Dominic Cummings' trip to Barnard Castle results in searches for accommodation in the market town surging by 160 per cent

• Hotels.com has seen a surge in searches for accommodation from May 22 to 27
• One of the top accommodation options is the Homelands Guest House 
• The co-owner said that she'd noticed an increase in enquiries and traffic

Following Dominic Cummings' controversial trip to Barnard Castle, an accommodation booking site has seen a surge in searches for places to stay there.

Hotels.com has seen a 160 per cent increase in searches for accommodation in and around Barnard Castle from May 22 to 27, 2020, compared with the previous week.

This can likely be attributed to the stories surrounding the visit of the PM's chief advisor that broke in UK media on May 22, the site said.

One of the top accommodation options in the town is the Homelands Guest House, which has a TripAdvisor 'Certificate of Excellence', en-suite rooms and offers home-baked treats to guests on arrival. 

Co-owner Glenda told MailOnline Travel: 'We have had some enquiries in the past week and we noticed a lot of traffic around these days, surely due to the latest news.'

There's also the four-star Three Horseshoes Hotel, which is looking spick and span thanks to a £750,000 refurbishment.

Standard features in the rooms include 'large comfortable beds, a TV, free wi-fi and hairdryers'. And children are welcome.

The Cricketers Arms is also a popular choice for visitors. One highlight is the property's 'chicken parmo and a pint for £10' offer. 

This is 'Teesside's No1 delicacy', an 'irresistible combination of breadcrumb chicken, creamy sauce and melted cheddar cheese that's highly recommended by Tom the landlord'.

There are also several highly rated Airbnbs in and around the town, including a 'Cummings-approved' two-bed flat with a 'light, modern feel, situated within seconds of the river' and the 'Olde Village Shop Cottage', which is situated in Startforth village, 'just over the River Tees from Barnard Castle'.

One of the top local attractions is the castle the town is named after, which was built by Bernard Balliol between 1112 and 1132.

Visitors can also peruse the delights of the Bowes Museum, which houses exceptional works of art, from paintings to sculptures.

And just a few miles away is High Force, the largest waterfall in England and one of the most spectacular in Britain. 

Note - lockdown rules are still in place. It is possible to drive to beauty spots in England, but pubs, restaurants, and hotels won't be open until July 4 at the earliest.