Dog-friendly Durham

A warm welcome is extended when you stay at the Manse. This exquisite property can accommodate up to 12 people and is perfect for family reunions, special occasions, or a relaxing getaway with friends. The moment you step inside, you will be enchanted by the unique and exquisite decor, creating a truly unforgettable experience. The aim of your stay here is to refresh and rejuvenate, and of course, be stress-free.
Conveniently located just minutes from the A1 Just an 8-minute drive takes you to the historic city of Durham. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is filled with a variety of historic sites and popular visitor attractions that are centuries old. Durham Castle and Cathedral must be visited to appreciate the awe-inspiring architecture. The Gala Theatre is located in the centre of the city, making the Manse a perfect location for guests wanting to enjoy a theatre trip as part of their break. Packed with top-quality restaurants, bistros, cafés, and bars, Durham is a thriving city with plenty of entertainment at any time of the year. Guests can try their hand at canoeing or stand-up paddle boarding down on the river!
The incredible Lumiere Festival takes place every second of November, enjoy the jazz festival, arts festival, miners gala, and many more free attractions, as well as the weekly farmers’ market. The top-class cricket ground of Durham County Cricket Club is also only a 20-minute drive away, great for enjoying a test match or concert. The very popular Beamish Living Museum is a 30-minute drive away and makes a good day out for families of all ages. The Angel of the North sculpture is just a 20-minute drive away, while Newcastle and the Metro Centre are 30 minutes by car. The Heritage Coast is under 20 miles away. This fabulous property provides a superb base from which to enjoy our beautiful County of Durham

This exquisitely renovated space exudes opulence, boasting chandeliers and high-spec furnishings that epitomize sophistication and elegance. With off-road parking available in the communal courtyard, its prime position on the high street places all of Yarm’s amenities within easy reach. Stepping into the cottage reveals an inviting open-plan living and dining area, adorned with a large smart TV offering entertainment at your fingertips. The modern, well-equipped kitchen ensures convenience and style for culinary enthusiasts. The bedroom is a sanctuary of comfort and style, featuring a double bed, a TV for added convenience, a dressing table and ample storage—an ideal space to prepare for the day’s adventures or unwind in tranquillity. The bathroom presents an indulgent retreat, showcasing a luxurious free-standing bath and shower cubicle, adding a touch of spa-like relaxation to the space. Violet Cottage is replete with top-of-the-line appliances and luxurious furnishings, ensuring an indulgent and comfortable stay.
Yarm, a charming market town, boasts a rich array of eateries, bars, and nightclubs within a stone’s throw of the apartment, offering vibrant entertainment and dining options. For a more serene experience, visitors can stroll along the River Tees and explore the historical significance of ’Lovers Walk’, delving into Yarm’s rich heritage. Moreover, Violet Cottage provides easy access to the captivating North York Moors National Park, a paradise for nature lovers, showcasing scenic landscapes and ample opportunities for outdoor activities. Additionally, being just a 30-minute drive from the coast allows guests to explore the stunning coastline, offering picturesque beaches, rugged cliffs, and charming seaside towns, completing the perfect blend of luxurious accommodation and access to the beauty of both land and sea.

Riverside Hideaway sits on the banks of the River Wear, with stunning walking and cycle trails, the C2C, picnic spots and parks along the way. This ground floor flat offers modern, stylish accommodation. The lovely open plan living space has sumptuous sofas, Smart TV, and well-equipped kitchen, sit at the breakfast bar while the designated chef rustles up supper. Through to the bedroom and you have a kingsize bed and a separate bathroom with bath and shower over. There is an enclosed decked area to sit and enjoy the warmer months and many activities nearby whether you are looking to walk/cycle or explore the lovely coast and countryside. For the golf enthusiast, Wearside Golf Club is just ½ mile away. Enjoy a loop around the river crossing the nearby footbridge and visit one of the popular pubs en route, you’ll be spoilt for choice, within a few hundred yards are three great pubs and two Italian restaurants, all riverside and a beautiful spot in the summer months.
Follow the riverside footpath a few hundred yards and you will reach Mount Pleasant Park, enjoy a walk or take a picnic and sit by the lake. Popular landmarks are within easy reach, Penshaw Monument, Victoria Viaduct, Hylton Castle and the popular Sunderland coastal resorts and beautiful sandy beaches at Roker, Seaburn and Whitburn. Great for a day or night out with beautiful promenades to walk along, golden beaches and lots of coffee shops, bars, restaurants, and entertainment. And of course, a visit to the coast would not be complete without some good old fish and chips. Sunderland city centre, just 7 miles, offers a fabulous opportunity to browse the shops, visit the National Glass Centre or maybe a football match or music concert at The Stadium of Light. The Empire Theatre has a full itinerary all year round and is a great place to visit. Conveniently if you wish to leave the car behind, there is a taxi rank just over the river to take you into town. Whatever the reason for your visit, there is something for all tastes and this is a great little base to stay. Beach 11 miles.

