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10% discount on remaining stays between the 12th April and 17th May 2024 (3 night stay minimum).
Overview
A fabulous four-bedroom farmhouse and courtyard conversion, set in a historic hamlet amid Hadrian’s Wall Country.
Extensive grounds afford glorious views at this elevated two-floor property, with an abundance of space for families or groups of friends
Blending the old and characterful with the new and contemporary, Shepherd’s House represents renovation at its best: sympathetic, improving and ingenious. Giving this former farm building a thoroughly modern makeover, architects have cleverly built a superb curving glass-fronted extension to the side of this once rustic farmhouse – recognised as the Northern Regional winner of the Building Excellence Awards in 2023. Framed by the same characterful brown stone as the original abode, it houses a unique, light-filled, kitchen-dining room that opens out onto a raised patio and benefits from far-reaching views across open countryside towards Aydon Castle.
Inside, oh-so-spacious interiors are finished to equally high standards. Here again the old meets new, with choice antique pieces of furniture and homely country-style curtains sitting alongside fabrics by A-List designers like Zoffany or Nina Campbell and glossy resin tables underneath chunky and rustic overhanging rafters.
A multi-level property, Shepherd’s House’s elegant ground floor contains a separate drawing room with a warming wood-burning stove set into the red-brick fireplace, and a games den complete with a proper pool table extension.
The upper ground floor extends into an open-plan contemporary living space. Benefitting from oodles of natural light, the stylish extension hub incorporates dining (seating eight), the kitchen – its cabinetry coloured a fresh Nordic blue – and a separate seating area. Four separate doors lead out to the raised patio with bench seating.
The new extension extends to two ground-floor, en-suite bedrooms (a twin and a king-sized master suite). These rooms are particularly handy for guests of restricted mobility as they boast spacious en-suite – and level – wet-room showers. The master bedroom, meanwhile, has several floor-to-ceiling windows that lead onto the larger, rear patio and benefit from more superb, bucolic views. Upstairs on the first floor, another pair of extremely comfortable en-suite sleeping quarters (a super-king and a cheerful twin) await.
The heating throughout the property is classed as renewable energy, fed by an efficient air source heat pump system, with PV solar panels used to supply the electricity.
To best suit families or groups of friends, the house is set in generous grounds. These connect that rear patio and its al-fresco dining area with a sheltered courtyard garden. Both afford yet more magnificent, uninterrupted views, this time over a lake and parkland, over the Tyne Valley and as far as the North Pennine Moors. Available to you too is a charming stone loggia – an open-sided room suiting relaxation, reading or meditation – and a large, secure barn space where outdoor kit or bicycles can be securely stored or dried.
The Hadrian’s Wall Path passes only a mile to the north, with the remains of Corbridge, a garrison town built to support it, just a seven-minute drive south. Halton, the local hamlet, has a lovely stone church and defensive, medieval pele tower. Open to visitors, Aydon Castle is one of Britain’s most evocative fortified manor houses. In the local area too are a pick-your-own fruit farm, a Go Ape site and Hexham’s atmospheric, 14th-century gaol.
Property details
Ground Floor
Large access hall leading to:
Drawing room with a three-seater sofa, two-seater sofa, three armchairs, window seat, wood burning stove (logs supplied), Smart TV, bureau desk, cottage door to the garden.
Games room with pool table.
From the main access hall:
Cloakroom with WC and basin.
Six steps up from the hall leads into an upper-level open-plan living space comprising:
Dining table with seating for eight.
Kitchen with island unit and granite work surfaces.Large fridge/freezer (three drawer freezer), double sink, five burner electric hob, double oven, microwave, wine cooler. The kitchen island has a separate sink and full-size dishwasher. Three doors lead out to a raised patio to the front aspect of the property. A separate door from the kitchen leads onto a large rear patio with garden furniture.
The kitchen extends into a sitting room space with a large sofa, armchair and wall-mounted Smart TV.
A hallway from the kitchen leads to:
Pantry with plenty of extra cupboard storage space, door to the rear of the property. This room has an additional fridge/freezer.
Utility room with sink, washer/dryer, bench seat and hanging rail.
Bedroom one - master suite with fixed super king bed, side tables, dressing table, chest of drawers, single wardrobe. This room benefits from three large windows with extensive views across open countryside. A door leads directly onto the rear patio area.
