Georgian
Townhouse
is restored to a perfect boutique hotel
Tees Life co-editor Martin Walker takes a look around the beautiful Houndgate
Townhouse – a multi-functional hotel and events venue steeped in history...
I
t was once Darlington’s main registrar
office – but it’s now one of the town’s
most interesting boutique hotels which
can host almost any type of occasion.
Number 11 Houndgate is an 18th Century
Georgian townhouse, located on the western
edge of Darlington town centre. Once
owned by Frenchman Eugene de Baste, who
turned the building into a boarding school,
it was then sold it to stockbroker Robert
Thompson, who in 1848 sold for £1,400. In
1884, it became council-owned and, after
accommodating a variety of council services
over the decades, became the Registrar’s
Office of Darlington in 1973 until 2002,
where it played host to marriages and the
registering of births.
Houndgate Townhouse is now a family-
owned hotel, restaurant and bar and can play
host to any occasion, from baby showers
to christenings, engagements and wedding
receptions, birthday parties to anniversaries.
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After being lovingly restored by its proud
local owners, it provides a relaxed home
from home feel for customers to enjoy as
well as making a positive contribution to the
wellbeing of the town.
Retaining several original features
including Georgian windows, lovingly
restored, and the original hand rail which
leads up to the individually decorated
bedrooms, while the entrance light fitting
was salvaged from an old mansion and
purchased locally in Hurworth.
The Hound Bar and Lounge enhances
the copper theme throughout the ground
floor with its copper bar, feature ceiling
mirror and copper lights, one of which is
based on the flower ‘artichoke’. After walking
through the bar and lounge you enter eleven
Restaurant. With a light and airy feel, it
can cater for up to 40 guests, and boasts
some unique features, one of which is the
restored fan light linking the new restaurant
extension to the original building. An
outside terrace with its herb garden, flower
borders and bespoke handmade sculptures is
there to be enjoyed during the fair-weather
months.
This impressive venue, which re-opened
as Houndgate Townhouse in 2013, is a three-
storey boutique hotel with eight bedrooms,
all of which have their own individual colour
scheme and style which can be booked as
part of private functions for up to 80 guests.
There’s an impressive choice of menus to
accommodate all levels of budgets while
providing quality at all times.
Operations Manager Angela Lowe says:
“Houndgate is unique in Darlington and
provides a real home from home feel.
“We pride ourselves on producing good
quality British food using local suppliers,
creating your bespoke menu for any type of
occasion with the knowledge of knowing
we’re flexible with our options and the
reassurance we will be discretely with you,
ensuring everything is as you planned.”
As well as being the host to any occasion,
the Hound Bar and Lounge is open to the
public six days a week, while the first Friday
of every month is Cool Fridays, with live
music by local musicians.
For any further information or to enquire about Houndgate Townhouse, contact the team on
01325 486011 or go to www.houndgatetownhouse.co.uk