The Granary Toft Hill

The Granary is on our farm in Toft Hill, County Durham. It's a detached building we converted from an old grain store. You're on a quiet lane but it's not isolated.

It sleeps four. Two bedrooms, both with their own bathrooms. You're welcome to bring up to two dogs. It's got a 5 Star rating, which means everything is finished to a good standard and it's well-equipped.

Because it's a conversion, the ceilings upstairs are under the roof line. So watch your head in the bedrooms if you're tall. The stairs are a standard flight, not a ladder, but they are a bit steeper than in a modern house.

It has underfloor heating and the electricity comes from our own wind turbine. You look out over our fields where we raise Aberdeen Angus cattle. On a clear day you can see right across to Durham Cathedral in the distance.

There's a pub that does food about a mile away in the village. For a shop you'd drive to Bishop Auckland, which is about five miles.

You're really well placed for days out. Hamsterley Forest is only four miles away for walking or cycling. Barnard Castle and the Bowes Museum are about twenty minutes by car. Raby Castle is similar. Durham city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is under half an hour's drive.

For kids, the National Railway Museum in Shildon is fifteen minutes away. In summer, the Kynren show in Bishop Auckland is very popular.

The place has what you'd expect: a woodburning stove, dishwasher, washing machine, WiFi, TV. There's a completely enclosed garden so dogs can't wander. Parking is right outside.

Useful links if you're planning: Visit County Durham, Forestry England: Hamsterley Forest, and Durham Cathedral.