En suite bathroom - this is a large level access, walk-in wet room shower which may be suitable for guests with restricted mobility and wheelchair users - please contact us to discuss individual requirements. The shower has a rainforest head and separate mixer, separate roll top bath, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Bedroom two with zip and link beds which can be super king double or twins as required with side tables, small chest of drawers, rail with hangers.
En suite bathroom with level access, walk-in wet room shower (rainforest head and separate mixer) heated towel rail, basin and WC.
First Floor
The first floor is accessed from the main hall. Six steps to the first upper-level hall (leading to the kitchen). There are a further four steps with a single turn, and a further four steps leading to two additional en suite bedrooms.
Bedroom three with fixed super king bed, side tables, chest of drawers, dressing table, open hanging rail, open storage space.
En suite bathroom with bath, double basin, heated towel rail, WC.
Bedroom four with zip and link beds which can be super king double or twins as required with side tables, chest of drawers, in-built wardrobe with storage and hanging space.
En suite bathroom with walk-in shower (rainforest head and separate mixer) heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Outside
There is a raised patio to the front of the property with bench seat, leading down to a large lawn garden. There is a small herb garden here and guests are very welcome to use this during the growing season.
To the rear of the property is a large courtyard patio with outdoor table and seating for eight.
The rear patio leads into a loggia (covered seating area with an open side). A separate large secure outbuilding has ample space for bikes, golf clubs and outdoor kit. This has a sink with hot and cold running tap. A door leads directly onto the rear parking area.
Parking
There is private parking for two to three cars on the gravelled driveway to the front of the property. Alternatively, there is ample private parking on the gravelled courtyard to the rear.
Electric Vehicle Charging
For safety reasons, we do not permit electric vehicle or hybrid car charging at this property. If you’re travelling by EV, discover your nearest electric vehicle charging point here.
Babies & Children
Babies and children are welcome and a travel cot and high chair can be provided on request.
Dogs
Two dogs are welcome at a charge of £30 per dog. There is an outside tap for cleaning. Dogs must be kept to the hard flooring areas of the property, they are not permitted on the furniture or in the bedrooms.
The garden is enclosed when the main access gate is closed. It is important to note that the area around the house is farmland and it is essential that dogs are well controlled and kept on leads to ensure they do not present any hazard to livestock.
Guest Amenities
Bed linen and towels are provided along with hand soaps and bath/shower wash. A hairdryer is provided in each bedroom
Wi-Fi & Mobile Coverage
Wi-Fi is available. Download speed is approximately 30MB with 5MB upload. Mobile reception is generally good.
Heating
Heating throughout the property, fed by an efficient air source heat pump system which is more environmentally friendly than oil and classed as renewable technology. PV solar panels are used to supply the electricity.
The property is well insulated throughout. Underfloor heating through the main hard floor areas of the property. The bathrooms all benefit from underfloor heating. There is a wood burner in the drawing room – logs supplied.
Guest Privacy
Shepherd's House is detached and sits in its own enclosed garden. The patio area to the rear is completely private with no overlooking. The property benefits from far-reaching views across open countryside to Aydon Castle.
There is a detached cottage to the front right of the Shepherd's House.
There are many public footpaths around this area for walking and a public Right of Way sits a few hundred yards from the property.
Accessibility
This is a multi-level property, however the property may be suitable for guests with mobility issues or wheelchair users. There is ‘level access’ from the gravelled car park to the rear, through the bike store, across the courtyard and into the open plan kitchen/dining/sitting room. There are two en suite bedrooms on this level with level wet room showering - one of which may be suitable for a wheelchair user. Doors are min 33" wide on this floor. Please contact us to discuss your individual requirements, particularly for wheelchair accessibility.
Other
Two of the bedrooms are set up as twins as standard. It may be possible for the twin rooms to be set-up as super king, but on request only and with advance notice. Please note that it may not be possible to accommodate guest requests, determined by timeframe and housekeeping arrangements.
Location
The popular tourist village of Corbridge is just three miles away and offers a variety of shops, a delicatessen, and one or two restaurants and cafés.
Nearby Matfen Hall (5 miles) offers excellent spa and leisure facilities, delicious homemade afternoon tea and also fine or casual dining. In Matfen village, you can find a village store and café, which is handy for breakfast, a light lunch or a good cup of coffee with a scone or cake. Fire and Dough Pizza offers artisan wood-fired pizza cooked to order from a mobile van, which visits Matfen village on Wednesdays from 5pm.
