Back Overview Features Reviews Days out

Briar Barn, Ireshopeburn

Visitor Rating
Rating
Exceptional
6
1
3
2

Briar Barn is a three-bedroom lodge in County Durham that sleeps six guests. Perfect for families with dogs, this property features a private hot tub where you can relax after exploring the surrounding countryside. Two bathrooms mean no morning queues. The lodge sits in peaceful rural settings with plenty of space for dogs to explore.

County Durham offers rolling hills and historic market towns. The area is known for its walking routes and outdoor activities. Your dogs will love the open spaces and woodland trails nearby.

The lodge has three bedrooms sleeping six people across two bathrooms. The open-plan living area includes a fully equipped kitchen and comfortable lounge space.

About Briar Barn

Briar Barn is a three-bedroom lodge in County Durham that sleeps six guests. Perfect for families with dogs, this property features a private hot tub where you can relax after exploring the surrounding countryside. Two bathrooms mean no morning queues. The lodge sits in peaceful rural settings with plenty of space for dogs to explore.

County Durham offers rolling hills and historic market towns. The area is known for its walking routes and outdoor activities. Your dogs will love the open spaces and woodland trails nearby.

The lodge has three bedrooms sleeping six people across two bathrooms. The open-plan living area includes a fully equipped kitchen and comfortable lounge space. Outside you'll find the hot tub and a garden area where pets can roam safely.

Durham City is 20 miles away (30 minutes) with its famous cathedral. Beamish Museum sits 15 miles away (25 minutes). Hamsterley Forest offers dog-friendly walks 8 miles away (15 minutes). Raby Castle and its grounds are 12 miles away (20 minutes).

Briar Barn works brilliantly for families wanting countryside peace with their pets. The hot tub and dog-friendly features make this a proper retreat.

Check Prices & Availability »
At Sykes Cottages

Need To Know

Briar Barn

  • Oil fired central heating and woodburning stove
  • WiFi available
  • Ample off-road parking
  • Fuel and power included in rent
  • Hot Tub
  • Hot tub will be available for use from 1st June 2020
  • Lawned garden
  • Electric oven and hob
  • fridge/freezer
  • dishwasher
  • washing machine
  • 42 Inch Smart TV in the living room which includes free Disney and Netflix
  • Each bedroom also has TV with Freeview
  • Bed linen, dressing gowns and towels included in rent
  • Three-bedroom lodge
  • Two bathrooms
  • Travel cot available
  • Two well-behaved pets welcome
  • Sorry, no smoking
  • Dogs are welcome throughout Briar Barn with no restrictions
  • The enclosed garden provides safe outdoor space for pets to play and explore
  • County Durham
  • Shop and pub within 1.4 miles
  • Beamish Museum 15 miles away
  • Durham Cathedral 20 miles away
  • Raby Castle 12 miles away
  • Hamsterley Forest offers excellent dog-friendly walking trails

What Guests Love

What do previous guests think about their stay at Briar Barn

Private Hot Tub

Unwind in your own hot tub after days exploring County Durham's countryside with the whole family together.

Pet Friendly Throughout

Bring your dogs along with no restrictions and enjoy the garden space where they can play safely.

Peaceful Rural Location

Escape to genuine countryside tranquillity with woodland walks and open spaces right on your doorstep.

Sleeps Six Comfortably

Three bedrooms and two bathrooms provide ample space for families or small groups to spread out.

Easy Access to Attractions

Durham Cathedral, Beamish Museum and Hamsterley Forest all within 30 minutes drive for varied days out.

Modern Lodge Facilities

Open-plan living with fully equipped kitchen and comfortable lounge makes self-catering simple for groups.

Getting To Briar Barn

Find your way to your perfect countryside retreat

By Car

To reach Briar Barn by car, take the A68 through County Durham and follow signs towards Woodland. The lodge is located near DL13 1EL with convenient off-road parking available on arrival.

By Train

For those travelling by rail, the nearest station is Bishop Auckland, approximately 10 miles away. From there, a taxi will take you through the countryside to your lodge.

