Seaham Hall

Seaham Hall, a five-star hotel and spa on the Durham coast

Seaham Hall is a five-star hotel and spa resort located in a Georgian building on a clifftop site on the Durham coast, in England. The property combines its historic heritage with coastal influences and offers suite accommodation, two dining spaces and the Serenity Spa, a spa inspired by Far Eastern wellbeing practices. The hotel's own description presents it as a five-star, five-bubble spa resort.

Suite accommodation

The hotel has a selection of suites and accommodations spread throughout the country house. The accommodation offering includes the Ada Lovelace Suite, the Milbanke Suite, the Coastal Lodge with Hot Tub, the Tideline Lodge with Hot Tub, the Garden Suite with Hot Tub, the Executive Suite, the Junior Suite, the Junior Suite Sea View and the Penthouse. Each suite combines the building's heritage with coastal influences and sea views.

Restaurants and dining

Seaham Hall has two dining spaces. The Dining Room, under the direction of chef Damian Broom, offers a menu inspired by the North Sea and the Durham landscape; it also serves Sunday Lunch. Geko is a panoramic Asian-inspired restaurant with curries, stir-fries and tapas, located next to the spa. The offering is completed by Harvey's Bar and the Afternoon Tea service.

Serenity Spa

The Serenity Spa is the resort's spa, set high on the cliffs of the Durham coast. Its offering is inspired by the tranquillity of the surroundings and the ancestral wellbeing practices of the Far East. The spa offers spa days, treatments and therapies, products, facilities and a class timetable. It also has membership options.

Events, meetings and celebrations

The hotel has spaces for meetings and celebrations, with the possibility of hosting events. The website includes a specific section for event spaces and related enquiries.

Offers and experiences

The hotel's offers catalogue includes proposals such as Escape the Celebrations – New Year's Eve, The Aston Martin Experience, The Poet's Retreat, Sunday Lunch Gourmet Getaway, Midweek at Harvey's, Relax, Reconnect and Retreat, The Autumn Spa Stay, Sip & Sundown (Midweek), Autumn Embrace Full Day Spa and Ignite & Unwind Garden Retreat Full Day Spa. Some of these experiences are presented with indicative prices, such as the stay for two adults from 566.26 or the full-day spa experience from 199. The Sunday Lunch Gourmet Getaway offer includes a two-course meal with a glass of house wine in The Dining Room and spa access, plus a continental breakfast the following morning.

History and heritage of the building

The Seaham Hall building was constructed in 1791 by Ralph and Judith Milbanke on the site of Seaham House. In 1814 it was visited by Lord Byron and a year later his daughter, the Honourable Augusta Ada Byron, known as Ada Lovelace, was born. In 1821, Sir Ralph Milbanke sold the estate to Charles Vane, Baron Stewart, for £63,000. During the First World War, the house was loaned to the British Army as a military hospital and returned to the Londonderry family in 1919. In 1922 the family auctioned off the contents and the property was left uninhabited, becoming a secret bottling and distribution centre for Scotch whisky. In 1927 it was donated to Durham County Council, which converted it into a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients with an investment of £20,000, and in 1929 a children's orthopaedic ward was added. In 1952 the first hospital radio station, known as Radio Therapy, was created there. After six years empty, in 1985 it was bought by Mr Kusia Jalal and converted into a hotel. In 1991 it returned to the market and in 2001 it was acquired by Tom Maxfield. In 2008 it was sold to Von Essen Hotels and in 2012 it was acquired by an independent hotel group committed to maintaining its status as a five-star hotel in the North East of England. In 2026 the hotel celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Awards and group membership

Seaham Hall is a member of PoB Hotels, a curated collection of independent hotels in the British Isles. International cricketer Ben Stokes, who has played for Durham since 2009 and lives in the area, is an ambassador for the brand and the hotel's residences.

Other services and policies

The hotel welcomes dog-friendly visits and has a sustainability section under the name Going Green. It also offers information on location and directions, partnerships, things to do in the area, blog and FAQs. The website allows booking accommodation, spa and restaurant, and offers gift vouchers.

Location and contact

Phone: 0191 516 1400 · Email: hotel@seaham-hall.com