The Star Barn
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Overview
Amid the Northumberland National Park’s stunning Ingram Valley, The Star Barn is aptly named: this location puts it within one of Earth’s finest area's for astronomy.
An idyllic, rural cottage offering activities and services galore for couples or young families
Boasting every modern amenity necessary for relaxing breaks, The Star Barn is a perfect spot in which to recharge.
Found on a working farm beside the picturesque, stone-built hamlet of Ingram, deep in the Northumberland National Park where hills are high and people are few, The Star Barn, sits in the beautiful Breamish Valley – famously referred to as ‘The valley with two names’, as for generations it has also been called Ingram Valley despite its namesake River Breamish.
As you’d expect from such an idyllic setting, iconic views beckon from many of The Star Barn’s windows, including of Wether Hill, Middle Dean and Brough Law – three of this valley’s amazing concentration of prehistoric settlements.
Inside, The Star Barn is compact though space is cannily used. Alongside a bathroom whose rainfall shower and heated towel rail are wonderfully luxurious, you’ll find a bright, sociable open-plan lounge, dining and kitchen space on the ground floor. The sofa here affords lovely countryside views and faces a Smart TV – great for cosy nights spent movie-watching after a day of exploring.
The first floor’s snug eaves bedroom contains an indulgent super-king bed, which will be converted into two full-size single beds on request, with a Velux window above, so that you can lie-back and gaze up at the night skies spotting stars and constellations before you drop off. . Another living area up here offers a love seat plus a further Smart TV and sofa, set against a soothing cloud-covered wallpaper, evocative of those wonderful Northumberland skies. Both sofas can become beds for a child. Overall, The Star Barn suits young families – a travel cot, highchair and baby gates are also available – just as adeptly as for couples seeking a peaceful, romantic break.
Guests have private access to a small lawn area with six deck chairs available to use whenever you fancy some lounging or reading in the fresh country air. Bike racks are provided too, accompanying garage storage space.
You might spend your time here hiking up the surrounding hills and across fauna-rich moorland. Or perhaps walk to Linhope Spout – a secluded, 60-foot waterfall whose deep plunge pool is wonderful for wild swims and red-squirrel spotting – and River Breamish spots ripe for paddling and picnics. The cottage’s owners can arrange e-bike hire as well, should you prefer to pedal around.
They’re also able to arrange painting classes, yoga lessons and farm tours wherein children (or adults!) can meet the famous stags; Monarch, Glenn and Gary, visit the friendly farm bull; El Nino (who has featured on Channel 4), meet the resident donkeys Sioux and Hoss and collect eggs from resident hens to enjoy for breakfast the next day. Around that same estate’s vast land runs award-winning Ingram Valley Farm Safaris: guided off-road tours combining 6,000 years of myth and history with a visit to see the local herd of beautiful red deer.
Astronomers, be they professional or hobbyist, can rejoice. Part of an International Dark Sky Park, the Valley ranks among the world’s best stargazing areas, and a large telescope is available for hire exclusively to guests alongside red astronomy torches and an evening with a personal Dark Sky Guide. An outdoor movie screen on which to watch films on space and the galaxies is also available. The cottage’s tasteful, astral-themed décor honours this special location and it has been officially recognised as a Dark Sky Friendly business.
In quiet Ingram itself, the pet-friendly Ingram Café is a small store, giftshop, art studio and local-archaeology information room in one. There’s also a spacious village hall available for hire proffering toys and games such as Giant Connect 4, table tennis and badminton. The pretty village church is also open for visitors. Alnwick, the nearest town, is 14 miles away – further proof of the rural peace which awaits.
Property details
GROUND FLOOR
The front door enters into a spacious hallway, containing a handy storage box and hanging hooks.
There is an open utility area in the hallway with a washer/ dryer combi and a coffee station with Nespresso Machine (initial supply of pods provided).
At the end of the hallway is the shower room with a large shower, rainfall showerhead and additional attachment, wash basin with illuminated mirror above and cupboard storage beneath, WC and full-length heated towel rail.
The open-plan lounge and dining kitchen contains a two-seater sofa, which can be used as a sofa bed on request when booking for an additional charge of £75. Smart TV, DAB radio provided.
Dining table with bench seating for 4 guests. Electric fan oven and 4 ring electric hob, microwave, kettle and toaster. Integrated slim-line dishwasher and integrated fridge with freezer drawer compartment.
