Apple Tree Lodge an off grid woodland hideaway

Leave the hustle bustle of life behind, wake up to the sound of the birds, watch deer wander through the garden, stargaze around a campfire at night, switch off and relax. If this sounds like your ideal get away then come and stay at Apple Tree Lodge. Our wonderfully light and airy eco lodge is hidden in 500 acres of mixed woodland on the banks of the River Wear. The wood and straw bale constructed building is solar powered, can sleep up to 6, has an open plan kitchen and living area. Apple Tree Lodge is a venue for people who love the outdoors and being close to nature. The lodge is light and airy. The open plan downstairs consists of a well provisioned kitchen with a gas cooker and fridge freezer, a dining area, lounge area with a TV, a walk in shower and a separate toilet. The upstairs consists of 2 bedrooms one with a double bed and one with twin beds. Between them there is a mezzanine floor with a computer work space and cabin bed. Extra put-you-up beds can be provided if necessary but this would need to be discussed with the owners. Please be aware that the bedrooms are accessed via a steep flight of stairs. Along the front of the lodge there is a glass covered veranda and large lawn to play and relax on. With no mains electricity, gas and water we need to be mindful of the resources we use. The lodge is powered by batteries charged up by a bank of solar panels and backed up by a generator in cloudy weather. We ask that visitors bear this in mind when visiting and leave their power hungry electrical items at home - particularly the hair dryer. Our water source is from a local spring and if that runs dry we have a bore hole. The water is treated on site. Apple Tree Lodge is situated at the bottom of our garden and we share our home with a selection of pets and livestock. Although we allow well behaved dogs we do request that they are kept off the furniture, the beds and when outside you keep them on leads and under control so that our dogs, cats, horse, chickens and peacocks can peacefully get on with their lives. Our home is nestled in a mixed woodland which is surrounded by a coniferous forest. If you are lucky you can watch the deer wander through the garden, see the buzzards catch the thermals above the house and hear the owls hooting in the trees. Along the bottom of the garden there is the River Wear and we also have a pond, neither of these water bodies are fenced so we ask that children are supervised at all times when out in the grounds and in the lodge. We have a large area of lawn where games such as cricket, Kube, football and rounders can all be played. Then if it all becomes too much there are hammocks to relax in. Please be aware that not all mobile signals work in the lodge and there is no WiFi at the property. Finally the property is accessed via a long forest track of approximately 1.5 miles. We will meet guests at the top of the track to lead them down. The road is not suitable for vehicles that are close to the ground. We live in a separate house on the property so will be available if necessary to answer questions or make suggestions of what to do in the surrounding area. If you want to escape the woods, then we are on the doorstep of Hamsterly Forest with its nationally renowned mountain bike trails, fantastic walking routes and adventurous play areas . Just over ½ an hour away and unmissable is the world heritage site of Durham Cathedral. Close by is the fabulous Bowes Museum with its internationally renowned collection of paintings, sculptures and archaeological artefacts. The magnificent Raby Castle is also on your doorstep along with Ushaw House, Chapels and gardens and Auckland Castle, with its amazing open air show Kynren, while Beamish Museum and Killope Lead Mine provide a fascinating insight into life in the early part of the last century. If you are happy to go further afield just up the North East Coast are spectacular beaches, castles, gardens and of course Hadrian's Wall. There are lots of great areas close by for walking and cycling.