With the rise of the low cost airline, international weekend breaks have become the norm. Rome, Madrid, Istanbul and even Marrakech have taken over from UK destinations as the three-day break of choice. But the extra air travel has come at a cost to the environment and with the Air Transport Association [IATA] predicting that 3.3 billion of us will be flying by 2013, the price could be a heavy one indeed. While the solution for some has been to ditch weekend trips altogether, another option is to take another look at the myriad wonderful UK destinations reachable by train.
Located in Barnard Castle in rural County Durham near the village of Wycliffe, the historic Boot and Shoe cottage is the perfect example of the wonderful, eco-friendly places that the UK has to offer. Offering comfortable accommodation for four people, it has two bedrooms and
was once a cobblers’ shop and also, a pub. Its eco-friendly credentials are boosted by the use of solar panels and sheep’s wool insulation, and there are also hens around to provide eggs for breakfast. If you don’t fancy cooking, Whorlton, a nearby village is home to Michelin starred pub, The Bridge Inn. Nearby attractions include Barnard Castle itself and the miles of walking trails that criss-cross the North York Moors.
For more information or to book, see www.oneoffplaces.co.uk
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