat Nav: TS15 9LW

Directions From the North Via M6 Leave the Motorway at junction 40 (A66/A592) at the roundabout take 2nd exit A66, follow A66 for approximately 50.5 miles. Scotch Corner (Junction Al/A66/A6108) at roundabout take 1st exit A1 signed Newcastle. In approximately 4 miles take the left hand lane to join A66(M) Signed Darlington in 2 miles at roundabout take 1st exit A66 cross the River Tees in approximately 1 mile Junction with A67/A167 at the roundabout take 3rd exit signed Teesside. Junction with A67/B6280 at roundabout take 3rd exit A67 signed Yarm. Follow the A67 through Eaglescliffe into Yarm. Follow the road through Yarm and at the roundabout take 2nd exit signed Kirklevington. Judges is approximately half a mile down the road on your right. From the North Via A1 Leave the A1 at the Junction with the A19 Signed Tyne Tunnel. At the roundabout (junction with AI068/B1318) take 3rd exit then at the next roundabout (junction with A189/B1505) take 3rd exit. At the next roundabout (junction with A1058) take 3rd exit at the next roundabout (junction with A187) take 2nd exit proceed through the Tyne Tunnel (tollbooths). Junction with A185 at the roundabout take 3rd exit signed The South, Teesside keep on the A19 for approximately 39 miles branch left A67 signed Crathorne follow the A67 and Judges is approximately 1 and a half miles on the Left. From the South Via M6 Leave the M6 at junction 21A (M62) keep forward then in 0.5 mile branch left signed Leeds to join M62. In approximately 9 miles Junction 12 (M60/M62) branch left signed Leeds then take left-hand lane. In approximately 3 miles Junction 15 (M61) take right hand lanes. In approximately 45 miles Junction 29 (M1) The North (M1) Forward M1 North Junction with A1 Forward A1(M) North. In approximately 25 miles branch left signed Thirsk to join A168 (A19) Junction 49 follow the road for approximately 25 miles and branch left at junction with A67 signed Yarm. At the T-junction turn left and Judges is approximately 1.5 miles on your left. From the South Via M1 Leave the MI at junction 32 (MI8) take left-hand lane to join M18 signed The North, Doncaster. In approximately 9 miles Junction 2 (Al(M)) branch left & at roundabout take 181 exit to join Al(M) signed the north. In approximately 51.5 miles branch left signed Thirsk to join A168 (AI9) follow the road for approximately 25 miles and branch left at junction with A67 signed Yarm. At the T -junction turn left and Judges is approximately 1.5 miles on your left.

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History

Genuine 14th castle set in a 12-acre woodland estate with brush-mown lawns restored to a magnificent and comfortable hotel. Langley is perfect for discovering the delights of Hadrian’s Wall and other local attractions. The exclusive nature of the castle makes Langley the perfect destination to be pampered in unique surroundings. Winner of the One North East tourism awards for ‘Best Small Hotel 2006’, gaining Silver in the 2007 national finals.
Langley Castle is a restored medieval tower house, now operated as an hotel, situated in the village of Langley in the valley of the River South Tyne some 3 miles (5 km) south of Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, England. It is a Grade I listed building.

It was built in the middle of the 14th century by Sir Thomas de Lucy as a great H-shaped tower of four storeys. Before this the site was the seat of the Barons of Tynedale in the 12th century, from whom descend the Tyndall family. It was attacked and severely damaged in 1405 by the forces of Henry IV in the campaign against the Percys and Archbishop Scrope. It remained as a ruin until it was bought and restored by a local historian, Cadwallader Bates, in the late 19th century. He died in 1902 and his wife Josephine continued the restoration. After she died in 1932 the building remained empty until it was used as a barracks in the Second World War following which it was used as a girls’ school.

It has since been converted into a luxury hotel set in a woodland estate of 10 acres (40,000 m2). One of the more remarkable features of the building is the south west tower which is occupied by no less than 12 garderobes, four to each floor.