Off-road parking available
Bishop Auckland station (10 miles)
Accessible from the A68

Group Attractions & More Nearby

Stuff for larger groups and families to try!

Beamish Museum
Distance: 15 miles
NE16 6EA
Durham Cathedral
Distance: 20 miles
DH1 3EH
Raby Castle
Distance: 12 miles
DL2 3AH
Hamsterley Forest
Distance: 8 miles
DL13 3NL
Weardale Way
Distance: 5 miles
DL13 1EL
Teesdale Way
Distance: 10 miles
DL12 9TW
Bishop Auckland Town Centre
Distance: 10 miles
DL14 7JQ
Tesco Superstore Bishop Auckland
Distance: 10 miles
DL14 6JG
Barnard Castle Market
Distance: 12 miles
DL12 8JN
Bishop Auckland Bus Station
Distance: 10 miles
DL14 7JQ
Bishop Auckland Railway Station
Distance: 10 miles
DL14 6JZ
Local Taxi Services
Distance: Available
DL13 1EL
Beamish Museum
Distance: 15 miles
NE16 6EA
Durham Cathedral
Distance: 20 miles
DH1 3EH
Raby Castle
Distance: 12 miles
DL2 3AH
Hamsterley Forest
Distance: 8 miles
DL13 3NL
Weardale Way
Distance: 5 miles
DL13 1EL
Teesdale Way
Distance: 10 miles
DL12 9TW
Bishop Auckland Town Centre
Distance: 10 miles
DL14 7JQ
Tesco Superstore Bishop Auckland
Distance: 10 miles
DL14 6JG
Barnard Castle Market
Distance: 12 miles
DL12 8JN
Bishop Auckland Bus Station
Distance: 10 miles
DL14 7JQ
Bishop Auckland Railway Station
Distance: 10 miles
DL14 6JZ
Local Taxi Services
Distance: Available
DL13 1EL

Is Briar Barn Right For You & Your Dog

Discover why this cottage is the perfect dog-friendly hot tub retreat for you and your pet

For Families
Children will enjoy exploring the garden and surrounding countryside. Beamish Museum offers interactive historical exhibits 15 miles away. Durham Cathedral provides educational visits with stunning architecture. Hamsterley Forest has cycling trails and play areas 8 miles away. The hot tub provides entertainment back at the lodge. Raby Castle features deer parks and seasonal events perfect for family days out.
Pet Friendly
Dogs are welcome throughout Briar Barn with no restrictions. The enclosed garden provides safe outdoor space for pets to play and explore. Hamsterley Forest offers excellent dog-friendly walking trails just 8 miles away. The surrounding countryside features numerous footpaths where dogs can run off-lead. Two bathrooms make cleaning muddy paws easier after countryside adventures. Local villages have dog-friendly pubs nearby.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at Briar Barn

The Bay Horse Inn

Located 3 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: DL13 1BN

The Morritt Hotel

Located 8 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: DL12 9SE

The Cross Keys Temperance Inn

Located 6 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: DL13 3NL

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about Briar Barn

Is Briar Barn pet friendly?
Yes, Briar Barn welcomes pets throughout the property. The garden provides safe outdoor space for your dogs to explore and play.
How many people does the lodge sleep?
The lodge sleeps six guests across three bedrooms. Two bathrooms mean families and small groups have plenty of space without queuing.
Does the property have a hot tub?
Yes, there is a private hot tub for guests to use. It's perfect for relaxing after days out exploring County Durham's countryside and attractions.
What facilities are in the kitchen?
The kitchen is fully equipped for self-catering with everything you need to prepare meals for six people. The open-plan layout connects to the lounge area for social cooking.
Where is the nearest supermarket?
Local shops are available in nearby villages within a few miles. Larger supermarkets can be found in Bishop Auckland approximately 10 miles away.
What outdoor activities are nearby?
Hamsterley Forest offers excellent dog-friendly walking trails just 8 miles away. The surrounding countryside provides numerous footpaths and bridleways for outdoor exploration.
Is there parking at the property?
Yes, off-road parking is provided at the lodge. There is space for multiple vehicles directly at the accommodation.
What are the best attractions for families?
Beamish Museum brings history to life 15 miles away whilst Durham Cathedral offers stunning architecture 20 miles away. Raby Castle and Hamsterley Forest provide excellent days out within 30 minutes drive.

