Ronnie's Roost, County Durham

Ronnie's Roost is a penthouse, two-bedroom apartment offering a lofty and peaceful view of the vibrant high street of Barnard Castle, County Durham. Within easy reach of the Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines AONB, this luxurious, homely apartment welcomes up to four guests to discover a wonderful region of Northern England. Park up on the roadside parking, go through the historic double green doors, before climbing the stairs to your Grade II listed home from home, which offers spacious, open-plan living and your own, bespoke view of the original medieval castle ruin. This superb and unique space has a kitchen equipped with all of the essentials, including an electric oven and hob, fridge/freezer, washing machine, and dishwasher. You'll have no problem serving up your best dishes at the dining table with a view for four; why not pair it with a glass of fizz to toast to your retreat? After supper, curl up on the plush, velvet sofas in front of the TV for a relaxing evening ready for tomorrow's adventures. Freshen up with a bubble bath or a hot shower in the pristine bathroom, complete with two wash basins so no need to share! Then, unwind in one of two double bedrooms, both with king size beds, views over the high street and castle, complete with the original 19th century windows and feature fireplaces. Start your staycation by exploring Barnard Castle and choose from a variety of independent shops, public houses, and restaurants, such as the quirky Crobar, with draft ales or the family run Three Horseshoes Hotel situated just around the corner. There are cafes galore to choose from, artisan bakers and butchers/deli counters that are second to none. Just below the apartment on the first Saturday of the month and every Wednesday is the celebrated Barnard Castle Farmers Market with yet more delicious locally produced fare, including gifts and crafts to browse, sample and take away from your stay here in Barnard Castle. There are not one, but two award-winning Indian restaurants, a popular Italian and the superb Valentines restaurant serving home cooked food, not to mention excellent takeaways including our two beloved fish and chip shops. Sitting on a high rock overlooking the River Tees, the ruins of Barnard Castle are a must visit (visible from all rooms in Ronnie's Roost), as well as The Bowes Museum, home of the famous Silver Swan and many beautiful pieces of art, including paintings by Goya and El Greco. The River Tees and its many lovely walks, including Deepdale Nature Reserve, are a stone’s throw from Ronnie’s Roost and the evocative ruins of Egglestone Abbey, a pleasant walk away. For more historic sites, head to Staindrop where the medieval Raby Castle Park and Gardens sits in a scenic deer park; ideal for picnics, family days out (check out their newly launched Plotters’ Forest challenge, discovery, and intrigue for all ages) and scenic strolls. This castle may seem very familiar as it has hosted many Hollywood blockbusters. Further on from Staindrop is Kynren, an ultimate one-of-a-kind open airtime travel experience delivering an Epic Tale of England. Spend the day in Richmond for the impressive Richmond Castle, the ruins of Easby Abbey, and The Station, a popular community hub with a restaurant, bar, cinema, gallery and heritage centre. Brave a drive over a wild, dramatic route into the Yorkshire Dales and have a picnic in picturesque Reeth. Further afield lies Durham, founded over the resting place of St Cuthbert of Holy Island infamy and historic centre of pilgrimage to the Romanesque cathedral. Marvel at the majestic Durham Castle and stroll over the bridges which span the atmospheric River Wear. Also within easy reach is Keswick and the North Lakes, Leeds, Newcastle, Alnwick, and the amazing North Yorkshire coast.​Whatever you want to do on your holidays, you are guaranteed a warm welcome and a special place to make happy memories with family and friends at Ronnie's Roost.​