Map & Directions

Langley Castle Hotel Langley-on-Tyne Hexham Northumberland NE47 5LU Postcode for Sat Nav: NE47 5LU

Directions By Car From East: A69 from Newcastle for 30 miles, past Hexham turn left before Haydon Bridge From West: A69 from Carlisle for 40 miles, through Haydon Bridge, turn right Look for brown & white signs to Langley Castle on approaches to Haydon Bridge. Also at A69-A686 junction (sign posted Alston) Follow road for about 2 miles. Castle is on right after sharp left bend From South-West: Junction 41 M6, for Penrith. A686 to Alston, then Hexham then Haydon Bridge. 2 miles after Carts Bog pub, castle on left. This is a scenic route but has some sharp bends! By Train Hexham (taxis available) or Haydon Bridge (no taxi or public telephone) from Newcastle or Carlisle. Newcastle is approx 3hrs from London by train. By AirAir Half an hour drive from Newcastle airport. Flights from Gatwick/Heathrow take just over an hour.

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History
Wynyard Park, sometimes known as Wynyard Hall is a large country house in County Durham, England. The house used to be the family seat of the Vane-Tempest-Stewart family, Marquesses of Londonderry, but it was sold in the 1980s and currently belongs to Sir John Hall, ex-owner of Newcastle United Football Club, property developer and builder of the MetroCentre in Gateshead.

Designed by Philip Wyatt and built 1822-28, the Entrance Front is 13 bays with a 6-column giant Corinthian Portico. The Entrance Hall looked like that of Mount Stewart, the family’s estate in Northern Ireland. It has a coffered segmental tunnel vault with apses at both ends and in the middle, suspended from the ceiling there was a large crystal chandelier. The main octagonal center hall extends the full height of the house and has a dome with caryatids around it and a skylight. There is also a mirrored Drawing Room with a gilded and painted ceiling, and a vast callroom similar to that of the family’s London residence, Londonderry House.

The family wing of the mansion was nicknamed the Dukes Wing as it was named after the Duke of Wellington and his visit. This side of the house also held the Duke’s Gallery, the place the family housed their famed art collection when not in London.

Map & Directions

Wynyard Hall Hotel Tees Valley TS22 5NF Postcode for Sat Nav: TS22 5NF

Directions By Car From A1(M) Leave A1(M) at junction 60 (signed Hartlepool & A689). Join the A689 following signs for Sedgefield and Hartlepool. Continue straight over the first roundabout. At the second roundabout, turn right onto Stockton Road (A177). After 4 miles, leave Stockton Road (A177) and turn left onto Wynyard Road (signposted Wolviston). Continue along Wynyard Road. Turn left into the estate at gatehouse. From A19 Leave A19 and exit onto the A1027 towards Stockton. At the roundabout junction with the B1274, take the third exit onto Junction Road (B1274). Continue on the B1274, until the roundabout junction with the A177. Take the third exit at the roundabout onto Durham Road (A177). Leave the A177 (Durham Road) and turn right onto Wynyard Road (signposted Wolviston). Continue along Wynyard Road. Turn left into the estate at gatehouse. Car Parking Private parking for up to 300 cars immediately adjacent to the main entrance.

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Hotel du Vin provide a range of luxury and boutique hotels in landmark locations around the United Kingdom.

Synonymous with style and hospitality Hotel du Vin offers exquisite accommodation for a relaxing atmosphere throughout our chain of hotels and sumptuous food and wine through our trademark Hotel du Vin Bistros.

Whether you are looking for a romantic weekend away, a relaxing spa break or you are after a haven on a busy business trip, Hotel du Vin offers the last word in style, sophistication and comfort.

A Stylish Boutique hotel in the Classic Hotel du Vin style, the former home of the Tyne Tees Steam Shipping Company has been gloriously converted by Hotel du Vin & Bistro. With breathtaking views of Newcastle’s quayside and the river Tyne the hotel offers 42 timelessly furnished rooms and stunning suites featuring monsoon showers, luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets, plasma TV’s, DVD’s and air conditioning.

The hotel offers their trademark bistro and bar serving stunning classics from the kitchen, alfresco and private dining, cigar shack, intriguing Laroche tasting room where you can be taken on a pilgrimage around the world’s finest vineyards by our Chef Sommelier without having to leave the room.

Within the property they also have a number of events and meeting rooms that will inspire, sublime spaces equipped with the latest technology to help you get the most out of your time there.

The hotel also offers disabled access rooms.

