Holiday cottage to rent in Brancepeth, near Durham - sleeps 3

Quartermasters Cottage 2 bedrooms, sleeps 3

Stay in this ground floor apartment, part of the historic Brancepeth Castle, close to the UNESCO city of Durham.

All on the ground floor.
Open plan living space.
Living area: With 32" Smart TV with NowTV, Netflix and DVD player.
Dining area.
Kitchen area: With electric oven, electric hob, microwave and fridge.
Bedroom 1: With single bed and en-suite with shower cubicle and toilet.
Bedroom 2: With double bed (access from one side only).
Shower room: With shower cubicle and toilet.

Electric heating, electricity, bed linen, towels and Wi-Fi included. Welcome pack. Use of disabled shower and toilet, adjacent to property. Access to some of the castle grounds. Private parking for 2 cars. No smoking.

Extra Amenities

Quartermaster’s is a charming, bright and sunny south-facing ground floor apartment in Brancepeth Castle, one of the oldest castles in the north. It has been sensitively modernised, with exposed stone walls and all the rooms enjoy country views across the former castle park. The origins of Brancepeth Castle go back to Saxon times, but much of the exterior you see today dates from the ownership of the famous Neville family in the 14th and 15th centuries. Hostilities between England and Scotland ravaged on for many centuries but the last battle won by the English on English soil in 1346 was planned in Brancepeth’s medieval Baron’s Hall and the army even assembled here beforehand. In 1796 the castle was bought by the Russell family and they began remodelling and adding two new towers and a gatehouse.
As its name suggests, Quartermaster’s has a close association with the time that the army was in the castle when it was used as a military hospital during World War I and later the regimental headquarters of the Durham Light Infantry. Above the apartment is the Russell’s Armour Gallery, used by the army as the officers’ mess, and these rooms were part of the kitchens that catered for the mess.

The stove that sits outside the apartment was discovered down there, and now forms an item of industrial sculpture.

All on one level, the apartment is a perfect base for exploring this beautiful part of the country. The apartment has open plan living accommodation and benefits from a Smart TV with NowTV and Netflix, and there is a USB port so you can bring your own programmes to watch if you wish. The kitchen is well-equipped, with all the essential cooking appliances as well as a small supply of basics such as tea bags, fresh milk and salt and pepper. You will find a detailed handbook with information about the apartment and local area, and an extensive range of leaflets about local attractions are provided so you can make the most of your visit to Brancepeth.
There is a wealth of historic places to visit including the city of Durham, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its magnificent castle and cathedral, just over 5 miles away. Perfect for guests with friends and family who are studying at Durham University, most of the campuses and halls of residence can be reached in around 15 minutes making Quartermaster’s the ideal base for a taster week or graduation ceremony.

The market town of Bishop Auckland, 8 miles, is the home of the Eleven Arches Spectacular Kynren Show, with a cast of over 1000 volunteers, pyrotechnics, a lake and fireworks, all incorporated within this tale of the history of England. The popular market town of Barnard Castle and the Georgian town of Richmond are both within a 40 minute drive. Beamish Open Air Museum is 13 miles, while Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 21 miles, boasts ’The Sage’ which hosts an extensive programme of concerts all year round. Gateshead, 18 miles, is home to The Metrocentre and is perfect for a day’s shopping trip. A little further afield is Alnwick Castle and Gardens, Hadrian’s Wall and Lindisfarne. There are numerous public footpaths and cycle paths that criss cross the village of Brancepeth and out into the countryside. The Durham and Northumberland coasts have long sandy beaches. Brancepeth Golf Club with is only ¼ mile walk. There is a small tea shop on site. Shop, pub and restaurant 2 miles