Lanercost Luxury Cottages

The morning mist lifts off the fields around Lanercost, and you wake to nothing but birdsong and the soft clatter of sheep in the distance.

This is one for couples after a proper break and anyone wanting a foothold in the northern Eden Valley without surrendering comfort—the pods and guest house accommodation mean you get the outdoors on your doorstep but a solid roof and a real bed when you need it. Lanercost itself sits in ancient border country, all rolling pasture and Roman ruins, with Hadrian's Wall a stone's throw away and the North Pennines stretching out beyond. Dogs are welcome by arrangement, so worth asking ahead if you're bringing one.

Facilities aren't spelled out in detail, so it's worth confirming what's included when you book. Campfires are a check-on-arrival situation—they'll let you know what's allowed depending on conditions. Open all year, which makes it a solid winter bolthole as much as a summer base. If you fish, New Mills Trout Farm is close by and worth a look. The vibe here is quiet, tucked-away, and properly restful—no fuss, just good countryside and space to breathe.