Shepherd's Cottage | Holiday Rental in Durham, Durham

Holiday home
Shepherd's Cottage is a stone built detached cottage located in the hamlet of Holwick, north of the Yorkshire Dales. This â€˜upside down' cottage has two ground floor bedrooms, which consist of one double and one family room with three single beds, plus the ground floor includes a family bathroom. The first floor has a living area including a kitchen, a dining and a sitting area. To the outside, this cottage has ample parking and a garden with furniture and BBQ. Shepherd's Cottage is a delightful cottage and a perfect family holiday home.

Accomodation Details
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.

Area
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 â€“ such as Middleton, Mickleton and Romaldkirk â€“ 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.

Region
From heather-clad moors and limestone scars, to market towns and the steady pace of country life - the sublime Dales await you! Where else in Britain is it as satisfying to sit and do nothing as it is to explore the numerous pursuits on offer?

Amenities
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 inc. in rent. Bed linen inc. 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.

Richard rayner

November 2021

Stayed once again at shepherds cottage.the Scott’s and Karen are so nice and always make you feel welcome. The lack of wi fi is an added bonus (work can’t contact me) will return again as soon as I get time off.would love to keep this place a secret once you have stayed you will understand why.it has to be 5 star

Mrs Robinson

April 2019

The cottage is in a beautiful spot.. The accommodation needs updating

Mr Norman

March 2019

A beautiful cottage set in a private field surrounded by beautiful views of the pennines.. Walking trails being a short distance away from the cottage with stunning scenery making this a great location for all ages to enjoy the countryside amd the amazing wildlife. A very peaceful and beautiful location making this a very relaxing and enjoyable break in one beautifully well kept cottage. A local country pub is a very short walking distance away with a great menu and a very friendly atmosphere making anyone feel welcome. I would like to thank the owners very much for everything they did in making our first cottage experience A Peaceful & Beautiful one. Thank You! I would like to also mention how easy it was to book through Sykes Cottages making it very easy and pleasant to book. The service received from Sykes Cottages is fantastic, receiving regular updates including extra information making everything effortless from start to finish Thank You.

Mrs Homer

February 2019

The cottage is cosy, secluded and set in an idyllic location in Holwick.. The owners are friendly and the place itself is beautifully presented,warm and welcoming. We visited during the winter months so we’re the nearby campsite was closed which gave us additional independence and peace. We would certainly visit again.

Mr Walker

January 2019

Perfect scenery and lovely owners.. Friendly and helpful wherever possible. Went above and beyond considering the heavy snow to make sure we were okay getting to and from the cottage. Local area is absolutely stunning and the cottage is beautifully. Pictures do not do the cottage or the area justice and must be experienced. Genuinely lovely time, Thank You.

Mr Turnbull

October 2018

A brilliant location.. It really is in the middle of a field surrounded by sheep. An easy walk to the River Tees and Low Force and Bowlees Visitors Centre. A slightly longer walk to High Force. The cottage is very well equipped and easy to keep warm.

Mrs Orchard

June 2018

Fabulous cottage for getting away from it all..

Mrs Widdrington

April 2018

A very happy stay in a great location..

Mrs Yeo

March 2018

We absolutely love Shepherd's Cottage! The cottage is beautiful, the location is stunning and the family at the farm are always extremely helpful and welcoming. There's plenty to do in the area - we had some amazing walks. The children (8,5 and 2) had so much fun and we hope to return again next year. This is a place we come back to again and again - I think this year was our 4th visit. Thank you! :)

Mrs Hewitt

February 2018

It was a fabulous place to relax and unwind.. Our children had a great time playing in the field and watching the wild life. The accommodation was very comfortable, warm and welcoming. There is no WiFi and intermittent 4G, however being digitally disconnected was very refreshing. It is a lovely place to forget the pressures of day to day life and to sleep exceptionally well! There is no light pollution, allowing us to take full advantage of the stars. The only sound of traffic came from the farmers tractor whilst feeding the sheep, but this was a welcoming sound. I would certainly recommend this property to anyone who loves the outdoors and being in the middle of no where.

Mr Dalby

October 2017

Brilliant. No other words

Mrs Pike

September 2017

Lovely cottage - quiet and secluded - home from home.. Everything we needed.

Mr Holland

Walks and scenery

Mr Parry

July 2017

Fantastic location with superb views - wonderful to be able to walk from the cottage along the river (and to the local pub! ). Very friendly and helpful owners. A really great place and we definitely plan to return.

