A Cosy Retreat in the Heart of Upper Teesdale

Local Attractions

Around and about

Dark Skies

We're officially Dark-Sky Friendly

Local Services

What Middleton has to offer

This is a dog-friendly Middleton-in-Teesdale holiday cottage packed with traditional charm. And yet the vintage, the upcycled and the quirky give way to contemporary luxury right where you need it: in the modern kitchen, the refurbished bathroom and the sumptuous super-kingsize bed.

Middleton-in-Teesdale seems to belong to a time of bright-red phone boxes, doffed caps, and pubs, restaurants and cafés with all the time in the world for you. Owl Cottage sits on the edge of this gentle bustle, right by Raby Woods, where Hudeshope Beck beckons your boots.

Relax and reconnect with your special someone in a land of castles, waterfalls, and reservoirs, claimed only by hardy hikers who’ve kept their secret hushed. Where Dark Skies at night are a multiplying canopy of fireworks. And where you’re lulled into deep sleep by our resident owl.

Owl Cottage is a hoot.

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OUR FACILITES

TAKE A PEEK INSIDE

Owl Cottage comes packed with original character and charisma. There’s plenty of eclectic charm in the vintage and upcycled furniture. Yet the modern kitchen and contemporary bathroom offer stylish, comfortable touches where you need them most.

The Living area

The roaring wood-burner keeps the open-plan downstairs toasty all day long. Snuggle up together and settle in for a Netflix-fest on the Panasonic smart TV. Load up the cheeseboard, pop open the wine, and throw another log on the fire.

Kitchen

Cook fresh, local fare from McFarlane’s butchers, or load up for the week from the town-centre Co-op. It’s a compact yet perfectly formed modern kitchen with a two-seater dining area made for exploring each other’s eyes as the fire crackles.

Bedroom

This is a Durham Dales cottage that’ll have you falling in love all over again – with your other half, and with it. Let the hoot of our resident owl lull you into deep sleep in the super-kingsize bed. Wake to rolling views of the dale and plan your day over a lazy cuppa.

Bathroom

Adjoining the bedroom, the luxury modern bathroom comes with shower over the bath, fluffy towels warming on the heated towel rail, and complimentary luxury hand-wash and lotion. Bubble up and get lazy.

Exterior of Owl Cottage Middleton in Teesdale in Summer

Outside Space

For starwatchers, wine-drinkers and morning-cuppa fans, there’s a bench out front to gaze, drink, and think against a sprawling view of the dale.

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

THE DURHAM DALES

Your holiday cottage sits in Teesdale, which makes up the Durham Dales with Weardale. If ever an area deserved the phrase ‘hidden gem’ or ‘undiscovered secret’, this is it.

With the Lake District to the west, the Yorkshire Dales to the south and historic Durham to the north, Teesdale’s often overlooked. Yet it has all the gorgeous charm of the Dales with none of the high-season crowds. And of course, those Lakes and Dales are just a short, scenic drive away.

High Force

High Force waterfall is a force of nature, plunging 21 metres over ancient rocks into the Tees below. A half-hour hike will take you there.

DARK SKIES

DURHAM'S DARK SKIES

If you’re used to city living, you probably give the heavens little more than an upward glance. Light pollution means you’ll be lucky to spot more than a handful of stars.

Out here in Teesdale, it’s a different story. With few towns, more sheep than people, and low levels of light pollution, County Durham boasts several areas designated as Dark Sky Discovery Sites.

Early spring and late autumn are the best times. On a clear night, you can stare at the sky and watch the Milky Way multiply before your eyes.

You’ll find the Discovery Sites at:

Balderhead Reservoir

Burnhope Reservoir

Cow Green Reservoir

Grassholme Reservoir

Hury Reservoir

Selset Reservoir

Tan Hill Inn

Grassholme Observatory

Just a couple of miles away, Grassholme Observatory offers you a universe of stars using high-tech instruments and computers that’ll take you on an inspirational journey. Open from Wednesday to Sunday.

The Northern Lights

Thought you’d need to head to Norway’s North Cape to see the world’s best lights show? Think again. Get lucky and you can catch the Northern Lights right here in the Durham Dales.

Need help stargazing?

Visit County Durham has recognised Owl Cottage as Dark Sky-Friendly. Help yourself to our binoculars, red-light head torches, and stargazing maps. Make a night of it with our friendly owl and settle in with a flask, folding chairs, and blankets.

LOCAL SERVICES

ON YOUR DOORSTEP

It’s just a short stroll past rows of stone cottages into Middleton-in-Teesdale. It’s an ancient market town with everything you need and some things you just want.

Shopping

Make sure your fridge is full. The Co-op’s just five minutes on foot or one by car. Stock up on meat at McFarlane’s butchers.

Pubs, Cafes & Restaurants

Try a little French at The Forresters, tuck in to award-winning fish and chips, or grab a butty and check out the local artwork at The Tees’pot.

Drop in to The Teesdale Hotel for fresh, locally sourced food washed down with real ale, Aspall’s cider or a fine malt. Or scoff the cake and coffee at Samuel James.

middleton antiques and interiors in Middleton in Teesdale

What Else?

We hope you won’t need to do any DIY, but J Raine and Son is a classic hardware store. Think it and you can probably buy it here. Elsewhere, explore shops for antiques, books, and crafts, or buy fresh stuff straight off the land from the monthly farmers’ market.