THREE County Durham hotels have made it into the Good Hotel Guide 2002, with a further four from the region being shortlisted.

Homelands, in Barnard Castle, is described as "the epitome of an excellent guest house" and "close to perfection in the small town hotel brackett".

The Rose and Crown, in Romaldkirk, near Barnard Castle, was also listed, as well as Grove House, in Hamsterley Forest, near Bishop Auckland. This unusual guest house is described as "a place of unusual delights".

Others which were shortlisted included the flamboyantly decorated Clow Beck House, in Croft-on-Tees.

This friendly farmhouse has two acres of gardens, 90 acres of farmland and 14 themed bedrooms, with Camelot described as dazzling.

The 18th Century Headlam Hall, near Gainford, also got a mention in the shortlist as did family-run Georgian Town House, in Durham.

The 14th Century Lumley Castle, in Chester-le-Street, was also shortlisted, with its thick walls, dimly lit corridors, spiral staircases and whimsical style.

Several hotels and guesthouses in North Yorkshire have also been listed, including Shallowdale House, in Ampleforth, described as utterly wonderful.

Amerdale House, at Arncliffe, near Skipton, a previous Cesar award winner, was again listed, as was The Abbey Inn, in Byland Abbey, which is new in this edition, listed for its "fabulous attention to detail".

The White Swan, in Pickering, is another new listing for 2002, described as astonishingly good value, and the Yorke Arms, at Ramsgill-in-Nidderdale, where the evening meals are described as worth the visit alone.

The guide is in shops, published by Ebury Press and priced £15.99.