Black Dog House

Newly refurbished character 19th Century 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom house. Sleeps 6 + 4. Log fires and all mod cons in pretty riverside village right in the heart of the North Pennines AONB.

Black Dog House is the perfect place to unwind, relax and have fun. Both the house and the stunning surrounding countryside have something to offer all ages and interests. The house is perfect for couples, groups of friends and families, with flexible accommodation and every comfort provided. Black Dog House is actually two 19thC stone-built terraced cottages joined together to provide a well proportioned home over 3 floors which has been taken back to the bare bones and fully refurbished. At 1722 square feet, there is plenty of space for everyone to do their own thing indoors, whilst the front garden is great for morning coffee, and the rear terrace good for sunny evening drinks or a BBQ. Best of all though, the location itself is hard to beat - The breathtaking scenery (moorland, woods, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, pretty towns) Set in the middle of the North Pennines designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and loads of available activities makes it hard to resist a return visit. Check our website for more at www.blackdoghouse.info

Westgate Village and local area

There is a pub right opposite (The Hare & Hounds which serves food and has a riverside garden), and a small Co-op shop and post office 50 metres away. The picturesque River Wear runs right through the village (great for slightly older kids to mess around in) and there is a children's playground and public tennis court 2 minutes’ walk away. The nearest town with a bank, petrol station and selection of shops is Stanhope (10 minutes drive). Westgate lies within the Wear valley which is part of the Pennines designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; perfect for mountain biking, bird watching, riding, skiing in season, painting and photography. There is lots to see locally - museums, mines, castles, gardens, railways, historic cities, Hadrian’s Wall and the spectacular High Force Falls. Only 15 miles further up the Pennines is the market town of Alston, sitting 1300 feet above sea level, which is the starting point for the South Tyne Railway. The market towns of Barnard Castle, Hexham (with its scenic racecourse and Abbey), Newcastle and Durham are all within 30 miles. The surrounding area is renowned for its wildlife and Slitt Wood (a 5 minute walk from the house) is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and has a brilliant stream gushing through it. The impressive Hamsterley Forest is 20 minutes by car, and is perfect for walks, biking and picnics, as indeed is most of the local area.