Guests say
Rosewood Cottage is a well-appointed property with comfortable beds and a good base for exploring Durham. Guests appreciated the spacious rooms, easy access to town, and the quiet location despite its proximity to the road. Some minor maintenance issues were noted, but these did not significantly detract from the overall positive experience.
The property was generally found to be clean and welcoming, though some guests mentioned sticky kitchen surfaces and the presence of silverfish. A mouldy washing machine was also reported, suggesting room for improvement in cleanliness.
The cottage's location is praised for being well-placed for the city centre and within walking distance to town and university. It offers easy access to public transport and is situated in a quiet area at night.
Guests found the beds and sofas very comfortable, and the property provided a warm and welcoming atmosphere. However, some guests suggested the addition of grab bars in the bathroom for safety and noted that watching TV was awkward due to the sofa arrangement.
The property is equipped with a well-appointed kitchen and a wet room. However, there were several reports of maintenance issues such as a broken bath plug, a malfunctioning dishwasher, and a lack of a tumble dryer. The persistent smell from the drains was a notable concern.
While guests mentioned receiving fresh flowers and a note upon arrival, there is insufficient information to determine the consistency of such thoughtful gestures for all stays. Therefore, it cannot be guaranteed that such gifts will be provided.
About this property
Nested in a quiet suburb on the outskirts of the historic city of Durham rests this traditional cottage, 14 Lowes Barn Bank. Boasting a quaint exterior decorated with eye-catching ivy, 14 Lowes Barn Bank is the idyllic base for a small family looking to explore the delights of the North East. Park up in your private off-road parking space and follow the pathway alongside the lovely dwelling, stepping over the threshold and into a charming sitting room, beautifully-appointed with rustic character, decorated with exposed wooden beams, enticing you to put your feet up and unwind with a cup of tea after an action-packed day. After working up an appetite, venture through to the delightful farmhouse-style kitchen, amply-equipped with all of the necessary amenities required to rustle up a heart-warming meal for the group, and gather your loved ones in the dining room to serve your culinary delights, indulging over a bottle of wine. End the day in style with a leisurely seat in the enclosed courtyard, boasting an array of fabulous colourful plants, providing a solace escape from the bustle of the nearby city. As the day draws to a close, head back indoor and prepare for bed with a luxurious soak amongst the bubbles in the family bathroom, positioned on the ground-floor for your convenience. Climb the stairs to the first-floor where you'll find three thoughtfully laid out bedrooms, a double, benefiting from it's own en-suite walk-in shower, alongside a further double and an intimate single bedroom, all featuring a neutral décor, offering a calming setting to rest your eyes ahead of a new day. Get better acquainted with your surroundings and venture off on foot into the heart of Durham, where you'll be spoilt for choice with the selection of high-street and boutique shops that line the cobbled streets, perfect for picking up a keepsake to remind you of your marvellous holiday! If you fancy a break from doing the cooking, visit one of the many eateries on offer, with traditional country pubs, quaint cafes and delicious restaurants, there's something to suit a variety of tastes, as well as a bustling nightlife, promising a thrilling night on the town. The seaside town of Seaham is within easy reach, home to a tranquil beach decorated in a mixture of pebble and sand, perfect for basking in the sun or tackling the waves, or if you'd prefer to stay on land, take a leisurely stroll along the harbour and soak in the scenic views of Seaham Lighthouse, towering above sea level, finishing the day in typical seaside tradition with a portion of fish and chips on the front. Venture further afield to the vibrant city of Newcastle upon Tyne, stopping for an obligatory photo with The Angel of The North en route, and discover the quirky Gateshead Millennium Bridge with a walk along the banks of the River Tyne, or if you time it right, you might be able to catch the magpies as they play at St James' Park. Discover the hidden gem that is the North East with a stay at 14 Lowes Barn Bank.
Nestled in one of the most beautiful counties in England rests the historical city of Durham. Boasting a range of amenities, including high-street and boutique shops, a plethora of eateries and a handful of sights and attractions worth visiting, such as the striking Durham Castle, Museum of Archaeology and Durham Cathedral, it's the perfect place to enjoy a staycation with all of the family! Within easy reach is the popular tourist city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and the scenic North East coastline.
Accommodation
Three bedrooms: 1 x double with en-suite walk-in shower, basin, 1 x double, 1 x single.
Wet room en suite with WC, shower and basin.
Kitchen.
Dining room.
Sitting room
Gas central heating.
Oven and hob, fridge, freezer, washing machine, micro-wave, dishwasher, iron, kettle, toaster.
Smart TV, radio, hair dryer, WiFi.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Off-road parking for 1 car.
Enclosed courtyard with furniture.
Sorry, no pets and no smoking.
Shop 0.9 miles, pub 0.1 mile
Nearby points of interest
- Oriental Museum
- Beamish Museum
- Thornley Woodlands Centre
- Sunderland Museum
- National Glass Centre
- BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
- Seven Stories
- Laing Art Gallery
Reviews (17)
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James
Exceptionally heavy rain in England exposed a leak in the tiles, which will be repaired. The cottage is an older building which has been upgraded over the years and it's generally in good repair. I particularly enjoyed the first week as I dined in the garden which is enclosed and quite private. The location on the edge of the city, where you still get a view into the countryside, is great. I also appreciated being on the edge of DU campus and close to the new The Story archive. Bring a rain poncho as the wind combined with the rain is impressive. Altogether a good stay and I'm looking forward to another week in Oct. during the Book Festival at Rosewood Cottage. JAF
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Carey
We were there to watch the County Cricket in Chester Le Street. Getting to and from the ground was easy. I notice previous comments have complained about the smell of drains in the kitchen. There was a very faint smell but this went as soon as water was poured down the kitchen sink plug hole. The only thing we would have liked was a plug for the bath. The mechanical one had broken and we had to use the sink plug, but this was a very tiny inconvenience. We would certainly stay there again. Thank you
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Craig
The moment we entered the cottage we smelt a terrible drainage smell that we mentioned to the owner, who was there with salts and perfume in hand telling us that they had not noticed.On reading more detail the previous reviews the smell had been mentioned in both 2021 & 23 and nothing had been done.We complained to Sykes and the owner offered to get someone into fix but as this was halfway through our break and we did not want the sights and smells of a "dynorod" whilst on holiday we declined.IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BEFORE NOT DURING A STAY. It was not a cottage but a pepple dashed semi on a busy road.There was a boiler in the lounge ! all the kitchen surfaces were as sticky as fly paper, there were silver fish in the bathroom, the ensuite wet room had no door and a macerating toilet. The only outstanding you would give this property Rosewood Cottage 14 Lowes Barn Bank Durham would be for creative writing as the description was the most ridiculous I have ever seen.