Sheephaven Cottage, Barnard Castle, North Pennines

🐾 On Arrival

Sheephaven Cottage is a beautifully converted single-storey barn with original features, exposed beams, and a raised ceiling showing handmade timbers. Access is via your own purpose-built dog shower and boot room, which doubles as a perfect space for cleaning up after walks.

This entrance room is tiled throughout and fitted with a hot and cold shower, storage for muddy boots and wet coats, a grooming table, and a professional Aeolus Blaster dryer for your dogs. There’s even a half stable door leading into the kitchen, so your dogs can safely watch you unpack and make a cuppa while they dry off!

We can loan crates free of charge if you’d like to use them, and well-behaved dogs may be left unattended in the dog shower room if you’d like to pop out for a while.

🍽 Kitchen

Step through into the bright and open plan kitchen, dining, and living area. The kitchen is fully equipped with everything you need for a self-catering stay:

• Full-size oven and hob

• Microwave

• Toaster

• Full-size fridge-freezer

• All utensils, cookware, and crockery

There’s plenty of storage and workspace for preparing meals, and the adjoining dining table seats four comfortably, perfect for family breakfasts or evening meals together.

🔥 Living Room

The open plan living area is the heart of the cottage — a warm, sociable space with deep sofas, soft rugs over solid stone floors (no slippery surfaces here!), and a real wood-burning stove set into a fabulous stone fireplace.

You’ll find books, DVDs, and a TV for cosy nights in. Comfy sofas of course.

The room’s vaulted ceiling and exposed beams create a light, spacious feel, while maintaining the snug, rustic atmosphere of a country cottage.

🛁 Bathroom

The modern family bathroom is clean, spacious, and well equipped. It includes both a separate bath and a walk-in shower, WC, and basin. Towels and basic toiletries are provided.

🛏 Bedroom 1 – Double

The main bedroom features a comfortable double bed, soft linens, and a large full-size window looking out across the fields and valley — the perfect spot to wake up to peaceful countryside views.

There’s ample wardrobe and drawer storage, and a radiator for chillier nights.

🛏 Bedroom 2 – Twin

Bedroom 2 has twin single beds, making it perfect for children, friends, or other family members. Like the rest of the cottage, it’s simply but beautifully decorated with exposed beams and rustic touches, and has a radiator for warmth and comfort.

🌳 Outside Areas & Dog Facilities

We want all dogs to have a wonderful time at Laverock! We realise that some dogs may be rescues or have special needs, so we’ve created a variety of secure, safe spaces to suit everyone.

• 6-acre stock-fenced dog field – a fantastic place for dogs to safely run free. If you’d like exclusive use, simply raise the flag at the gate to let others know you’re in there.

• 8ft deer-fenced paddock – perfect for dogs without recall or those who need an ultra-secure area.

• 120-foot indoor dog agility arena – available year-round for those who enjoy agility or would like a lesson.

• Enclosed private garden – safely fenced, with outdoor seating for relaxing with a coffee or glass of wine.

• Hot water tap & hose – for washing muddy paws before heading inside.

A high stone and fence wall (around 6ft) separates Sheephaven from Laverock Lodge, giving both cottages full privacy. The rear of the cottages backs onto the farmyard, so guests use the front entrance and garden area for their own space and convenience.  The rest of the garden is a height of 4 feet

🧺 Practical Information

• Sleeps 4 

• Unlimited dogs stay free

• Partial disabled access (low switches, level flooring, wide doorways)

• Solid tiled floors and rugs — ideal for dogs and guests alike

• 50Mbps wifi

• Laundry facilities (washing machine & tumble dryer) available in farm outbuilding (small honesty charge)

• BARF feeders: additional freezer space available free of charge on request

• Cots and highchairs available free of charge

• Non-smoking cottage (please use garden area if needed)

• Parking for two cars directly outside

As a working sheep farm, various activities take place throughout the year, and guests are very welcome to watch or join in. We also offer on-site Agility and Sheepdog Training lessons, so you and your dogs can learn new skills together during your stay.

🌄 Summary

Set high on our beautiful farm in the North Pennines — 1,000 feet above sea level and surrounded by stunning walking country — Sheephaven Cottage is the ultimate rural retreat for dog lovers. With enclosed gardens, purpose-built dog facilities, and spectacular views, it offers all the peace, comfort, and security you need for a truly dog-friendly holiday.

ℹ️ Please Note

• Non-smoking property (one of the owners is asthmatic).

• Bookings are Friday–Friday.

• Short breaks available during quieter seasons — please contact Gail with your preferred dates for a quote.

• Dogs are welcome on the sofas — please use the throws provided.

• There is no hard limit on the number of dogs; Gail will be happy to advise on the suitability of the cottage for your pack or breed size.

• A refundable £100 security bond is requested.