Map & Directions

Hotel du Vin Newcastle Allan House City Road Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 2BE Tel: 0191 2292200 Postcode for Sat Nav: NE1 2BE

Directions Hotel du Vin Newcastle is within walking distance of the city centre, vibrant Quayside scene, and the award winning Millennium Bridge. If driving, please follow the below directions or you can always give them a call on 0191 2292200. From the M1 from South & North 1 At junction 65 on the A1 take the slip road A184 Gateshead/Newcastle. 2 Get into the inside lane. 3 Stay in the outside lane this will take you over the Redheugh bridge. 4 Once over the bridge get into your inside lane. 5 Take the first left off the bridge sign posted the Metro arena. 6 At the mini round about turn left and follow the road round to the left. 7 Go straight through at the traffic lights (passing the center of life). 8 The road will be sign posted for the Quayside drive straight ahead. 9 Pass the Copthorne hotel on your right. 10 Drive straight over the round about and follow the road round you will pass under the Tyne Bridge. 11 1st set of traffic lights drive straight through. 12 2nd set turn right onto Sandgate road. 13 At the top of the road at the traffic lights turn right pass the premier inn on your left. 14 Follow this road round (city road) Hotel Du vin is on your left. If arriving by train, Newcastle Central station is a 20 minute walk away or short cab ride. Car parking – The hotel offers a Valet Service at £15.

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History
Located just 11 miles South of Newcastle, 8 miles North of Durham, and 12 miles West of Sunderland. The Hotel boasts 74 luxurious en-suite bedchambers, with FREE WiFi throughout hotel. Standing proud for more than 600 years, the magnificent spectacle of Lumley Castle dominates the County Durham landscape. Surrounded by beautiful parklands overlooking the River Wear and Durham County Cricket Ground. The Castle is a magnificent monument to a bygone age of chivalry and honour. Dine in the splendour of the Black Knight resaturant. Table reservations are essential. The hotel is ideally situated to explore the North East of England

Lumley Castle is a 14th century quadrangular castle at Chester-le-Street in the North of England, near to the city of Durham and a property of the Earl of Scarbrough. It is a Grade I listed building.

It is named for its original creator, Sir Ralph Lumley, who converted his family manor house into a castle in 1389 after returning from wars in Scotland. However, after being implicated in a plot to overthrow Henry IV he was imprisoned and ultimately executed, forfeiting his lands to the Earl of Somerset. In 1421 the ownership of the Castle reverted to Sir Ralph Lumley’s grandson, Thomas.

By the nineteenth century, the castle had become the residence of the Bishop of Durham, after Bishop Van Mildert gave his residence of Durham Castle to the newly founded University of Durham. The castle thus became a hall of residence for University College, Durham. Castlemen, as the students of University College, Durham were known, spent their first year at Lumley Castle and subsequent years in the Castle at Durham. Lumley Castle was sold in the 1960s by University College to fund the building of the Moatside residential halls in central Durham, in order to keep all students on the same site. The role of Lumley Castle in University College’s history is still commemorated by students in the termly ‘Lumley Run’.

As with any historic location, Lumley Castle has its resident ghost. Lily, Lady Lumley, the wife of Sir Ralph is said to walk the corridors of her former home where she was murdered by local priests and her body dumped in the well, which you can still see today.

In 2005, the touring Australian cricket team was said to have been haunted during their stay at Lumley Castle. Shane Watson got so spooked that he slept on the floor of teammate Brett Lee’s room. Even the Australia media officer Belinda Dennett said: “Several of the players were uneasy although a lot of them in the morning said they were fine.”

Australia are not the only cricket team to be spooked by the spectre. In 2000, three members of the West Indian cricket team, including captain Jimmy Adams, checked out of the same hotel because they were scared. These days the medieval atmosphere is enhanced by the staff dressing in period costume.

In 1976, management of the castle was handed over to No Ordinary Hotels (although the property is still in the possession of Lord Scarbrough), who had the castle turned into the 59-bedroomed hotel it is today. It is also a picturesque backdrop for Durham County Cricket Club’s Riverside Ground, which was first used in 1995.

Read more: Lumley Castle Hotel, official website
The above article is courtesy of Wikipedia: Read More

Map & Directions

Lumley Castle Hotel Chester-le-Street County Durham DH3 4NX Postcode for Sat Nav: DH3 4NX

Directions By Car A1(M) Junction 63 follow signs for A167 Chester-le-St and Stanley. Pick up signs for Riverside & Lumley Castle Hotel. The Hotel is situated just of the B1284 sign posted for Houghton-Le-Spring. By Train Nearest train station Chester-le-street or Durham. By Air Nearest Airport – Newcastle International or Durham Tees Valley.

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