A weekend in County Durham, U.K.

Getting there: From London, National Express high-speed rail service takes less than three hours from King's Cross (14 trains per day; from $195 round-trip). Other rail options: Edinburgh, 90 minutes; York, 45 minutes. Durham is a 30-minute drive from Newcastle Airport. Round-trip rates average $1,050 for travel prior to Oct. 31; lower Nov. 1-March 31.

BUDGET

Stay

Premier Inn Durham North is an ideal location to explore Durham, Beamish and the Yorkshire Dales National Park south of the North Pennines. Newly revamped rooms from $54. Premier Inns (more than 700 hotels across the U.K. and Ireland with a good night guarantee). Rotary Way, Pity Me, 0871-527-8342, premierinn.com.

Eat

Flat White is a wee, cozy cafe in Durham’s town center serving coffees, teas, smoothies and breakfast to lunch (up to $10). 21A Elvet Bridge, 7789-951149. Facebook: Flat White Durham.

Experience

Durham Cathedral is the largest and finest example of Norman architecture in England, built between the late 11th and early 12th century. Both the cathedral and Durham Castle make up a medieval cityscape on a peninsula overlooking the Wear River. Admission is free (donate generously). One-hour guided cathedral tours, $7.50. The College, 191-386-4266, durhamcathedral.co.uk. Occupied continuously since the 11th century, Durham Castle is now home to the students of Durham University. Experience more than 900 years of history on a guided tour, $7.50. Palace Green, 0191-334-2932, dur.ac.uk/durham.castle.

MODERATE

Stay

Just 8 miles south of Durham, the Best Western Whitworth Hall Country Park Hotel is set in the heart of a 73-acre deer park. On-site is a brassiere and conservatory, an elegant formal garden and lake, a lounge and three restaurants. Lovely guest rooms, some with four-poster beds, from $105. Brancepeth, Spennymoor, 01388-811772, bw-whitworthhall.co.uk.

Eat

After a Sunday drive in the country, stop in the village of Frosterley on the River Wear. Sunday lunch at the family-run Black Bull Inn (an authentic English pub, and the only pub in England with a ring of church bells) features rib of beef from a nearby farm. Each of the three rooms has an open fireplace. Only local cask ale is served here. About $90 for two. 01388-527784, blackbullfrosterley.com.

Experience

The covered Victorian Durham Market Hall offers local goods from more than 50 independent traders, including 14 food outlets. Find unique historical re-enactment gear for your Game of Thrones fix from the vendor Get Dressed for Battle. Market Place, 191-384-6153, durhammarkets.co.uk. Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, is an open-air museum telling the story of life in northeast England during the 1820s, 1900s and 1940s, and most of its houses, shops and other buildings have been rebuilt and furnished as they once were. Beamish has an Edwardian railway station and a coal mine and mining village. Adults, $28. 191-370-4000, beamish.org.uk.

SPLURGE

Stay

The four-star Best Western Beamish Hall is a classic country-house hotel located on the border of County Durham and Tyne & Wear (12 miles northwest of Durham; 8 miles southwest of Newcastle-upon-Tyne). The 12th century building and grounds sit in beautiful Beamish Valley, overlooking the gardens and a 24-acre estate. On-site is Beamish Wild, an outdoor activity center, a restaurant and microbrewery, and the Stables bar. Guest rooms are individually designed and furnished with antiques from around the world. From $152. Beamish, 01207-233-733, beamish-hall.co.uk.

Eat

The 100-acre South Causey Inn offers traditional lunch and evening specials, up to $39. Each Tuesday, a resident band plays 11 a.m.-1 p.m. while guests have a coffee and scone before shopping for gourmet pies, specialty cheeses and crafts, as well as vintage items and antiques. Beamish Burn Road, Stanley, 01207-235-555, southcausey.co.uk.

Experience

The award-winning Birds of Prey Center on the beautiful grounds of Walworth Castle affords a unique experience in learning about the birds used in the sport of falconry. The center is open through Nov. 1. $10. Specialty events are available throughout the year, such as the Falconry Experience. Take a VIP tour of the center and see all of its birds. Then, it's a hands-on experience flying a variety of birds, and you finish with the Hawk Walk within the woodland. $83 per person. Darlington, 7815-756386, wcbop.co.uk.