FIRST FLOOR
The stairs lead up to a first floor lounge with large sofa and love seat, Smart TV and a supply of books providing a plethora of local information on the valley and surrounding area. The sofa can be used as a sofa bed for an additional £75.
Main bedroom containing Superking size bed (6 ft wide) that can be converted into two full size single beds on request when booking at no extra cost. Bedside tables, drawer storage and hanging hooks provided.
OUTSIDE
The small lawn area to the rear and to the right of the cottage is for guests of The Star Barn. There are 6 deck chairs available for guest use (stored in the garage). The courtyard at the front of the property is shared with the owners who live opposite.
PARKING
There is private off-road parking on the driveway of The Star Barn. The driveway is shared with the owners who live opposite, but there is a designated space for The Star Barn guests right next to the cottage, with enough space on the drive for a second car if required.
CHILDREN & BABIES
One travel cot and high chair available at The Star Barn. Fitted stairgates at the top and bottom of the stairs.
When children are staying, the first floor z-bed will be automatically applied. If you'd like to use the additional sofa bed on the ground floor too, please request this when booking.
DOGS
One well-behaved dog is welcome at a charge of £25.00 and must be kept to the ground floor only.
GUEST AMENITIES
All bedding is hypo-allergenic. Bed linen and towels provided for guests. Luxury quality towel robes provided for adults. One hairdryer provided.
Doorstep delivery of fresh items and local newspaper available - to request with the owners following booking confirmation.
WI-FI & MOBILE COVERAGE
WI-FI provided.
4G is very good in the cottage. Mobile phone signal varies depending on network.
HEATING
Gas central heating throughout the cottage. Combi boiler. Heating and hot water are always on, with heating temperature adjustable via the Hive thermostat on the wall.
GUEST PRIVACY
The Star Barn is in a very peaceful location. The only neighbours are the owners who live in the house opposite. There may be some footfall passing by the entrance gate, but due to the position of the cottage, the interior is not overlooked.
The owners may pass by the front of the cottage to enter and exit the driveway, but will endeavour to make your stay as peaceful and private as possible.
The owners have CCTV in place on the driveway facing on to their own cars. The guest parking bay will be in the shot too, but The Star Barn cottage will not be covered and neither will the guests garden area.
Please note - The Star Barn is on a working farm. The main sounds you'll hear are sheep and birds! However you may on occasion hear some farm vehicles passing by.
ACTIVITIES AT THE STAR BARN
There are a range of activities available during your stay at The Star Barn.
Whilst the telescope and astronomy kit are exclusively for The Star Barn guest use (so are available with every booking), the following are pending external availability of the activity provider:
- Ingram Valley Farm Safari
- Yoga
- Outdoor movie screen hire
- Village Hall hire
- Painting Classes
- E-bike hire
- Astronomy with the resident astronomer
- Farm tours
Please note that booking The Star Barn does not guarantee access to the activities listed above. If your booking for The Star Barn is dependent on the availability of an activity, please contact the Crabtree & Crabtree bookings team at info@crabtreeandcrabtree.com or on 01573 226711 before placing your cottage booking. We can provisionally hold your dates and check availability for you. For further information, please visit The Star Barn Activities page.
Location
Ingram is a pretty little hamlet in Ingram Valley, within the Northumberland National Park. Known for its dark skies, picturesque river walks and rolling hills, Ingram is the perfect base for nature-lovers and stargazers alike. Although the area is very rural, there is a café just a short stroll from The Star Barn, serving snacks and hearty lunches. The café also doubles as a small village store, local gift shop and art gallery. There is an interesting archaeology display room at the café too with information on the history of the area, dating back to the Bronze Age.
A 25-minute drive east of The Star Barn will bring you into Alnwick where you will find an excellent range of amenities and an eclectic mix of charming specialist shops. Here you can wander the cobbled streets and gift shops around the marketplace, or stop-off at one of the many quaint cafes across the area, including Bari Tea based in the Castle Quarter for a very lovely lunch or a decadent afternoon cream tea! Sit by the fire in the old station waiting room of Barter Books in Alnwick reading one of their thousands of second-hand books.
With the stunning Northumbrian coastline roughly 35 minutes' drive east of Ingram, you could be enjoying the bay at Alnmouth or the pristine golden sands at Warkworth, which stretch as far as the eye can see. The harbour at Amble which looks out to Coquet Island is popular for walkers and families and is home to fish shacks, seafood eateries and pastel-coloured beach huts.