More Pet Friendly Cottages You May Like

Pet friendly & nearby

Pet Friendly Days Out Near Briar Barn

Not sure where to take your dog on your hot tub break? Here are some handy and important places within easy reach. You'll find pet friendly pubs and cafés, beaches, walks and country parks, plus the nearest vets should you need one. Tire the dog out, then head back for a soak under the stars.

9 places nearby · Briar Barn

Dog Friendly Pubs

Google Places

Proper country pubs near Briar Barn that welcome dogs through the door - ideal for a post-walk pint by the fire.

The Blue Bell Inn

12 Hood St, St John's Chapel, Bishop Auckland DL13 1QJ, UK

1.2 mi 4.7 (139)

The Grey Bull

17 West Terrace, Stanhope, Bishop Auckland DL13 2PB, UK

7.8 mi 4.7 (267)

The Rose & Crown at Romaldkirk

Romaldkirk, Barnard Castle DL12 9EB, UK

13.1 mi 4.7 (689)

Carts Bog Inn

Carts Bog Inn, Langley, Hexham NE47 5NW, UK

13.8 mi 4.7 (493)

Places data © Google. "Dog friendly" is based on listing and review text rather than an official flag, so it's always worth ringing ahead to double-check before you travel.

Popular Stays Near This Cottage

Hexham
5 cottages
Winston
3 cottages
Wolsingham
4 cottages

Briar Barn Reviews

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.
Beautiful place to stay in a fantastic area
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,
Lauren
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!
Rebecca
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
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.
We have been renting cottages for the past 30 years and this is by far the best, situated in beautiful surroundings, modern and one of the cleanest we have ever stayed in ! !!! This is our second visit to this property and will be definitely returning.
Rachel
What an absolutely fantastic stay we had at Briar Barn. Easy to find and great communication from the owner prior to stay. On arrival easy instructions to enter property, clean and Beautiful with no expense spared on decor and in house a gorgeous enclosed garden with an added luxury of a hot tub in private adjacent barn. A gorgeous bottle of fizz in the fridge for our arrival. Luxuries throughout the whole house . Bedrooms and bathrooms furnished to exquisite standard . Handy folder of local pubs restaurants. Lovely walks close by too. We took all food and drinks and ate in nearby pub Golden Lion. Lovely enjoyable family stay thank you.
Danielle
The barn was absolutely beautiful. It was clean and well maintained with nearly everything you could need. The only small issue we found was that we were only supplied with 1 full and 2 half toilet rolls, which for 6 adults for 3 nights did not go very far. Also there was no plug near the tree this year to switch the lights on. But thats very minor as everything else was amazing!
Shelley
Absolutely stunning property, so much thought has gone into making it an amazing place to stay. The owners have thought of everything, we could not fault it. We will definitely be booking again. Thank you
Property was clean and tidy and did not disdain t from the pictures. As a base for exploring we found it great with the lovely pennine drives to some really quaint villages and towns. The hot ring with the window slats open lets you relax whilst taking in the fabulous views which was amazing. Will definitely be saving this property to our list of must visit again.
Elizabeth
Great place with fantastic views, very warm, comfortable and well equipped ... Great place with fantastic views, very warm, comfortable and well equipped Ideal location for walking the Pennine Way Would thoroughly recommend this property
Stephen
The cottage was amazing, great views and very comfortable. The hot tub was an added bonus. Great location for a quiet relaxing break. Great dog walks nearby.
Vanessa
We absolutely loved our stay at Briar Barn and have already booked to return next year! The views are stunning and there are lots of lovely places to explore in the area. We can't wait to come back next year! We would definitely recommend Briar Barn to family and friends.
Thomas
Leuk huisje , mooie omgeving . Bedden zijn top
Ashley
Lovely barn, clean and comfy with plenty of room for the 6 of us plus our 3 dogs. Equipped with everything you need for your start. Perfectly placed with plenty of walks a short walkdrive away, finishing the day off with a lovely dip in hot tub.
