Dog-friendly Durham

Belle Vue house (UKC4502) has been the family home since the 1890’s and has been lovingly restored in 2020 to a very good standard to include a spacious shaker style kitchen with Neff appliances and a dining area set around a Dimplex electric log-effect fire. The lounge is cosy and overlooks the beautiful cottage style garden, to further relax and enjoy the garden there is a south facing conservatory with garden furniture. The house has three spacious bedrooms, one with en-suite shower room. There is a family bathroom with shower over the bath and a downstairs toilet. Belle Vue (UKC778) is a two bedroomed cottage with a lovely garden so you can sit and relax with a nice glass of something cold on those lovely warm sunny days.
Guests can choose to be as energetic as they feel as there are plenty of places to explore within a short distance on foot or by car. Within walking distance Eggleston has a Gourmet Café in the beautiful grounds of Eggleston Hall with a secret garden and the ruins of a Norman Church. The nearby North Pennines, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offers an abundance of trails for walking, cycling and hiking through the picturesque woodland. There are two pubs in the village which serve good food, and the area is one of the remotest parts of England and a walkers paradise.
The nearby Market Town of Barnard Castle is home to the unusual Bowes Museum, set within stunning grounds and resembling a French Chateau, it’s home to some beautiful artwork and antiques and is often referred to as the Victoria and Albert of the North. Just 4 miles away you can visit the highest Waterfall in England (High Force), rising above Middleton in Teesdale, with alaso offeres some lovely riverside walks. Hamsterley Forest is a short drive away, and offers a full day out for the whole family and provides a wide variety of mountain biking for all skill levels. Within a short drive is the City of Durham with its iconic cathedral, cobbled streets and independent shops and restaurants. Newcastle on Tyne with the Sage Concert Hall and Baltic Arts Centre are within an hour away. Bishop Auckland is home to the Railway Museum and Auckland Castle and Darlington (with Railway links) is only a half an hour’s drive. For a day out to the coast, drive to Saltburn with its beautiful coastline, beach and a Victorian vernacular lift. Shop 4 mile, pub and restaurant ½ mile.
Belle Bue House (UKC4502) and Belle Vue (UKC778) these properties can be booked together to accommodate 8 guests.

The Cart Shed has been built to the very highest of standards and is a super detached holiday home in an excellent location and adjacent to the owner’s home. All on one level with large windows, excellent standard furnishing and top quality fixtures and fittings, guests will find that The Cart Shed is the perfect location for a quiet, luxury, well-earned family holiday or a super celebration spot for friends and family to enjoy spending quality time together. Absolutely ideal too for guests with limited walking abilities, all of the rooms are spacious, accessible and really well laid out. The open plan living area boasts a solid wood floor, beautiful wood burner and sliding doors that open the room out into the private garden area. The kitchen area is very well finished with excellent quality fixtures and fittings and ample modern appliances including a dishwasher, fridge, freezer, electric hob, electric oven and washing machine. With high ceilings and quirky wooden beam feature this room is a delight to sit in and would make a great place for family meals and celebrations. Further along the hallway, guests will find two double bedrooms each with a zip and link bed and views across the garden and beyond. The master bedroom offers equally spacious accommodation and a super kingsize bed as well as a very useful en suite shower room with shower cubicle, heated towel rail and underfloor heating. The family bathroom is once again finished to a high standard and offers a free standing bath, separate shower cubicle, heated towel rail and his and hers wash basins – luxury indeed.
The small village of Witton Gilbert has a thriving community and boasts a local farm shop and a couple of great pubs that sell good food all year round. A great spot too for walkers and cyclists, there are many established public footpaths from the village leading into the city and beyond into the scenic countryside of County Durham. Durham itself has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status and is packed full of historic and interesting sites to visit. The cathedral and castle dominate the market place and must be visited at any time of year as there are often popular exhibitions being presented. Also great for a spot of lunch, dinner or afternoon tea, there are many quirky tea shops, restaurants, bistros and the smallest gin bar in the county. The River Wear runs through the city and guests will be able to take a river cruise along it or enjoy a row in a rowing boat. The Lumiere Festival takes place every couple of years in November and brings the city to life with live art, music and light shows in the open air theatre that the city becomes. A little further afield but still within an easy 30 minute drive, guests will be able to take a day trip out to the very popular Beamish Living Museum of the North, see the famous Angel of the North statue in Gateshead, enjoy a day’s shopping at the MetroCentre and explore the vibrant city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Beach 17½ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

A spectacular three-bedroom holiday home settled in the quaint village of Staindrop in County Durham. Patio garden. En-suite. Washer/dryer. Barnard Castle 5.5 miles; Durham 19 miles.

A spacious, barn conversion situated in the village of Headlam near Gainford. Ideal for families. Pet-friendly. Woodburning stove. Darlington 8.2 miles; Barnard Castle 9.6 miles.

A delightsome, semi-detached cottage sitting on a farm near Wolsingham, Durham. Hot tub. Woodburning stove. Shared indoor swimming pool and games room. Hamsterley 7 miles; Bishop Auckland 9.8 miles; Durham 14.6 miles

This beautiful, semi-detached cottage rests in Frosterley, Durham. Hot tub. Enclosed garden. Woodburning stove. Close to amenities. Consett 13.9 miles; Barnard Castle 17.3 miles; Durham 17.2 miles.

