The Star Barn

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, farm tours wherein children (or adults!) can meet the famous stags; Monarch, Glenn and Gary, and visit the friendly farm bull; El Nino (who has featured on Channel 4). 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.

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 - 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 has featured on Robson Green’s ‘Weekend Escapes’ and ‘Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out’. 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. As guests of The Star Barn – you are eligible for a 10% discount on ticket price. A discount code will be provided to you with your booking confirmation.

Astronomy - Book your tickets to the Planet 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 and picnic chairs), 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.

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.

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.