Your quiet escape in the County Durham Countryside
When did you last wake up to nothing but birdsong and views across open fields? Shepherds Lodge sits on a working farm near Cockfield, where the only agenda is slowing down. This isn't luxury glamping or a hotel room with a view. It's a cosy shepherd's hut with everything you need, hosted by someone who cares that you actually relax.
Why guests keep coming back
Genuinely peaceful
5-star rated on Airbnb
Cozy all year round
Walking routes from the door
A place to switch off properly
Step inside and you'll find underfloor heating, a comfortable double bed, and a space that's been thought through. Hot shower, small kitchen, windows that frame the Gaunless Valley. Outside, there's a pond where ducks nest and herons fish, and a deck where you can sit with a drink and remember what quiet actually sounds like.
This isn't about ticking off attractions. It's about sitting still long enough to notice a dragonfly. Reading three chapters instead of three pages. Going to bed when you're tired, not when the clock says you should.
People often say the same thing when they leave:
"I didn't realise how much I needed this."
On your doorstep (and further if you fancy it)
You're on the edge of Cockfield village, so the pub, shop, and footpaths are a short walk away. Cross the road, and you're on the fells with miles of open moorland to explore. There's also a footpath directly from the farm that takes you through fields and countryside all the way to Raby Castle.
Within half an hour, you've got Barnard Castle, the Bowes Museum, High Force waterfall, and Hamsterley Forest. Durham's not far either. But plenty of guests don't leave the farm at all. Sometimes the best day trip is staying put.
The village itself has a bit of history too. Jeremiah Dixon, the man behind the Mason-Dixon Line in America, was born here. You'll see a sign as you come in.
What it's actually like staying here
Joanne owns the farm and lives nearby. She'll meet you when you arrive, show you where everything is, and then leave you to it. If you need anything, just knock. If you don't, she won't bother you.
The hut stays warm all year round thanks to underfloor heating and gas heating. There's a fridge, microwave, kettle, and a small hob if you want to cook something simple. Fresh towels, proper bedding, a hot shower. No fuss, just clean and comfortable.
Dogs are welcome if they're well-behaved. Sheep sometimes wander up from the fields, so don't be surprised if you get a visit. It's a working farm, but the hut sits far enough away that you won't hear machinery or smell anything unpleasant.
What guests say
