It’s not a bad life, is it, out here in the wilds of Weardale in the eight-seat hot tub with fizz frothing in your glass and a view of the moors beyond? That’s after dinner under the covered terrace, Mediterranean-style, on the 16-seat table with the festoon lights twinkling above.
Durham Dale House sits seemingly embedded in one-and-a-half acres of landscaped seclusion and mature trees. Chill in the feature courtyard with pergola and water feature. Knock a ball around the tennis court. Wind up the day with fun and fizz around the firepit.
Fun things first: head out to the annex for the games room. Spice things up with games of table tennis, air hockey and table football. Or just get busy with the board games and games console. Out there you’ll also find a dog hotel (optional), with two heated kennels, a dog run, food and water dishes, dog beds and dog sofas.
Humans get their own luxuries: a cinema room with the world’s largest sofa and projector screen showing Sky Sports and Netflix over the Sky 60Mbits Wi-Fi. Viewing clash? Pick from three other smart TVs. Still need entertaining? Bluetooth, Blu-ray disks and a full bookcase should help.
Love cooking? You’ll love the Rangemaster kitchen. Not so sure? Call up the pros from Sheer Elegance or Chef Brian for a barbecue, hog roast, one-off celebration or even a fully catered break. Eat in the elegant dining room or out under the covered terrace with meat searing on the coal barbecue.
Shop at the Co-op or at all major supermarkets in Bishop Auckland. Take home takeaways from Freddie’s Fish and Chips, Roots of India and Pizza Barn. Break off your dog walk to pop in to The Black Bull in Frosterley, a traditional pub serving local beers and hearty fresh food.
Get down to Wolsingham for Buon Appetito’s arabiatta, toscana or vegetable risotto. Plump for something posher in the Lord Crewe Arms. Enjoy cheese-filled chicken or a hot roast sandwich with chunky chips at The Fox and Hounds in Cotherstone. Or try Sunday roast followed by sticky toffee pudding at The Crown in Mickleton.
Busy day ahead? Consider a full English from the Derwent Arms in Edmundbuyers or come later for slow-braised featherblade of beef or buttermilk chicken burger. Go authentic French at The Forrester’s in Middleton-in-Teesdale or head to Barnard Castle for Indian at Babul’s or to Romaldkirk for fresh, local produce at The Rose and Crown.
In the wilds of Weardale, where the only sounds are the call of the peewit and the hoot of the owl, rest and recuperation won’t be a problem. Durham Dale House sleeps up to 24 in ten luxury bedrooms. Most rooms will take a cot.
Bollihope is a first-floor double with en-suite, while Ladley is a superking en-suite that converts to twins. It’s a similar story in Tunstall, which comes with its own full private bathroom, and in en-suite Stanhope and Waskerley. Rookhope also provides a superking or twin and has access to a private shower room across the landing.
Killhope is a twin that shares a bathroom with the other attic room, Attic, and a shared space that features a TV. Also in the attic is Burnhope, a twin. In the annex, Curlew and Grouse are superkings or twins that offer fridges, kettles, basins and a full private bathroom.