Situated in the quiet village of Newfield, just 8 miles from the city of Durham, Stonebank Cottage offers comfortable homely accommodation and is the ideal base for small families and friends wanting to really explore the local area. The spacious living room with a large Smart TV and relaxing sofa is most welcoming after a day exploring the local area. There is a separate kitchen and dining room with a wood burner. Upstairs is a bathroom and three bedrooms, comprising a kingsize master bedroom and two twin bedrooms (one has a pull-out single bed). All bedrooms have a TV. There is a children’s play park just opposite, and a pub within walking distance. To the rear there is an enclosed yard, ideal for those bringing their furry friend. Across the back lane is a large raised lawned-garden with seating, and a double garage conversion which is a great social space with the addition of a luxury six-seater hot tub with mood lighting and chill out chairs, comfortable seating and home bar area.
The stunning local landscapes and heritage offer an interesting variety of days out. Steeped in history, nearby Bishop Auckland, 3½ miles, offers a variety of shops, pubs and restaurants, as well as historical attractions including Auckland castle and the now famous Kynren Spectacular, showcased July-September annually and bookable in advance. The performance of Kynren charts over 2000 years of British history, myth and legend. Local attractions include Durham’s castle, cathedral and the city walls. The River Wear runs through the city and guests can enjoy a romantic boat trip or a glass of champagne by the riverside. Filled with quality restaurants, bistros, cafés and bars, the city is thriving at night and there is often street entertainment to enjoy including the Lumiere Festival, jazz festival, book week, arts week and many more. For those who love shopping, there is the famous Metro-Centre, which is situated in Gateshead near Newcastle upon Tyne, approximately an hour away. Many National Trust and heritage sites are within easy reach including Barnard Castle, Raby Castle, Bowes Museum, Beamish and High Force Waterfall. Being conveniently close to the main road network of the A1 and A68, it’s easy to explore a variety of places including the North Yorkshire Dales, city of York, County Durham and Durham Heritage Coast.

A superb mid-terrace house sitting in Witton Gilbert, Northumberland. Pet-friendly. Off-road parking. Hot tub. En-suites. Durham 3.5 miles; Chester-le-Street 6.2 miles; Newcastle upon Tyne 16.2 miles.

An enticing, end-terrace holiday home resting in Witton Gilbert, Northumberland. Hot tub. Electric fire. Pet-friendly. Durham 3.5 miles; Chester-le-Street 6.2 miles; Newcastle upon Tyne 16.2 miles.

Featherstone House is a lovely detached, stone-built bungalow situated in Coatham Mundeville, near Darlington, conveniently close the A1 Road network. Refurbished in 2022, offering ground floor accommodation, the bungalow is extremely spacious and is perfect for families with members of all ages. To the front of the property is a lovely sunroom which is relaxing and catches the evening sun, a spacious lounge with chesterfield sofas set around a log burning fire and smart TV for your entertainment. A separate dining room has patio doors opening out onto the decked area with hot tub, and open plan kitchen opens into a large conservatory. This is a great space to gather and entertain. The kitchen is oak shaker style with beautiful granite worktops and is fully equipped to cater for your needs. Off to bed and there are three good sized bedrooms, the master bedroom with king size bed, a double bedroom and finally a twin. There are two bathrooms one with shower and the other with a free-standing bath and shower attachment. The bungalow is perfect for a family or group get together or special celebration.
Step outside onto a lovely raised decked area with relaxing sofas and dining table and chairs, a lovely outside place to entertain or simply sit and relax and enjoy the sunshine. The hot tub is bound to be a huge hit with everyone whatever the weather! Beyond the beautiful lawned garden is meadowland and country walks. This ideal location is within a 5-minute stroll of the popular Hall Garth Golf & Country Club Hotel where you can enjoy a morning coffee, breakfast, afternoon tea or evening meal in the restaurant, the adjoining Stables Bar also serves food and drink. Here, golf enthusiasts will be sure to enjoy their favourite sport, while ladies can relax and pamper in the Spa. Nearby is Darlington town centre, there is a bus stop immediately outside of the property which will take you either direction to Darlington or the City of Durham. Within a short drive you can visit Northallerton and Richmond, both have excellent restaurants, wine, and coffee bars. Darlington railway station connects in 30 minutes to York, Durham, and Newcastle. There are many activities to enjoy and places of interest to visit.
With great access to local countryside walks and cycling, Featherstone House is a perfect base for the outdoor enthusiast. The Yorkshire Dales market town of Richmond, with its imposing Castle, and riverside walks, extends to the Yorkshire Dales National Park with beautiful walks and picture postcard villages. Darlington Railway Museum houses the world’s first passenger locomotive (1825). Shildon Railway Museum, Beamish and Bowes’ Museum in the quaint town of Barnard Castle. The Cathedral City of Durham is under 30-minute drive with its Castle and riverside walks, excellent assortment of restaurants, coffee shops and bars. High Force one of the most spectacular waterfalls in England, is close by in Teesdale in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Alternatively, you can head to the coast, north to the Northumberland Coast and beautiful beaches, the Durham Heritage coast at Seaham and Whitburn, or south to Redcar and Whitby. Whether a short stay or celebration or coming for a family holiday, Featherstone House will perfectly accommodate your needs and provide you with a convenient base to get out and about in County Durham, Northumberland, and North Yorkshire.