Mark Close Farmhouse & Mark Close Milking Parlour

- self catering holiday cottages -

Alston, North Pennines National Landscape

Mark Close Farmhouse frequently asked questions

Do you offer any discounts?

You’ll always receive the best deal by booking directly with us.

Do you allow celebrations?

We love having big groups celebrating at Mark Close Farmhouse! The Farmhouse is perfect for big family and friend group celebrations. We also welcome stag and hen parties.  We allow reasonable numbers of visitors during the day but no extra overnight guests, the Farmhouse sleeps a maximum of 20.

Can we book both cottages together?

Of course! We offer the Milking Parlour at a discounted price If both of the cottages are booked together. The Milking Parlour sleeps two people and is just across the courtyard from the back of the Farmhouse. The Milking Parlour also has a hot tub which is suitable for four people.

What’s included in the price?

All electricity, linen & towels and wi-fi are included. We also provide a supply of dishwasher tablets, washing up liquid, sponges and cloths, bin liners, kitchen roll, foil, cling film, baking paper, and hand wash. There will be an initial supply of toilet rolls to help you settle in before you find the nearest supermarket.  We also supply a basket of logs for the wood burner with matches, kindling, and fire-lighters. On-arrival there will also be complementary teas, coffee, hot chocolate, biscuits, milk and treats to help you settle in and feel at home.

How well-equipped is the kitchen?

We know how hard it can be cooking for big groups and we try to make sure the kitchen is as well-equipped as possible; we’ve stayed and cooked in the Farmhouse ourselves with family and friends’ groups and we hope you’ll find everything you need. We have one long dining table for 20 people to eat together. There’s a large range cooker with two big ovens, a grill, and induction hob. An American-style fridge-freezer with a 446-litre capacity and a separate 46 bottle wine fridge. As well as a microwave, two kettles, a 6-slice toaster and lots of big pots, pans, dishes, utensils and gadgets.

Can I hire-in caterers and entertainment?

Of course! Please let us know if you’d like any recommendations. We regularly have external caterers and have even had bouncy castles and Elvis impersonators. We (and our insurers) just ask that any external providers get in touch with us before hand to confirm they have public liability insurance and any electrical equipment they bring in has been safety tested. Unfortunately, we cannot allow portable hot tub hire companies.

Is noise a problem?

One of the benefits of old stone houses is the really thick stone walls (they’re over a meter in some places) so we’ve never really had a problem with noise between the cottages.

What linen is included?

All bedding is included as well as a hand towel and bath sheet for every member of your group. There are also extra hand towels in the bathroom, and tea towels in the kitchen. To save on waste, and help reduce our carbon footprint, we’d appreciate it if you let us know which beds need to be made up before your arrival.

What is the wi-fi like?

In the past we’ve had problems with wi-fi getting through the thick stone internal walls of the Farmhouse. We’re happy to say we’ve recently upgraded and put in extenders so the farmhouse has BT Fibre 1 in every room with average speeds of 45Mb-50Mb. There is also a desk in the smaller living room if anyone needs to do any work during their stay.

Do I need to bring a hairdryer?

There is a hairdryer provided in each of the nine bedrooms.

Can I charge my electric vehicle at Mark Close?

We hope to install EV charge points in the future. Please do not attempt to charge cars from the Farmhouse internal sockets, this invalidates our insurance. The nearest charge point is a 2-minute drive away at Tyne Willows Playing Fields, 7 Station Rd, Alston CA9 3HZ. They have 2 type 2 chargers (12.2 kW) available.

Do you provide cots and high chairs?

We have two high chairs available, which are kept in the Farmhouse utility room. We have one travel cot which is suitable for infants under 15kg, please bring your own cot bedding. Please let us know in advance if you need a travel cot. Rooms 1 and 7 in the Farmhouse have enough space for a travel cot.

Do you have Laundry Facilities?

The Farmhouse has a washing machine and a tumble dryer in the utility room, please bring your own laundry detergent. There is also an iron, ironing board, clothes airers and an outdoor washing line.

