Barforth Hall Cottage in Darlington

"This is our second stay and we really enjoyed it as last time.. We would return. Reading the reviews I wonder what people want from a country side stay. The hot tub leaked a little and within five minutes of telling the owners they came and rectified it, and left us a lovely bottle of prosseco.. People need to actually ask for assitance. The hot tub gets red hot, so unsure what the people reviewing were doing. If your not careful it can end up too hot. For us it's all part of the being away from it all, heating the hot tub and enjoying sitting under the stars in it at night, in the middle of no where. Everything you need In the cottage, towels, kitchen items etc. It was clean and tidy on arrival and the heating and water had been put on. The water pressure is a little low, but it doesn't make it difficult being there. Yes it's down a lane, however you hardly ever meet anyone and all the locals are very friendly and helpful at manoeuvring thier cars to assist if needed. If your looking for a peaceful country setting then lanes are expected. The owners Paula and Jason could not be more helpful and friendly and are there always when needed. Lovely big four poster, romantic retreat and bonus of dog friendly with a fenced of yard. Very peaceful and tranquil surroundings, with horses, llamas, sheep and cows. Both times found lots of great places to visit, High Force Falls, Raby Castle , Bishop Auckland. Thank you for a lovely stay again, and we will return. "

Reviewed by manne87 on 09/11/2019

"Where do I start. First of all in the description it doesn't say it's on a farm at all. The water pressure was terrible was a pain to try have a shower or run a bath. We stayed next to an old barn and whatever was getting in the attic at night was keeping us up at night, but we also heard noises at night coming from the kitchen. The hot tub took four hours to heat up but even then it was only just warm. Kitchen utensils are at a minimum and likes of can opener doesn't work. The shops and pubs aren't a mile walk as described. They are a good 3 mile walk. Every morning the next door neighbor was very loud in slamming doors and waking us up. We will not be staying here again."

Reviewed by Lizzie H on 18/10/2019

"Stayed here for a week and it was excellent. Everyone we encountered were super friendly. Craig for the pints and paula for helping us with walking routes. The cottage was clean and everything it said in the description. The hot tub does not leak it works fine and easy to use. You get what u pay for so don't understand the negative reviews if you want pure luxury you pay alot more then what u pay to go here. You everything you need in the cottage for cooking washing and free WiFi. Also people moaning about flies lol your on a farm in the middle of no where what do u except..u don't give a negative review to the riu palace Macau in the Dominican for mosquitos well I certainly didn't. If you want a break that feels in the middle of nowhere but yet walking distance to a little town then this is the place for you. Will defo be back. P.s the little black goat that always escaped is a howl. Will miss jess the dog coming tongue cottage door until we throw a stick for her ha. "

Reviewed by Danielle C on 19/10/2018

"We booked this cottage as we both love the countryside and liked the idea of being on a farm. If you like to go out in the evenings this is probably not the place for you, although it suited us fine as we don't really do pubs and are happy to cook and eat at the cottage in the evenings. There are good sides and not so good sides to this cottage. Highlights of our stay included the Beamish Museum, the Killhope Lead Mine and the walking trails in Richmond. Good On a farm with animals to see - horses, llamas, cows and sheep Country walking in your doorstep Big comfortable bed DVDs to watch in the evenings Dog friendly All the important things were clean (bedding, bath, sink, shower, kitchen surfaces etc) Across the border in North Yorkshire our dog was welcome in almost all pubs cafes and many of the shops Not so good It's not in the Yorkshire Dales as advertised, it's in County Durham None of the shops, cafes, tea rooms or pubs we visited in County Durham allowed dogs i side Most places of interest are an hour's drive away Cottage a bit shabby in places. Little things like light bulbs not being changed let it down Only basic kitchen equipment - no grater Hot tub leaks and takes a long time to heat up Thin walls - the neighbouring cottage had a very reactive dog A bit grubby in places All in all not bad but not the best. Go with low expectations, after all you are paying a budget price so don't expect luxury!"

Reviewed by runny83 on 15/09/2018

"the cottage is nothing like the photos stuck in middle of farm nearest place 3 miles away not 1 the place stunk the hot tub is tiny and leaky never even lit it the was scruffy the dust was that thick on telly unit and under bed and the flies were horrendous we were booked for a week and stayed only 3 days for 500 pound i was expecting some thing better."

