River-Twine

Period stone-built house, which offers the best of both worlds: great transport links, combined with beautiful countryside surrounds.

As you can see from the pictures, River-Twine has been charmingly and tastefully furnished, with a mix of antiques and quirky modern touches. The main bedroom has a king-size bed, yet still feels incredibly spacious and has a wall mounted television. The TV in the living room is tucked discreetly away – so guests can eat at the dining table, or play some of the board and card games supplied – but it can be swung out beside the ‘real-feel’ fireplace, for cosy evening viewing. The kitchen, with breakfast bar, is well equipped and there are tables and chairs in the sun-facing backyard for good weather dining.

The position of River-Twine is perfect for those who need to get around the area by car, situated close by to the main North Eastern arterial routes of the A167, A1 and A688. And with plenty of parking (even for larger vehicles, thanks to the car park at the attractive – former Victorian school – community centre on the same lane, which guests are welcome to use).

But at the same time, those visiting, working or just exploring historic Durham city, don’t really need a car at all, if staying at River-Twine: there are up to 8 or 9 buses an hour into Durham at peak times, stopping just across the road and taking only about ten minutes; they run from early in the morning until quite late at night (which can be handy for those wishing to sample Durham’s numerous fine pubs and restaurants). You can even catch a bus into Newcastle, or Barnard Castle.

There are also secure fixing points for cycle locks, in the River-Twine backyard, for those wishing to explore the area by bike.

Despite this convenience, the village of Croxdale has a countryside feel. Within a minute’s walk from River-Twine’s back-gate, you can be romping in fields. There are some fantastic local walks, among and along the many becks which flow into the River Wear and the River Browney, the conjoin of which is nearby. Otters can sometimes be spotted from the ‘old’ Croxdale bridge. Formerly a crossing point of The Great North Road, probably Britain’s most ancient trail; now the bridge forms part of the picturesque Weardale Way hiking route; it’s 45 miles long in its entirety, but there’s no need to walk all of it at once…

One can equally take a more leisurely stroll through the Croxdale Hall estate. Or just walk to a great Sunday Roast at the Green Tree (recently named as one of the top 7 places for a Sunday Dinner in County Durham, so it’s best to book) or the nearby Daleside Arms (known locally as the Nickynack, for the beck which runs beside it), one of the three pub/restaurants in Croxdale itself.

But if the kids are nagging for a Maccy’s, or you just want something quick, on the Thinford Roundabout, less than a 5 minute drive away, there is not only a McDonald’s, but also a KFC, a Greggs, a Burger King, a Starbucks and even a carvery. River-Twine really is the best of both worlds.