How much parking space is there?

If cars are double-parked, we have enough space for nine cars, please leave enough room for access to the courtyard.

Are dogs allowed?

We love dogs at Mark Close. We allow 4 dogs in the Farmhouse (please get in touch with us to discuss more). There is a £20 charge per dog, per stay.  We do not allow dogs to be left on their own in the cottage and they must be kept off the beds and downstairs, we provide throws for the sofas. The Farmhouse garden is fully enclosed by dry stone walls, more adventurous dogs may be able to get over them so please don’t leave dogs unattended in the garden, we are surrounded by sheep fields.

How big is the garden?

The Farmhouse garden is approximately a quarter of an acre and surrounded by beautiful mature trees. It’s a great size for BBQs, picnics, relaxing, playing, and admiring the beautiful views of open countryside. We also supply a BBQ (please bring charcoal), picnic blankets, and outdoor games. The garden has a large basket swing which fits four children or two adults. The North Pennines has really dark skies and we find the basket swing great for stargazing!

Can we go and see the Alpacas?

Of course, the Alpacas’ field is just next door to the Farmhouse garden. Please feel free to go up to the fence (with the bunting) and say hello any time, please let us know if you’d like to be there at feeding time.

Which supermarkets deliver to Mark Close?

Sainsburys, ASDA, Tesco and Morrisons all deliver to Mark Close. There’s also a brilliant range of shops in Alston with everything you could need a 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk away. There’s a really well-stocked Spar shop (with a butchers and deli counter), Co-op, an independent whole foods shop and a bakery. As well as a hard-ware shop, outdoor shop, some beautiful gift shops and a gallery.

Can I eat out nearby?

The Farmhouse is less than a mile from Alston and its brilliant pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops. We feel very lucky to be within walking distance of so many great pubs and places to eat. There are too many amazing places to list on here, please get in touch if you’d like any advice or ideas for places to eat or visit.

We’re always available if you have any other questions, please feel free to get in touch with us any time.

Mark Close Milking Parlour frequently asked questions

Do you offer any discounts?

You’ll always receive the best deal by booking directly with us.

What’s included in the price?

All electricity, linen & towels and wi-fi are included. We also provide a supply of washing machine pods, washing up liquid, sponges and cloths, bin liners, kitchen roll, foil, cling film, baking paper, and hand wash. There will be an initial supply of toilet rolls to help you settle in before you find the nearest supermarket.  We also supply a basket of logs for the wood burner with matches, kindling, and fire-lighters. On-arrival there will also be complementary teas, coffee, Nespresso pods, hot chocolate, biscuits, milk and treats to help you settle in and feel at home.

What linen is included?

All bedding is included as well as a hand towel, bath sheet, and bath robe each. We also provide slippers to keep your toes toasty on the way to the hot tub. There are also extra hand towels in the bathroom, and tea towels in the kitchen.

Do I need to bring a hairdryer?

There is a hairdryer provided in the Milking Parlour bedroom.

Can I charge my electric vehicle at Mark Close?

We hope to install EV charge points in the future. Please do not attempt to charge cars from the Milking Parlour internal sockets, this invalidates our insurance. The nearest charge point is a 2 minute drive away at Tyne Willows Playing Fields, 7 Station Rd, Alston CA9 3HZ. They have 2 type 2 chargers (12.2 kW) available.

Do you have Laundry Facilities?

The Milking Parlour has a washing machine with biological laundry detergent pods supplied. There is also an iron, ironing board, clothes airers and an outdoor washing line.

How much parking space is there?

The Milking Parlour has parking space for one car in the courtyard by the entrance.

Are dogs allowed?

We love dogs at Mark Close. We allow 2 dogs in the Milking Parlour (please get in touch with us to discuss more). There is a £20 charge per dog, per stay.  We do not allow dogs to be left on their own in the cottage, we provide throws for the sofas. The Milking Parlour garden is fully enclosed by dry stone walls and 4 foot stock fencing, more adventurous dogs may be able to get over them so please don’t leave dogs unattended in the garden, we are surrounded by sheep fields.