Reviewed by Beverley W on 30/08/2018

"Fantastic location beautiful views. Very welcoming and friendly. Lovely and cozy and spotlessly clean. Hot tub fantastic and a lovely treat for us. I would highly recommend to anyone. We will definitely return."

Reviewed by Robsonrobson123 on 03/05/2018

"No where in the description does it say FARM! Its thrown up out of an old farm building and stinks. We are all for middle of nowhere and out in the sticks but would love to have cooked some food in two days without feeling sick in the kitchen!Thank God for the strong vanilla candle we took!! As for using the antiquated fuel run leaking hot tub ... I dont think so. Terrible shower old bedding tired towels no dishwasher and Lack of glasses. At nearly 200 pound a night over Easter my advice stay at home save your money!"

Reviewed by alfenwick on 02/04/2018

"Arrived at the cottage after using the directions supplied by the owner, the heating had been turned on so was lovely, cosy and warm. There was stuff to make tea and coffee ready for us along with some bread and butter. The cottage looked newly redecorated. The owner came to greeted us and explained where the nearest shops where. The first night we had an issue with the WiFi which was resolved promptly by the owners. The large bed was very comfy and we got a great nights sleep every night. On the second night we used the hot tub, after getting the fire lit it took about 4 hours to heat up, once at temp it was lovely to sit out in it and enjoy the peacefulness of the area. We thoroughly enjoy our stay, it is well situated to enjoy the things to do near by like high force and low force. Would highly recommend."

Reviewed by DAdams134 on 20/01/2018

"Really romantic especially the hot tub. Spotlessly clean and comfortable. Will definitely be returning. Paula and Jason are lovely. Will highly recommend."

Reviewed by Robsonrobson123 on 14/01/2018

"The cottage was everything we wanted it to be, it was very clean, newly redecorated, peaceful and the scenery is amazing. Also the owners were very helpful and friendly. The hot tub was our favourite part of the cottage, we enjoyed lighting it and getting it to temperature, even though it took a few attempts we soon got the hang of it. It is definitely worth using because sitting in the hot tub and looking out across the fields is amazing! I'm not sure why other reviewers have had issues because for the price we paid it was perfect. We will definitely be back."

Reviewed by emmabowden on 11/01/2018

"Unfortunately there was not a lot to impress us other than the beautiful countryside and lovely local amenities. The cottage was not as the pictures shown the furniture was different. On entry the smell of damp, dog and tobacco was acrid, we were disappointed to note there was no welcome pack for a coffee and milk. We arrived late at night and just a coffee before we got into bed would have gone a long way. The sofa was just awful and very different from the one shown. The fire different from the one shown. Simple things like the knifes were also blunt we couldn't even cut bread were just not good. More seriously there appeared to be a problem with the water pressure and the constant noise from animals (we presume) in the loft was a distraction. We had a four poster bed, we didn't really want to sit on the settee but to sit down and relax and watch a film one of the four posts obscured the tv from the bed. I thing on top of this seeing all the rodent deterrents didn't do a lot for us after hearing all the scratting in the roof. We saw no evidence of rodent infestation to be clear. All in all we were quite disappointed, perhaps our expectations were too high but this is the worst review I have given on trip advisor I think"

Reviewed by sunrevb on 22/11/2017

"stayed here for a week must of killed a hundred flies the whole place is a mess blunt knives bad cooking pans need replacing settee to small for two fridge broken not working lights not working or broken should of been checked and replaced only saw owners on day of arrival as they went past not even a welcome pack as shown in pictures is a bottle in a metal cooler no you dont get that does not look like the picture you see on website so dont think i will be back nor will any of my friend come here had a horrid week"

Reviewed by Paul R on 16/09/2017

"My husband and I stayed at the Dairy cottage number 3 in Barforth, with our son and daughter in law there for 2 nights. On arrival we discovered the place had been left in the 1950's, apart from the fridge and the kettle; there were no complimentary items. We had one toilet roll, already started for technically 4 of us, somebody else's cleaning pad to wash up with, towels that looked like they were years and years old, and there were broken bits of clothes pegs littered in amongst the gravel outside, which for a pet friendly place was not acceptable. The grass had been rough cut once a mower width leaving the sides and edges long and straggly, and a pond had been quickly covered over with rough ended uneven sized planks of wood, which hurt and scratched when walked against. My puppy lost a toy under one of the settees; the mess underneath was disgusting, and the fly epidemic didn't help the whole situation. Broken light fittings off the fence tops were in the gravel too, and there was no privacy from the adjoining place, as the fence was only 3 foot high if that. The only thing going for the place was the space to move in."

