A cosy rural retreat in a picturesque village

See all properties

Entire home

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

2 bedroomsSleeps 4

Popular amenities

Dryer
Washer
Fireplace
Barbecue grill
Parking available
Kitchen

Explore the area

Tow Law

Witton Castle
‪13 min drive‬
Durham University
‪21 min drive‬
Hamsterley Forest
‪22 min drive‬
Durham (MME-Teesside Intl.)
‪54 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Shower room 1

Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen

Garden

Dining area

About this property

A charming and traditional rural retreat, offering peace and quiet; convenience and comfort; rest and relaxation, if this is what you want, then Binks Cottage is for you. Set on a picturesque village green in a "no through road" village in the heart of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The cottage is over 100 years old but has been modernised to a high standard, it is tastefully decorated, offering a cosy yet traditional feel, while retaining charm and character.

Binks Cottage is a 4 star gold accommodation. The front door opens into a private walled garden with lawn and comfortable garden furniture and a bbq. There is private parking for two cars at the back of the cottage.

Children are very welcome and we can offer a cot, high-chair and toys; we are happy to show guests around the farm.

Perfect for visiting Beamish Museum, Durham City., Raby Castle, Barnard Castle and various coastal towns - Whitley Bay, Saltburn, Bamburgh. The village is situated on the edge of the North Pennines, in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, we are ideally located for sightseeing, walking, pony trekking, fishing and golf.

Property manager

Amanda Simpson

Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

Outdoor space

Parking available

Have a question?

Beta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Ask a question

Similar properties

Front view of lodge with new 'warm roof'

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Bishop Auckland

Located in Bishop Auckland, this cottage is in a rural area. Brancepeth Castle Golf Club and Woodhouse Close Leisure Complex are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Hall Hill Farm and Weardale Railway. Travelling with kids? Consider Diggerland, or check out an event or a game at Heritage Park Stadium. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Tow Law

What's nearby

Witton Castle - 13 min drive - 10.9 km
Auckland Castle - 17 min drive - 16.6 km
Durham University - 21 min drive - 19.8 km
Hamsterley Forest - 22 min drive - 18.0 km
Durham Cathedral - 23 min drive - 23.3 km

Getting around

Bishop Auckland Station - 17 min drive
Durham (MME-Teesside Intl.) - 54 min drive

Restaurants

‪Number 10 - ‬8 min drive
‪The Horse Shoe Inn - ‬9 min drive
‪The Green Billy Row - ‬9 min drive
‪The Vault - ‬10 min drive
‪Buon Appetito - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is A cosy rural retreat in a picturesque village pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at A cosy rural retreat in a picturesque village?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at A cosy rural retreat in a picturesque village?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is A cosy rural retreat in a picturesque village located?

Located in a rural location, this family-friendly cottage is within 9 mi (15 km) of Hall Hill Farm, Weardale Railway and Witton Castle. North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and North Pennines are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Paul A.

9 Dec 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Superb accommodation

Loved staying in Binks cottage. Hope to stay there again and would highly recommend it to others.

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrew L.

12 July 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Countryside getaway

Good value for money, spacious property and friendly hosts. Thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Derek C.

25 Aug 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderfull Cottage

The Cottage is in a beautiful setting on a Family run Farm. The host was very helpful and always on hand if needed. There was everything you would need for your stay,including freshly made Bread and Cake so thoughtful. A great place to stay and for us so close for visiting family.

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

JANET H.

15 Sept 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely cottage with everything you need plus more

A lovely cottage in a quiet surrounding. The kitchen was extremely well stocked and we had a lovely homemade cake and fresh bread waiting for us. The chickens were very friendly but the cats just ignored us. A great place to explore the area and return to a peaceful cottage

Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rick W.

15 May 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Explorations

A wonderful stepping stone into the wilderness. A fantastic host with a very warm welcome.

Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lesley R.

16 July 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

THE MOST WONDERFUL COTTAGE AND PLACE

Amanda couldn't have been more welcoming and friendly. The cottage is perfect - it had been furnished to the highest standard with flair and imagination. Spotlessly clean and comfortable. The village was beautiful and felt like a real community all well looked after. The church was beautiful.

