Williamston Barn

Set amidst 1,000-acres of privately owned farm and moorland in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Williamston Barn offers a window onto the life of a working hill farm in this ruggedly beautiful part of England.

The sprawling Williamston Estate, which encompasses pasture for grazing sheep on the banks of the South Tyne, ancient woodland, and the heather-clad Williamston Moor, is managed by Neville and Viv Gill, the 11^th generation of the Gill family to farm the land. The Gills have not only spearheaded a focus on conservation and sustainability across the estate but also converted two ancient farm buildings, Williamston Barn and Williamston Cowshed, into welcoming holiday cottages.

Tucked into a secluded spot at the foot of Williamston Moor and close to the South Tyne river, the adjoining stone cottages are known collectively as the Williamston Barns and can be booked independently or together for larger groups. Reached by a tree-lined country lane that crosses over the river just south of the village of Slaggyford, they offer blissfully uninterrupted views and a pastoral soundtrack of birdsong and other wildlife.

Dating to 1836, the Barns have been used over the centuries as granary and hay stores and for overwintering and milking cows. The Gills restored and converted the ancient buildings with the utmost sensitivity and attention to detail, blending the original stone walls and arrowslit windows of Williamston Barn with a striking double-height arched timber front door, contemporary cedar-panelled rear extension and charcoal steel frame windows.

The play on ancient and contemporary continues throughout the spacious four-bedroom property: exposed stone walls are punctured by a modern wood burning stove in the country-style kitchen and juxtaposed with dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows in the first floor sitting room, which is accessed by a floating oak staircase rising from the hallway.

Designed with convivial living in mind, the kitchen leads through to a light-filled dining room that seats up to 14 guests comfortably and boasts sweeping countryside views through large sliding doors that lead onto a south-facing terrace for al fresco entertaining. The flagstone patio gives way to an enclosed lawn garden that, in turn, leads across pastures to the South Tyne river.

Oak floors, warmed by underfloor heating powered by a biomass woodchip boiler, feature throughout the property, complementing the organic colour scheme that echoes the stone walls. Further sustainable touches include the provision of seasoned wood from the farm for the log burners in the kitchen and sitting room, filtered water sourced directly from a spring on the estate and green electricity generated from the estate’s wind turbine. Honey, freshly harvested from beehives on the farm, is set to be the next exciting addition to the generous welcome hamper of local goodies guests will discover awaiting them here at Williamston Barn.

ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION

For guests looking to holiday together, Williamston Barn & Cowshed can be booked as one unit sleeping 14 guests.