Durham, in the North-East of England, is a county rich in history and architecture. From its infamous cathedral to its castles and dedicated museums, Durham gives us the opportunity to turn back time and witness the Durham of old. As well as the great structures and buildings in the county, Durham is also home to amazing countryside landscapes, rivers and coastline. Read more
Barnard Castle is the perfect destination for a relaxed walking holiday. This Grade-II listed holiday cottage is in a quiet location close to the River Tees, the Castle and Bowes Museum. Great for cafes, pubs, bars, restaurants and shops, Barnard Castle is renowned for its diverse range of independent shops and the Town's Antiques Quarter. Riverdale Cottage sleeps two people in one bedroom (plus one child under 12) and is dog-friendly with accommodation entirely on ground floor level. Barnard Castle is in Teesdale, close to High Force and within easy reach of Durham, York, the Yorkshire Dales, North Pennines, and Lake District. Guests love the quiet location that is convenient for amenities, sights and attractions. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
1 Teesdale Road is a comfortable and cosy holiday cottage with just a short walk over to the River Tees and into the market town of Barnard Castle and it's shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs, and traditional markets. We have been awarded 4 star Visit England Gold awards in 2023, 2024 and 2025 ! The accommodation is suitable for six people in three bedrooms - two on the ground floor - with an open-plan living area and a patio with lovely views. The location is perfect for a walking or cycling holiday, and the self-catering property has a lockable garage so you can store bikes, SUPs, kayaks and other equipment. Bookings are available all year round for families and friends.
Hazel Lodge is a luxurious self-catered retreat for two adults, located just north of Shotley Bridge in Northumberland. The lodge features a cosy kitchen/living area, a welcoming dining room, and a bespoke bedroom with a king-size bed, freestanding bath, a two-person shower, and an en-suite bathroom. Step out onto the private patio to enjoy a hot tub and traditional sauna. Explore the charming village of Shotley Bridge and nearby towns like Hexham and Durham. Enjoy outdoor adventures in the North Pennines or along the Northumberland coastline. Hazel Lodge offers the perfect blend of luxury and nature for a romantic getaway.
Cedar Lodge is one of six contemporary holiday rentals in a private 300-acre estate north of Shotley Bridge. Designed by a brother-and-sister team to showcase their love of the Northumberland countryside, the holiday lodge sleeps eight in four beautifully appointed bedrooms. It features an eight-person hot tub, an acre of woodland garden, and three Smart TVs with Netflix. Guests rave about their stays, calling it "amazing," "immaculate," and "outstanding." The lodge's location allows easy access to scenic walks, local amenities, and attractions like Hexham, Newcastle, and Durham, offering a perfect mix of city, country, and coastal experiences.
Relax in the beautiful Teesdale countryside in this comfortable holiday home which has panoramic views and a dressing room with an infrared sauna. Avelin Cottage is 1.5 miles from Barnard Castle. It's superbly finished and furnished, offering couples and solo travellers a peaceful place to relax while staying close to shops, restaurants, and favourite walks and attractions. Guests rave about how comfortable and welcoming it is, loving everything from the well-equipped kitchen for self-catering to the bathrobes that add to the atmosphere of staying at a private spa retreat.
Boot and Shoe Cottage is a charming 18th-century riverfront holiday cottage in Wycliffe, just six miles from Barnard Castle. Its beautifully restored interiors, featuring original fireplaces and beams, blend history with modern comforts. Ideal for families or couples, the cottage offers a double bedroom with serene field views and a cosy twin room. Located in the stunning North Pennines AONB, it's perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, with private fishing, riverside walks, and nearby cycling trails. Explore local treasures like Barnard Castle, The Bowes Museum, and High Force Waterfall, or simply unwind by the fire or stargaze in the peaceful garden. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Mayland Farm Cottage enjoys an enviably peaceful location on a family-run farm close to the North Pennines and the North York Moors National Park. The self-catering cottage is a mile from Woodland village just outside of Bishop Auckland. The owners have created a space where many of their guests choose to visit year after year, making the most of the beautiful walks, exciting mountain bike trails, and charming market towns that are all within easy reach. With three bedrooms that sleep up to five guests and accommodation all on one level, the cottage is ideal for couples, families and friends. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Sitting in the very heart of the Dales, this cosy quaint holiday cottage is a superb self-catering base for visiting many popular areas including the Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland, Cumbria and the coast. Alternatively, enjoy the unspoilt beauty of County Durham or simply relax when you stay at Innkeepers Cottage.
