I am travelling for work a lot at present. I had occasion to visit this place for one night recently. I was travelling with two colleagues.

Checking in was easy, over the bar downstairs. We were guided to our rooms. Each was different. This is not a "Stepford" B&B.

My room, with coffee/tea and terrestrial channels was clean, quite spacious and comfortable. My colleagues spoke in similar terms of their rooms.

I met a friend for dinner in a lovely Indian restaurant at the railway station about a mile from the Golden Lion. My colleagues stayed in for dinner and spoke of the huge portions of good food. They were in the back, sports, bar for the Newcastle v. Middlesborough football match that evening. They reported a good and friendly atmosphere.

Breakfast was pretty quick and was fine. It was not self service as I am now most used to.

The local area is well to do and beautiful. I had never been to the area before but would... more