Blacketts Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Newhouses, Allenheads NE47 9HX England
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About
#1 of 1 B&B in Allenheads
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Blacketts Retreat at Newhouses is a warm comfortable cottage, a short walk from the village centre, with fantastic views over the fells, providing excellent accommodation for visitors throughout the year. We offer six beds, comprising 1 super king / twin en suite, 1 twin and 1 double room with shared bathroom facilities. Guests have their own lounge and dining room facilities. Our accommodation is particularly popular with coast to coast cyclists completing the 'original' sea to sea route as well as star gazing enthusiasts. Blacketts Retreat offers a comprehensive range of Complimentary and Beauty Therapies for guests to enjoy during their stay with us. The brand new North Pennines Observatory is our next door neighbour and its only a five minute walk away. For the less energetic there are plenty of lovely walks for all ability levels around the North Pennines, as well as lots of lovely cafe's for those who wish to relax and simply take time out from busy life.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free breakfast
Non-smoking hotel
Room features
Kitchenette
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Charming
Location
Newhouses, Allenheads NE47 9HX England
Getting there
Car HireSee all Allenheads car hire
41Reviews0Q+A4Room tips
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We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
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We had a lovely few days away at Blacketts in July 2020. We've had a few family holidays in Northumberland and while the scenery is always stunning sometimes the accommodation just hasn't worked for young children. Not so at Blacketts! It's a gorgeous renovated miner's cottage from the 1700s with really beautifully appointed bedrooms (1 double with a huge bed & with ensuite, 1 twin room with plenty of space & 1 slightly smaller double which looks onto the sweet chicken thoroughfare). We really only needed to bring removable black out blinds to make it kid-friendly - to ensure the kids would go to sleep before the sun went down and not wake up at 4am! The whole cottage is very well appointed and comfortable, the open fire in the living room being a lovely touch. Mike and Jan are wonderful hosts! Mike helped us with the fire several times and they're both really lovely. They have a lot of very well-cared for chickens and a couple of geese which add a really special element to the stay. Our kids loved helping to feed them, looking for eggs and playing with Bruce the goose. Fresh eggs every day was a real highlight too. Jan is a complementary therapist & is offering limited treatments at the moment due to Covid. Two of us has the most wonderful reflexology treatments - thank you Jan. We highly recommend Blacketts Retreat. It's a very special place. We didn't do anything more adventurous than wander into the village, go to the park, have milkshakes at the cafe and play for hours in Mike and Jan's garden although I'm sure there is lots more to do for cyclists and hikers. This is the perfect place to get away during this weird time, thanks so much Mike and Jan.…
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Date of stay: July 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
I’ve stayed here 3 times now, most recently in August 2019 with my wife as part of my 3rd Whitehaven to Sunderland Cycle. Not only is Allenheads the highest village in England it is also a stunning, remote and relaxing environment. Janine and Mike have created a wonderful and relaxing environment at their Guesthouse Retreat. They are both such lovely people who look after their guests very well. They make it feel like a home from home. I not only recommend Allenheads as a place to stay but the Blacketts Retreat is a must, especially if doing the C2C cycle or walk. There is also a welcoming Pub and Cafe to visit as part of your stay . Thanks as always Mike and Janine 👍 John and Simone from the Isle of Man 🇮🇲
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Date of stay: August 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Andrew Munro wrote a review Jul 2019
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom4 contributions13 helpful votes
Spent a night here after a days walking in the area and it was a lovely experience. Welcoming hosts, super room and great breakfast. The location is perfect and the property is really well maintained.