Mrs Daniels

June 2017

Beautiful location, great pub nearby, hayfield and wildlife abundant!

Claire S

December 2016

We have just returned home after spending Christmas at Shepherd's cottage and it was simply stunning. The location was amazing and our 20 month old daughter was fascinated by the sheep grazing within metres of the cottage. The layout of the cottage meant that the stunning views could be taken advantage of in the living room on the first floor- so relaxing and we savoured every moment of tranquility. We were spoilt with all the beautiful walks nearby including High Force, Low Force and all the gorgeous villages within a few kilometres of Holwick. Our dog had the most exciting time chasing rabbits and exploring every inch of the route we took each day. He would then slumber in front of the lovely warm fire back at the cottage. The cottage had been festively decorated for the Christmas period and we were able to take home some fantastic memories which will stay with us for a long time. Mr and Mrs Scott ensured that our stay was as comfortable as possible and there were some really lovely chocolates waiting for us on our arrival too. They were very friendly and we had the pleasure of chatting to the local villagers who again made us feel so welcome. If we had to mention any negative points they would be that we wish we could have stayed longer. Gives us a good excuse to book again in the summer!

29th August 2016 - 02 September 2016 This was our first visit to 'Shepherds Cottage' and what a beautiful little cottage it is too.. It's very cosy, very comfortable, and is spotlessly clean. We particularly liked the cottage being away from it all down a very long lane, and literally being in the middle of a field. We took advantage of the peace and quiet - It was just like heaven!! The weather was very good to us too allowing us to go on a few rambles, and a few evening strolls. At the bottom of the field lies the Penine way and the river. There was a whole abundance of wildlife all around the cottage - Rabbit's - Hares - Pheasants - Bats - Every bird you could mention including the resident Owl who lives in the tree near to the cottage. I love the way that the bedrooms are downstairs and the living area is upstairs to get the benefit of the fabulous views all around. Loved the sheep casually grazing and coming right up to the fence. Also a big "Thank You" To Mr & Mrs Scott & Karen who are three wonderful people who make it all possible. We will definately be coming back !! To sum the holiday up It was perfect! A very relaxing Holiday!!

Alister C

September 2016

We really do run out of superlatives to describe how amazing the location of this property is. If you love the outdoors, if you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, if you love being surrounded by unspoilt countryside, away from the well-trodden tourist trails, then this really is THE PERFECT place to come. That is no over-statement. We stayed in Shepherd's Cottage for two weeks and we loved every minute of our time there - we will most certainly be coming back. Having stayed in many beautiful locations the length and breadth of the British Isles over the years, this definitely ranks very near top of the list in our estimation. The cottage is a lovely place full of character, tastefully decorated and well equipped. No fixed line internet access, but we could get a good level of 4G mobile internet access (Vodafone), which was quite adequate; anyhow we were pleased to be able to escape the constant hassle of emails, etc, and just enjoy the peace and complete absence of 'noise' in all senses of the word. Just a few minutes walk through a field, over a stile and you're on the Pennine Way, with the delights of Low Force (1 mile) and High Force (3 1/2 miles) within easy reach. Many other excellent walks possible right from the doorstep, offering access to breathtaking scenery and complete solitude. If you enjoy getting the map and compass out, as opposed to following the masses along well worn paths (eg well known region to the west!), then this area is the place for you; a short drive to most parts of the North Pennines offers a similar experience. The owners, Mr & Mrs Scott, and their daughter, Karen, were very friendly and welcoming. We felt as though we were long standing friends coming to visit. All in all, a wonderful experience we are desperate to repeat in the future. We are absolutely sure we will never tire of this place and its beautiful, idyllic setting.

Mrs Gray

May 2016

We had an amazing time at the cottage. The owners were great, very friendly and welcoming. The cottage had everything we could need for our stay, can't wait to go again.

15111955

December 2015

Had a four night stay at shepherds cottage end of Nov.weather was terrible but this cottage is so warm and inviting the weather doesn't matter.the Scott family who own the cottage make every body feel welcome.lots of walks so take good boots,the local pub is a must visit.everybody so friendly.allready booked for seven nights in March 2016.

Mr Rayner

What a fantastic place to stay, the owner and family made us really welcome. The cottage was lovely, warm and relaxing, and the scenery of the area was stunning. Hope to go again in March for a week.

Mr Roberts

November 2015

The cottage was really lovely. It was set in a beautiful valley with the river Tees at the bottom and the Pennine Way running by it. I loved the fact that it felt like I was away from it all but that there was actually a village and a pub only a few minutes walk away. All that was visible from the cottage was the stunning scenery of the Tees Valley clothed in beautiful autumn colours. All in all it was exactly what I was after; a really lovely break in beautiful English countryside.

