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Elegant Listed former victorian village school in England's last true wilderness

Photo gallery for Elegant Listed former victorian village school in England's last true wilderness

Frontage of the Old Boys School
main lounge from "minstrel's" gallery
main lounge
new wood burner
landing

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6148.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Outdoor space
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Carrshield, ENG
  • North Pennines
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Vindolanda
    ‪26 min drive‬
  • Housesteads Fort and Museum - Hadrian's Wall
    ‪26 min drive‬
  • Carlisle (CAX)
    ‪63 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Double Bedroom

1 Double Bed

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

Twin Bedroom

2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom Upstairs

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Downstairs Shower Room

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Elegant Listed former victorian village school in England's last true wilderness

The Old Boys School is a sympathetically restored wing of a Grade 2 Listed former victorian village School. Built in 1851 the school closed it's doors to pupils in 1965. The house is situated in the remote and peaceful hamlet of Carrshield in an "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty" - the North Pennines of Northumberland. Carrshield is also in easy reach of Hadrian's Wall, the Lake District, Kielder Forest, the Pennine Way and the C2C cycle route.
Spacious yet cosy, the Old Boys School is a "home from home". The house has been dressed with some of my favourite furniture and artwork from our former family home in Hertfordshire. Some of the maps, artwork and antiques are family heirlooms. Pian. I have recently had installed a highly efficient and modern wood burning stove - enjoy. Bats roost at certain times of year in a small space in the the roof above the main bedroom. You may hear them scratch around a bit. They are completely harmless, endangered and protected by law.

Property manager

Geoff Kiln

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Outdoor space
Parking available
Fireplace

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please do not wear outside shoes in the house.

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 deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Hexham

Located in Hexham, this holiday home is in a rural area. Weardale Museum and Hexham Abbey are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at North Pennines and Northumberland National Park. Take the opportunity to explore the area for water adventures such as fishing and other activities like birdwatching.
Map
Carrshield, ENG

What's nearby

  • North Pennines - 15 min drive - 16.3 km
  • Vindolanda - 26 min drive - 31.2 km
  • Housesteads Fort and Museum - Hadrian's Wall - 26 min drive - 31.1 km
  • Hexham Abbey - 26 min drive - 27.0 km
  • De Vere Slaley Hall Spa - 28 min drive - 32.6 km

Getting around

  • Haydon Bridge Station - 22 min drive
  • Carlisle (CAX) - 63 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Turks Head - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Miners Arms - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Nent Hall Country House Hotel - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪The George & Dragon Inn - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪The Hemmel Cafe - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Elegant Listed former victorian village school in England's last true wilderness pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Elegant Listed former victorian village school in England's last true wilderness?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Elegant Listed former victorian village school in England's last true wilderness?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Elegant Listed former victorian village school in England's last true wilderness located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is 9.9 mi (15.9 km) from Weardale Museum and 10.1 mi (16.2 km) from North Pennines. Northumberland National Park and Hexham Abbey are also within 20 miles (32 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 37 out of 40 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 40 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 40 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 40 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 40 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Mary C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent accommodation and amazing scenery.
Very comfortable and well equipped house. We were just two so more than enough space, but would have been plenty if there were six of us. The owner Geoff sent us a welcome email and assured us that we could contact him anytime if we were concerned about anything. There was no need! Location was beautiful, very remote hamlet but surrounded by amazing scenery. The lovely village of Allendale was just a 10 minute drive away, very good small supermarket and a couple of of good tea shops. We were blessed with excellent weather which was a bonus.
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Christine R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peace and quiet at last...
We wanted to stay in the middle of nowhere and The Old Boys School fitted the bill perfectly. We loved the area and walked and cycled miles over the moors and around the dales. We were interested in the history of the area and loved finding our way on and off the Pennine Way and Isaac's Tea Trail. Our electric bikes were well used and it was great to have the conservatory to store them in. We were very happy and comfortable at the school. Thank you. Christine and John
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mr R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A lovely holiday break
The property was clean , very spacious and very quiet. Lovely to experience the beautiful countryside that surrounds the area. Everything you needed from towels, bed linen and cooking utensils were there. Very nice neighbours, who we met . Would highly recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paulette N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful
Had a lovely week in Carrshield...beautiful home, beautiful setting...like a retreat.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Henry H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A Return to a Favourite
We took a few days at the Old Schoolhouse en route to the West of Scotland. This was our third visit. It’s a spacious, comfortable and well appointed place to stay in a lovely quiet location. The weather behaved itself beautifully and that makes the place quite idyllic. You can sit out on the patio listening to curlews, lapwings and oyster catchers augmenting the blackbirds and swallows or make your own music seated at the resident piano. This time we explored Vindolanda, a short drive away (and well worth a visit) and took a fairly energetic walk along the wall. We had a mesmerising early morning display by the local bats followed by a mind blowing aurora (10th May, something else, though hardly to be expected as a regular feature at 55 degrees North!) We had a fabulous time! Highly recommended.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely property
Lovely property full of character, well-equipped and comfortable.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Fergus M., London, United Kingdom

