The Byre

This converted stone cottage dates from an era when it served a working farm. Now it stands alone as a one-bedroom property in the hamlet of Woodhouses, designed entirely for couples seeking privacy and rural quiet. Everything happens on the ground floor: a combined living and dining space with kitchen, plus bedroom and bathroom, arranged around a central heating system that works via underfloor pipes.

The living area centres on a woodburning stove, with a TV and French doors opening to a patio garden where you can sit outside. The kitchen has an electric oven and hob, microwave and fridge. The bedroom holds a king-size bed and another TV. Bed linen and towels come as standard, along with electricity and wi-fi; the bathroom includes a shower over the bath and heated towel rail. Two cars can park on site. The property does not allow smoking.

Woodhouses sits within reach of Bishop Auckland's market town centre, the ruins at Barnard Castle, and the walking country of the Durham Dales. High Force Waterfall lies in the North Pennines, and Hamsterley Forest offers forest trails within fifteen minutes' drive.