Dine in the comforts of your beautiful holiday home and have Burnside Catering do the cooking; whether you would like a homely supper on the day of your arrival, a spoiling dinner party or relaxing Sunday lunch, Danny and Bella can do it all.
The Hexham Farmers' Market (6 miles) takes place on the second and fourth Saturday of every month with a vast array of local producers offering plenty of choice for all.
Hexham has numerous cafés throughout the town centre, offering a wide range of lunch options or simply a coffee and cake stop. A variety of pubs and restaurants offer international cuisine from Mexican to Greek, as well as Indian, Chinese, Italian, and award-winning French bistro, Bouchon Bistrot. There is also a Waitrose and large Tesco in Hexham.
Activities
Located deep in Roman Wall country, the property is surrounded by footpaths and bridleways, big skies and wonderful views. Sitting close to Hadrian’s Wall (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), St. Oswald’s Way and the Simonside Hills, the area has plenty to offer those seeking dramatic ridges and panoramic views.
For walking, The Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail follows the course of the Roman barrier along its entire length and is one of Britain's most popular long-distance walks; however, there are also many shorter circular walks suitable for all ages and abilities including the Sycamore Gap Walk and the Housesteads to Steel Rigg.
Cyclists will relish the challenge of Hadrian's Cycleway, which offers incredible scenery throughout its entire length. Not for the faint-hearted at 170 miles, but with plenty of scope to ride smaller sections at a more relaxed pace.
For history buffs, this is a perfect base from which to explore Chesters Roman Fort, Housesteads Fort and Vindolanda which are steeped in Roman history and offer a fascinating insight into Roman life on the edge of the empire 2000 years ago. Here you can see in incredible 3D detail what life was like on the wall in the life of a Roman soldier, and discover the latest artefacts, including the world-famous Vindolanda writing tablets.
Golf enthusiasts are well catered for at nearby Matfen Hall, which is just five miles from the door, where you can enjoy gold standard facilities in a lush parkland setting or can perfect your swing at the golf academy. Alternatively, why not retreat and indulge in a spa treatment or two for the ultimate relaxation.
For some family fun, why not play Tarzan for the day and head to 'Go Ape' to swing through the trees and experience some exhilarating zip wires!
You can enjoy plenty of outdoor adventures in over 13,000 acres at nearby Wallington Hall with gentle woodland strolls to more extensive hikes, or take your bike and explore the Dragon Cycling Trail, a safe family-friendly route where you may be lucky enough to spot one of the resident red squirrels in the woods. For less active pursuits, head to the Clock Tower Cafe in Tynemouth for a coffee and cake stop, or take a tour of the main house for a fascinating insight into the rich history and artefacts of this 300-year-old home.
Vallum Farm and Restaurant (4 miles) is an incredibly popular spot with a fantastic patisserie and deli or why not try your hand at something new with Vallum artisans (booking required) - craft beer and pie tasting, ice-cream making, cheese making, or cooking experiences are all on offer here. For children there’s an outdoor play paddock and wildlife walks with other seasonal events.
Cragside House and Gardens offer a captivating day out for the family where you can discover the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity. Crammed full of gadgets developed by Victorian inventor, innovator and landscape genius, Lord Armstrong, Cragside is truly a wonder of its age. The adventure playground with its network of paths and tunnels will be a huge hit with children, and the gardens here are an absolute delight.
In under an hours' drive, you can reach the Kielder Water and Forest Park, with something for everyone including water sports enthusiasts, cyclists, walkers, naturalists, artists, families and photographers. A highlight is the star gazing treat at the Kielder Observatory where you can view the outstanding dark skies of the Northumberland National Park.
The stunning beaches of the Northumberland coast are an easy day trip, including the iconic Alnwick Gardens and Alnwick Castle, home to the Duke of Northumberland. With its rich history, exquisite art, beautiful gardens, and film location for Harry Potter, there is plenty of wizardly magic and mayhem to keep all ages entertained.
Finally, take a trip to the city of Newcastle with its amazing Millennium revolving eye bridge and the fantastic glass Sage building for music. Admire the wonderful architecture of the north-east’s most eminent architect John Dobson or perhaps take in an evening of arts at the wonderful Theatre Royal.