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Old Boys School
This was our second time staying at the Old Boys School and once again we had a fabulous time. The property is lovely and spacious with walks across the surrounding North Pennnine moorland straight from the front door. Hexham is a short drive away with all the amenities you're likely to need. Trips out to places such as Hadrians Wall, the coast, Farne Islands and Kielder Forest are all within driving range for days out. Our host Geoof was on hand if any issues. We would highly recommend the Old Boys School if you're looking to stay in and explore this part of the world.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steve W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Comfort and quiet - A beautiful place to unwind.
Fantastic spacious house with stylish decor and magnificent views. The local area is wild and spectacular. Would recommend to all. Geoff us a great communicator and extremely helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Richard K., Hastings

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful location
We loved the stay ay the Old Boys School. The property was well equipped and had all we needed. Our host Geoff was very helpful and was easy to contact if needed. The views from the property are spectacular and travelling around was equally a pleasure. Would highly recommend as a great place to stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Short break
We enjoyednour stay the peaceful location and beautiful views.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lynda C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Glorious location
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The property was warm and comfortable with amazing views front and rear. The kitchen was well equipped with everything I needed and the cooker was easy to use once I read the instructions. Hopefully we shall return before too long.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jillian M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Old Boys School
Lovely property, clean, comfortable and well equipped. Excellent location for walks and bike rides. Friendly host who checked in with us and answered messages promptly.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Fergus M., London, United Kingdom