Lovely location, this is what we were after. Property itself, nice and clean, plenty of cutlery, possible could have done with some bigger pans caters for 6 plus baby maybe a pizza tray? Little things. 2 sets of stairs, well lit, but again, with toddlers, maybe an option of a stair gate? The slabstiles on the garden edging are coming loose, certainly a fall risk as they are in the area where you step onto the lawn. Great walks from the front door rspevially with our dogs and locals friendly. One word of caution....we tried to get DPD to make a delivery twice they failed in spectacular fashion stating the property does not show on their mapping systems. The houses nearby had deliveries by DPD! Oh, and TV feels a little too high on the wall, mainly due to the sofa having lost its firmness maybe a larger TV may alter the viewing angle?. Overall, we did enjoy the stay, the first week there was myself and my wife and our dogs, second week the family joined us. Made good use of the hottub which is in a standalone shedgarage, open the window shutters and the view is great.
Loved the location and view from the property and the abundance of wildlife around the barn was for us a real pleasure to see and hear. The barn was also beautifully decorated throughout and all facilities were of high quality.
Just got back from a week here celebrating my 60th birthday. We also had some our children and grandchildren staying along with 2 dogs. The barn is beautifully decorated and had been decorated for Easter too. We were left crme eggs for the adults and small Easter eggs for the kids. There was also a bottle of bubbly waiting for us in the fridge. The property is actually over 3 floors with the kitchen dining room in the basement level. Has a huge fridge freezer which is really essential. Lots of cutlery and crockery. We had every intention of using the log burner but the house was really warm with the central heating so we didnt bother. The views were amazing from the living room and also while sitting in the hot tub with the shutters open. Sheep and lambs in the surrounding fields.There are fabulous walks from the door or a short drive away. As others have said you do have to be careful exiting the property in the car due to the limited visibility from the current position of the entrance but I understand this is expected to be changed in the near future. The owners didnt bother us at all but did drop us a couple of messages by text. All in all one of the nicest properties we have rented and would very happily come here again. Thank you for a very memorable Easter and birthday xx
The property is absolutely beautiful with plenty of room for families and pets and the bedrooms have loads of room and the kitchen is massive and the bathroom downstairs has plenty of space. The view's from the property are stunning and the outside area is beautiful to sit outside. If I had to be niggly only two minor things We're the downstairs bedroom is very cold during early months but should be lovely in the summer and also needs blind's on the roof windows in there. And just be careful pulling out of the property need someone to watch you really or a mirror on the wall so you can see what traffic is coming from the right of the property. But really would highly recommend it to anyone with families and pets it's beautiful and hopefully will be going back there next year.
Thank you so much, we had a lovely holiday
Briar Barn was lovely. Location is great to access many places of interest in the North East. The views from the property are stunning with the hot tub being a perfect addition. Would definitely recommend and stay again. Thank you
Just spent a lovely relaxing 4 days at Briar Barn, the property is outstanding! Immaculately clean, everything you could wish for is provided though it did take us 10 minutes to find where the cutlery was lol. The view is to die for and the hot tub was the cherry on top, perfect. Can't recommend it highly enough and we shall definately be making return visits!
Michelle
We booked this property two years ago and couldnt wait to get here. The location was definitely worth the 7 hours to get there. Definitely had the wow factor when we entered the property. On going to the hot tub on the first night unfortunately due to lack of lighting I fell down the high step by the gate to get to the hot tub, then getting into the hot tub enclosure we couldnt find the light switch. Considering a day before we got there there was a text message with 11 do,s and dont,s I thought this would have been mentioned. The hot tub was excellent and we did make use of it. I do have back issues and as always staying in a rental, accommodation was abit wary but the bedmatress was so comfortable. The lack of kitchen trays etc made it difficult to make a meal, even if it was only two of us. The mats in the front room were dangerous as they kept rising and easy to trip over. We brought our own towels etc inc shower mat as I can only assume the shower would become extremely slippery. We do like, as Im sure a lot of your holiday makers do , want to clean up after ourselves and would probably appreciate a rechargeable hoover so it could be taken upstairs and downstairs as the one provided was very heavy considering the steepness of the stairs. Also coming out of the drive was abit dangerous could probably do with a mirror. We only hope this is constructive criticism rather than being negative.
