Blackton Grange, Barnard Castle, County Durham

Blackton Grange sleeps 17 in 8 bedrooms.

This recently renovated holiday farmhouse in the North Pennines, and set within 11 acres of private estate, is a triumph. Perfectly set up for multi generation families, friends, retreats and small weddings, there are open plan communal areas and a host of modern extras including a cocktail bar, games room, home cinema and hot tub. The celebration barn is a great space for special occasions as well as activities for retreats or corporate team building.

Blackton Grange has been designed with luxury in mind, with every imaginable convenience. The well equipped kitchen diner makes preparing and serving food for a group easy. The choice of wind down zones is helpful for a mixed age range. The twin sided wood burner separates 2 different areas; on one side there is a very comfortable sitting room with sofas to fall into for a nice chat after supper, while on the other side is the games room with cocktail bar, a chance to mix your own Manhattan or Long Island Iced Tea while engaging in a fun pool or darts tournament.

The home cinema with 100 inch screen is a magnet for the youngsters to catch up on the latest Netflix or Prime films. It's also fantastic for watching an important football, rugby or other sporting fixture together. A hot tub and cold water plunge tub outside add to the luxury with the chance of stargazing at night - this is a Dark Skies area after all.

Additional services offered by local vetted suppliers include massage therapy, chef hire, cocktail classes and murder mystery parties - please do ask.

Bedrooms are plush and pampering, with fabulous soft furnishings and complimentary robes. 5 have en suites, 3 have delightful freestanding baths. The master bedroom has a private balcony.

The location of this holiday house, within an AONB and with direct access to the Pennine Way, makes Blackton Grange very popular with walkers and cyclists. Barnard Castle has a 13th century castle, and Middleton-in-Teesdale is a pretty market town with the impressive High and Low Force waterfalls and the Wynch Bridge. Durham is a good day out for historic attractions and shopping.