Keepers | Alston | Whimsey Hill | The Lake District And Cumbria

4.9★

2 Guests
1 Bedroom
1 Bathroom
Pets Yes
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Features

Off road parking
Ground floor accommodation
Ground floor bedroom
Garden / Patio
Cot available
Highchair available
Washing machine
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

30 Customer Review(s)

Karen
March 2025

“We had such a lovely, relaxing birthday weekend.”

The location is stunning, the cottage was comfortable and the owners, Jo & Mark, were friendly and helpful owners. And it was lovely to meet Crumble too, much better manners than our black Labrador! Extra points for the first chicken eggs of the season - they were yummy! Thank you so much, we will be back! Simon, Karen & Joni

The location is stunning, the cottage was comfortable and the owners, Jo & Mark, were friendly and helpful owners. And it was lovely to meet Crumble too, much better manners than our black Labrador! Extra points for the first chicken eggs of the season - they were yummy! Thank you so much, we will be back! Simon, Karen & Joni

- Karen, March 2025
John October 2024

“We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Keepers Cottage.”

Jo and Mark were the perfect hostes - nothing was too much trouble. Mark was a mine of information about the local neighbourhood - walks, must-see places to visit etc. We even got to meet his grand-daughter, who was a delight. We'll definitely be back again.

- John, October 2024
Hilary September 2024

“Keepers is a lovely cottage.”

Ideal for a couple. Everything you need, and very comfortable with lovely rural views. The setting is stunning with the sun room overlooking super rural views, and the bird feeders kept well stocked by the owners, Jo and Mark, providing views of many local species at close quarters. Jo and Mark are lovely hosts, really focused on providing an excellent visitor experience. We hope to be returning again to this lovely cottage in a beautiful setting. Thank you both.

- Hilary, September 2024

Thankyou Hilary for your positive review, we’re pleased you had such a lovely time and enjoyed the cottage and the surrounding areas. We’ll look forward to seeing you both on your next visit! Mark and Jo Property Owner
Joseph August 2024

“Lovely, quiet location, thoroughly enjoyed watching the wildlife from the sun room and upstairs at the dining table and chairs, we'll miss watching the bunnies at breakfast!”

The cottage has everything you need, Mark and Jo are lovely hosts who are genuinely invested in making sure you enjoy your stay at their beautiful cottage.

- Joseph, August 2024

Thankyou for your review, it was lovely meeting you both and we’re re so pleased you enjoyed your stay with us. Kind regards Mark and Jo Property Owner
Sandra August 2024

“"Finders keepers" Well what a lovely homely inviting cottage this is.”

My husband and i knew from the moment we arrived that we were going to enjoy our stay here. On arrival we were met by the owners Mark and Jo and given a tour of the cottage, from the conservatory the views are amazing especially watching birds too and frowing to the the feeders is very entertaining. Jo left us eggs from their chickens, and delicious home made scones that went down a treat with our first cup of tea. After spending days out and about we looked forward to returning to the peace tranquility, and the views that this cottage offers. The bed was very comfortable, and we found the layout and facilities of the cottage worked very well for us. Mark and Jo are very welcoming, never intrusive, and happy to share recommendations of things to see and do, also providing many leaflets of attractions for you discover. Thank you for sharing your lovely cottage, we would recommend this place to anyone seeking beautiful surroundings, with lots of places to visit within a short drive, and we would love to return in the near future. Best wishes Sandie & Roger

- Sandra, August 2024

What a smashing review! Thank you so much for your kind comments and we are so delighted that you had a good time and enjoyed everything that Keepers cottage and the surrounding area has to offer. For us, it is so nice to meet lovely like minded people like yourselves and we really do hope that we see you again. Take care Mark & Jo Property Owner
Melvyn July 2024

“Keepers Cottage is a lovely quirky cottage set on the hillside near Nenthead.”

The views from the sun room are wonderful during the day with copious amounts of birds visiting the well stocked bird feeders right outside of the window. You will also see a red squirrel visiting the feeders as well as a woodpecker. The sheep on the hillside in front of you are fun to watch as well as the rabbits. The sunsets at night are also gorgeous and it’s hard to tear yourself away from the peace and tranquility of such a lovely place. We loved our time at Keepers and would highly recommend it. The hosts are so friendly and helpful, meeting us on our arrival and showing us around. We were also welcomed with homemade scones and free range eggs, Yummy! We must say the hosts were the most friendliest people we have encountered on our stays within the 30 plus cottages we have holidayed in. The Pennies are an outstanding source of beauty with quaint little villages scattered around, well worth a visit. We enjoyed visits to Barnard Castle, Hexham and Carlisle. Alston have a lovely railway which meanders through the countryside. Lots of things to see and do with plenty of lovely walks. We would highly recommend staying here and visiting the beautiful areas of the North. You won’t meet more friendlier people than the Northerners!

- Melvyn, July 2024

Thankyou for this fabulous, informative feedback! We were so pleased you had such a lovely holiday with us and enjoyed everything the cottage and the area has to offer. We would love to see you again Mark and Jo Property Owner
Jan July 2024

“Wonderful place watching birds out the window with beautiful view.”

Lovely hosts couldn’t do enough for us, had homemade scones on arrival. A nice luxury to have bathrobes to lounge in and enjoy the tranquil ambience of the cottage, watching the sheep, didn’t realise the sleep such a long time . One of the best cottages we’ve stayed at , and that’s a lot

- Jan, July 2024

Thankyou for your positive feedback. We’re so pleased you enjoyed your stay with us and enjoyed the peace and tranquillity the cottage and area gives you. Mark and Jo Property Owner
Leslie June 2024

“Thoroughly enjoyed the stay, views are fantastic.”

Mark and Jo make you feel most welcome perfect hosts

- Leslie, June 2024

Thank you very much for your positive feedback and we are delighted that you enjoyed the cottage. After reading your positive comments we were a bit disappointed that you had only given us three's on the scoring. As is evident on other reviews on Sykes, Keepers usually scores very highly and we wondered if there is anything we could have done to increase your marking score? Thanks again Mark & Jo Property Owner
Jess June 2024

“Had such a wonderful stay, we didn't want to leave.”

Cottage is perfect for two people (and the dog!) and has everything you need for a holiday. Location was beyond perfect for us - lots of walks straight from the front door and many more a short drive away. Secluded enough to be private but without being isolated. Absolutely will be coming back!

- Jess, June 2024

Thank you so much Jess & Matt for taking the time to write such a wonderful review. We are delighted you had a nice break and the area gave you so much from the doorstep. I was very impressed that you cycled all the way here, what an achievement, well done. Both Jo and I really look forward to seeing you again and I'll show you some more cracking walks. Thanks again Mark & Jo Property Owner
Susan June 2024

“We have just had a lovely few days at Keepers Cottage.”

Jo and Mark are great hosts, very helpful but in no way intrusive. The sunroom is where we spent a lot of our time watching the wildlife and enjoying the wonderful views. Keepers Cottage is a very clean, comfortable and welcoming place to stay. We would love to stay again.

- Susan, June 2024

Thank you Susan and David for a wonderful review. We are so pleased that you had a lovely stay with us and saw the Red Squirrels. We really do look forward to seeing you again soon. Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review it helps us so much and is much appreciated. Mark & Jo Property Owner
Stephen May 2024

“Me and my girlfriend stayed at Keepers Cottage in late May and it was a wonderful experience.”

Jo and Mark were very attentive without being intrusive. They've got the balance just right. A shame the weather wasn't on our side but we'd love to come back. It's the peace and quiet that we remember the most.

- Stephen, May 2024

Thankyou for your super feedback.We’re so pleased you enjoyed your stay, despite the weather! We would love to welcome you back, hope to see you soon Mark and Jo Property Owner
Tony April 2024

“No and mark were perfect owners, scones and eggs on arrival, full tour of the property and how the house worked .”

Told us about location and local walks and local beauty spots. The sun room was perfect to unwind in watch wildlife and the weather fronts coming across the hills. We passed on a couple of other places that they were not aware of as they are also new to the area. Mark had left a detailed folder of some of the local birdwatching and footpaths, which was brilliant, we hope to return, just need to book now and decide when to go Thanks very much Tony and Rachel

- Tony, April 2024

Thankyou so much for this super feedback! We’re delighted you had such a lovely time and enjoyed the cottage and surrounding area and of course the sunroom! We look forward to welcoming you back Jo and Mark Property Owner
Lorraine October 2023

“Always a wonderful stay here.”

Already booked another week away next year.

- Lorraine, October 2023

Thank you Lorraine and we look forward to welcoming you back in the New year. Take care, see you again soon. Mark & Jo Property Owner
Sarah August 2023

“We absolutely loved The Keepers!”

The sun room was a major attraction (despite the lack of sun!) for the views and wildlife watching. We had everything we needed and lots of extra touches. Jo and Mark were great hosts. We will definitely be returning!

- Sarah, August 2023

Thankyou for this lovely feedback Sarah, you were great guests and would love to welcome you back! Jo and Mark Property Owner
A July 2023

“Homely and cosy cottage.”

Amazing views from the sun room. We spent two weeks here and it just flew past with the wonderful surroundings. Jo and Mark made us feel very welcome with just the right blend of care and contact.

- A, July 2023

It was lovely having you as our guests and so pleased you enjoyed your 2 week stay with us. We would love to welcome you back if you're ever in this area again. Good luck in your new home. All the very best Mark & Jo Property Owner
Simon June 2023

“Had a wonderful time on our week long stay.”

Mark and Jo are very welcoming and even supplied us with scones and eggs. Incredibly peaceful place with wonderful views. Didn’t get to see a squirrel though but plenty of other wildlife, oh and chickens lots of chickens. The cottage is quaint and perfect for 2 people and we would stay again 100%

- Simon, June 2023

Thank you Simon for your really nice review. Both Jo and I enjoyed meeting you and so glad that you had a nice time here at Keepers Cottage. We look forward to seeing you again. Mark & Jo Property Owner
Molly June 2023

“Quite dated the cottage was comfortable but if anyone has some mobility problems the stairs are a problem.”

Downstairs quite a cold area. Fantastic views from the sun lounge and lovely to just sit and chill. Jo and Mark very welcoming gave us lovely fresh eggs from the chickens who visited us at frequent intervals. We very much enjoyed our visit and would recommend the cottage to others.

- Molly, June 2023

Thank you for your feedback. The listing for Keepers cottage is accurate and shows the steps accessing the property. We were sorry to see that you felt the downstairs was cold. There are radiators in all the rooms for the comfort of our guests. We're pleased you enjoyed your stay . Mark and Jo Property Owner
Julia May 2023

“We have just returned from a lovely week at keepers cottage with its stunning views and peaceful location .”

The owners Mark and Jo gave us a very warm welcome along with some home made scones and freshly laid eggs . The sunroom at the rear of the property is lovely as it looks out over the surrounding countryside and there is a variety of birds to see visiting the feeders ,the resident red squirrel popped up occasionally as well. Peace and tranquillity definitely high on the agenda here,we loved it .

- Julia, May 2023

What great feedback Julia, Thankyou! We’re so pleased you enjoyed your stay and our stunning location. Jo and Mark Property Owner
Nick May 2023

“I had a lovely time at Keepers Cottage it was everything I had expected and wanted.”

It was quiet in a beautiful moorland setting, with lovely walks and the sound of curlew, lapwing and oyster catcher, very evocative. The hosts Mark and Jo were welcoming, interesting to talk to and made sure that everything went smoothly. The view from the verandah was beautiful especially when a red squirrel turned up! If you want a peaceful retreat with great walks it is the perfect place I certainly hope to go again.

- Nick, May 2023

It was lovely to meet you Nick and thank you for your painting. It will be in the sun room when you visit again! Property Owner
Philip May 2023

“Fab cottage.”

Beautiful scenery. So quiet. Lovely wild life (especially Red Squirrels, Deer and Woodpecker). Great hosts. Thank you Mark and Jo. In those famous words "I'll be back!"

- Philip, May 2023

Thankyou for your positive feedback Phil, it was lovely to meet you both. We’re so pleased you had such a lovely time and enjoyed the cottage and made the most of our fantastic area! We look forward to seeing you again! Jo and Mark Property Owner
Barbara April 2023

“Had a very enjoyable stay at keepers cottage, the wildlife is unbelievable, Red Squirrels, Woodpecker’s, pheasants to name but a few, local chickens keep you amused for most of the day, best nights sleep I’ve had in a long while in the very comfortable bed, everything you need in the kitchen, thank you to Jo and Mark for the scones and eggs on arrival and your friendly hospitality.”

Hopefully we will be back.

- Barbara, April 2023

Thank you so much for your lovely review and for the videos of the Red squirrels. We have seen 3 together now outside Keepers and Chestnut cottage. It's lovely to see that they have settled here. See you again soon Mark & Jo Property Owner
Stuart April 2023

“So good...”

! Mark and Jo are a joy, very nice people indeed, very helpful and genuine, and the accommodation / local area was perfect for a relaxing break. I extended my stay for a second week in a different cottage, and both Keepers Cottage and The Bothry were simply excellent. Overall, 10/10, very highly recommended (even if Mark is a Leeds fan!!). Regards, Stu.

- Stuart, April 2023

Hi Stu, it's was really nice to meet you. We are so glad that you enjoyed, not just one but 2 of our cottages over the two week period. Thank you so much for your kind words in the review and I really do hope to see you again. Next time maybe Leeds will be playing your club Tranmere in the league, the way we are going. MOT. Property Owner
Linda April 2023

“Thoroughly enjoyed our week away.”

The cottage was warm and cosy and we enjoyed the homemade scones. It was very peaceful and we loved listening to the owls at night. Spent our time in the sunroom enjoying watching the chickens, rabbits and wild birds. Jo and Mark were excellent hosts. We will definitely be returning.

- Linda, April 2023

We’re so pleased you enjoyed your stay in Keepers and look forward to welcoming you back. Jo and Mark Property Owner
Una March 2023

“Fantastic property in a stunning location.”

Our hosts Jo and Mark very outgoing and made us very welcome and the scones were a very welcoming gesture on our arrival .They were extremely helpful with useful hints and suggestions for the local area. A great base for seeing the North Pennines , lots of things to do and see. We will definitely be back .

- Una, March 2023

Thankyou for such positive feedback Una, it was a pleasure meeting you both and we’re so pleased you’d like to return!! We look forward to welcoming you next year! Jo and Mark Property Owner
Kevin March 2023

“Lovely hosts Jo and Mark, very helpful and fabulous people.”

- Kevin, March 2023

Thank you so much Kevin for your kind words. We look forward to welcoming you again here at Greenends sometime in the near future. Jo & Mark Property Owner
Susan September 2022

“We had a wonderful stay, the area is secluded and peaceful, the cottage was cosy and perfect for watching the wildlife, unwinding and an escape from the world.”

The sunroom was warm and inviting, had amazing views, with visits from red squirrels, garden birds which included woodpeckers and the owners chickens. The owners were friendly and inviting and welcomed us with beautifully made scones and jam. Would fully recommend for a relaxing holiday.

- Susan, September 2022

Thankyou for your feedback Susan, we’re so pleased you enjoyed your time in Keepers cottage and experienced all the wildlife from the comfort of the sunroom! Jo and Mark Property Owner
John September 2022

“Lovely quiet cottage lovely outlook and surroundings .”

Hosts mark and jo were very welcoming ,the scones went down well with a nice cup of tea,a lovely place to get away from it all we hope to return

- John, September 2022

Thankyou John, we look forward to welcoming you back Jo and Mark Property Owner
Karen August 2022

“Cosy cottage great base for seeing the historical sights, great for stargazers”

- Karen, August 2022

We’re pleased you enjoyed your stay with us and experienced our beautiful area. Jo and Mark Property Owner
John August 2022

“Keepers is quirky but comfortable and in the middle of a lovely area of the country.”

The owners are very friendly and helpful but unobtrusive. It's in a very quiet and rural location but only a couple of miles from the lovely town of Alston.

- John, August 2022

Thankyou for your feedback, we’re pleased you enjoyed your stay with us. Jo and Mark Property Owner
Simeon August 2022

“Very friendly staff and very helpful, overall very happy with my stay and i would highly recommend!”

- Simeon, August 2022

Thank you very much Simeone, what a positive review. It was lovely meeting you both at the beginning of our adventure and i really do hope to greet you again sometime in the near future at Greenends. Next time i will definitely take you up on your offer of trying the spirits. :o) Much appreciated. Mark & Jo Property Owner

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Summary

One ground-floor double bedroom
Ground-floor bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC
First-floor kitchen
First-floor living/dining room with electric fire
Ground-floor sun room
Biomass central heating with electric fire
Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer
TV with Freeview, DVD, CD, WiFi, selection of books, games and DVDs
Fuel and power inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Cot and highchair on request
Off-road parking for 1 car
Enclosed garden area with garden bench and BBQ
One well-behaved dog welcome
Sorry, no smoking
Shop 3.8 miles, pub 3.9 miles
Note: The property is built into a slope with entrances on first and ground floor
Please note: This property accepts a minimum of three nights from Saturdays.

The property

Alston 3.8 miles.

Keepers is a quaint cottage perched on the hillside in the rural village of Nenthead, close to the amenities of Alston.

With glorious views over the Nent Valley, Keepers is a wonderful base for couples looking to escape everyday life and experience this beautiful region.

After a day of rambling, spend your down time in the sitting room, appointed with two plush armchairs, a TV and an alluring electric fire, ideal for a cosy night in.

Follow the exposed beams into the kitchen, where the chef of the couple can rustle up something tasty with assistance from a heap of appliances, with a dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer to name a few.

On the ground floor, wash away the day with a quick shower or deep soak before getting comfortable in the fabulous double bedroom.

There’s also a charming sunroom where you can lose yourself in a good book as you take in the charming garden views.

For a blissful countryside break, look no further than Keepers.

Note: This cottage can be booked with Refs. 1109948 and 1109949, together they sleep 8.

Greenend Cottages

Alston 4 miles. Greenends, a Cumbrian longhouse estate offers three holiday cottages in a stunning hillside setting, in the heart of the beautiful Roof of England countryside, four miles from the town of Alston. These charming cottages are located in peaceful surroundings with stunning views over the Nent Valley, on what was once the estate of the Walton’s, the leading mining family of the area in the 1800s. These delightful Alston cottages are renovated to a high standard, individually styled to retain character and charm. Keepers boasts a lovely sun room, perfect for a couple to enjoy the spectacular views on offer, whilst Bothy is a romantic hideaway, which has a large bedroom and bathroom, open stonework and a private patio, and Chestnut is ideal for groups of four with an open plan living area, two en-suite bedrooms and a wrap around balcony with views over the valley. The variety of accommodation across these three Alston cottages mean that up to eight people can stay in comfort. Thoughtfully positioned for privacy, each of the cottages has outdoor seating, a barbecue area and access to the adjacent gardens and fields, as well as the opportunity to walk from the doorstep onto the surrounding moorland. The resident alpacas and other wildlife ensure that there is plenty of outdoor activity to keep an eye on and the dark skies offer fantastic star gazing opportunities. The Isaac’s Tea Trial crosses the estate, providing a wonderful 36 mile circular walk for the more adventurous walker. The owners are happy to break the trail into bite sized chunks with lifts and drop off points. The nearby Cumbrian market town of Alston, the highest in Britain, has a selection of traditional pubs and a variety of shops, as well as local attractions including the South Tynedale Railway, Epiacum and Nenthead and Killhope mines on the doorstep. With plenty of places to visit within an hour’s drive, including Hadrian’s Wall, Hexham, Beamish Open Air Museum, Durham Cathedral and the Lake District, this is a superb group of Alston holiday cottages for a relaxing break in the North Pennines.

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About the location

ALSTON

Melmerby 8 miles; Penrith 18 miles; Stanhope 20 miles; Hexham 23 miles; Carlisle 29 miles; Barnard Castle 30 miles.

Alston is set in the North Pennines in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, surrounded by a unique landscape of moorland, hills, rivers and waterfalls, and is England's highest market town. This intriguing town, with its cobbled streets and fascinating nooks and crannies, was the location for ITV's productions of Jane Eyre and Oliver Twist. Alston and the North Pennines have long inspired artists and writers; the poet and writer W H Auden loved the area and today Alston is an inspiration to the craftspeople who live and work there. There is a host of unusual shops in the town including quality crafts and galleries. Take a ride on one of the lovingly-restored steam and diesel engines through the beautiful scenery of the South Tyne valley on the South Tynedale Railway which runs from Alston through to Slaggyford. The River Tyne is also noted as one of the finest salmon rivers in England and day-ticket fishing is available locally. The North Pennines used to be one of the wealthiest lead mining centres in Europe, and the Killhope Lead Mining Museum offers a great family day out with interactive exhibitions. With the drive along the A686 recognised by the AA as one of the world's best drives, and northern Cumbria, County Durham and Northumberland, all within easy reach, this makes a superb base.

This property offers the following short breaks:

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Features

Reviews & Ratings

“We had such a lovely, relaxing birthday weekend.”

“We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Keepers Cottage.”

“Keepers is a lovely cottage.”

“Lovely, quiet location, thoroughly enjoyed watching the wildlife from the sun room and upstairs at the dining table and chairs, we'll miss watching the bunnies at breakfast!”

“"Finders keepers" Well what a lovely homely inviting cottage this is.”

“Keepers Cottage is a lovely quirky cottage set on the hillside near Nenthead.”

“Wonderful place watching birds out the window with beautiful view.”

“Thoroughly enjoyed the stay, views are fantastic.”

“Had such a wonderful stay, we didn't want to leave.”

“We have just had a lovely few days at Keepers Cottage.”

“Me and my girlfriend stayed at Keepers Cottage in late May and it was a wonderful experience.”

“No and mark were perfect owners, scones and eggs on arrival, full tour of the property and how the house worked .”

“Always a wonderful stay here.”

“We absolutely loved The Keepers!”

“Homely and cosy cottage.”

“Had a wonderful time on our week long stay.”

“Quite dated the cottage was comfortable but if anyone has some mobility problems the stairs are a problem.”

“We have just returned from a lovely week at keepers cottage with its stunning views and peaceful location .”

“I had a lovely time at Keepers Cottage it was everything I had expected and wanted.”

“Fab cottage.”

“So good...”

“Thoroughly enjoyed our week away.”

“Fantastic property in a stunning location.”

“Lovely hosts Jo and Mark, very helpful and fabulous people.”

“We had a wonderful stay, the area is secluded and peaceful, the cottage was cosy and perfect for watching the wildlife, unwinding and an escape from the world.”

“Lovely quiet cottage lovely outlook and surroundings .”

“Cosy cottage great base for seeing the historical sights, great for stargazers”