Ms Langridge

July 2015

A beautiful secluded location with great access to walks and cycling from the front door. The cottage was cosy and comfortable.

ed w

June 2015

Beautiful setting in middle of open countryside. Although compact, the cottage has every facility needed and was spotlessly clean. Warm welcome from owner on arrival. The wild rabbits, the many different birds were a joy to watch

Mr Wright

May 2015

Superb cottage and area, definitely a good cottage for some solitude! The owner is very approachable and helpful, many thanks. Will stay here again and can recommend to all.

Mr Colley

April 2015

It was a fantastic cottage in the middle of a field, full of sheep lambing, and 50 metres from the river Tees. Middleton-in-Teesdale was only 3 miles away. There were fantastic facilities in the cottage, it was very warm with brilliant owners. Can't recommend highly enough.

Mr Riley

March 2015

Very comfortable accommodation in a wonderful area.

Mr Halhead

May 2014

The cottage was warm and clean and the upside down system works perfectly. It is also in a fantastic position in a beautiful area and the walking from the cottage is excellent.

Mr Hatherall

April 2014

Great location for walks along the river and to High Force right on the doorstep. Peaceful setting to chill and unwind in.

Mrs Andrews

February 2014

Gorgeous and unique cottage in a beautiful area, fantastic pub on the doorstep. This was our 5th visit and we look forward to the 6th!

Jenny

January 2014

Our 3rd visit and it won't be the last. Love this secluded cottage and the views. A two minute walk down the field and you are on the Pennine Way along the river Tees with all it's splendour of low and high force. To watch the salmon leaping up low force in October is a magnificent sight not to be missed. If you love a peaceful relaxing holiday, then this is the place.

Mr Taylor

October 2013

Perfect place to escape, great for walking and relaxing.

Miss Foulger

Our third visit to this cottage, and we just love it, especially the location and privacy. Low Force is only 20 minutes walk, and the perfect place to watch the brave salmon leaping up the falls in October. Great place to chill out.

Ms Foster

July 2013

Beautiful outlook, friendly and helpful owners, great walks and a lovely stay.

Mr Newham

Nice clean secluded cottage set in beautiful countryside. It was a very relaxing week.

Guest

December 2012

Where do I start? This was my second visit in six months and it felt like "coming home". Mrs. Scott (the owner) and her daughter keep their well-appointed cottage in excellent condition there's even a small collection of dvd's and board games should the weather turn nasty; I was there when the a1 was flooded for three days. Their welcome was as warm and friendly as before (the first time I was there I was even able to borrow a hairdryer as I'd forgotten mine!). The cottage is exactly as it's described, secluded. I went there to write in peace and found precisely that. The landlord and landlady at the local pub are great and the food is excellent - try the cheese platter - although it's a tad more than a five minute walk from Shepherd's Cottage. If you're into walking then this is the place to be; the sorrounding countryside is magnificent. What didn't I like? Having to leave.

Ms Steeples

October 2012

The cottage more than lives up to the description and the owners are, quite simply, lovely people. I went there to find peace and solitude to write and found inspiration, I can't wait to return!

September 2012

Shepherd's Cottage at Holwick is one of the best kept secrets and I hope that by writing this review that I don't scupper our chances of booking a holiday there in the future. Your hosts are discrete, but available if needed and the location is wonderful with the Pennine Way conveniently running along the bottom of the field. The cottage itself is homely and it takes seconds to feel at home in. Also, a special mention goes to the people of Holwick and Middleton on Tees - without exception we met friendly faces, excellent food and value for money. All in all, it is ideal for anyone wanting peace,privacy and a choice of great walks, bird-watching in all directions.

July 2012

I booked Shepherd's Cottage as I needed solitude to write, and what I found was magnificent isolation! The cottage lived up to all of my hopes and then some. The owner and her daughter were lovely - not minding that I didn't arrive until the evening and lending me a hairdryer. The food at the local pub was brilliant. Well done to the Scott family for providing such a wonderful holiday cottage, I can't wait to get back there. I've been telling everyone I know about Shepherd's Cottage and how wonderful it is.

Mr Cavanagh

The proximity of the cottage to the Pennine Way was an unexpected bonus. The location of Shepherd's Cottage made it an ideal getaway. The friendliness of our hosts and everyone we met made the entire experience a relaxing and positive experience.

