Hamsteels Hall is a collection of farm cottages, modern barn conversions, set in the rolling countryside of County Durham. It is 5 minutes by car from Lanchester with good pubs, restaurants and shops, and only 15 minutes drive to Durham or the Beamish Museum, or 30 minutes to Newcastle. It is in excellent walking country, an ideal base for a week or more. The rooms are cosy but not too small, well-equipped and clean. The hostess could not have been more helpful, fixing a couple of minor gripes or omissions. Rates are reasonable. We will return!