Activities
Though Ingram is a small, rural village, there is a great sense of community and an array of activities available whilst staying at The Star Barn. The owners have pulled out all the stops to make planning and booking recommended experiences smooth and easy for you.
Please note, the activities are pending availability. Booking The Star Barn does not guarantee access to an activity so if your holiday booking is dependent on an activity, please contact our bookings team at Crabtree & Crabtree prior to booking. We can provisionally hold your holiday dates for The Star Barn whilst we check availability for you. Some activities are very popular and may require booking further in advance, particularly the Farm Safari.
Ingram Valley Farm Safari - This immersive experience is fun for adults and children alike and takes you off-roading through the surrounding farmlands. You'll learn all about the fascinating history of the valley and how the family have worked to re-introduce the wild deer and cattle that would have roamed here thousands of years ago, and how the animals are a key part in the ongoing conservation of this special area today. The tour runs for approximately three hours and includes either a hilltop picnic or lunch at the Ingram Cafe, depending on the weather! Ingram Valley Farm Safari is very popular with both holiday makers and locals so if you would like to book The Star Barn around a Safari Tour, please contact the team at Crabtree & Crabtree and we can check availability for you prior to confirming your cottage booking.
Astronomy - Book your tickets to the Planetarium Show and Astronomy Talk with the resident astronomer at Ingram Village Hall. As Ingram is in one of the best dark skies areas in the world, with no light pollution for miles you can often see shooting stars and the milky-way stretching out over the cottage. The astronomy evenings provide fascinating detail of the galaxies, planets and stars on display.
If you'd prefer to stargaze at your own leisure right by the cottage, there is a professional telescope available for use at The Star Barn, exclusively for cottage guests' use. Complete with stargazing kit (star charts, planisphere or recommended app for your smartphone, 10x50 binoculars, red astronomy torches, spare blankets, hats and gloves, tripod, picnic chairs and marshmallows), this provides the perfect romantic night under the vast night sky. The use of the telescope and astronomy kit is included in the cost of your booking at The Star Barn. This also includes an evening with your very own personal Dark Sky Guide, Rebecca.
Outdoor Movie Screen Hire - With ample open space around the cottage, you can hire an outdoor screen for watching movies on space and the galaxies under the dark and vast skies of the National Park. Movie night drinks and snacks are also provided and are included in the hire price of £100. If the weather is on the cool or wet side, Ingram Village Hall can be hired for use as an alternate venue for your movie night.
Yoga Lessons - Surrounded by rolling hills, singing birds and rushing rivers, Ingram provides the perfect base for a relaxing body, mind and soul yoga session. If you are an experienced yogi and have your own equipment, the village hall can be hired purely for the additional, bright and airy space. There is a small kitchen in the hall ready for use too. If you'd prefer professional tutoring (whether you're a new beginner or experienced yogi looking to improve your abilities or try a new style), there is a resident yoga instructor available to work from the village hall, practicing hatha yoga at whichever level you're comfortable with, and for those more adventurous - aerial yoga!
Art Classes - Whether you're an experienced artist or a total novice looking to try something a bit fun and different, the resident artist is available for paint lessons either at the village hall or in the great outdoors.
E-Bike Hire - What better way to explore all of the Breamish Valley surrounding Ingram than at your own leisurely pace on E-bike. Subject to availability, the owners can arrange electric bike hire from a local supplier for you.
Games and Activities at The Village Hall - Ingram Village Hall is available to hire for an array of functions and private use. There is a supply of giant board games, children toys and a slide, bat and ball, badminton and table tennis available for use.
Meet and greet the Resident Donkeys, Sioux and Hoss - The owners would be delighted to take you to meet and greet their resident donkeys. This can be added to your booking and the owners will contact you directly to confirm a date and time.
Contact details to confirm your activity and gain further information from the cottage owners or activity provider will be provided to you with your cottage booking confirmation.
Walking
From the lush green uplands to shimmering sea, the area boasts a hugely diverse and enticing landscape that is perfect for exploring on foot. From gentle rambles to long-distance hikes, there are a vast array of trails and waymarked routes for newbie walkers or experienced alike.
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Golf
There are 40 golf courses in Northumberland, and another 21 in the Scottish Borders offering visitors an incredibly wide and varied range of golfing options.
