Belle View Cottage

The cottage sleeps up to three guests in one king room and one single room and is dog friendly, welcoming up to two well-behaved dogs over nine months old. The small, secure cottage garden is perfect for enjoying the morning sun with a coffee, and guests are also invited to relax in the owners’ main garden. Many visitors love sitting there, taking in the sweeping moorland views and listening to the birds. There are countless walks straight from the door and wonderful views in every direction. Please note that the final 100 metres of access is via a country track. Weekly bookings run Friday to Friday, with short breaks available during winter.

The surrounding moors are home to grazing sheep, and springtime is a delight as new lambs arrive. Bollihope Burn runs below the cottage and offers scenic walks to places such as the Forgotten Quarry—just one of many lovely routes nearby. Phil is always happy to recommend walks to suit your plans, whether you’re after a gentle stroll, a sightseeing wander, or a full day’s hike. Routes up to Pawlaw Pike and the Elephant Trees can be started right from the door. The cottage is also close to long-distance paths including the Weardale Way and the Northern Saints Trail. A popular outing among guests is the walk to Slitt Woods—a woodland trail beside a stream lined with waterfalls, leading to an old lead-mining area steeped in history. From there, you can continue over the moors and follow a track back to Westgate, enjoying spectacular dale views throughout.

Belle View Cottage is proud to hold Dark Skies accreditation from Visit County Durham. Facing the open moor and equipped with binoculars and night-sky information, it’s a wonderful spot for stargazing. Each October, events from the North Pennines Stargazing Festival take place nearby.

There is plenty to see and do around Weardale and the wider region. From the fascinating Killhope Lead Mining Museum to Beamish, the acclaimed open-air museum telling the story of northern life from the 1820s to the 1950s, the area is rich with history and culture. Hadrian’s Wall and the beautiful coastline are around an hour away, and the vibrant city of Durham—with its World Heritage Site cathedral, Botanic Gardens, and Oriental Museum—is also within easy reach. The villages throughout the dale are charming to explore, and the dramatic scenery never disappoints. The nearby village of Blanchland, with its creamy stone buildings and priory church, is a particularly lovely drive over the moors. In neighbouring Teesdale, the ever-popular High Force and Low Force waterfalls remain firm favourites with visitors.