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda H.

2 Aug 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful

Very welcoming (including an amazing welcome pack. They were so friendly and we won't hesitate to return.

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

lynn s.

5 July 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful property and location

The covid safety measures were fantastic. The cottage beautiful, set in amazing countryside and not far from Durham and other attractions. Amanda was incredibly helpful. I would highly recommend staying here.

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Gemma M.

13 Apr 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Outstanding!

Beautiful farm cottage, spotless throughout. Nice touches such as milk, eggs and home baking on arrival. Amanda and her family gave us a tour of the farm too, this was very enjoyable, loved seeing the lambs and calves. Comfortable beds, lots of family games, an open fire, garden seating. We would highly recommend and would certainly stay again. We very much enjoyed our stay.

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

10 Apr 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Idyllic stay

Thank you to Amanda and Tom for welcoming us so well. The cottage is near a beautiful farm and on a village green with a picturesque church. We stayed during lambing season and it was lovely to see all the lambs being born. The beautiful North Pennines are awaiting on your door step with so many walks and areas of beauty to explore.

Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rick S.

23 June 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Binks Cottage June 22

The property is in the centre of a small quiet village next to the Church and is part of the buildings of a working farm . The facilities are very good and a minor problem with the boiler was rapidly resolved. Good contact with the obliging managers. An excellent holiday venue in open countryside.

Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Pat M.

13 Aug 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Home from home

Bink's Cottage had everything we needed for our stay. Amanda was a superb, friendly host and we were delighted to be welcomed by the smell of baking bread and all the food basics she provided. Our grandson loved the chocolate buns! We visited Locomotion, Beamish and Seaham beach during our stay, finding the cottage was an excellent base for our trips out. Isaac was thrilled to see all the sheep being run through the farmyard one morning. We have no hesitation in recommending Bink's Cottage!

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Debbie H.

18 Mar 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

beautiful location; wonderful host

The property was spotlessly clean and had everything you could want. Amanda and family were very friendly and welcoming and there were lovely extra touches like freshly made scones and bread awaiting us on our arrival. The location is stunning with numerous walks straight from your door and plenty to explore nearby too. It exceeded our expectations and we would heartily recommend it. Thankyou Amanda. We may well be back! Debbie and family

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Maggi M., Canada, between Ottawa and Montreal

10 June 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Get Away From It All

My husband, my sister and my niece spent 5 wonderful days and nights at this property. It is beautiful, well appointed, quiet and excellently situated for days out in the Penines, the Yorkshire dales and moors, County Durham and the Northumberland coast. Our host was on hand to answer any questions, or to advise us on where to visit or eat. It is off the beaten track, and that is one of it's best features. The rooms are comfortable, the kitchen completely equipped and the bathroom, modern and bright. Any of us would stay here again in a heartbeat.

Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

James R.

23 Aug 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Total peace

The cottage was very clean and comfortable; the owner welcoming and helpful - we arrived to bread, scones, and eggs: butter and milk in the fridge. There is a good array of herbs & spices. It is utterly peaceful. The only sounds were the birds and the sheep. The small front garden is perfect for sitting outside to read or to eat - right next to the church in this tiny village that looks like it hasn't changed in a couple of hundred years.

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mario M.

4 Aug 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Schöner Urlaub

Es war alles wunderbar. Das Cottage war sehr schön eingerichtet. Wir wurden sehr freundlich empfangen.

Stayed 13 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anton B.

15 Aug 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Gewoon goed

Heel goed ontvangen. Ze hadden een brood gebakken en cakejes alles was schoon. Alles wat je nodig had was aanwezig

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Claire O.

2 Mar 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Divine!

Had a short break away. From arrival with fresh bread, fresh eggs and scones, to departure, everything was perfect. Couldn't fault it. We will return for definite.

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gillian W.

9 Feb 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely Cottage !

A lovely cottage in a perfect location for visiting family . Well equipped , real home from home . Amanda was very welcoming , even leaving home baked bread and scones! We will definitely be using Binks cottage again .

