Bankwell Cottage, Northumberland

Sunniside 1.4 miles. This large, detached bungalow is surrounded by countryside and sits alongside the Tanfield Railway line, a restored heritage railway dating back to 1725, in the small village of Causey near Sunniside in County Durham. Bankwell Cottage is an all-ground-floor property, situated in a countryside setting, ideal for a family or group of six guests wanting to explore the north east, with the centre of Newcastle just 7 miles away and the coastline accessible within a 30-minute drive. The property is accessed via a private driveway, just off the A6076, which runs from Stanley, County Durham towards Gateshead and Newcastle, and offers ample off-road parking for up to four cars, as well as a seating area at the front of the property. Step inside to find a cosy but spacious sitting room with a charming fireplace housing a woodburning stove, two sofas to relax on in front of the TV and a large window, boasting countryside and heritage line views. The bright and airy kitchen/diner has tiled flooring, neutral decor, a dining table that can comfortably seat the entire group, ideal for enjoying home-cooked meals together, and a well-equipped kitchen, alongside a utility room, housing all of the appliances you could wish for, including an American-style fridge/freezer, dishwasher, electric oven, washing machine and tumble dryer. There are three immaculately styled bedrooms to choose from; a king-size, a double and a twin room, each with ample storage and offering pretty countryside views, alongside a family bathroom with shower over bath and a newly-fitted shower room, so you won't need to fight for the bathroom in the mornings. Outside there is an enclosed rear garden with a spacious lawn, ideal for pets to run freely, as well as a decking area with outdoor furniture and a barbecue, perfect for taking advantage of the good weather and dining outdoors. The village pub is less than 5 minutes walk away, with the neighbouring hotel also open to non-residents. A little further along the road is a well known gastro pub adjacent to a classic car centre. Also near at hand is the South Causey Inn, the most popular venue in the north east for weddings, and being in a rural location all of these venues offer outdoor seating areas. The Tanfield Railway line runs alongside the property, and is extremely popular with steam-enthusiasts and offers some lovely walks. The village of Sunniside has a small selection of shops, pubs and eateries to choose from, if you don't feel like cooking one night, while Beamish is around four miles away and is known for its Living Musuem of the North, as well as a selection of golf courses and Beamish Wild Adventure Park, an adrenaline-filled family day out with adventure trails, zip wires and a high ropes course. The neighbouring town of Gateshead is home to the iconic Angel of the North statue, the Baltic Arts centre and the Sage venue. Just across the river is the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, with its heritage centre, art galleries, shopping and dining facilities, Newcastle can be accessed from Gateshead via a scenic walk over the pedestrianised Millennium Bridge, with its 12th century castle, museums, art galleries and fantastic shopping, nightlife and dining out facilities.There is a regular bus service from Causey into Newcastle / Gateshead. Should you wish to enjoy a day at the seaside the coastline offers a host of beaches with traditional resorts such as South Shields, Seaburn, Cullercoats and Whitley Bay, accessible within a 30-minute drive, or via the Metro system from Gateshead / Newcastle. Other attractions within an hours drive include the beautiful Cathedral city of Durham, Hadrian’s Wall, North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the great open beaches and castles of Northumberland. Bankwell Cottage is a fantastic base for a holiday exploring the north east.