C&C experiences
We invite you to enjoy the most coveted and exclusive local experiences available in the North of England and the South of Scotland on your next Crabtree & Crabtree adventure.
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Children and families
Here at Crabtree & Crabtree, we like to think we’ve pulled together some rather nifty ideas to keep tots to teens happy and entertained during your stay.
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Fishing
Welcome to the realm of the king of fish, the mighty River Tweed. Every year thousands of Atlantic Salmon make their way up river, an annual odyssey that is one of nature's miracles.
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Historic houses and castles
With more stately homes, castles and historic sites here than you can shake a proverbial stick at, visitors are quite simply spoilt for choice.
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Wildlife
Our region is home to outstanding scenery which boasts emerald forests, pristine lochs and rivers, heathery hillsides, sweeping moorlands as well as a picture perfect coastline.
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Walking
From the lush green uplands to shimmering sea, the area boasts a hugely diverse and enticing landscape that is perfect for exploring on foot. From gentle rambles to long-distance hikes, there are a vast array of trails and waymarked routes for newbie walkers or experienced alike.
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Golf
There are 40 golf courses in Northumberland, and another 21 in the Scottish Borders offering visitors an incredibly wide and varied range of golfing options.
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Adventure Sports
If you love a challenge or just crave a little excitement away from the day-to-day bustle of working life, we have lots to offer - whether it be watery pursuits, muddy blasts or thrill seeking, adrenaline-charged adventures.
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Cycling & mountain biking
Whether you ride fast or slow, on-road or off-road, there is something uniquely special about enjoying some outdoor time on two wheels. Here in the region we have something for everyone from high-energy mountain biking blasts to gentle forest paths the whole family can enjoy.
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Shooting
For sheer variety alone Northumberland and the Scottish Borders are irresistible to any gun.
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Ancestral history research
Crabtree & Crabtree know that tracing the history of your family can be a wonderful journey of discovery. Here are our top tips for starting your family tree.
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Dog sitting
Our experienced dog sitters will look after your furry friends whilst you are out exploring.
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Additional housekeeping
Award yourself a real break and let us provide a pair (or more) of helping hands.
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Wine delivery
Crabtree & Crabtree have teamed up with Corney & Barrow one of the longest established independent Wine Merchants in the UK to offer a bespoke service.
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Holiday photography
Family holidays, reunions and honeymoons kindle priceless moments that deserve preserving.
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“What a fantastic property. Everything we could have wished for. Many thanks indeed, we loved it!”
Pearson Family“We have loved our stay! A fabulous house in a stunning position. We will be back!”
Sawtell Family“A beautiful house and area, we loved it here! The views are gorgeous and the pig bush at the church made us laugh. The pool table was well used by us. Thank you!”
Mcdougall Family"Just to say we have had a fabulous relaxing week at the house. The house was lovely, we loved the log burning stove and the openness of the property. The views from the from the front of the house were outstanding. A well appointed property. The location of the property was great, surrounded by beautiful countryside but with Corbridge and Hexham on the doorstep allowing meals out on occasions. Definitely a place we would love visit again."
Ms Fountain & friends“We came, three friends celebrating special birthdays and enjoyed a wonderful time together in this stunning house surrounded by beautiful Northumberland and in ‘the fall’. We will definitely come again. Thank you to all who have designed, built and cared for this very special place”
Mr Brown"Here for a local wedding in Corbridge – What a fantastic week- amazing house, well equipped and family/dog friendly. The Pool table was well used. Will be etched in our memories for a long time.”
Gregson Family"Beautiful house which was a perfect setting for a family catch-up. The pool table was an added bonus and a lovely way to relax in the evenings. Great memories were made. Thank you!
Really enjoyed our long weekend here. The property was so well catered for our two families. The decor/interior is outstanding. The wonderful position only added to our wonderful stay!"
Thompson Family"Utterly perfect and beautiful house. A week so good it was hard to leave. One of the few holiday homes we will likely return too! Would highly recommend visiting Seahouses and Holy Island"
Furey Family"Stunning views, lovely house! Would definitely stay again!"
Mr WisbeyAvailability
- Two dogs are welcome at a charge of £30 per dog.
- Typical arrival day: Friday with the additional option of Monday out of high season.
- Arrival time: 4pm
- Departure time: 10am
"The sheltered courtyard garden creates a relaxed space to enjoy alfresco dining with friends and family."Imogen, Crabtree & Crabtree