The Hayloft is Grade II listed and has been beautifully restored to provide a very relaxing 'home away from home'. The Hayloft has lots of character and natural charm and offers all the right ingredients for a romantic retreat for couples. Located at East Greystone Farm in the idyllic Teesdale Countryside. We are situated between the beautiful villages of Piercebridge and Gainford and are an ideal base for walking. With the Yorkshire Dales, Lakes, East Coast and the cities of York, Durham and Newcastle within easy reach by car, this is a great base for exploring the many sights of North East England.
"Pheasant - Bowes" is a 2 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 4 guests in Durham.
"The Coach House" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Durham. Settled within touring distance of the bustling cities of Durham and Newcastle in the countryside of County Durham rests the pretty village of Frosterley. Home to two traditional country pubs as well as a well-stocked convenience store,...
"Meadows Edge" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Durham. Situated at the end of a no-through-road in the heart of beautiful, unspoiled Teesdale, the village of Holwick is a lovely, peaceful place ideal for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. The village is well served...
"Hawthorne Cottage" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Durham. Set amongst the luscious Durham countryside on the banks of the beautiful River Tees, lies the picturesque village of Cotherstone. Home to a quintessential country pub and its very own store selling all of the essentials for a self-catering...
"Miners Cottage" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Durham. The pretty Pennine village of Middleton-In-Teesdale lies in the heart of Teesdale, perched on the riverbank in the beautiful Tees Valley. Situated in an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty', this is a well-served little settlement and offers a...
"2 Bed Cottage in Hamsterley" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Durham. Additional information and rulesNo dogs allowed - 2 bedrooms - 1 king-size, 1 king-size zip and link (which can be made into a 2ft6" twin on request) - 1 bathroom with bath, separate shower and WC - Electric oven and gas hob,...
"3 Bed Cottage in Frosterley" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 5 guests in Durham. In the Durham Dales, this charming cottage sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, surrounded by exhilarating landscapes and rugged countryside waiting to be explored. The small village of Frosterley is just 2.5 miles away, offering...
"3 Bed Cottage in Wolsingham" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Durham. Additional information and rules - 3 bedrooms – 1 double, 1 king-size and 1 super-king zip-and-link (which can be twins on request) - 3 bathrooms – 2 en-suite shower rooms with WC, 1 en-suite bathroom with bath/handheld shower and WC,...
"Lavender Cottage" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 3 guests in Durham. In the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the charming village of Wolsingham is a very British market town. The village is a popular stop-off site for travellers, nestled in the lovely valley of Weardale. There are several...
"1 Braeside" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Durham. Wearhead is a village in County Durham at the top of Weardale. Named after the source of the River Wear, the village boasts some of the highest peaks in County Durham. Wearhead is set in rural countryside with the nearest shop being 3 miles...
"4 Bed Cottage in Bishop Auckland" is a 4 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 8 guests in Durham. Set on a working farm on the outskirts of Byers Green village, this converted barn offers a peaceful rural retreat just half a mile from local amenities. With countryside walks, cycle trails, and fishing opportunities in the River Wear right...
"Bolt's View" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 5 guests in Durham. Rookhope is a historic mining village found in County Durham, situated in the North Pennines aonb, home to a village store, local pub and a handy garage. Nearby is the market town of Stanhope offering an even wider selection of shops, pubs,...
"2 Bed Cottage in Hamsterley" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Durham. Additional information and rules - 2 bedrooms - 1 king-size and 1 double - 1 bathroom with shower over bath and WC - Electric oven and hob, microwave, washer/dryer and dishwasher - Welcome pack provided - Travel cot and highchair...
"Westholme" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 4 guests in Durham. Nestled deep within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you will find charming town of Middleton-in-Teesdale. With bustling shops, exciting pubs and tasty local eateries, its little wonder this scenic setting is a popular hot...