Can we go and see the Alpacas?

Of course, the Alpacas’ field is just next door to the Farmhouse garden (accessed from the gate on the road). Please feel free to go up to the fence (with the bunting) and say hello any time, please let us know if you’d like to be there at feeding time.

How accessible is the Milking Parlour?

We’ve tried to make the Milking Parlour as accessible as possible. The cottage is all on one level and we have a ramp for step-free access, there are also grab rails in the shower room and we can provide a shower stool, toilet frame, and bedrail. Please get in touch if you’d like more information on the layout or to discuss your needs.

Is noise a problem?

One of the benefits of old stone houses is the really thick stone walls (they’re over a meter in some places) so we’ve never really had a problem with noise between the cottages.

What’s your hot tub policy?

We make sure we fully follow the Health and Safety executives’ HSG282 regulations for hot tub safety. The hot tub will be fully cleaned and re-filled before your arrival and safety checked and balanced at least twice a day. We also send samples away to an external lab for bacteria and legionella testing. We’ve been surprised by how unsafe blow up and woodfired hot tubs can be and how many places with hot tubs don’t follow these regulations. We want our guests to relax in the bubbles knowing the tub is clean and safe.

Can I eat out nearby?

The Milking Parlour is less than a mile from Alston and its brilliant pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops. We feel very lucky to be within walking distance of so many great pubs and places to eat. There are too many amazing places to list on here, please get in touch if you’d like any advice or ideas for places to eat or visit.

We’re always available if you have any other questions, please feel free to get in touch with us any time.

