“We stayed at Dale View cottage during Autumn half term (22nd to 29th October).”
We cannot underestimate how cosy this cottage is! This bungalo had all the creature comforts we could possibly ask for. The owners provided a basket of treats upon arrival: including fresh eggs, baked goodies, biscuits and tea. They even provided dog treats to include our pups! Within the cottage, there's a range of games, puzzles and books, to keep your family entertained when the weather isn't on your side. The log fire and blankets are a beautiful touch to keep you cosy during those long autumn nights. The view across the countryside is stunning. It is worth switching off those lights and star gazing at night. We even spotted a shooting star! Our regret being we didn't take our telescope. It is so peaceful within Allendale: the only noise being the sound of a hooting owl! Within the fields, my girls spotted several rabbits and rabbit holes. There's also horses/ ponies and sheep wondering within the surroundings. During our drive home from a day out, we spotted a bat flying by. The owners have hens wondering around occasionally. The cottage itself is extremely dog friendly: with an enclosed gravelled garden with a fence. The owners allowed use of the nearby fields to have a wonder with our energetic labradors. Within Allendale itself, (a short drive down the hill) there's a few tea rooms and several pubs. There's also a cafe/ art gallery with events on during the school holidays. My girls, aged 9 and 12, enjoyed pumpkin carving with a very talented artist, whilst we relaxed with a good old cup of tea. There's also a hidden gem: a sci fi museum with restored treasures from Doctor Who. The owner is genuinely proud of his sci fi memorabilia and the history around his museum. For sci fi fans, this is rammed in a very confined area, worth a visit! Spot the dalek/ tardis outside and ask about when Allendale was overtaken by daleks!! Beamish open air museum is also worth a drive to: especially for the children! Plus the ticket includes a years worth of visits if you are fortunate enough to revisit. We also visited Hadrians wall with our dogs and enjoyed a meal at a nearby pub. We wish we visited a few other scenic walks, but simply ran out of time!! The owners were very friendly and ensured our stay was as warm and homely as it could possibly be. They live next to the cottage but gave us space and freedom to explore the area. They even offered to give us more fuel for the log fire. Wi fi is included within the cottage, although my pre teen girls didn't once ask for their electronic devices (bonus points here!) Thank you so much for a wonderful, much needed break! We wish we could have stayed longer, but are now back to busy city life. Please do consider visiting this calm, cosy and friendly, place with outstanding beauty. You will not regret it! It was exactly our cup of tea (with a tea pot and hot beverages provided!)
