The North Pennines is a beautiful remote landscape comprised of large expanses of heather moorland, upland hay meadows, flowing rivers, deep verdant woods, reservoirs, rich wildlife and a fascinating industrial heritage. A holiday cottage in the North Pennines allows you unrivalled access to one of the UK’s most wild, remote and beautiful locations with an array of outdoor activities and some beautiful towns and villages to explore and enjoy.

The area includes parts of County Durham, Cumbria, Northumberland and Yorkshire, all very different and this is reflected in the wonderful variety of cottage rentals in the North Pennines. By using our extensive feature list you can easily find your perfect one such as dog friendly with an enclosed garden, rural but near a pub or part of our luxury collection, the choice really is yours.

With such a vast array of beautiful, wild landscapes to explore it should come as no surprise to find a host of outdoor activities to enjoy in the North Pennines. One of the most celebrated stretches of the Pennine Way walking trail stretches through the North Pennines at Teesdale and encompasses the majestic sights of High Force – one of the UK’s largest waterfalls – and the churning waters of Cauldron Snout.

The wealth of upland rivers and reservoirs makes the North Pennines a fantastic fishing destination. The Tees, Tyne and Wear rivers all wind through the landscape providing picturesque locations to fish for trout and salmon. Meanwhile the reservoirs at Grassholme and Hury are well stocked and provide perfect angling conditions, along with some scenic walking and picnic areas. For active views of the North Pennines then you will also find plenty of horse riding and cycle trails, and in the winter you can take advantage of snow sports with ski centres at Yad Moss and Weardale. The clear skies and quiet also make stargazing a popular pastime with many Dark Sky Discovery Sites dotted around the region.

The region’s industrial heritage has left many delightful towns and villages scattered throughout the North Pennines. Allendale, once a lead-mining town, is now a popular tourist destination with an array of shops and pubs and a fascinating heritage – including the annual ‘Tar Barrel’ event that takes place at New Year. The villages of Ninebanks at Nenthead lie on popular walking and cycling routes and offer wonderful displays of local heritage. Alston, meanwhile is one of England’s highest market towns and offers spectacular views of the surrounding area. From here you can explore the region’s Roman legacy at the Epiacum Roman Fort and take a leisurely train ride on the South Tynedale Railway.