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Ireshopeburn, County Durham

Briar Barn

  • 4.8 Visitor Rating
  • Sleeps up to 6
  • Pets 1
  • Hot Tub
  • Bedrooms: 3

About Briar Barn

Briar Barn is a luxury 17th-century converted barn, complete with it's own private hot tub. You'll find this countryside escape in Ireshopeburn in County Durham. The beautifully designed barn conversion is cedar-clad and has original stone features and sits in the serene North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Guests will enjoy superb un-broken country views from all angles through floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the sitting room with light. The skylight windows in the upstairs bedrooms showcase the gorgeous setting too.

The pristine garden space gives your dogs room to play while you enjoy morning coffee outdoors without having to worry about them. You can walk numerous trails that start right from your front door here and the lovely St John's Chapel is just 1.4 miles away. You'll also find handy shops and traditional pubs here. Durham City's attractions are within easy reach too. The spacious kitchen has everything you need to cook something special while you're here.

Three comfortable bedrooms sleep six guests total in the barn with one double having an en-suite shower room. There's also a ground-floor bedroom with truckle bed and bathroom.

You're spoiled for choice here with great things to do near your accommodation. Visit Alston Museum (30 minutes), ride the South Tynedale Railway (25 minutes), explore High Force Waterfall (20 minutes) or wander Durham Cathedral (40 minutes).

Briar Barn is ideal for family celebrations and gets fantastic reviews from families who have booked for special get-togethers. Check your dates at this very affordable converted barn in Durham!

At Sykes Cottages

Need to Know

Lodge Facilities
  • 17th century converted luxury barn
  • Private hot tub with countryside views
  • Located in North Pennines AONB
  • Beautiful cedar-clad and stone exterior
  • Perfect for family gatherings
  • Welcome gifts including seasonal treats
  • Excellent walking and cycling routes
  • Pet-friendly accommodation
  • Ample off-road parking
  • Shop and pub within 1.4 miles
  • Close to historic Alston
  • Easy access to Durham city
  • Stunning countryside views
  • Peaceful rural location
Accommodation features
  • Three bedrooms: 1 x ground-floor truckle bed, 1 x double with en-suite shower, basin and WC, 1 x double
  • Ground-floor bathroom with bath, handheld shower, basin and WC
  • Spacious kitchen/diner with glass top dining table
  • Sitting room with woodburning stove and floor-to-ceiling windows
  • Oil fired central heating and woodburning stove
  • Electric oven and hob, large fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine
  • 42 Inch Smart TV in living room with free Disney and Netflix
  • TVs with Freeview in all bedrooms
  • WiFi throughout property
  • Travel cot available
  • Bed linen, dressing gowns and towels included
  • Fuel and power included in rent
  • Lawned garden area
  • Property spread over three floors
  • Two well-behaved pets welcome
  • No smoking policy
  • Skylight windows in first-floor bedrooms
  • Ample cutlery and crockery provided
  • Driveway with limited visibility when exiting

Briar Barn Video Tour

Lodges Near Briar Barn

Briar Barn Reviews

4.8Visitor Rating out of 5

20 reviews from guests who stayed at Briar Barn

Lauren
May 2026

We stayed here for a girls weekend away to celebrate our birthday's. We could not fault the place, beautifully decorated, stunning views and the hot tub shed was a lovely little feature, especially looking out onto the fields. We really enjoyed our stay and it was much more equipped than other places we have stayed, it had everything there you needed for the perfect getaway. Dog friendly too which is a bonus as I take my little Obi everywhere with me, he even had his own little towel provided and dog bowls, although I brought my own. 100 recommend!

Carol
May 2026

A lovely property, great views and everything you could need for a weeks stay. The hot tub was great. There is lots to do locally, this place is situated right in the hub of Weardale.

Jack
May 2026

Beautiful place to stay in a fantastic area

Paula
May 2026

We found watching the TV was to high on the wall,we all got neck ache, the pans they have are passed there sellby date, should be replaced, the bedrooms should have blackout blinds or eye masks in all the bedrooms as when the sun is rising your woken up very early. The house was lovely and clean and the views were fabulous, the hottub was just so perfect, plenty of walks on the doorstep if that's your thing, would go back again,

Rebecca
Mar 2026

We were thrilled with this place. It was clean, well equipped and absolutely stunning scenery. The quality of the things like bedding, small touches with decorations Easter themed were really welcomed. We spent the week here and we would definitely come back again. There was a dog cage and stair gate supplied which we hadnt realised and brought our own but we know for next time and hopefully someone finds that useful to save a bit of boot space. The location is amazing, such a clean and well kept area. Theres a circular walk round a reservoir five minutes in the car down the road. There were footpath signs all over and we did a few close to us. We went to Hexham which was about 30 mins away, lots of shops. We also booked a Tesco delivery for the first night to have the essentials delivered. The owners should be so proud of what they have achieved with the barn and if it was mine I would be retiring there!

Christopher
Mar 2026

We loved our stay at Briar Barn. The area is great for walking amazing riverside walks and we had a great day on Cross Fell. The accommodation was perfect. Three double rooms, a great living space with beautiful views and a modern well appointed kitchen. For a family of four it was very spacious. It could take a larger groups. The hot tub was a bonus. We would definitely stay here again.