Nestling in the peaceful village of Butterknowle in the heart of the Durham Dales, Little Glencrest is packed full of features. The décor is simple and classic with a wonderful cosy feel. The living room, with sofa and Smart TV, has large French doors leading on to the terrace and garden. In the wintertime, the modern wood burner will keep you as warm as toast. The bedroom with a king size bed leads off with en-suite wet room with walk-in shower.
Outside there is a beautiful, flagged terrace, festooned with lights, where you’ll find the KIRAMI wood-fired hot tub. The lawned garden is completely private and secure for dogs. With dark skies in the evening, imagine relaxing in the steaming hot tub with a glass of fizz whilst stargazing. You might hear the local owls and curlews. The terrace is set with a bistro table and chairs to enjoy an al fresco supper.
Butterknowle is a quiet rural village surrounded by farming communities and natural open spaces, with the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty only a few minutes’ drive away. There is an abundance of places to explore, with established public footpaths and cycle routes all within walking distance. Visit the nearby award winning Teesdale Cheese Cafe and shop where you can enjoy brunch, lunch or cake and coffee. The pretty village of Staindrop is just 6 miles away and offers tea shops and cafés. Raby Castle is within easy reach and is a must for guests who wish to catch a glimpse of over 200 deer which wander the grounds. Follow on to the bustling market town of Barnard Castle with a weekly farmers’ market, and some super local pubs, restaurants, independent shops, galleries, and historic buildings. Bishop Auckland, the traditional home of the Bishop of Durham is just a 15-minute drive. Visit the recently renovated Auckland Castle, the Spanish Art Gallery or see the fabulous Kynren Eleven Arches spectacle during the summer months. Here you’ll also find a variety of supermarkets, shops, and restaurants. Hamsterley Forest, a delightful 2000-hectare site of popular walking trails, cycle trails, orienteering and picnic spots, is just a 10-minute drive away.
Grassholme Observatory offers visitors a chance to enjoy the wonders of the universe at workshops and events led by top astronomers throughout the year and is less than half an hour away. The city of Durham can be reached within a 40-minute drive, with its magnificent cathedral and castle and beautiful riverside walks.

Situated in the pretty village of Hawthorn just two miles from the Durham Heritage Coast and a short walk from the stunning Hawthorn Dene, the second largest dene in the county. Set within impressive grounds, Laburnum house has a unique style providing a high level of comfort throughout, with Egyptian cotton bedding and towels provided as an extra indulgent touch. From the grand entrance, the attractive hallway opens into the living room, a decadent space with leather Chesterfields, a blend of antique furnishings and a beautiful inglenook fireplace and wood burner to gather round. A formal dining room will seat the whole family and provides a wonderful space perfect for that special occasion. The kitchen area is spacious and well equipped with all modern appliances, with additional seating here ideal for breakfast. On the first floor are the bedrooms, all decadent in style and offering a high level of comfort. Two en-suite bedrooms with four poster beds, one has an additional single bed and louvre doors leading to a further sleeping area with a single bed, which makes this a great family room. There is also a separate toilet on this level. On the second floor a fabulous master suite runs the entire length of the property, with vaulted ceilings and double bed. A separate landing area with leather sofa making a gorgeous reading nook and a luxurious bathroom with deep bathtub to enjoy an indulgent soak. Walkway to outdoor spa area with wood fired hot tub (at cost) seating 4 people.
When the weather turns cool enjoy the quirky shelter with seating and dressing area, the perfect place to relax and unwind. Enjoy the cool water foot spas with complimentary bottled water and bamboo foot towels, while you chat with your friends, or simply enjoy the peace and quiet with some mindfulness and relaxation.
Externally is a courtyard garden, a raised decked area with table and wrap round seating makes a gorgeous social space to sit and enjoy al fresco meals and a glass of wine. For the outdoor enthusiast, the property is perfectly situated in an area which offers outstanding walking and sightseeing, within a short walk to the stunning area of Hawthorn Dene, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. There is a plethora of things to do locally, including fishing, indoor skiing, a retail park, cycle tracks and a seaglass beach, and within a mile there is even a community centre offering activities, and nearby, the National Trust coastal footpath offers 11 miles of beautiful landscape and impressive coastal scenery. For the children there is an alpaca farm nearby, a play park, and a lovely picnic area to sit and enjoy an ice cream. For the adults, a village pub serving wholesome food a two-minute stroll. Nearby at Seaham, enjoy a day at the seaside, with lovely marina, promenade, cafés, shops and restaurants. All the family will enjoy the community centre activities within a mile. The beach at Seaham is an excellent place to collect sea glass, and visitors come from far and wide for this very reason. Visit Durham, a World Heritage Site, with its famous castle, cathedral and riverside walks, and good selection of eateries. Nearby there are alpacas and National Trust walks and in Dalton Park is a fabulous retail outlet, with shops restaurants and cinema. A pub can be found within 1 mile of Laburnum House.