Miss Collins

Cosy and clean. Liked the fact we were away from everyone.

Mr Habens

We enjoyed the peace and quiet and the wonderful scenery.

February 2012

Quaint, cosy and fantastic location.

December 2011

Met on arrival by friendly and helpful owners. The cottage is in a beautiful location ideal for walking unwinding. The cottage is well equiped with all the facilities one needs for an enjoyable break. The hamlet of Holwick is a woderfully peaceful backwater but is within a very pleasant 3 mile riverside walk of amenities in Middleton in Teesdale, which has a wonderful butchers shop and Fish and Chip shop amongst other stores. The only slight disappointment was the rather erratic opening hours of the pub in Holwick.

Mrs Donnald

October 2011

A lovely cottage, very clean, comfortable and we received a warm welcome from the owners.

Mr Randall

August 2011

A perfect setting for a completely peaceful and restful holiday. The owners were lovely people. There was nothing we did not like.

Mrs Russell

July 2011

It was so peaceful and the surroundings were fantastic. If you like being in the middle of nowhere (which we do) it was ideal.

Mr Yeo

June 2011

The property was so well looked after and clean and cosy. The location was fantastic - great for walks!

April 2011

Extremely clean, nice surroundings very pleasant indeed.

A very relaxing holiday. It was our third visit to Shepherds cottage and we hope to return for our fourth at the end of the year. The owners leave you in peace but you know they are always there if you need them. The perfect kind of hosts, the perfect holiday.

Mr Mrs Knell

November 2010

We had a delightful holiday, we last came in 2004 and now with teenage boys 6 years later, we made the most of the wonderful walks. The scenery was spectacular and the weather was kind to us. We would highly recommend this holiday for anyone who likes the great out doors. This was a great half term away from the rat race!

Relaxation is Shepherd Cottage

I have been to Shepherds Cottage on several occasions and apart from the peace and quiet, the cottage is very cosy, clean and warm. Also the Scott family are really lovely people who cannot do enough for you.

Mr Mawson

September 2010

Relaxing time in very pleasant surroundings - the property and area. This is about the 9th or 10th time I've been to the owners' properties which include not only Shepherds Cottage but also Meadows Edge. The properties are always comfortable, well equipped and spotlessly clean. The owners are lovely people, always very helpful and cannot do enough for you.

Mr Pancott

August 2010

The owners left us alone giving us the ability to totally relax for the period of our stay. Total isolation and not over looked. Perfect for wild life and looking at the stars. A perfect escape away from it all place!

July 2010

Wonderful cottage and owners very helpful. The farm track to and from the cottage was quite long, but this meant that you were well away from any noise or traffic. Many beautiful walks in the area, with plenty starting and ending at the cottage door. Local pub ½mile away has good beer but is only open at strange times, so check before you go!

Ms Guise

June 2010

This cottage is a real gem - perfect for getting away from it all in a beautiful location. The pictures don't do it justice. Great for active walkers and people like us who just wanted to chill out for a week in lovely peaceful surroundings.

Mr Loach

Wonderful walks along the River Tees straight from the door. The owners were very helpful

Miss Collodo

May 2010

Middle of nowhere, fabulous walking, was so much nicer than how it was advertised, not enough was made of it!

Mrs Wilson

March 2010

The brochure does not do the property justice. It was great to be in the middle of a field with only sheep as neighbours!

December 2009

I have been to Holwick and stayed at 3 of the properties and quite a number of a occasions. Once at Greenacres which I believe Mr & Mrs Scott are now living in and several times at both Shepherds Cottage and Meadows Edge. In fact I think we were the second people to use Meadows Edge when it was first put up for rentalmay years ago. All of the properties are superb and well maintained and Mr & Mrs Scott are really lovely, friendly and helpful people. I find Holwick with it's walks on the doorstep and the little pub, The Strathmore Arms, a charming little Hamlet to completely unwind.

is a magical little cottage where you can get away from it all. Everything you need for a simple holiday with big skies, walks in every direction in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

609 IS SHEPHERDS COTTAGE, HOLWICK Warm welcome by family. Cottage clean, hot water for 5 baths would have been difficult, double bedroom smelt damp but bedding aired, fridge needed several hours of defrosting before it worked properly, grass in small garden waist high growing up through the table. Access in wet weather would be difficult for non 4x4. Adequate shopping in Middleton, good in Barnard Castle. However the weather for us was excellent, walks from the door superb (walking boots advisable), bird watching interesting, hay meadows glorious. Suggest you book for sunday lunch at farm cafe weeks before arrival. Peaceful despite well used neighbouring campsite, lovely views across valley. Would consider returning.

