Amid the Northumberland National Park's stunning Ingram Valley, The Star Barn is aptly named: this location puts it within one of Earth's finest area's for astronomy.
An idyllic, rural cottage offering activities and services galore for couples or young families
Boasting every modern amenity necessary for relaxing breaks, The Star Barn is a perfect spot in which to recharge.
Found on a working farm beside the picturesque, stone-built hamlet of Ingram, deep in the Northumberland National Park where hills are high and people are few, The Star Barn, sits in the beautiful Breamish Valley - famously referred to as ‘The valley with two names', as for generations it has also been called Ingram Valley despite its namesake River Breamish.
As you'd expect from such an idyllic setting, iconic views beckon from many of The Star Barn's windows, including of Wether Hill, Middle Dean and Brough Law - three of this valley's amazing concentration of prehistoric settlements.
Inside, The Star Barn is compact though space is cannily used. Alongside a bathroom whose rainfall shower and heated towel rail are wonderfully luxurious, you'll find a bright, sociable open-plan lounge, dining and kitchen space on the ground floor. The sofa here affords lovely countryside views and faces a Smart TV - great for cosy nights spent movie-watching after a day of exploring.
The first floor's snug eaves bedroom contains an indulgent super-king bed, which will be converted into two full-size single beds on request, with a Velux window above, so that you can lie-back and gaze up at the night skies spotting stars and constellations before you drop off. . Another living area up here offers a love seat plus a further Smart TV and sofa, set against a soothing cloud-covered wallpaper, evocative of those wonderful Northumberland skies. Both sofas can become beds for a child. Overall, The Star Barn suits young families - a travel cot, highchair and baby gates are also available - just as adeptly as for couples seeking a peaceful, romantic break.
Guests have private access to a small lawn area with six deck chairs available to use whenever you fancy some lounging or reading in the fresh country air. Bike racks are provided too, accompanying garage storage space.
You might spend your time here hiking up the surrounding hills and across fauna-rich moorland. Or perhaps walk to Linhope Spout - a secluded, 60-foot waterfall whose deep plunge pool is wonderful for wild swims and red-squirrel spotting - and River Breamish spots ripe for paddling and picnics. The cottage's owners can arrange e-bike hire as well, should you prefer to pedal around.
They're also able to arrange painting classes, yoga lessons and farm tours wherein children (or adults!) can meet the famous stags; Monarch, Glenn and Gary, visit the friendly farm bull; El Nino (who has featured on Channel 4) and collect eggs from resident hens to enjoy for breakfast the next day. Around that same estate's vast land runs award-winning Ingram Valley Farm Safaris: guided off-road tours combining 6,000 years of myth and history with a visit to see the local herd of beautiful red deer.
Astronomers, be they professional or hobbyist, can rejoice. Part of an International Dark Sky Park, the Valley ranks among the world's best stargazing areas, and a large telescope is available for hire exclusively to guests alongside red astronomy torches and an evening with a personal Dark Sky Guide. An outdoor movie screen on which to watch films on space and the galaxies is also available. The cottage's tasteful, astral-themed décor honours this special location and it has been officially recognised as a Dark Sky Friendly business.
In quiet Ingram itself, the pet-friendly Ingram Café is a small store, giftshop, art studio and local-archaeology information room in one. There's also a spacious village hall available for hire proffering toys and games such as Giant Connect 4, table tennis and badminton. The pretty village church is also open for visitors. Alnwick, the nearest town, is 14 miles away - further proof of the rural peace which awaits.
