Guests say
Shepherd's Cottage is a beautifully secluded retreat set amidst stunning countryside, perfect for those seeking peace, nature, and excellent walking opportunities. Guests consistently praise the warm welcome from the owners, the cosy and well-equipped accommodation, and the abundance of wildlife. The location is ideal for exploring the Yorkshire Dales and nearby waterfalls. While the access track can be challenging for low vehicles and some facilities are basic, the overall experience is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests returning year after year for the tranquillity and charm.
The majority of guests found the cottage spotlessly clean, with particular praise for fresh bedding and tidy interiors. A few minor comments mentioned cobwebs or areas needing a freshen up, but these were rare and did not detract from the overall impression.
The location is frequently described as stunning, peaceful, and perfect for walking, with direct access to the river and countryside. The only recurring negative is the rough farm track, which can be difficult for low cars, but most guests felt the setting more than made up for this.
Guests consistently mention the cottage as cosy, warm, and comfortable, with good beds and a welcoming atmosphere. A few noted firm mattresses or minor issues with the shower, but overall comfort is highly rated.
The cottage is well-equipped for a rural stay, with all essentials provided. Some guests noted the small fridge, basic kitchen, and lack of WiFi, as well as the shared laundry being a trek from the cottage. Occasional maintenance issues (e.g., shower, bathroom tiredness) were mentioned but did not significantly impact stays.
Many guests appreciated thoughtful touches such as a warm welcome, milk on arrival, and festive decorations at Christmas. However, as these gestures are not guaranteed for every stay, future guests should not expect them as standard.
About this property
A wonderful stone-built detached cottage, situated in the middle of a field on the owners' working farm in the small Teesdale hamlet of Holwick. The cottage, which is approached by a farm lane, has been skilfully created from an old stone barn and has upside down accommodation to take advantage of the lovely views. The River Tees runs by the bottom of the field. Comfortably decorated and furnished, this delightful barn offers superb holiday accommodation at any time of the year.
Situated at the end of a no-through-road in the heart of beautiful unspoilt Teesdale is the peaceful, charming hamlet of Holwick. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this lovely region is an excellent spot for walkers or bird watchers. High Force waterfall is within walking distance of the hamlet whilst the challenging Pennine Way passes close by. In the village itself there is a pub which serves food, as well as a farm shop and butchers that has an additional cafe area. There are many other picturesque villages nearby however – such as Middleton, Mickleton and Romaldkirk – as well as the ancient market town of Barnard Castle that provide a wide range of amenities. The Lake District is less than an hour's drive away whilst all of the Northern Dales are within easy reach.
Accommodation
Two ground floor bedrooms: 1 x double, 1 x family room with three singles.
Three piece modern bathroom, with a shower over the bath.
First floor spacious beamed living area with kitchen, dining area and sitting area with coal-effect gas stove.
Gas central heating with gas stove.
Gas cooker, microwave, fridge/freezer, TV with built in dvd player.
Shared use of laundry room with automatic washer and dryer.
All fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen included in rent.
Ample parking.
Sitting area with garden furniture and BBQ.
One well-behaved pet under strict control welcome.
Cafe on owners' farm open at the weekends only with other shops and pub located 3 miles from the property.
Please note: mobile signal can be poor in the area; please check coverage with your network provider.
Please note: this property only accepts arrivals on a Saturday
Nearby points of interest
- Barnard Castle
Reviews (74)
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Arnoud
During our 2-week stay, we went on several walks directly from the cottage. The River Tees is very close by, and the waterfalls in particular are well worth a visit. You can also go on beautiful hikes along the nearby Holwick Scar. If you want something else than walking, the Beamish Living Museum of the North is highly recommended, and Durham (university and cathedral) is also a nice city to visit. The cottage is comfortable and the beds are fine. Everything you need is available; there is no unnecessary luxury. Because there was no Wi-Fi available we had to use our mobile data (4G/5G). This went very well, so we could keep in touch with our family in the Netherlands. It is also nice, especially in warm weather, that the bedrooms are downstairs. The only slightly less positive point is the poor, potholed, and stony path from the farm to the cottage. This made it a bit more difficult for us to set off by car.
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Gail
The stone cottage is in a very quiet, peaceful and beautiful location, just what we needed to escape from our very busy day to day lives. Stunning views from every window in the cottage. Very clean and tidy, plus well equipped. Just sheep and rabbits for our neighbours! The ownerâs were very helpful and super friendly. We would highly recommend , we didnât want to leave and will be back to stay in the future!
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Angela
The setting is beautiful, private and quite remote. The fields around are full of sheep and rabbits and this time of year lots of lambs and adorable rabbit babies. Low Force is within easy reach down through the fields and along the river, with gorgeous wild flowers. The bluebells were breathtaking. The cottage is welcoming, warm, cozy, pretty and has everything you need. The only reason for losing one star is that the shower and the cooker are a little bit temperamental! But we would highly recommend Shepherd's Cottage to any active nature- loving walkers, or anyone wanting to get right away from it all at any time of year. Thankyou Glynis for your friendly welcome.