Durham's Fallen Angel Hotel

Just a few yards up from the little bench/Dun Cow is Durham's recently opened Fallen Angel Hotel. Created and owned by entrepreneur John Marshall, who founded the Durham Pine furniture chain, the Fallen Angel is an imaginative and unusual place.

John Marshall calls it a Restaurant with Rooms, and says in the brochure that it is really a reflection of his life.

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I recently visited and had a wonderful evening of exquisite food and a tour of the amazing rooms.

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John writes, 'The rooms are a journey of fantasy and adventure and reflect my feeling that people should give themselves permission to live their dreams, to think big and to be outrageous.'

I have posted photos of some of my favourite rooms. Above and below is the luxurious Edwardian Express room. The ingenious ensuite bathroom is in a constructed railway carriage!

Another sumptious room is the Cruella. Lavishly decorated with black velvet and diamante is has quite a Gothic feel.

For a complete contrast, the Russian Bride suite is light and airy, in tranquil whites and creams.

Taking up the entire top floor, it has a hand carved bed, and a beautiful sitting room area.

I like the serene views from the windows.

The next room I visited was a real surprise ...

The Sci Fi room - complete with Dalek!

Visit the ensuite, and you might open the door and find yourself in another world!

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I love the imaginative quality of this hotel, and admire John Marshall for creating it. I'm inspired by the statement he has written in his brochure, 'Be bold, be brave and give yourself permission to break free from convention.'

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You can see more of the hotel at http://www.fallenangelhotel.com/
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Other great places to visit in Durham: the beautiful gardens of Crook Hall, and for delicious food prepared on the premises, click here for favourite Italian restaurant Ristorante San Marco.

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To see more of North East Artist & Entertainer Ingrid Sylvestre's work please visit Ingrid Sylvestre Art, where you will find her paintings, illustrations, live event caricatures and silhouettes cutting including wedding entertainment ideas, party entertainment and corporate events entertainment throughout the North East UK.

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Ingrid Sylvestre - Durham Artist Ingrid Sylvestre Durham artist, artist in Durham.

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 Durham's Fallen Angel Hotel photographs by North East artist Ingrid Sylvestre Fine Art Paintings Murals Illustration Live Event Entertainer including North East Entertainment Caricatures and Silhouettes cutting at Weddings Parties Proms Corporate Events Entertainment Business Launches Awards Ceremonies Conferences County Durham Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland Tyne & Wear Middlesbrough Teesside Darlington Nothumberland Yorkshire UK

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Durham City's Hidden Jewel

The spring sun shone from a perfect blue sky as I entered the gardens of Crook Hall in the heart of Durham City. It had been several months since my last visit, and I had been looking forward to renewing my acquaintance with this lovely place.

The view above shows the Georgian and Jacobean parts of the Hall, from the Walled Garden with its spring flowers. (Crook Hall's excellent website gives interesting information about the Hall and its history.)

I paused in the Cathedral Garden, where stunning views of Durham Cathedral are echoed in the arched gateways and clipped hedge. A distinctive arched seat continues the theme.

Walking through the arched gateway into the Shakespeare Garden, I looked back. How I marvelled at the light shining ethereally onto a statue, and illuminating the white flowers in the green shade!

Further along, a little piper played among the ivy and pale daffodils.

Emerging through another dark hedgeway into the sunlit orchard, my eyes were led along the curved path through the trees. In the distance a statue provided a serene focal point.

The Moat Pool reflected the cerulean sky and countless daffodils fringed the water's edge.

In the Woodland Garden silver and gold gleamed in secret glades.

An enchantingly beautiful magnolia raised its blooms to the heavens.

I soaked up the sun in front of the warm walls of the old Hall, wondering how many people must have done the same after countless cold winters!

A last view of historic Durham Cathedral before walking back into the city!

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Durham Crook Hall Gardens photographs by North East artist Ingrid Sylvestre Fine Art Paintings Murals Illustration Live Event Entertainer including North East Entertainment Caricatures and Silhouettes cutting at Weddings Parties Proms Corporate Events Entertainment Business Launches Awards Ceremonies Conferences County Durham Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland Tyne & Wear Middlesbrough Teesside Darlington Nothumberland Yorkshire UK

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To see more of North East Artist & Entertainer Ingrid Sylvestre's work please visit Ingrid Sylvestre Art, where you will find her paintings, illustrations, live event caricatures and silhouettes cutting including wedding entertainment ideas, party entertainment and corporate events entertainment throughout the North East UK.

Ingrid Sylvestre - Durham Artist

Durham artist Ingrid Sylvestre, artists in Durham.