There are handsome farmhouses that welcome in conventional ways – comforting Aga, deep baths – and those that make you drop your bags and rush to explore. This huge and handsome house, whose generous entrance hall welcomes with walls of art and tables of books, and dazzles with a neon-bright Jacques Tati film-poster, is one such. A confident eye – that of renowned interior designer Rita Konig – has taken her husband’s family’s Victorian house, surrounded by farmland near Barnard Castle, and created a comfortably eclectic home that reflects a traditional farmhouse, but packed with personality.
A jumble of art hangs on walls, while furniture clashes and matches to winning effect. A battered farmhouse table is set against designer-sleek, olive-green kitchen units. A pea-green-walled sitting-room is cosy with stripy armchairs, jazzy-patterned sofa and contemporary ceramics, while candles glow above the log fire. Bedrooms invite with covetable books, Roberts radios on bedside tables, windows over rolling fields. Some items are valuable, yet the overall look never feels contrived. Downstairs rooms spread from two comfy-sofa'd sitting-rooms at one end to a games-packed playroom and farmhouse kitchen at the other. Outside: croquet lawns, a walled garden and barn with pool table, Teesdale walks, the handsome towns of Barnard Castle, Richmond and Durham. This is an eye-popping, fun-filled house perfect for multi-generational get-togethers.
Highs
- It's a hugely comfortable and inviting house, with space to spread out, chill out or cosy up around fires
- We loved the fascinating decorative style: neither cluttered nor show home-perfect, but artful and uplifting
- Spoiling touches include a drinks fridge and choice of coffee-makers, power showers and bath foams, two separate Sky TVs
- Heaps of diversions for children: pool table, table-tennis, croquet and a playroom with TV and games galore
- Easy to reach from the A1M, so handy for families converging from central & northern England, Scotland, even London; and 15 minutes from Darlington station
Lows
- It's set among (lovely) rolling countryside, which means you'll need to drive to shops, restaurants and local sights of interest
- Children need to be well-behaved or kept under watchful eyes; many fabrics and items are costly
- Not suitable for rowdy parties, and dogs are only permitted by special prior arrangement
Best time to go
North-east England is usually a couple of degrees cooler than the south, but also drier than the north-west. This part of County Durham never gets crowded, and upper Teesdale only moderately so in summer. So it's a great summer option - verdant gardens, rivers and coast walks, possibly a barbecue - but also lovely in the crisper air and burnished colours of autumn. With its three log fires, the house is particularly cosy in winter.
Our top tips
Although the house is laidback and the kitchen informal – walking boots and casual clothes are the order of the day – you might want to push the boat out one night and set the table with candles and flowers, then dress up to glitter in the flickering light. So pack a few glad-rags and load your phones with play-lists.
Location
North Farm lies off the A1(M) in Country Durham, near Darlington. It's set back from a narrow country road, with views over farmland and dales.
By Air:
Nearest airports are Newcastle (50 minutes) and Leeds Bradford.
By Car:
North Farm is 7 minutes from J58 of the A1(M). A car is essential if you intend to explore. London is 4h30m, Newcastle 1 hour and Edinburgh 3 hours.
By Train:
The nearest railway station is Darlington (regular trains from London Kings Cross in 2.5 hours) which is 9km (10-15 minutes) by taxi or car.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to the UK and getting around
Airports:
- Newcastle 50.0 km
Other:
- Beach 35.0 km
- Shops 3.0 km
- Restaurant 5.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests