North Farm.

The House.

Located in County Durham, North Farm is an astounding English farmhouse, lovingly renovated by celebrated designer Rita Konig. Spacious reception rooms and a traditional kitchen offer a cornucopia of lavish textures, patterns, statement furniture, and patchworks of wall-hung art. Seven gorgeous bedrooms sleep up to 14 guests, individually decorated in summer pastels and patterned wallpaper. Outside, a stone-walled garden features an alfresco dining area, BBQ, large lawn, doorstep walks, and blissful views over 380 acres of private countryside. North Farm achieves a classic farmhouse appeal with the best of modern comfort and luxury.

Living, Cooking, Dining.

Three spectacular reception rooms are presented in Konig’s eclectic, ‘undone’ style, combining handsome antiques, lavish furnishings and a feast of visual detail. The main sitting room in ‘invisible green’ has two deep sofas around an open fireplace; the TV room is an entertainment sanctuary with well-stocked bookcases and a 50-inch smart TV with Sky; and the ‘playroom’ functions as an extra sitting room, workspace or additional bedroom with a convertible daybed. Adventurers will love the stone-floored ‘mudroom’ with underfloor heating; a space to kick off muddy boots and hang jackets before relaxing into the home. Outside the main house, is a spectacular games room, complete with table tennis, pool table, sofas and a wood-burning stove.

North Farm’s traditional kitchen is the convivial hub of the home. The vast Plain English dresser houses an electric Aga, stone trough sink and taps in antique brass. A 19th Century Italian dining table with ladderback chairs is the stage for leisurely banquets, bathed in abundant natural light from large arched windows. The kitchen is served by an adjoining scullery room complete with a dishwasher, microwave, two fridges, freezer and Belfast sink. This impeccably curated space combines both convenience and style, elevating the culinary experience and paving the way for treasured moments with family and friends.

Sleeping Quarters.

In the quiet of the Durham countryside, North Farm’s seven enchanting bedrooms are lavishly appointed and uniquely styled in country house detail; an ideal sanctuary for rest, relaxation and reverie.

Bedroom 1. The stunning main bedroom has a double bed, wardrobe, console table and boldly upholstered sofa and chair. A fabric pomegranate wallpaper matches seamlessly with floor-to-ceiling curtains. The room’s dual aspect windows overlook the garden and surrounding countryside.

Bedroom 2. In a subtle-patterned ecru wallpaper, the second bedroom has a king-size bed, fitted wardrobe, writing desk and console table.

Bedroom 3. In the third bedroom, a king size four-poster bed is the centrepiece accompanied by a wardrobe and chest of drawers.

Bedroom 4. A charming room in rose pastel with a three-quarter double bed, bookcase, chest of drawers and cosy window seat.

Bedroom 5. The fifth bedroom has a writing desk, chest of drawers and twin beds, which can be joined to form one super king on request.

Bedroom 6. In blue and white patterned wallpaper, this cosy room has twin single beds in a delightful L-shaped layout.

Bedroom 7. The seventh bedroom in pastel blue features a handsome fireplace and twin beds, which can be joined to form one super king on request.

Optional eighth bedroom. Situated on the ground floor, the playroom’s comfortable daybed provides an additional sleeping option for one guest.

Bathrooms. North Farm has four bathrooms on the first floor. Bathrooms one and two feature a bath with a handheld shower, toilet and basin. Bathroom three has a bath, luxury shower, toilet and basin. The fourth bathroom features a large walk-in shower, toilet and basin. The ground floor bathroom has a walk-in shower, basin and toilet. Across all the bathrooms, hot water is abundant and the showers are powerful.

The Garden.

Wrapping the farmhouse is a beautiful stone-walled English garden. Explore rambling bucolic exteriors, play croquet on the lawn, or simply relax under the dappled shade of mature trees. A charcoal BBQ and alfresco dining table is the ideal spot for long evenings in flawless countryside, with sheep, cattle and horses scattered across surrounding fields.

Locally.

North Farm is blessed with a wealth of local attractions. Enjoy scenic walks from the garden gate through 380 acres of stunning private farmland. The small Roman village of Piercebridge is three miles to the south and home to an organic farm shop and highly rated pub ‘The Fox Hole’, offering a locally-sourced, seasonal menu. The River Tees runs West to East, with ample spots for walking and wild swimming, including the popular pebble beach at Gainsford. Wider excursions into the Yorkshire and Durham Dales include the picturesque Barnard Castle, stunning High Force Waterfall, and the beach and cliff tops at Saltburn, only a 40-minute drive away. For town enthusiasts, Darlington offers a twice weekly market, independent boutiques, and shows at the Hippodrome theatre. The city of Durham is a treasure trove of river walks, fine dining and historic architecture, including the famous Romanesque Durham Cathedral.

Sustainably.

North Farm adopts a range of practices to promote more sustainable stays. A large proportion of its furniture is reclaimed or antique. Guests can use wood burners in lieu of central heating, which are fuelled by renewable wood from forests on the estate. The gardens have low irrigation needs and provide much needed long grass habitat for bees, butterflies and more. Further sustainability improvements are planned for the future.

Historically.

North Farm is a Victorian country abode set on a working farm on the Durham and Yorkshire Dales border. The farm has been in the same family since the 1700s, yet the discovery of a medieval village buried within its grounds suggests its agrarian heritage dates back even further. In 2018 the decision was made to embark on an ambitious renovation of the main farmhouse, led by acclaimed designer Rita Konig. The project involved significant structural overhaul, rotating the staircase to open up the entrance hall, widening corridors, and extending a brand new kitchen into adjoining cart sheds. Interiors were styled to preserve the home’s classic countryside appeal while championing a bold and punchy motif. The result is a decor that is itself an experiential highlight, transporting guests to a world of sumptuous design rooted in practicality and comfort.

At North Farm.

Entertainment.

50" Smart HDTV with full Sky package
Literature & reading material
Additional Smart TV with Sky
Games room: pool table, table tennis, sofas & log burner

Cooking/Dining

Electric Aga
19th C Italian dining table
Two refrigerators, separate freezer
Microwave, toaster, kettle
Pots, pans, utensils & trays
Separate scullery for utilities
High Chair

Bedrooms.

14 guests in 7/8 bedrooms
Bedroom setup: 1. double; 2. King; 3. King; 4. 3/4 double; 5. Twins or super king, 6. Twins; 7. Twins or super king
Seating, storage, desks
Travel cot available