Guest Reviews -

Elinor NewallElinor Newall
18:04 06 Aug 24
We took a group of five adult pals and thirteen teens to Mark Close for a weekend. We had an absolutely amazing time. The house was superb, comfortable, really well equipped (loads more cups, glasses, crockery, pots, pans etc than needed). The kids loved hanging out in the garden and the extra living area let us have separate kid and adult spaces. Alston is a gorgeous wee place to visit. Emily and Alun answered all my queries really promptly and gave loads local info which was really helpful. We went to Weardale Watersports on their advice and had a fab afternoon canoeing and paddle boarding. Very highly recommend!
Christine EarlamChristine Earlam
13:12 01 Jul 24
Stayed in the Milking Parlour for 3 nights this weekend. This property is fitted to a very high standard and has everything needed. Emily even provides unexpected extras which were very welcome. The accommodation welcomes dogs although we didn’t bring one. It is also suitable for anyone with mobility problems though that doesn’t apply to us. We had a private garden area looking out over open countryside to sit in and relax.Just outside the centre of Alston and close to the Penine Way it is perfectly positioned for walkers or cyclists. The owners provide a very detailed information pack on local ammenities, activities and attractions which we found very useful. We can’t praise it enough.
Morgan LewisMorgan Lewis
15:55 28 Feb 24
We stayed here in Feb half term, 2024. A large group, 5 families, 10 kids. We had a fantastic time. The house is great, lots of space, everything you would need, really nice.There is a big garden for the kids to play in, Alpacas next door, lots of little walks nearby. Could not fault it. We will definitely book again, highly recommend.
Beth McMorrowBeth McMorrow
07:43 30 Jun 23
Had an amazing weekend, plenty of space for the 17 of us and house was huge and spotlessHosts were great and recommended lots of catering options which were perfect for usWill definitely stay again
Janet GorryJanet Gorry
14:51 18 Jun 23
Absolutely beautiful.
Capt Nadeem AnsariCapt Nadeem Ansari
17:38 01 May 23
Big thanks to Emily and Alun for a fantastic stay at the Milking Parlour.Ideal break for two.Awesome hosts, lovely & cosy place.Patio and HOT TUB with amazing views. Plenty of sheep, lambs, alpacas, and birds.Hot tub was frequently checked for water quality and performance.The whole place was immaculate, furnished to the highest standards. The hosts have thought of everything. Attention to detail such as welcome chocolates, fresh flowers, local jams, and even a bottle of milk in the fridge.Under floor heating and a log burner in the living room.Smart TV with two free HDMI ports.Spar and Co-op only 3 minutes away in the car.We highly recommend this place and will definitely be visiting again.
Rebecca StevensRebecca Stevens
20:39 25 Mar 23
We’ve stayed at both the Farmhouse and the Milking Parlour and can honestly say they are two of the best holiday lets we’ve ever stayed in.In our most recent stay in the Parlour, every detail was thought of, from the local jams and chutneys in the kitchen on arrival (plus a handy bottle of milk ready to go in the fridge!), to the dog blankets and treats put out for our pooch. We felt so at home straight away. For a winter stay there’s a gorgeous little log burner which makes it feel so, so cosy. We discussed how in the summer the big french windows would be great for opening out onto the patio and the stunning views of the hills. The decorating and furnishings are fantastic, we especially loved the heated floor in the bathroom! It was very welcome on our snowy stay.We also loved our stay in the farmhouse a little while ago – it’s so well decorated and fabulous for a large group. Huge kitchen, which is really well equipped, plus a long table for big groups to enjoy dinner together. The garden at the front is enclosed and our dog loved having a run round, plus we weren’t worried about him getting out and worrying the alpacas in the field next door!Emily and Alun are amazing hosts, and we hugely recommend a stay at Mark Close if you’re looking for a memorable stay in an incredible part of the country.
Pat FPat F
16:20 11 Jun 22
We booked Mark Close Farmhouse for our first full family get together in several years.We were really impressed with the accommodation, the amount of garden space, the quality of the interior, the friendliness of the hosts, the ease of booking and the comprehensively kitted out kitchens and bathrooms.Everything we needed was supplied along with lovely extra touches such as a happy birthday message left in the house for my Mum.I would definitely recommend the farmhouse. We were a group of 21 with a dog and the house coped well with that many people.
Jennifer we GrayJennifer we Gray
15:16 07 Mar 22
Another great stay at Mark Close. This time we stayed in the large Farmhouse with a group of friends (10 adults, 4 kids and a dog). Beautiful accommodation with lovely decor, plenty of toilets, bathrooms and showers, everything was spotlessly clean. The owners have put in lots of lovely little extra touches like dog biscuits and even a box of chocolates for us on arrival! They were very welcoming and approachable and gave us extra firewood at no extra cost. The kitchen was really well kitted out and we had no problem catering for 14 people! I will definitely be recommending this accommodation to all my friends and family and plan on booking us in again very soon. Thanks Em and Al for a great stay x
Elinor NewallElinor Newall
18:04 06 Aug 24
