Williamston Barn & Cowshed

The Williamston Estate encompasses over 1,000 acres of hill farm, moorland and woodland within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The estate is managed by Neville and Viv Gill, the 11^th generation of the family to have farmed here, who have converted two of the farm’s ancient stone buildings into sophisticated holiday cottages, inviting guests to share their passion for the wild landscape that surrounds them.

Dating to 1863, the adjoining Williamston Barns – Williamston Barn and Williamston Cowshed – are set below the dramatic Williamston Moor and close to the South Tyne river, and are a scenic 10-minute drive from the picturesque town of Alston. When taken together, the Williamston Barns provide a spacious and convivial retreat for up to 14 guests with seven ensuite bedrooms, two kitchens, a large dining room and a first floor sitting room in Williamston Barn with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the surrounding countryside. A number of cosy snugs provide further space to relax and for curling up with a book.

Both properties benefit from a sophisticated blend of original features and contemporary design with exposed stone walls, ceiling trusses and beams and arrowslit windows rubbing shoulders with a cantilevered oak staircase, soaring double-height glass and timber front door and walk-in rainforest showers.

As long-standing champions of conservation and sustainability, the Gills have ensured that the Williamston Barns are powered by a wind turbine installed on the estate and warmed with underfloor heating powered by biomass chip boilers and wood burners fed with seasoned wood from the estate. Freshly filtered water is sourced from a spring on the grounds and there are plans to introduce bee hives to harvest their own heather honey.

Days at Williamston Barns are spent exploring the lush riverside pastures, shaded woodland or rugged moorland with the help of dedicated walking and cycling trails created by the Gills. Home to a notable population of ‘red-listed’ birds, including curlews, lapwing, oystercatchers, black grouse and barn owls, the estate is a magical spot for watching and listening to birds as well as seeing red squirrels and roe deer.

Walk to the top of Williamston moor and pause for a picnic at the old shepherd’s hut or press on for a slap-up lunch at the Kirkstyle Inn in nearby Slaggyford. Alternatively, head slightly further afield to walk along Hadrian’s Wall, stroll around the charming village of Alston or hop aboard the South Tyne Railway.

ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION

For smaller groups, The Barn & The Cowshed can be let as two separate units - Williamston Barn sleeping 8 and Williamston Cowshed sleeping 6.