The converted barn in set in a large field, with the Pennine Way only three hundred yards away. This is our second visit in three years, with three teenage kids. Great for a chill out, or excellent for walking.

Mrs Holt

November 2009

Everything - the cottage was isolated with sheep for neighbours! We enjoyed the tranquility and the wonderful scenery, walks from the door if you didn't want to drive anywhere - an excellent base if you did. This was our first visit to Teesdale and we would definitely stay there again. Sykes as ever were very helpful, polite and friendly - an excellent service.

Mr Palmer

August 2009

Extremely quiet location. Very good for a walking holiday.

Mr Wallace

June 2009

The quietness and the lovely scenery, complete tranquility. Also the fabulous walks close by, hope to visit again soon.

Mr Mrs Walker

Everything! We had a wonderful time, the owners made us feel very welcome.

Mr Brewitt

November 2008

Nice and quiet.

October 2008

We have been to this property several times. It was the usual excellent holiday.

Miss Frape

A lovely, cosy barn which was well appointed and set in a beautiful, peaceful location. There were lots of walks on the doorstep but it was also an ideal touring base.

Mr Henderson

September 2008

We were made to feel very welcome throughout our stay. The location of the cottage, lovely views and solitude coupled with the fact that all amenities were nearby made this the ideal location for the peace and quiet we were hoping for.

Mr Granlund

August 2008

The perfect place to escape from city life!

Mr Masters

Lovely cottage.

Mrs Fairbrother

June 2008

Peace and quiet, plenty of time to relax and enjoy nature with plenty of walks right from the doorstep. Didn't need the car apart from the odd bit of food shopping

Ms Lawrence

May 2008

The owners family were very welcoming and we loved being there during their lambing season. The cottage was remote and very peaceful with fantastic walks from the doorstep. We loved every minute of it!

Mrs Wolfe

January 2008

We enjoyed the warmth and cosyness of the cottage. We were made to feel very much at home and waking up to such beautiful surroundings everyday was an absolute pleasure!

November 2007

It was secluded as described and the scenery was great. A great place to go for peace and quiet. Plenty of walks to choose from with some very dramatic scenery. The people who own the farm are very friendly

August 2007

An ideal location for both complete relaxation and a walking holiday.

Mr Hopkinson

April 2007

The property matched the description provided and therefore met our expectations. The remoteness meant that there was an opportunity to enjoy the quietness, lovely views and surrounding nature without interruption. As the cottage is located in an open field we were not overlooked and the dog had a massive area of open land to run in. Overall, the holiday was very relaxing and enjoyable with plenty of local walks which we thoroughly enjoyed.

Mr Cameron

October 2006

Quiet secluded spot, good views and warm comfortable cottage.

Mrs Ockenden

A lovely location.

A holiday cottage suitable for any type of holiday, be it relaxing or going out and about walking.

Mrs Jamieson

A real getaway-from-it-all holiday. Off the beaten track, but still very accessible.

Mr York

June 2006

Property great for young and older holiday makers, the area outstanding, we have had 5 cottages with Sykes and never once been let down. Keep up the good work you do, your standard of properties are first class.

Mr Smith

Second time we've been and it was better than before. Felt like coming home.

Mrs White

October 2005

Fantastic setting, excellent walks and hospitality from owners. Food in the Farmhouse Kitchen good value and delicious

June 2005

The converted barn is set in a meadow beside the Pennine Way - so views and surroundings were superb. I actually saw a deer crossing our field. It's really peacefull. It was ideal for 2 couples.

Mrs Messenger

We loved the fields and freedom that came with the property, also the close proximity to the Penine Way. The owners were totally unobtrusive but around if we had needed them, very relaxing.

Mrs Silson

December 2004

A relaxing but accessible property. Very comfortable and well equipped. I will return here definitely.

Mr & Mrs Knell

We were so pleased with this property that my parents-in-law booked a holiday within 1 hour of our arrival for may bank holiday week. The owners were so friendly, it was like coming home. We spent a wonderful week relaxing, walking and watching in anticipatient for the lambs being to be born, non of which failed. Many thanks to Sykes Cottages and to the owners. We will definately be back.

Mrs Thomas

A really nice cottage in a beautiful part of the world - we will go back again

Dr Keeney

Peaceful, great walks cycling, from easy to challenging. Great pub in walking distance a very friendly welcome from our hosts.

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Shepherd's Cottage in Durham