Reviewed by rogerskip on 28/07/2017

"We had our 2nd anniversary here,it was absolutely beautiful! Lovely walks,hot tub was great once we worked out how to heat it properly,the only downside was there is no mattress or pillow protection!!! And a badly stained quilt!! Not nice knowing how many people sleep in this bed!! "

Reviewed by Mich l on 19/05/2017

"My boyfriend booked us a weekend away in April at Barforth Hall Cottage for our anniversary and we had a fantastic time. The cottage was easy to find the with instructions given by Sykes and it was in a beautiful and peaceful location. The cottage was clean and cosy with lovely views to wake up to. We used the hot tub each night and we found it really easy to light and to keep going. It took about 4 hours the first night but by the third it was hot within 40 minutes. Couldn't fault this holiday at all and can't wait to return."

Reviewed by emmabowden on 20/04/2017

"Lovely cottage nice size TV, Queen size bed, couldn't get the hot tub hot on the first night foned Paula next day and Jason came straight up with more wood just simply explained I need to throw a load of wood on once it's alight, and keep it stoked, not rocket science I no but some people have tried and failed instead of asking like I did lol Going home tomorrow and had a great weekend, does exactly what it says on the tin"

Reviewed by robyorke on 22/01/2017

"This is a great cottage with lovely facilities. We enjoyed the whole holiday. We will definitely be coming back again! "

Reviewed by Mr Terry on 25/06/2016

"Just back from our week stay. Disappointed first view of the outside nothing like the picture just a hanging basket with 2 artificial flowers in. The cottage is roomy and nice and clean. Very large comfy bed. Think it would benefit from 2 chairs instead of the small settee which was cramped and not very comfy. We were not left a welcome pack which has always been the case in all the other properties we have stayed in. The surrounding areas are lovely with lots to do and see."

Reviewed by hippo2016 on 22/04/2016

"We've booked several cottages for weekend breaks away as we find them really relaxing and enjoy the peace and quiet away from it all. We always envisage pub meals, log fire, old world style cottage. This cottage was a bit different... We approached via a long single track road which leads down to the farm buildings. We were met by the friendly owners who saw us into the cottage and let us know that they were just nearby if we need anything. The cottage is clean and tidy and the 4 poster bed is massive and very comfortable. There was a small two seater sofa (not quite big enough to sprawl out on but adequate for sitting to watch the large TVs which had satellite channels and a selection of DVDs. We tried to walk to the village but after trying several attempts across the waterlogged fields, even in wellies we realised this wasn't going to be an easy task at this time of year so turned back. There went our evening walks to a cosy pub. But maybe that was a good thing. We went in the car to Barnard Castle and stocked up on wine and food and enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the cottage instead. We tried to use the hot tub but after a few hours of waiting for it to warm up we concluded February is obviously far too cold and the water being like ice to start off with. Our phone signal disappeared on approaching the cottage but there was adequate wifi signal in the cottage to keep in touch with the outside world if you want to. I think we chose the wrong time of year for this particular cottage but still enjoyed our weekend. The scenery and area around the cottage are beautiful and plenty of places to visit close by. The cottage is worth going to just for the bed. Honestly the most comfiest I have ever slept in!"

Reviewed by Michelle S on 22/02/2016

"A very relaxing holiday with lots of attractions nearby to visit."

Reviewed by Mrs Buckley on 31/10/2015

"Arrived on 25th May amazing cottage beautiful 4 poster bed ,Huge TV and a stunning hot tub which we used every night chilling with a glass of wine ,looking at the stars , brilliant !!! Very friendly and accommodating hosts. The alpaca's are great fun so are the horses in field backing onto the cottage , they are very friendly and nosey. The cottage is in an ideal setting, The location is ideal for touring the local area , with some spectacular waterfalls nearby within a 1hr drive . A brilliant time spent here , will definitely be back.!!! Geoff & Su Kent"

Reviewed by Geoffsu127 on 29/05/2015

"The location was lovely and the accommodation was first class with a huge four poster bed and fantastic hot tub which we used every night whilst sipping wine and looking at the stars. A truly relaxing experience with friendly and accommodating owners, plenty of information in the cottage for exploring the local areas. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and would highly recommend this cottage and of course will be re booking in the not too distant future."

Reviewed by Mr Barr on 28/05/2015

"The owners of the cottage were friendly and helpful, and the cottage itself was lovely and a good base from which to explore the area. Perfect for a nice peaceful break."