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sheena L.

3 Aug 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful stay...

A truly wondeful week spent relaxing in the beautiful Binks Cottage was just what we needed. A great base to explore the local area and a lovely place to return to after a busy day out and about. The owners have really thought about guests comfort as the cottage has everything you could possibly want plus lots of little extras such as freshly baked bread and cakes and eggs from the farm....thank you, Amanda! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and hope to return in the future . Would definitely recommend Binks Cottage to anyone looking for a comfortable and relaxing break. Great value for money and friendly, accommodating owners.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jan C.

28 July 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent find

Brilliant stay at this beautiful cottage with fantastic host! Spotlessly clean and lovely gesture of fresh bread baking, homemade scones, milk and eggs from the farm on arrival. Lovely friendly family and perfect setting

Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Grzegorz W.

3 Nov 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best cottage ever!

The cottage is amazing! The photos doesn't show true character of the place. Very clean and tastefully decorated with everything and I mean everything you will need. Amanda and her son are very friendly people and will make your stay the most enjoyable. We were very impressed with the cottage and the area and I can say this was the best accommodation we ever stayed in. Thank you Amanda!

10/10 Excellent

abi w.

26 Sept 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Escape to the countryside

We have had such a lovely week away in this beautiful cottage, it had everything we needed and more. Very child friendly and stunning location. The host and her family were very warm and welcoming. This stay was just what we needed and definitely will return again. Thank you x

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Ruth G.

18 Sept 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place.

Lovely house, area,people and even weather!

Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Chris G., Yeovil

24 Sept 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved it up North.

We are from South Somerset and it was our first time in the North East. On advice from friends packed wellies, waterproofs, jumpers in abundance but the sun shone the whole week. I know probably luck but it made for a wonderful week of exploring the area. The cottage was lovely. The smell of baking bread in the kitchen when we arrived along with all the other delicious gifts were welcoming. Amanda met us and answered any questions and we settled in. There was nothing we needed as everything was on hand. We were out every day and visited Hadrian's Wall, High Force, The Angel, Beamish - we even gatecrashed a Christening in Durham Cathedral on Sunday which was lovely. All in all we can recommend this as a great place to base yourself for the area with such a cosy cottage to come back to. Regret? Yes there has to be one in every holiday doesn't there. It wasn't cold enough to light the fire.

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2019

About the host

Hosted by Amanda Simpson

I have enjoyed welcoming guests to the cottage for 20 years. I work on the family farm alongside my son.

Why they chose this property

Peace and Quiet; Convenience and comfort; Rest and relaxation, if this is what you want, then Binks Cottage is for you. Binks Cottage is set on a picturesque village green in a "no through road" village in the heart of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The cottage is over 100 years old but has been modernised to a high standard, it is tastefully decorated, offering a cosy yet traditional feel, while retaining charm and character.

The accommodation includes two bedrooms (1 double room, 1 twin room and 1 double sofa-bed), bathroom with large shower, bath robes and luxurious towels. The living room offers comfortable seating for 6 people with a log burning stove set in an inglenook fireplace. There is a smart TV with Netflix, an Alexa, books and games for all ages. The Kitchen is very well equipped and offers an electric cooker, dishwasher, fridge-freezer, bread maker, washer/dryer, microwave etc. There is a dining table seating 6. The lawned garden, overlooking the village green, is surrounded by a low stone wall, there is garden furniture and a barbecue. Storage for bikes and tack. Private parking for 2 cars.

What makes this property unique

Binks Cottage is situated on a working farm, Thornley Hall Farm, there is also a hill farm 17 miles away, Glenwhelt. We encourage our guests to visit the farm and walk the public footpaths in the area where you will be able to see dry stonewalling, animals in fields and wildlife.

We welcome the opportunity to show you around Thornley Hall farm and Glenwhelt, if you are interested please ask.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests

Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback

A cosy rural retreat in a picturesque village

Photo gallery for A cosy rural retreat in a picturesque village

Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 2

Shower room 1

Spaces

About this property