A stay in Darlington is a great idea if you want to be close to town, countryside and plenty of things to do. And what could make that stay even better than a gorgeous cottage in a leafy village with an incredible restaurant right next door? This is exactly what Keeper’s Cottage offers. Take a look at this blog post to get all the info you need and find out how you can book.
About Keeper’s Cottage
This quaint, country cottage tucked away in the picturesque village of Hurworth, making it ideal for a stay in Darlington. It offers everything you could need for a self-catering stay, including a cosy living room with log burner, a fully-equipped kitchen, a bathroom with claw foot bath, and a double bedroom with shower. It gives snug, Austen vibes but with modern features for the ultimate comfort. It would be the perfect holiday retreat for a couple or a peaceful escape for professionals.
It’s also the sister business to The Bay Horse, an award winning 15th century coaching inn that can be found in the Michelin guide. The restaurant is conveniently right next door, so while you have the option to do your own cooking in the cottage kitchen, I highly recommend eating in The Bay Horse!
Where is Keeper’s Cottage?
You’ll find Keeper’s Cottage tucked away in Hurworth, a village on the outskirts of Darlington. It’s a stone’s throw from Darlington town and right on the cusp of the countryside, so you get the best of both worlds. The address is The Green, Hurworth, DL2 2AA.
What is the cottage like?
The best word to describe Keeper’s Cottage is charming. It feels like a beautifully British cottage from an old world novel, and totally invites you to curl up and let the outside melt away. It would make for a gorgeous winter stay thanks to the wood burner – just imagine getting comfy with a book and the fire crackling! Or sinking into a bubble bath while snowflakes tap on the window. Heavenly.
The kitchen truly is fully-equipped, which is something I really appreciate in a self-catering stay. It includes an oven, fridge, freezer, hob, kettle and toaster, as well as all the cutlery, crockery and cooking equipment you could want. You could make yourself pretty much anything you’d like, then sit at the little table (which used to be an old sewing machine – you can see the mechanism!) in the living room to eat.
The cottage sleeps two, so there’s a double bedroom that’s lovely and spacious, and exuding the cottage charm with patterned wallpaper and a quilted throw. There’s also a dressing table and mirror, and a shower tucked into the wall behind the bedroom door. The ensuite bathroom offers a claw foot bath tub too, which is lovely for a soak after dinner.
At the back of Keeper’s Cottage, you’ll find a lovely little terrace with an outdoor table and chairs, and plants. I love the idea of sitting out here in the summer for drinks while the sun goes down. It’s a really stunning little addition!
How do I book a stay?
The best way to book a stay in Darlington at Keeper’s Cottage is via their AirBnB page. Prices start at £199 for one night and £363 for two nights.
Dining at The Bay Horse
Keeper’s Cottage is owned by the team behind The Bay Horse. Set in a wonderful 15th century coaching inn, The Bay Horse in Hurworth has both retained its traditional charm and embraced modern architecture to give two elegant dining areas. It feels elegant and luxurious, but with no pretentiousness. This means that you can enjoy Michelin guide-worthy food in an accessible and approachable place.
This award-winning restaurant is just 30 steps from the cottage’s front door, so you can head their for dinner and you don’t have far to get home. Their menu is full of absolutely incredible dishes that are crafted with time and precision, and presented so beautifully that it’s almost impossible to cut into them. They offer seasonal menus made from the finest local ingredients, complemented by a carefully curated selection of wines, beers and cocktails. It’s an amazing spot for a special occasion or to relax after a long week.
While Keeper’s Cottage offers a self-catering stay, I can’t recommend eating at The Bay Horse enough.
Things to do near Keeper’s Cottage
There’s a huge assortment of things to do near Keeper’s Cottage. No matter if you love music, theatre, food or something a bit more unique, there’s so much to choose from. Here are some suggestions (in order of distance):
- Enjoy a spa day at Rockliffe Hall – 4 minute drive (Hurworth)
- Catch a show at Darlington Hippodrome – 7 minute drive (Darlington)
- Explore South Park – 8 minute drive (Darlington)
- Give padel a try at Padel Project UK Darlington – 8 minute drive (Darlington)
- Listen to live music at The Forum Music Centre – 9 minute drive (Darlington)
- Meander your way around beautiful artworks at Gallerina – 9 minute drive (Darlington)
- Learn about railway history at Hopetown Darlington – 10 minute drive (Darlington)
- Join a pasta making workshop at The Pasta Shop – 10 minute drive (Darlington)
- Escape from Cluedini Escape Rooms – 10 minute drive (Darlington)
- Paint some pottery at Create & Paint – 10 minute drive (Darlington)
- Relax at Middleton Lodge Forest Spa – 15 minute drive (Middleton Tyas)
- Do some wine tasting at Bon Coeur – 16 minute drive (Melsonby)
- Hit a bullseye at Valhalla North Axe Throwing – 20 minute drive (Newton Aycliffe)
- Visit Mainsgill Farmshop – 20 minute drive (Richmond)
- Walk an alpaca at Alpaca Alpaca – 21 minute drive (Yarm)
- Explore Richmond Castle – 25 minute drive (Richmond)
The North Yorkshire Moors are also less than an hour’s drive away, so you could do a bit of walking or hiking!
We absolutely loved our stay at Keeper’s Cottage and it’s somewhere I’d recommend to anyone who wants to stay in the area. It’s a real hidden gem and is positioned perfectly to explore the Tees Valley, North Yorkshire and County Durham. Make sure you check it out for your next trip!
I was gifted a stay at Keeper’s Cottage in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.