An impressive, spacious holiday home sitting in Greta Bridge near Barnard Castle, Durham. Hot tubs. Sauna. Family-friendly. Staindrop 9.2 miles; Richmond 11.6 miles; Darlington 18 miles.

Reading Room Cottages are lovingly furnished, traditional style cottages set on the historic Barningham Estate. Situated in the picturesque village of Barningham, the cottages are conveniently located next to a great local pub, where guests can enjoy delicious locally sourced food and drink to both eat in and take away. The cottages have been decorated in keeping with their surroundings, using a mixture of antique and contemporary furniture, giving it a traditional and natural aesthetic.
The cottages gets their names from their traditional function as a place where the inhabitants of the village could come and read the daily newspaper that had been delivered to Barningham Park – the home occupied by the Milbank family since 1690. Barningham village is a picturesque village situated between Richmond and Barnard Castle. It was named Durham Rural Community Council’s ‘Best Small Village’ in 2010 and is a tranquil conservation village, with a large village green, a church, a village bakery, shop and an active village hall.
The Reading Room Cottages are ideally situated for guests wishing to explore the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. There is a wide range of activities to pursue in the area including walking, cycling, fell running, birdwatching and wildlife spotting. Fishing and shooting are available by private request with the owners- seasonal walked up and driven shooting and stalking for individuals or groups can be arranged.
History lovers can enjoy the rich Bronze Age heritage that can be found at remote sites on Barningham Moor, including Chieftan burial mounds and the Cup and Ring Stones. Visit historic market towns including nearby Barnard Castle, offering many independent shops, cafés and restaurants, as well as a large supermarket. Other attractions in Barnard Castle include the Bowes Museum, Witham Arts and Cultural Centre, Rokeby Hall and The Chocolate Fair.
Historic Richmond is 12 miles away and is where you will find Richmond Castle and a large cobbled market square surrounded by shops, tea rooms, pubs and restaurants. Other attractions include Auckland Castle, Raby Castle, High Force Waterfall, The Forbidden Corner at Leyburn, Duncombe Park, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens, which can all be reached in under an hour. For special occasions, spa treatments are available at Middleton Lodge, 11 miles away, or the Morritt Hotel and Spa, 2½ miles. Shop 500 yards, pub and restaurant 25 yards.
These properties can be booked together to accommodate up to 7 guests.

A fabulous, single-story lodge located in Winston near Staindrop, County Durham. Open-plan. Hot tub. Smart TV. Beautiful views. Pet friendly. Private parking. Barnard Castle 7.2 miles; Durham 20.2 miles.

A wonderful, single-storey lodge resting in Winston near Staindrop. Hot tub. Pet-friendly. Private parking. Barnard Castle 7.2 miles; Durham 20.2 miles.

A superb single-storey lodge resting in Winston near Staindrop, Durham. Pet-friendly. Hot tub. Private parking. Barnard Castle 7.2 miles; Durham 20.2 miles.