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Cycling & mountain biking
Whether you ride fast or slow, on-road or off-road, there is something uniquely special about enjoying some outdoor time on two wheels. Here in the region we have something for everyone from high-energy mountain biking blasts to gentle forest paths the whole family can enjoy.
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Fishing
Welcome to the realm of the king of fish, the mighty River Tweed. Every year thousands of Atlantic Salmon make their way up river, an annual odyssey that is one of nature's miracles.
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Wildlife
Our region is home to outstanding scenery which boasts emerald forests, pristine lochs and rivers, heathery hillsides, sweeping moorlands as well as a picture perfect coastline.
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Shooting
For sheer variety alone Northumberland and the Scottish Borders are irresistible to any gun.
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Historic houses and castles
With more stately homes, castles and historic sites here than you can shake a proverbial stick at, visitors are quite simply spoilt for choice.
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Children and families
Here at Crabtree & Crabtree, we like to think we’ve pulled together some rather nifty ideas to keep tots to teens happy and entertained during your stay.
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Shopping, arts and crafts
We are extremely fortunate to have a region where independent shops are king, and to have an area flowing with creativity through its talents in arts, crafts and textiles.
Find Out MoreServices
There are a number of fantastic services available for you through Crabtree & Crabtree. The owners of The Star Barn have again gone the extra mile, and can offer doorstep delivery of fresh produce and local newspapers, or luxury bespoke hampers - ideal if you're celebrating a birthday or anniversary during your stay.
Additional housekeeping
Award yourself a real break and let us provide a pair (or more) of helping hands.
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Dog sitting
Our experienced dog sitters will look after your furry friends whilst you are out exploring.
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Wine delivery
Crabtree & Crabtree have teamed up with Corney & Barrow one of the longest established independent Wine Merchants in the UK to offer a bespoke service.
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Nannies and babysitters
Relax, explore the local area, enjoy a long lunch or a romantic evening out by hiring a fully qualified registered and experienced nanny or babysitter to come to your house.
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Holiday photography
Family holidays, reunions and honeymoons kindle priceless moments that deserve preserving.
Find Out MoreReviews
"A fantastic Dark Sky Experience in the Ingram Valley. Our son booked the Star Barn as a gift for our wedding anniversary. Wow, what an experience. The Star Barn is beyond beautiful, comfortable and warm with spectacular views of the valley and great walks from the doorstep. One of the highlights of our stay was the Dark Sky Experience. Hosted by the owner with telescopes and presentation material provided by Dr. Adrian, a local astronomer, the evening of star gazing was breathtaking under the dark skies of the Ingram Valley. Dr. Adrian's knowledge and simple explanation of what we were viewing were exceptional, we had such a perfect evening followed by a picnic with tasty local food and hot chocolate. As if the evening wasn't enough, another lovely touch for my wife and I was the special photograph of ourselves taken under the stars. Thank you to the owner for a wonderful experience and the fresh farm eggs you left at our front door! We are already planning our return."
Mr & Mrs Wilson"Lovely place to stay - so peaceful. Thank you for the generous welcome gift. Enjoyed all the interesting artwork and a bit of stargazing through the cloud gaps! Enjoyed the Hillforts walk despite getting soaked. Beautifully done cottage - every Crabtree & Crabtree one we've stayed in has been fab in very different ways!"
Mr Rigby"Thank you for an amazing stay! We had a brilliant New Year. The hamper on arrival was so much appreciated. We would certainly love to come back!"
Mr & Mrs McConnon"We have had such an amazing Christmas here at the beautiful Star Barn. Couldn't ask for such perfection. Really don't want to leave. We are definitely coming back as soon as we have a spare week, as I'm sure the Spring/Summer time will be just as perfect as the week we have enjoyed so much. Thank you for the fresh eggs and a doorstep delivery of Particularly Good Potatoes."
Mr & Mrs Goodwin"This was a beautiful cottage/barn in a fabulous location. Our host couldn't have been more helpful. The theme 'stars and the night sky' are tastefully presented through out the property. The night skies are amazing. The welcome pack, fresh flowers housecleaning products and beautiful soaps are all a nice touch. We would definitely stay again and recommend to our friends and family."
Mrs BunduAvailability
- One well behaved dog is welcome at a charge of £25.00.
- Typical arrival day: Friday
- Arrival time: 4pm
- Departure time: 10am
"Doorstep deliveries of fresh produce can be arranged – making life a bit easier, and allowing more time for exploring or relaxing."Kat, Crabtree & Crabtree
