The Hay Barn

Nestled in the Durham countryside on a working farm is this wonderful rural haven, The Hay Barn, offering six guests a luxury and contemporary escape to the north of England. Discover beautiful modern features and stylish interiors within The Hay Barn, surrounded by idyllic open fields and settled not far from the rugged coastline. Take in the striking exterior of The Hay Barn on arrival, being impressed by the gorgeous windows which flood the property with natural light, with space for parking two cars just next to the property including an electric charging point for hybrid/electric cars. Step inside and begin to enjoy the delights of this beautifully decorated house, making your way into the heart of the home, the open-plan living space, where a woodburning stove can be lit on a winter's eve to warm the group as you relax on the plush seating before the TV, prep the evening meal in the amply-equipped and sleek fitted kitchen, before joining around the dining area and central island. A handy cloakroom lies on the ground floor as does one of the three delightful bedrooms, with this one being a double room with a super king-size bed and featuring a superb en-suite shower room, making it ideal for members of the group less able or mobile. Follow the stairs up to the first floor to find two further double bedrooms containing a king-size bed and twin beds, each boasting Velux windows in the ceiling, along with elegant furnishings, served by the lovely bathroom where a bath and overhead shower offer a wonderful space to freshen up, with sumptuous 600 thread count Egyptian cotton bedding, as well as beautiful Egyptian cotton towels for luxury bathroom use. Find a peaceful moment away from the excitement in the homely snug up on the first floor, with a desk being ideal for those who have to bring the office on holiday with them, along with a collection of books and some plush seating to get stuck into a good book. Enjoy the lovely outdoor seating on the front garden area for some alfresco dining or simply sitting in the sun with your canine companion by your side. Free-range hens are always wandering around and enjoy a stroke and a little snack of bread, the farm boasts a wonderful array of wildlife and on your bird table on the patio you will spot wild birds including a family of woodpeckers, owls, little pipistrelle bats fluttering round on a dusky evening, as well as Eppleton bees living on the farm and an abundance of lovely honey available all year round. The farm is in an SSSI area, boasting a huge range of wild flowers, birds and fauna for those of you who enjoy the outdoors; easily accessed by the wide range of footpaths, bridleways and cycle paths available directly from the farm, there is also secure and lockable storage for bikes and being on the W2W path there is easy access and a lot to explore on the doorstep. From the property enjoy a rural walk or cycle down to Hetton Lyons Country Park for a lovely stroll along the dedicated walking and cycling trails here, around the wonderful sporting lake where Springboard Adventures offer outdoor activities, as well as a fishing lake and football pitches or Rainton Meadows, it's a fantastic place to enjoy right on your doorstep, whilst the farm works with Durham Wildlife Trust. Choose to spend a relaxing day at the outstanding Ramside Hall Hotel and Spa, indulging in a day of pure bliss among 350 acres of private grounds with two 18-hole golf courses, a luxurious spa complex, four bars where you can enjoy an evening tipple, and award-winning restaurants for you to enjoy intimate meals after a long day. Other relaxing attractions nearby include Seaham Hall Hotel and Spa, Dalton Park outlet with its lovely pub, cinema, restaurants, cafes and over 60 shops. For your grocery needs, there is Morrison’s supermarket, whilst a local bus stops at the end of the farm drive, connecting you to Seaham, Dalton Park, Durham, Sunderland and Newcastle, on either the metro or train, a central location between the A1 and the A19 providing easy access to all main routes to explore the area. The surrounding area has lots of in the way of historic attractions and places to visit; head to the eery stone remains of Finchale Priory dating from medieval times settled on the banks of the River Wear, discover the dramatic and imposing National Trust's Penshaw Monument, or head to the Beamish Museum which offers a glimpse into the past with its world-famous open-air museum. Wrap up warm and travel to the lively harbour town of Seaham on Durham's Heritage Coast to seek out one of England's oldest churches and to admire the beautiful and dramatic cliff top views, with the pretty Seaham Harbour Marina and the North Beach worth exploring too, close to many easy access beaches, cycle paths and walks on the Durham coastline all being dog friendly. Durham is a historic city just eight miles away, with the beautiful cathedral, botanic gardens, castle, museums and beautiful shops with ample parking as well as a huge range of shops, cafes and nightlife, and tran links up north to Newcastle, Northumberland, Berwick, Alnmouth, and Edinburgh, as well as southerly towards Northallerton and York. Sunderland is just 12 miles away, with a beautiful coastline and marina with buzzing cafes and restaurants with the newly built Stack at Seaburn providing street food, bars, coffee and cakes on a beautiful sea front location, whilst Tynemouth, South Shields, and Holy Island are further afield. Newcastle is 14 miles away, a buzzing city with a character of its own. It has culture with its many art galleries, museums, theatre, castle, cathedral and waterfront location next to the River Tyne with a nightlife of its own! The quayside is a must for restaurant and café culture and a fabulous Sunday morning market not to be missed. Beyond Durham, is the North Pennines with stunning walks and scenery, Hamsterley Forest for walking and bike riding and north of Newcastle is Kielder Forest the largest forestry plantation in Northumberland; with great tracks for mountain biking and a hire shop, a castle and an observatory viewing some of the darkest skies in the world. Roman links can be uncovered at the Binchester Roman Fort, Arbeia Roman Fort, and the Roman Army Museum with the best-preserved sections of Hadrian's Wall. This stretch of area also boasts Housesteads and Chester in stunning Northumberland Countryside, with family-friendly attractions such as the local Hall Hill Farm, go-kart racing, horse riding, Shildon and Tanfield Railway, the National Centre for Children's Books ‘Seven Stories’ in Newcastle, and Harry Potter filming locations at Durham Cathedral and Alnwick Castle and Gardens. A warm welcome awaits at this unique property in a spectacular location at The Hay Barn.