A holiday cottage in County Durham, just a stone's throw from Middleton-in-Teesdale, now ranks among Britain's best rural escapes, boasting nothing but five-star visitor reviews. Called The Aspens, the pad wins guests over with jaw-dropping views, top-notch home comforts, and a serene outlook over Grassholme Reservoir. Sip wine on the terrace as you soak in the scenery, all part of the North Pennines National Landscape, an area that Natural England itself has marked as 'wow-worthy' for how pristine it is.
According to reviews collected on Sykes Holiday Cottages since 2019, The Aspens has secured more than 60 ratings, every single one awarding the property the maximum five stars. Guests consistently highlighted the cottage's location within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), combined with modern features such as underfloor heating, a hot tub, and wood-burning stove.
One visitor in winter was quoted as saying they had found the cottage the best holiday home they had ever stayed in within the UK, remarking that its secluded countryside position offered total peace. Another guest commented that evenings in the hot tub, with a view of star-filled skies above Grassholme Reservoir, made the stay particularly memorable.
The Aspens accommodates up to four people and a dog, offering two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Its elevated setting outside Middleton-in-Teesdale allows unobstructed views across moorland, woodland and reservoir landscapes.
The site is promoted as a nature lover's paradise, according to regional tourism body This is Durham, which describes Middleton-in-Teesdale as a perfect base for exploring Teesdale and Weardale. The town also gives access to the Pennine Way National Trail, one of Britain's most famous long-distance footpaths highlighted by National Trails UK.
Holidaymakers are choosing cottages like The Aspens as part of a growing trend towards staycations, a movement underscored by VisitBritain data indicating more travellers opting for countryside escapes over overseas travel.
The Durham County Council destination development plan identifies rural retreats as central to the local economy, with outdoor leisure and accommodation supporting both tourism and conservation. Known for its waterfalls, upland walks, and dark skies recognised by the North Pennines AONB Partnership, the region plays host to visitors in search of quiet luxury and open landscapes.
The Aspens complements this trend with prices starting at 910 Euro for a seven-night stay. Its high demand is reflected by limited availability during autumn and winter, traditionally quieter times that the cottage continues to attract bookings.
Travellers seeking options within the same area have pointed to West Pasture Cottage, also near Grassholme Reservoir, priced from 547 Euro for seven nights and allowing up to two dogs. Reviews of that cottage describe the surrounding scenery as stunning.
In Middleton-in-Teesdale itself, West View , The Old Chapel, a converted chapel with four bedrooms, has become another notable property. It serves larger groups of up to eight people and has been pitched as one of the more unique rental options in the Durham Dales.
For those preferring caravans, sites such as Mickleton Mill, Leekworth, and Daleview deliver a different style of rural leisure, with prices and facilities varying to suit short stays and longer breaks. Nearby, Airbnb listings around Hury Reservoir offer budget-friendly alternatives, with some starting at just over £400 for five nights.
Over several years, guests have offered consistently glowing accounts of their stays at The Aspens. One visitor in January described it as a lovely comfortable detached cottage in an idyllic position, noting the ability to set off on walks directly from the doorstep. Another who stayed in November said it struck them as an absolutely delightful holiday, emphasising both the comfort and natural surroundings.
Such comments underline the value holiday-makers are placing not only on facilities but also on the atmosphere created by the location. Many have said that the mix of cosiness indoors and wild beauty outdoors makes the property stand out.
In recent years, with increasing demand for rural tourism experiences, County Durham has seen properties like The Aspens rise in popularity among those looking for private retreats. The combination of luxury detail and unspoilt countryside surrounding Grassholme Reservoir has given it a strong reputation.
For visitors, escaping everyday busyness to sit beneath the region's internationally recognised dark skies, or to enjoy the tranquillity of Teesdale landscapes, has become central to the appeal. Guests have repeatedly expressed how the property gave them not just a place to stay, but a setting in which to pause, recharge, and reconnect with nature.
As autumn and winter approach, The Aspens continues to be viewed by many guests as the perfect balance between comfort and wilderness , a place where, in their words, they found beautiful wild countryside along with a warm fire and one of the most comfortable night's sleep the North East could offer.