Revamped Hotel Reopens Inn Style
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An iconic coastal hotel has reopened in Seahouses following the completion of the first phase of a £1.65m revamp. The Bamburgh Castle Inn, which has featured as a backdrop to many a postcard of the village’s famous harbour, was closed for six months during the major refurbishment.
The new look inn, which sits on top of the old lime kilns alongside the harbour, has been transformed into a coaching-style country pub with carvery and now boasts a new bar and dining area on the ground floor, an elevated pavilion with coffee shop and eating area overlooking the harbour and ten of the inn’s 30 bedrooms.
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A toast to the new: Francis Watson Armstrong of Bamburgh Castle (left) with Keith Liddell, director of Bamburgh Castle Inn.
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The revamped inn has already generated over 20 new jobs in the area. A further 20 are expected to be created once the second and final phase of the inn’s refurbishment is completed in the autumn. Francis Watson Armstrong owner of top visitor attraction Bamburgh Castle - which the inn takes its name from - was on hand to reopen the premises by pulling the first pint of Bamburgh Castle Inn Ale at the inn earlier this week.
Leisure group Lindisfarne Inns Limited purchased the inn - formerly the Bamburgh Castle Hotel - in November. Group director Keith Liddell, said: "This is a much loved building. There has been a lot of anticipation locally and from previous guests for the inn to reopen and we are absolutely delighted that the doors are open once again."
"With arguably one of the best viewpoints on the coastline here in Northumberland we’ve made the most of the inn’s unbeatable location with bars and eating spaces which overlook the harbour and have views to the Farne Islands and along the beach to Bamburgh."
"While a great deal of care has been taken throughout the refurbishment to preserve the building’s character and unique features, we’ve brought it into the 21st century making this a not-to-miss destination for local people, day trippers and holiday makers alike." Mr Liddell added: "The Northumberland coast is definitely a holiday destination on the up thanks to the unprecedented amount of publicity the area has received recently."
"We believe there is a growing requirement for good food, drink and accommodation which is high-quality yet functional in a location hot-spot such as this."
Speaking at the launch of the new inn, Geoff Hodgson, chair of the Northeast Tourism Advisory Board (NETA), said: "The north east is enjoying more and more visitors each year as the message filters across the UK and further afield that the region is a truly exceptional destination. The north east is currently the only region in the whole of the UK to have seen a growth in the number of visitors this year."
"I am very proud that we have businesses of the calibre of The Bamburgh Castle Inn to cater for the needs of visitors we are working hard to attract to the region, as well as for our own occupants. Their input is critical in making sure visitors to the north east enjoy an unforgettable experience that they will want to repeat." Mr Hodgson added: "The Bamburgh Castle Inn has long been a landmark of the Northumberland coast and I am delighted to see it open for business once again."
Further to the Bamburgh Castle Hotel, the group also owns The Lindisfarne Inn at Beal on the site of the former Plough Hotel. Opened in May 2007 following a complete refurbishment, the Lindisfarne Inn has a bar, dining area and a 21-bedroom lodge. The Bamburgh Castle Inn is now open for bar meals and carvery, drinks and accommodation.
For more information call (01665) 720 283.
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