OT Decent hotels in Gateshead, Midsomer Norton and Benfleet?

Just sorting out schedule for next few weeks and it means nights away
from home. Anyone got any recommendations for hotels in the above?
Small and unusual rather than chain preferred. Log fire in quiet bar
where I can curl up with a book sort of places. Expenses will pay up
to £100 but if it's exceptional I'm happy to top that up.

Possibly also Newcastle and Widnes, waiting for them to confirm times.

 

Benfleet? Will that be Norf or Sarf Benfleet?

 

It's actually in the lovely named Thundersley.

 

Not a lot of hotels of note in that part of the world. Basildon may be
closest. How close do you want to be? If you want something less
concrete and chrome have at look at the pubs, some are still inns.

 

A ten minute drive away so I can stay in bed as long as possible.

That's the idea small hotel/pub.

 

Basildon is ten minutes, you have two from various chains The Campanile
and The Festival Park Wanna be Hilton

There is, I am sure a place that used to be called The Lighthouse on the
A13 within a mile of most of Thunderously that has variously been both
restaurant and Motel for years and years. For pubs you want the ones by
Benfleet Station, The Half Crown, which used to be called the crown
until a tanker on it's way back to Canvey turned 25 yards too early and
took out their bay window and half the Saloon Bar, The Hoy and Helmet
which was the first pub I ever got properly barred from until they
realised that I was the only one who drank Oirish and let me back in and
The Anchor which to this day has the reputation for selling the worst
beer in Essex. You can doss here if you want to rough it.

 

there is a hotel in rayleigh which is just down the road, don't know about
log fires though.

 

If you ever have to go to Shoeburyness
Take the A road, the okay road that's the best
Go motorin' on the A13

 

It does indeed, thank you very much. One of the others will be along
to ask you the usual questions. I'll settle for sensible and ask what
bike you ride?

 

Any idea of the name of it? I think Essex is in October so no rush.

Right any one got any ideas for Gateshead?

 

Too bloody right I wouldn't.

 

Spindizzy research?

 

Commute, from as far away as possible.

 

There's a few places that could be recommended for that.

 

Heh. I think I've got the schedule so I've a whole day free the day
before I've got to be any where (apart from Cheshire the day after
Gateshead) so the vague plan is to leave just after the morning rush
and go and see some local sights before booking into the hotel then
work the next day. I take it from the above Gateshead doesn't have
anything of note.

 

Not hotel-wise. I certainly don't know of any that fit your criteria.

Sights-wise, The Angel of the North and the Quayside generally are
worth a look - possibly the Hill. Give us a shout when you're up here
if you've time.

 

Good choice!

 

Bet it's not as knackered and battered as my ZXR400. This is probably
not something to be proud of.

There's a question, who has the most ratty bike that hasn't been
deliberately turned into a ratter, that still runs.

 

Will do, have you got my mobile number?