Earl Blue

Earl Blue: Durham

The historic market town of Barnard Castle is located in County Durham, almost straddling the border of not one but two national parks. WIth the Yorkshire Dales just under a half-hour drive, and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the same distance north-west, you’ll most likely be spending your days hiking through the incredible scenery of North England. But you’ll also need a place to kick off your boots and relax with a cup of tea. This delightful house is a five-minute walk from 12th-century Barnard Castle – while this is ideal for history buffs, the modern interiors of the home will please 21st-century sensibilities. Huge windows in the lounge illuminate an elegant living space, with a charcoal feature wall, and tones of blue and grey bringing a zen vibe. The kitchen is equally stylish, with its minty-green, vintage-style fridge and matching teardrop lamp shades – a lovely spot to enjoy a roast dinner with the family on a rainy Sunday. Both bedrooms have fluffy throws and cushioned headboards as standard, so you’ll be slumbering peacefully (perhaps after a G&T for a little nightcap) before getting ready for another day in the great outdoors.

Home truths:
*You'll need to climb stairs to get around this home in its entirety
*There is free parking for two vehicles in the driveway, but it's a tight squeeze
*As this home allows for self check-in with a lockbox, you won't meet your host
*The entrance to this home is completely private
*As there are no laundry facilities, this home might be best suited to shorter-term stays
*In this pet-friendly home, you might want to check about which breeds have been here in the past if you have strong allergies
*There's no dedicated workspace, but plenty of laptop-friendly spots