We took a group of five adult pals and thirteen teens to Mark Close for a weekend. We had an absolutely amazing time. The house was superb, comfortable, really well equipped (loads more cups, glasses, crockery, pots, pans etc than needed). The kids loved hanging out in the garden and the extra living area let us have separate kid and adult spaces. Alston is a gorgeous wee place to visit. Emily and Alun answered all my queries really promptly and gave loads local info which was really helpful. We went to Weardale Watersports on their advice and had a fab afternoon canoeing and paddle boarding. Very highly recommend!
Christine EarlamChristine Earlam
13:12 01 Jul 24
Stayed in the Milking Parlour for 3 nights this weekend. This property is fitted to a very high standard and has everything needed. Emily even provides unexpected extras which were very welcome. The accommodation welcomes dogs although we didn’t bring one. It is also suitable for anyone with mobility problems though that doesn’t apply to us. We had a private garden area looking out over open countryside to sit in and relax.Just outside the centre of Alston and close to the Penine Way it is perfectly positioned for walkers or cyclists. The owners provide a very detailed information pack on local ammenities, activities and attractions which we found very useful. We can’t praise it enough.
Morgan LewisMorgan Lewis
15:55 28 Feb 24
We stayed here in Feb half term, 2024. A large group, 5 families, 10 kids. We had a fantastic time. The house is great, lots of space, everything you would need, really nice.There is a big garden for the kids to play in, Alpacas next door, lots of little walks nearby. Could not fault it. We will definitely book again, highly recommend.
Beth McMorrowBeth McMorrow
07:43 30 Jun 23
Had an amazing weekend, plenty of space for the 17 of us and house was huge and spotlessHosts were great and recommended lots of catering options which were perfect for usWill definitely stay again
Janet GorryJanet Gorry
14:51 18 Jun 23
Absolutely beautiful.
Capt Nadeem AnsariCapt Nadeem Ansari
17:38 01 May 23
Big thanks to Emily and Alun for a fantastic stay at the Milking Parlour.Ideal break for two.Awesome hosts, lovely & cosy place.Patio and HOT TUB with amazing views. Plenty of sheep, lambs, alpacas, and birds.Hot tub was frequently checked for water quality and performance.The whole place was immaculate, furnished to the highest standards. The hosts have thought of everything. Attention to detail such as welcome chocolates, fresh flowers, local jams, and even a bottle of milk in the fridge.Under floor heating and a log burner in the living room.Smart TV with two free HDMI ports.Spar and Co-op only 3 minutes away in the car.We highly recommend this place and will definitely be visiting again.
Rebecca StevensRebecca Stevens
20:39 25 Mar 23
We’ve stayed at both the Farmhouse and the Milking Parlour and can honestly say they are two of the best holiday lets we’ve ever stayed in.In our most recent stay in the Parlour, every detail was thought of, from the local jams and chutneys in the kitchen on arrival (plus a handy bottle of milk ready to go in the fridge!), to the dog blankets and treats put out for our pooch. We felt so at home straight away. For a winter stay there’s a gorgeous little log burner which makes it feel so, so cosy. We discussed how in the summer the big french windows would be great for opening out onto the patio and the stunning views of the hills. The decorating and furnishings are fantastic, we especially loved the heated floor in the bathroom! It was very welcome on our snowy stay.We also loved our stay in the farmhouse a little while ago – it’s so well decorated and fabulous for a large group. Huge kitchen, which is really well equipped, plus a long table for big groups to enjoy dinner together. The garden at the front is enclosed and our dog loved having a run round, plus we weren’t worried about him getting out and worrying the alpacas in the field next door!Emily and Alun are amazing hosts, and we hugely recommend a stay at Mark Close if you’re looking for a memorable stay in an incredible part of the country.
Pat FPat F
16:20 11 Jun 22
We booked Mark Close Farmhouse for our first full family get together in several years.We were really impressed with the accommodation, the amount of garden space, the quality of the interior, the friendliness of the hosts, the ease of booking and the comprehensively kitted out kitchens and bathrooms.Everything we needed was supplied along with lovely extra touches such as a happy birthday message left in the house for my Mum.I would definitely recommend the farmhouse. We were a group of 21 with a dog and the house coped well with that many people.
Jennifer we GrayJennifer we Gray
15:16 07 Mar 22
Another great stay at Mark Close. This time we stayed in the large Farmhouse with a group of friends (10 adults, 4 kids and a dog). Beautiful accommodation with lovely decor, plenty of toilets, bathrooms and showers, everything was spotlessly clean. The owners have put in lots of lovely little extra touches like dog biscuits and even a box of chocolates for us on arrival! They were very welcoming and approachable and gave us extra firewood at no extra cost. The kitchen was really well kitted out and we had no problem catering for 14 people! I will definitely be recommending this accommodation to all my friends and family and plan on booking us in again very soon. Thanks Em and Al for a great stay x
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Escape to the country at Mark Close

Located in the heart of The North Pennines National Landscape, Mark Close is your perfect home away from home to explore all the beautiful countryside that is on offer right on the doorstep.

A warm welcome from Emily & Alun

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Mark Close Farmhouse - Self Catering Holiday Cottages -

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