Andrew
Great accommodation,high end finish. Any concerns in relation to repairs and hot tub hygiene need raising immediately with Sykes
Great set up. Extremely comfy beds. Very enjoyable stay log burn very nice and warm. Would recommend to others. Village pub only one open now only does food on Fridays so be aware and this, pies one week pizza the next. Hot tub chemicals were strong too strong really. Two keys would have been nice eg. if someone is inside sleeping you cannot lock key in lock box and secure the property.
Kirsty
Good location. Nice house. The Christmas tree was a nice touch
Superb cottage with everything you could need The view from the bedrooms on a winters morning are stunning
Had a fantastic time at briar Barn stayed in a couple of days to take time to relax, Hot tub is fantastic best one I've been in it's in a cabin all lit up it's amazing, The Barn is excellent was lovely and clean.
This is a beautiful property well maintained and in a wonderful location. We had a relaxing time using the hot tub and enjoying the view. Owners on hand via text if needed . Would reccomend a visit and we will be definitely be returning.
Charlotte
This was the best place we have ever stayed, this place just everything about it ... This was the best place we have ever stayed, this place just everything about it has the WOW factor, the barn is so spacious and really well presented, the decor the grounds are kept beautiful
Richard
Nice barn in a rural setting clean well maintained had a wonderful time with family would definitely recommend. Enjoyed some good days out enjoyed the alpaca trekking just down the road
Stephen
Just back from our week at Briar Barn and overall we had a terrific week . First time we've been down Weardale way and it's just the kind of place we like. As for the property it was ideal for our needs barn was clean enough and pictures did it justice . Hot tub was used daily and was a lovely to use at the end of the day. Only downside is the stairs to upper bedrooms is steep and stairs down to kitchen which is really a cellar are extremely steep . Wouldn't be ideal for older people or people with mobility problems . Apart from that it's a lovely place .
Andrew
Absolutely ideal for a relaxing break couldnt of picked a better place.
Sandra
This was our 1st time at Briar Barn and we enjoyed our stay. Well appointed and spacious accommodation for 6 adults and we were given permission to take 3 dogs, for a small extra fee, all nonshedding, housetrained and well behaved. One 1st floor bedroom is ensuite, the other 1st floor bedroom shares the ground floor main bathroom with the ground floor bedroom, nicely fitted out except that there is nowhere to put toiletries, which means if you're upstairs in the bedroom without the ensuite, you have to remember to take all your things with you every time you want to batheshowerclean teeth, or put them on the floor in the corner of the bathroom, which isn't really ideal. We would also strongly advise taking an eye mask if visiting during the summer months, as the rooms are very bright.
Beautifully appointed and extremely well equipped. Garden was better than picture suggested as rather than a fence it was a wall which meant secure for my dog. Very relaxing and peaceful holiday with the bonus of a hot tub.
We had a lovely peaceful stay at briar barn the views and scenery were amazing . I was however a little disappointed with the cleanliness there was quite a lot of dust on banisters and the glass on both sets of stairs had finger prints on , also the patio doors were dirty inside and out , although this didnt effect our stay I do think this is something that should be done during the change over especially with such a stunning view out . The local pub in St Johns Chapel was also never open so if youre looking for somewhere for drinks and food dont rely on this being open . Ruth
Property was beautiful, clean and in a lovely location. The only thing I would say is that it lacked toilet roll and hand wash. It also could do with blackout blinds in the bedrooms. We were all awake very early as it's so light. I think one room didn't have any blinds at all. Apart from that it was idyllic and we had a lovely time.
Edward
Thank you for letting us stay in your amazing home. It felt very luxurious over the 3 levels with all the mod cons you could need. Beautiful place and fabulous scenery would highly recommend
Katherine
Beautiful well maintained cottage in an idyllic location. Will be retuning!
Leave a Review
Been to Briar Barn? Please leave a review and share your holiday experiences.
Name
Month of stay
Year of stay
Review