"Wayside Cottage" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Durham. Edmundbyers is a traditional village situated south of the River Derwent, in the foothills of The North Pennines. From the village of Edmundbyers there are plenty of opportunities for walking, cycling, golfing, sailing, fishing and simply...
"1 Bed Cottage in Durham" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Durham. In an idyllic rural position on a working beef and sheep grassland farm in the North Pennines, this contemporary barn conversion offers the perfect retreat for outdoor enthusiasts. The cottage sits directly on the famous Waskerley Way...
"The Dairy" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Durham. Evenjobb, or Evancoyd, is a small rural village which is situated amidst picturesque countryside on the Powys/Herefordshire border, and stands practically on the famous Offa's Dyke Pathway. The beautiful Radnor Forest is close by and provides...
"1 Bed Cottage in Whorlton" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Durham. Additional information and rulesNo dogs allowed - 1 king-size bedroom - 1 bathroom with walk-in shower, bath and WC - Oven, hob, dishwasher, microwave, fridge - Utility room with washing machine, tumble dryer and freezer -...
"Ash Cottage" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Durham. Nestling by the banks of the River Tees is the pretty town of Middleton-in-Teesdale, which lies in the heart of Teesdale, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This bustling town offers a good range of shops, pubs and places to eat and is...
"The Nest at Bowbank House" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Durham.
"Ferngrove Cottage" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Durham. Butterknowle is a village in the Teesdale district of County Durham, England, resting a few miles from the thriving market town of Bishop Auckland. Discover a local pub and post office for your amenities, with a shop situated just under two...
"Woodland View" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Durham. The largest parish in England with evidence of life in the area as early as 3000BC, Corfe Mullen sits in South East Dorset. A delightful and busy village that is surrounded by Green Belt land with the River Stour running through it. It is a...
"Lapwing - Bowes" is a 1 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 2 guests in Durham.
"Garden Cottage" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 3 guests in Durham. Situated in the heart of beautiful Teesdale close to the villages of Romaldkirk and Middleton is the small hamlet of Mickleton. Within Teesdale and just a few miles from the market town of Barnard Castle, this pretty village consists primarily...
Popular towns in and around Northumberland National Park:
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In terms of culture, Durham has it all. As a recognised World Heritage Site, its architecture is the first point of call for visitors to the county. The Romanesque Cathedral, built as a shrine of worship to St Cuthbert, has an awe-inspiring structure that rests on land in the heart of the River Wear. Surrounded by deep woodlands and charming riverbanks, the Cathedral sits beautifully within the county. Durham Castle, and other monumental buildings used by the University, are close by and are also worth visiting if your interests lie in architecture. Dotted along the River Wear, through Durham city, are three main bridges (Framwellgate, Elvet and Prebends) which all offer beautiful views for visitors to see.
The countryside of County Durham is home to many surprises. The High Force waterfall, plunging 70 feet into the water, is the highest waterfall in England. A walk through the alluring woodlands surrounding the waterfall leads to this captivating sight, where visitors can experience a breathtaking view. The Durham Dales, which partly sit in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, encompasses Teesdale and Weardale, a truly tranquil part of the English countryside. With valleys, moors and hills laced through the Dales, they are a great option for walkers and ramblers alike. Hamsterley Forest offers woodland walks as well as cycling and horse riding routes for those wanting to travel a little differently.
County Durham is also home to many museums. The mining history of Durham is kept alive in Killhope, which offers a snapshot of what life was like for lead mining families in the past. There is also a huge, working water-wheel on site. Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, is a great option for old and young. The outdoor museum depicts everyday life in the North East of England, at the time of the Industrial Revolution. Focusing mostly on Victorian and Edwardian culture, it uses replica buildings, working vehicles and actors in costumes to relive the era. Beamish is renowned in the North-East of England as a great family day out; an unmissable trip for tourists.
Architecture, history and local culture are all great reasons to visit County Durham. Experience beautiful buildings and bridges or take a trip to a unique outdoor museum. Wander down the cobbled streets of the city of Durham into a local pub and you will witness the renowned, friendly nature of the people. Durham is a place where you will never be short of good company! Alternatively, for something more relaxing, visit the moors of the Durham Dales and catch a glimpse of the infamous waterfall. Whatever you decide, Durham is an interesting and fantastic county to fulfil anyone's holiday needs.