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Top Days Out Near Briar Barn

The best-known attractions within an easy drive of Briar Barn, with real driving times.

Children's farm 37 min drive · 20.1 miles

Hall Hill Farm

Sat nav: DH7 0TA

An award-winning County Durham working farm where you meet the animals, play crazy golf and ride a tractor and trailer.

  • Families
Read more

Hall Hill Farm is an award-winning farm attraction near Tow Law in County Durham. It has been open to the public since 1981 and is still a working farm, run by the family who have farmed here since 1925. The land covers 290 hectares of grassland, woodland and crops, and the farm is home to over a thousand sheep.

Tip: Tickets can be bought in advance online, and the farm can be phoned on 01388 731333 for help with pre-booking.

Castle and gardens 46 min drive · 28.4 miles

Raby Castle

Sat nav: DL2 3AF

A medieval County Durham castle with deer park and 18th-century walled gardens, still a family home.

  • Couples
  • Families
Read more

Raby Castle is a Grade I listed medieval castle near Staindrop in County Durham, built by the Nevilles between about 1367 and 1390. It has nine towers, a Neville Gateway with grooves still visible from its portcullises, and a large art collection including works by old masters and portraits. It remains a private family home, and the grounds include 200 acres of deer park.

Tip: Pre-booking tickets online is recommended to get the best price.

Art museum 43 min drive · 25.2 miles

The Bowes Museum

Sat nav: DL12 8NP

A French-style château in Barnard Castle, home to the famous Silver Swan automaton and major art collections.

  • Families
  • Couples
  • Rainy days
Read more

The Bowes Museum is an art gallery in Barnard Castle, County Durham, built in the style of a French château and set in landscaped parkland overlooking Teesdale countryside. It was purpose-built to house the collection of John Bowes and his wife Joséphine, and opened in 1892.

Tip: Check the museum's website for the current Silver Swan showing times before you go, as they differ on bank holidays and school holidays.

Waterfall 21 min drive · 10 miles

High Force

Sat nav: DL12 0EP

The whole River Tees plunges over a cliff in the North Pennines, with a free walk to the southern bank.

  • Couples
  • Families
Read more

High Force is a waterfall on the River Tees, near Middleton-in-Teesdale in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The whole river plunges 70 feet over a cliff edge in two stages. After heavy rain the river also flows over the usually dry right-hand channel, making two falls. In harsh winters the falls have been known to freeze into cathedral-like ice formations.

Tip: The southern bank is free via the Pennine Way; the northern bank is a private Raby estate path with a fee. Visit after heavy rain to see the extra side channel flowing.

Open-air museum 54 min drive · 30.6 miles

Beamish Museum

Sat nav: DH9 0RG

A large living museum in County Durham where costumed staff bring North East history to life.

  • Families
  • Dogs welcome
  • Full day
Read more

Beamish is a living, open-air museum on a 350-acre site in County Durham, telling the story of everyday life in the North East. Original, moved and replica buildings are staffed by costumed engagers, with live demonstrations and hands-on activities. Trams and buses carry you between the different areas.

Tip: Book your pass online before you visit for faster entry, and download the map to your phone or pick one up at the Entrance Building.

Cathedral 53 min drive · 32.8 miles

Durham Cathedral

Sat nav: DH1 3EH

A Romanesque cathedral and World Heritage Site with a tower climb, museum and the shrine of St Cuthbert.

  • Families
  • Rainy days
  • 2-3 hours
Read more

Durham Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral and part of the Durham Castle and Cathedral World Heritage Site. A substantial part of the building was completed between 1093 and 1133, and it is a significant example of Romanesque architecture. The nave ceiling is the earliest surviving example of a pointed rib vault.

Tip: There is no parking at or near the cathedral, so use the Park and Ride or the Cathedral Bus into Durham. The tower is stairs only.

Roman fort 51 min drive · 28.9 miles

Vindolanda

Sat nav: NE47 7JP

A Roman fort south of Hadrian's Wall, with live excavations and Britain's famous Writing Tablets.

  • Rainy days
Read more

Vindolanda was a Roman auxiliary fort just south of Hadrian's Wall, near the village of Bardon Mill in Northumberland. It was occupied from roughly 85 AD to 370 AD and is one of Europe's most important Roman archaeological sites, with live excavations taking place every year.

Tip: Combine it with the Roman Army Museum on one Saver Ticket, and check the tour timetable for the guided fort tours.

Castle 43 min drive · 24.4 miles

Brancepeth Castle

Sat nav: DH7 8DE

A Grade I listed castle near Durham, still a family home, with a story stretching back to the Saxons.

Read more

Brancepeth Castle is a Grade I listed castle in County Durham, about five miles south-west of Durham city. The first castle on the site was Norman, rebuilt by the Nevilles in the late 14th century. The present building is largely the work of the early 19th century, with later improvements by Anthony Salvin.

Tip: The castle is only open to visitors on certain days each year, so check its website and book a tour before you go.

Drive times are typical times by car with no traffic. Check opening times and book tickets on each attraction's own website before you go.

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