The cottages are situated at Laverock Hall Farm in the Northern Pennines.
Wildlife is plentiful, with rabbits and pheasants strutting up and down the lane, and we are delighted that a family of stunning wild Red Kites have taken up residence in the wood behind the farm and cottages.
The area is in a designated AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) so the views (you can see both Cumbria and Yorkshire) are absolutely stunning!!
Situated at 1250 feet up with the land extending to 1500 feet, (where it borders onto a 6000 acre open fell), the Cottages have a fantastic wild rural feel with very little traffic noise, only the bleating of sheep, bark of a dog or bird call break the stillness of a summer evening.
A new access road was built when we converted the cottages, effectively changing the back of the cottages to the front and vice versa. This means that after coming up the private farm lane, holiday visitors turn left before the main farmhouse through the gateway along their own road up to the cottages.
Each cottage has its own private (fully enclosed) front garden where you can leave your van/car securely (for those who like their dogs to sleep in caged vehicles at night). The area is gravelled over to allow for Summer barbecues (barbecue supplied) with outside furniture, and is completely private, backing onto the 5 acre dog playfield with views onto the open fells.
We want all dogs to have a wonderful time at Laverock :-) we realise some dogs may be rescues or have been ill treated or have issues therefore we have various options available. Our 5 acre dog field is a brilliant place for dogs to safely run free, however if you would like exclusive use when you are in there simply raise the flag at the entrance to the field to alert ourselves and your neighbours that you would like to be alone in the field. For dogs without a recall for whatever reason we have a 6.5ft deer fenced paddock for them to run loose in just to the right of the cottages. We also have a 120 foot indoor dog agility arena for those who are trained in agility or those who would like a lesson :-)
A high stone/fence wall (approx 6 1/2 ft) separates the two properties.
The rear of the properties back on to the farmyard so everything is designed for you to use the front entrance/garden/dog shower room etc. for privacy.
Both cottages can sleep up to 5 people, there is an outside hot water tap and hose for washing dogs off then each cottage also has their own purpose built ‘dog shower room’ which is the entrance building you will access the cottages by. This is used as a boot room for jackets, wellies etc. and has a purpose built shower in the corner for further cleaning of happy muddy dogs!! Whilst they dry off (we have a grooming table with a professional Aelous Blaster for your use!) they can happily watch you making tea through the specially fitted half stable door which leads to the kitchen area. Crates can be loaned FOC if you would like any for your stay and well behaved dogs can be left unattended in the dog shower rooms if you want to pop out for a while.
Each cottage has open plan kitchen/dining/lounge areas with full size oven and hob, toaster, full size fridge freezer, microwave, all utensils etc. Many of the rooms have beautiful exposed beams and where building regulations allow original stonework.
The lounge areas feature a real wood burning stove for cozy nights, set back in a fabulous stone fireplace, as well as a colour TV, books, DVDs etc. One of the sofas also converts to a sofa bed for a 5th person.
Two bedrooms, one double and one twin with radiators sleep 4, making waking up in the morning a pleasure, and a modern fully fitted bathroom is at your disposal with separate bath and shower.
Sheep Haven Cottage is all on one floor with an open plan raised ceiling in the lounge showing the handmade beams. It also has partial disabled access (low level light switches, wheelchair accessible etc), and a full size window in the main bedroom to show off the view.
Laverock Lodge is over two floors with the bedrooms and main bathroom upstairs in the wood beamed original Hayloft with a full size window to admire the view. A handmade wooden stairgate is fitted at the bottom of the stairs to restrict unwanted canine access!! There is also a second toilet downstairs.
Both cottages have solid stone tiles and rugs fitted throughout downstairs to stop the 'oldies' from sliding on any highly polished floors (dogs and people.. ;-)
As the cottages were designed with dogs in mind you will be pleased to know that there are no priceless ornaments at waggy dog tail height! The floors are simply covered (no white carpets!!), with tiles and rugs throughout. As previously mentioned the purpose built dog shower room provides an ideal area for cleaning the dogs up after a vigorous walk as well as storage for muddy boots/wet jackets.
Due to our location fixed Broadband is not possible, however both cottages are supplied with their own 4G mobile WiFi broadband box.
A washing machine and tumble dryer is available (at small cost – honesty box) and is situated in a outbuilding in the farm yard. For those who feed their dog on the BARF diet, please let us know beforehand and if you need more space than the domestic fridge freezer we can supply a secondary mobile chest freezer free of charge.
