The Manse

Durham Cathedral and its surrounding heritage sites are within reach, as are the river walks and the city's museums. The Manse itself sits in a semi-detached property on the edge of town, backing onto an enclosed garden where a hot tub for seven and a sauna take centre stage. There's also a pizza oven, firepit and barbecue for outdoor entertaining. Inside, the house holds four bedrooms upstairs—a super kingsize in the main suite with its own shower room, a kingsize with ensuite, another super kingsize (sharing a Jack-and-Jill bathroom with the second bedroom), and a room with two singles. Downstairs there's generous living space: a main sitting room with an open fire and a second lounge with a PlayStation 5, plus a kitchen-diner fitted with everything needed for cooking from scratch.

Amenities cover the basics—heating, electricity, bed linen, towels and wifi—plus there's initial fuel for the fire. The kitchen has a full-size oven, gas hob, air fryer, dishwasher and wine cooler. Two washing machines and a tumble dryer are in the utility room. Parking for five cars and bike storage are available. Guests have the whole property to themselves, and one dog is welcome to stay at no extra charge. The house does not accommodate hen or stag parties, and smoking is not permitted inside.