Reviewed by Miss Thomson on 26/05/2015

"Had such a lovely stay at this country cottage!! Perfect place for a romantic break - the bed is huge and so comfortable, there are fabulous walks in the surrounding countryside (which is beautiful) and the hot tub is AMAZING!! There's also a donkey and two llama's in the fields around the farm! I had friends staying at Barforth Lodge which is a 12 bed cottage just next door which was also excellent! Will definitely return here with my family later in the year!"

Reviewed by Dominique F on 04/05/2015

"I liked everything about this place, it was nice and relaxing. The people who greeted us there were nice genuine and really friendly, made you feel welcome!"

Reviewed by Miss Smith on 22/04/2015

"Agree with previous review.difficult to lock and unlock front door.lighting poor and some not working.pans not clean and need replacing these should have been addressed prior to our visit.also kitchen utensils need replacing blunt knives etc.also lack of usefull visitor info.booked for 1 week left after 3rd nights. Could be a much better place with just a little more attention.shower and heating very good .small uncomfortable settee needs replacing."

Reviewed by 210daveb on 13/04/2015

"The owners were very helpful and friendly. The hot tub was amazing and easy to light. A very relaxing holiday due to the location of the property. If anyone wants to get away from the rat race and chill in the hot tub looking up at the stars this is the one for you. Our black lab loved it, loads of walking and swimming in the river. We will be back soon."

Reviewed by Mr Warburton on 09/04/2015

"Let me make it clear from the start, this place is not bad but it could so easily be great. So we arrived, the instructions sent were pretty spot on and SATNAV IS USELESS!! The property is a sb- divided cottage with front living room/bedroom, kitchen and a bathroom. First impressions aren't great, there is what appears to be a recycled double glazed front door, it doesn't fit with look of the cottage and it's not brilliantly fitted either. This wants ripping out and a sympathetic door fitting, same with the front window. Inside is a nice size room with a wooden floor. There is a massive 4 poster bed, it fills the room. It's is VERY comfy and a good nights sleep is certain, but it's just far to big for the room. This leaves little space and so an old two seater settee is all there is left plus an enormous TV, sizes need rebalancing!! A double bed, a nice NEW 3 seater settee and smaller TV is needed all the other furniture can go. The room needs painting in magnolia with an accent wall, the awful chandelier and wall lights need changing for modern understated fittings and put on dimmers, nice! The heating is electrical oil fired wall heaters, these work brilliantly and are not the cheap versions either the best heating solution for none gas supplied sites I've seen, well done. There is permanent hot water as well, piping hot such a rarity normally. There is a nicely fitted kitchen with all you need, even a washing machine, I'd swap that out for a half dishwasher myself. Now water pressure is an issue as it takes time to fill the sink, an up front pump might help, but tbh, two people aren't going to be bothered by that very much. Now the only two little issues with the kitchen are; the sink overflow is not connected so I flooded the under sink unit before realising and my single biggest bug bare, clearly a feed was put in for an extractor hood, not only does this form a little pig tail at the kitchen ceiling but it has good old insulation tape making it "safe". ugly and not safe. The finish is ok but could be better! The bathroom is okay, shower, bath, sink and toilet. There is somewhat of a mish mash of tiles they don't go together and are poorly laid on floor and walls, paint on them and looks just a LOT DIY. The bath is pointless a nice wet room would have been nice, it's far to big as well. The shower needs a water pump fitting as there is no pressure!! The heat in the bathroom is from the towel rail, what an amazing bit of kit!! Does a brilliant job. On to the reason we came here, the hot tub. It's not the usual plastic box, it's a pine? bath that is wood fired! Lighting it is dead easy but you need to stoke and stoke it, didn't bother me in the slightest, eventually after much stoking and stiring we had a lovely couple of hours. Now the wood provided only did the one night, I picked up some more the next day at Barnard Castle which again lasted just one night. The wood needs to be rapid burning so old timber and small logs are best. I'm sure the owners have plenty of timber but there is no phone signal up there and I didn't really want to be knocking on their door at 9pm! It's great fun thou. So to summarise,we had a smashing weekend in the North East in a beautiful location and a Hottub! the place just wants finishing properly inside and out. It has great potential but just needs a knowing eye to oversee it. I'd definitely stay again, but in its present state I wouldnt pay what I paid for three nights!"

Reviewed by FEOE on 30/03/2015