Fern Cottage, Butterknowle

About Fern Cottage

Fern Cottage is a luxury single-storey barn conversion set on a working farm in Butterknowle, County Durham. This converted stable features character beams and a pitched roof exposing original timbers. The open-plan living area centres around a cosy multi-fuel stove. Outside, a shared enclosed patio overlooks fields where Belted Galloway cattle graze.

The rural setting offers beautiful unspoilt countryside. Sheep wander past the windows. The farm's resident cat Dora often visits guests. You're surrounded by peaceful farmland with the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty just a few miles away.

Two ground-floor bedrooms sleep two guests one double and one twin. The modern bathroom has a bath with shower over. The open-plan space combines kitchen, dining and sitting areas. A shared laundry room provides washing machine and tumble dryer. Off-road parking for two cars.

Hamsterley Forest sits nearby (6 miles, 15 minutes) for woodland walks and cycle routes. Barnard Castle (7.6 miles, 18 minutes) offers cobbled streets and medieval ruins. Raby Castle (9 miles, 20 minutes) and High Force waterfall (14 miles, 25 minutes) make excellent days out.

Perfect for couples wanting a peaceful countryside retreat. Fern Cottage combines barn character with high-spec fittings and a genuine farm setting.

Check Prices & Availability »

At Sykes Cottages

Need To Know

✓Oil central heating with multi-fuel stove
✓Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge, washing machine and tumble dryer in utility, tv with freeview, dvd, cd/radio, wifi, selection of books and games
✓Fuel, power and starter pack for stove included in rent
✓Bed linen and towels included in rent
✓Cot and highchair on request
✓Off road parking for 2 cars
✓Shared enclosed patio area with furniture and bbq
✓Sorry, no pets and no smoking
✓Sorry, no work bookings are allowed
✓Shop 1.3 miles, pub 1 mile
✓Note: no electric point to charge electric cars

Fern Cottage Prices

Lowest 7 nights

£315

27 Nov 2026

Average 7 nights

£811

£116/night avg

Annual Pricing Heat Map

Each cell = one 7-night stay starting that Saturday — hover for price

Nights

May

Sat
30th£827

Jun

Sat
6th£833 Sat
13th£832 Sat
20th£878 Sat
27th£937

Jul

Sat
4th£927 Sat
11th£919 Sat
18th£1,028 Sat
25th£1,094

Aug

Sat
1st£1,180 Sat
8th£1,174 Sat
15th£1,095 Sat
22nd£1,024 Sat
29th£880

Sep

Sat
5th£894 Sat
12th£864 Sat
19th£830 Sat
26th£816

Oct

Sat
3rd£704 Sat
10th£675 Sat
17th£767 Sat
24th£735 Sat
31st£636

Nov

Sat
7th£627 Sat
14th£618 Sat
21st£604 Sat
28th£601

Dec

Sat
5th£604 Sat
12th£629 Sat
19th£845 Sat
26th£1,006

Jan

Sat
2nd£1,160 Sat
9th£699 Sat
16th£706 Sat
23rd£706 Sat
30th£699

Feb

Sat
6th£726 Sat
13th£707 Sat
20th£679 Sat
27th£702

Mar

Sat
6th£696 Sat
13th£776 Sat
20th£1,051 Sat
27th£1,248

Apr

Sat
3rd£1,161 Sat
10th£1,037 Sat
17th£988 Sat
24th£1,061

May

Sat
1st£1,026 Sat
8th£907 Sat
15th£1,100 Sat
22nd£1,460

Cheaper

More expensive ░ = no data

Next Available 7 Night Breaks

27 Nov 2026 £315 7 nights · £45/night 04 Dec 2026 £318 7 nights · £45/night 11 Dec 2026 £318 7 nights · £45/night 20 Nov 2026 £321 7 nights · £46/night

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What Guests Love

What do previous guests think about their group stay at Fern Cottage

Character Beams and Original Features

Exposed beams and pitched roof showcase the stable's original structure. The conversion retains authentic barn character throughout the single-storey layout.

Cosy Multi-Fuel Stove

The wood burner creates a warm focal point in the open-plan living area. A starter pack is included so you can light it straight away.

Working Farm Setting

Belted Galloway cattle graze in fields outside your window. Sheep wander past and the friendly farm cat Dora often pops in to visit.

Spotlessly Clean and High Spec

Guests consistently praise the immaculate condition and quality fittings. Everything is maintained to an exceptionally high standard with attention to detail.

Peaceful Rural Location

Set in quiet countryside between Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle. Beautiful unspoilt scenery surrounds the farm with the North Pennines AONB nearby.

Excellent Laundry Facilities

The shared utility room has a washing machine and tumble dryer. Guests can also store bikes securely in this space during their stay.

Getting To Fern Cottage

Find your way to your perfect countryside retreat

By Car

To reach Fern Cottage by car, take the A153 between Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle and turn off at Butterknowle. The barn conversion is easily accessible from either the M6 or M62/A1 motorway with off-road parking for two cars upon arrival.