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Carrshield Old School House
The Old School House fits the property description perfectly - cosy but spacious. The house is lovely with plenty of room (there were five of us staying, three generations) and good facilities. As we stayed in summer we didn't make much use of the log burner but I can imagine this being a very cosy place to stay all year round. If you're looking for peace and quiet then Carrshields is definitely for you, with some lovely walks straight from the doorstep or further afield on the North Pennines and Northumbrian countryside. Hexham is only a short drive away and has all the amenities you would likely need during your stay and the owner Geoff is very responsive should you have any questions before or after your stay. Would highly recommend a stay here, I'm sure we'll be back.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ann M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stunning location
The property is in a stunning rural location. It is spacious and very well equipped. It proved a great location from which to explore Northumberland and Cumbria. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michelle H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Carrshield
We had a great holiday, great location, great property and great facilities at the property. Plenty of places to visit, including the Classic Sci Fi Museum in Allendale.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michael P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our Family Holiday
Very spacious, comfortable and well appointed. The property was set in peaceful and stunning scenery.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Pauline C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Happy Holiday
Lovely property, well equipped and very clean, plenty of space, good Smart TV, Dolce Gusto coffee maker in the kitchen. Beautiful views on your doorstep. This village the property is in is quite isolated so perfect for peace and quiet but you do have to travel everywhere in a car on some often very narrow lanes avoiding sheep on the road on occasions. Nevertheless a lovely property and Geoff the Landlord was only ever a quick email away.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Enid H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A beautiful home away from home
Overall excellent Well equipped and comfortable Stunning views A great break for chilling and or walking
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Henry H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A Superb Moorland Retreat
This was our second stay at the Old Schoolhouse. It is a large, comfortable accommodation ideal for exploring the area. Its location in the quiet and scenic West Allen valley could not be better from our point of view and we love the large kitchen space and the patio looking up to the moorland where we sit with coffee listening to the curlews (weather permitting!). Allendale with its lovely woodland walk and a decent pub for lunch is nearby. So too is the attractive Allenheads with its mining history and pleasant cafe. Highly recommended
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Carole R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stylish home off the beaten track
Fabulous few days away in the Old Boys School. The house is very spacious, yet cosy and we enjoyed relaxing at home, as well as exploring the local area. The kitchen had everything we needed (including a butter dish!) and what a view from the kitchen sink! The beds, too, were super-comfy. We enjoyed some good local walks and managed a pint in The Golden Lion in Allendale, a lovely village, where we also stumbled across The Museum of Classic Sci-Fi, a quirky place run by a very knowledgeable curator!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Claire T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family stay
We booked the property at quite short notice for a half term get away and we were not disappointed in any way. The property was wonderful with everything needed for it to feel like a home away from home. The views in and around the area are beautiful. Geoff checked in with us on arrival to make sure everything was as needed. A great host and great property. Many thanks
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Henry H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Old School Comfort and Character
The Old Schoolhouse provided us with an excellent base to explore the area around the West Allen valley. The interior is an efficient and comfortable modern conversion of the old building which retains a lot of the character of the place. It is well equipped for cooking with a decent kitchen space. There is a large patio at the back which is ideal for coffee and also for taking advantage of the dark night skies of the area to do some stargazing. The location is superb. The village of Carrshield is small and quiet. There is easy access to some rugged walking. We had four nights there and took ourselves up to Killhope Law for some spectacular views. Allendale is worth a visit too. Recommended.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jo G., ALTRINCHAM

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A peaceful week in Northumberland
This is a lovely and very spacious house with everything you need in it. It really is in the middle of nowhere so if you like hustle and bustle it's not for you. My husband had to work some of the time and there was even a lovely conservatory to work in. The surrounding area is beautiful and very quiet even in August. If you like hill walking it's perfect and Hadrian's wall is is within driving distance with lovely walks and museums. We had a great time and the owner was helpful and responded quickly to any queries.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jane W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Homely, lovely retreat surrounded by stunning countryside
We absolutely loved Geoff's house - so comfortable, homely and it had everything we could possibly need. The location is out of this world. We strongly recommend it and we will definitely be back! Even had wonderful help from neighbouring farmer when our car wouldn't start!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Simon T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Carrshield
Great property, well presented in a very quiet location. The surrounding countryside is stunning and quiet -very little traffic and great walks. Ypu can often pause and notice no mechanical noise what so ever; just the sound of the wind and the birds. I brought my bike and had some of my best cycle rides ever during the week. Thoroughly recpmmended.

About the host

Hosted by Geoff Kiln

Host profile image
I am a father of two grown up daughters. I live in Hertfordshire, but have fallen in love with the beautiful county of Northumberland. I bought the Old Boys School back in 2004 and since then have gradually upgraded and improved the house. Over the last couple of years I have renewed the roof and replaced all windows and doors.

Why they chose this property

The Old Boys School has been sympathetically restored and upgraded to provide generous accommodation for up to 6 people.
Carrshield is located in an 'area of outstanding natural beauty' which is incredibly peaceful and unspoilt.

What makes this property unique

The unique benefit of the Old Boys School and Carrshield is the location.
The Lake District, Northumberland heritage coast, Hadrian's Wall and the Scottish borders are all within easy reach.

Languages:

English
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