Teesdale retreat, 20 m above the River Tees

Our house, Whispering Waters, contains a private, contemporary two-room apartment suite, with its own private access via an exclusive south-facing deck, 21 mtrs above the tree-lined River Tees. Lying in bed, it's as if you’re in a treehouse with the treetops visible outside the window. Situated in Lower Teesdale (on the A67, between Barnard Castle and Darlington - around 7 miles/11km from each), Whispering Waters is a house without neighbours, immediately adjacent to, and above the River Tees. The suite comprises a double bedroom with king-sized double bed, a modern shower room, and a living room. The latter has tea and coffee making facilities, a small fridge containing fresh milk, water, juice, and light continental-style breakfast (please let us know if you have any specific dietary requirements). The lounge area can be provided with a foldout single bed. If you need that, let us know and we'll see what we can arrange. There is a TV and free WIFI. The apartment is accessed via a private decked walkway, through double French doors that open from the bedroom onto the high-level deck. We're available at any time by phone or email but may not be there when you arrive. However, we'll supply you with full instructions on how to find us, where your reserved parking is and how to get into your suite. We hope you enjoy your stay. The village of Gainford is a five minute walk away with a general shop, a butcher, post office, hairdressers, cafe, fish and chip shop and a pub. There's also a pretty village green and other beautiful walks along the river. There are a number of quality restaurants less than ten minutes drive, including the only 2* Michelin restaurant in the North East, The Raby Hunt. Other local attractions (all within a fifteen minute drive) include the independent shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants in the Teesdale town of Barnard Castle, which also houses the amazing Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle (a full-sized French chateau in a medieval English market town). The remarkable Raby Castle is also close by. Darlington town centre (with its main-line railway station) is a twenty minute drive away, as is the North Yorkshire market town of Richmond. Ten minutes beyond Barnard Castle, into upper Teesdale, you enter an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and what is known as England's Last Wilderness, which includes one of Britain’s highest waterfalls, High Force. There are wonderful walks all over Teesdale, with some spectacular views. Guest parking is provided onsite. There are reasonably frequent (by rural standards) buses between Barnard Castle and Darlington that go past the house - although the bus stop's a five minute walk away. Walking is a much-loved pastime in Teesdale. However, there are good taxi services and we can supply all the necessary details. There's a gentle ten minute circular walk along a magical path (part of the Teesdale Way) that takes you below the house, down to the river where, in a secluded spot, there's a lovely natural mineral spring. The water smells of sulphur dioxide (which disappears when allowed to stand for a little while) but tastes lovely. However, we're not aware if it's ever been tested as drinkable. All we know is it makes great tea and locals come and fill bottles from it.