By Train

For those travelling by rail, the nearest station is Darlington, approximately 15 miles away. From there, it's a taxi ride through the countryside to the farm in Butterknowle.

Off-road parking for two cars

Darlington station (15 miles)

Easily accessible from the A153

Group Attractions & More Nearby

Stuff for larger groups and families to try!

Barnard Castle

Distance: 7.6 miles

DL12 8PR

Raby Castle

Distance: 9 miles

DL2 3AH

High Force Waterfall

Distance: 14 miles

DL12 0XH

Hamsterley Forest

Distance: 6 miles

DL13 3NL

North Pennines AONB

Distance: 3 miles

DL13 1BP

Cauldron Snout

Distance: 18 miles

DL12 0XH

Bishop Auckland Town Centre

Distance: 8 miles

DL14 7JN

Barnard Castle Shops

Distance: 7.6 miles

DL12 8NP

Local Village Shop

Distance: 1.3 miles

DL13 5QE

Bowes Museum

Distance: 7.8 miles

DL12 8NP

Binchester Roman Fort

Distance: 7 miles

DL14 8HN

Middleton in Teesdale

Distance: 12 miles

DL12 0QG

Barnard Castle

Distance: 7.6 miles

DL12 8PR

Raby Castle

Distance: 9 miles

DL2 3AH

High Force Waterfall

Distance: 14 miles

DL12 0XH

Hamsterley Forest

Distance: 6 miles

DL13 3NL

North Pennines AONB

Distance: 3 miles

DL13 1BP

Cauldron Snout

Distance: 18 miles

DL12 0XH

Bishop Auckland Town Centre

Distance: 8 miles

DL14 7JN

Barnard Castle Shops

Distance: 7.6 miles

DL12 8NP

Local Village Shop

Distance: 1.3 miles

DL13 5QE

Bowes Museum

Distance: 7.8 miles

DL12 8NP

Binchester Roman Fort

Distance: 7 miles

DL14 8HN

Middleton in Teesdale

Distance: 12 miles

DL12 0QG

Is Fern Cottage Right For Your Group

Discover why this cottage is the one for your party or family reunion...

For Families

Fern Cottage works well for families with young children. A cot and highchair are available on request. Kids love watching sheep outside the bedroom windows and spotting Belted Galloway cattle in the fields. The friendly farm cat Dora often visits. The shared enclosed patio provides safe outdoor space and there's countryside all around for exploring.

Groups Will Love...

The exposed character beams and pitched roof are the standout features of this converted stable. Original timbers run throughout the single-storey layout creating authentic barn character. The open-plan living area showcases these beams beautifully above the cosy multi-fuel stove. This conversion has been finished to a high specification whilst preserving the building's agricultural heritage and original structure.

Pet Friendly

No, Fern Cottage is not pet friendly. Dogs are not permitted at this barn conversion. The property sits on a working farm with livestock including Belted Galloway cattle and sheep grazing in the surrounding fields. The owners live on site and manage the farm animals. Guests without pets can enjoy the countryside setting and rural walks nearby.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at Fern Cottage

The Bay Horse Inn

Located 1 mile from your accommodation.

Postcode: DL13 5QJ

The Moorcock Inn

Located 2.5 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: DL14 0HX

The Morritt Hotel

Located 5 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: DL12 9SE

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about Fern Cottage

What barn features does Fern Cottage have?

This converted stable has character beams throughout and a pitched roof exposing the original timber structure. The single-storey layout includes a multi-fuel stove in the open-plan living area with a starter pack included.

Is Fern Cottage pet friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this barn conversion. The property is set on a working farm with livestock including Belted Galloway cattle and sheep.

How many guests does this barn conversion sleep?

Fern Cottage sleeps two guests in two ground-floor bedrooms one double and one twin. There's one modern bathroom with a bath and shower over.

What is the setting like around the barn?

The barn sits on a working farm in rural Butterknowle with fields of Belted Galloway cattle and sheep visible from the windows. The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is just a few miles away.

Is there parking at Fern Cottage?

Yes, there's off-road parking for two cars. The cottage is easily accessed from the A153 between Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle.

What facilities are included in the barn conversion?

The open-plan space has a fully equipped kitchen, dining area and sitting area with multi-fuel stove. A shared laundry room provides washing machine and tumble dryer plus bike storage.

Can you see farm animals from the cottage?

Yes, sheep often wander past the bedroom windows and Belted Galloway cattle graze in the fields you overlook. The resident farm cat Dora frequently visits guests too.

What's nearby for days out from this barn?

Hamsterley Forest (6 miles) offers woodland walks and cycle routes while Barnard Castle (7.6 miles) has cobbled streets and medieval ruins. Raby Castle and High Force waterfall are both within 15 miles for excellent day trips.