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Date of stay: July 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from 196janines, Owner at Blacketts Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Responded 31 Jul 2019
Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review and for your lovely comments. We’re so happy you enjoyed your stay with us and hope you’ll visit again in the future. Kind regards Mike and Janine
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is a quaint hillside stop on the C2C route and offers secure storage for bikes as well as adequate parking space. Four of us stayed, in two rooms. Mike and Janine offered a warm welcome and personal touch. We had lovely fresh coffee and tea on arrival and were able to sit in the garden with our drinks and meet the free range chickens and cockerels. It is a steep climb up on foot or bike to the guest house and might be a challenge for anyone with difficulty walking. It's fairly remote but the local pub is an 8 minute walk down the hill and they offer evening meals (you do need to let them know in advance to ensure food service). The rooms and beds are very comfortable and the hosts were keen to make sure we had everything we needed. There is no TV in the room but there is a shared lounge with comfy chairs and TV although we didn't use it. The remoteness of this place is what makes it unique and the views and quietness are spectacular. Breakfast (including freshly laid eggs) was very good.…
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Date of stay: May 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Location
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Room Tip: One en-suite room which offers a shower. The shared bathroom has a bath & shower.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from 196janines, Owner at Blacketts Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Responded 31 Jul 2019
Thank you for taking the time to write a review and for your lovely comments. We hope you’ll come again in the future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
After a long day and some big hills on the C2C cycle ride, this was a wonderful, peaceful place to stay - Mike and Janine welcomed us with much needed tea and biscuits on arrival. We had a lovely spacious, very comfortable twin room with an equally spacious shared bathroom next door - both rooms had great views over the countryside. There is also a lovely shared sitting room for guests downstairs. Substantial breakfast with eggs from their hens. I wish we could have stayed another night!
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Date of stay: September 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from 196janines, Owner at Blacketts Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Responded 9 Sept 2018
Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review. We are so glad you enjoyed your stay with us and hope you will come again in the future. Kind regards Janine and Mike
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Last weekend we stayed in this lovely b & b and were very pleased with the beautiful room en suite, the good continental breakfast ( we do not eat English...) and above all the kindness and personal touch of Janine and Mike. Our best stay along the C2C.
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Date of stay: August 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from 196janines, Owner at Blacketts Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Responded 12 Aug 2018
Thank you so much for your kind review and we are so pleased you enjoyed your two night stay with us. It was a pleasure to meet you both. Kind regards Janine and Mike Swindale
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Huge thank you to Mike & Janine for their hospitality & friendliness. Myself and two ladies were into our second day of our C2C challenge and Blacketts Retreat met our every need after a very challenging day cycling hills ! Warm friendly welcome , rooms clean and very comfortable, it was like home from home , breakfast was amazing , { rhubarb & ginger jam ... mmmm } thank you again to you both and we will definitely be recommending & staying at your retreat again in the future x
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Date of stay: July 2018Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from 196janines, Owner at Blacketts Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Responded 17 Jul 2018
Thank you so much for your lovely comments and we’re delighted you enjoyed your stay with us. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future and hope the last part of your C2C cycle went well. Kind regards Mike and Janine Swindale
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Have just stayed with Mike and Janine in their great B and B while doing the Coast to Coast. Lovely setting, amazing views and clean, comfortable rooms. I was greeted with the offer of a cuppa and some biscuits on arrival, which was most welcome after a day in the hills. Hosts couldn't have been more helpful and free wifi allowed me to catch up with the family. Breakfast was wonderful and included fresh eggs from Janine's chickens and ducks and good coffee. Would definitely stay there again. Thank you!!
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Date of stay: June 2018Trip type: Travelled solo
Rooms
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from 196janines, Owner at Blacketts Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Responded 24 Jun 2018
Hi Ian thank you so much for taking the time to review our business and we’re delighted you enjoyed your stay with us. It was lovely to meet you and we hope we’ll see you again in the future. Kind regards Mike and Janine Swimdale
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
C2C stop. The hospitality received by Mike and Janine can't be beaten. Warm friendly peacefull place on the edge of town tucked in to the country side was exactly what we needed after a day of Cycling. Free WiFi. Ellequint rooms. Ensuite available. Big breakfast! During breakfast I felt valued as the amount of effort thtat was shown making sure thay we were all well fed and in need of nothing. Janine was amazing and tentative to all of our needs. The bikes were locked away at night. The only 2 things I would mention is that the bathroom is not modern but holds alot of character and fits in with the period of the house. It's has everything you need with a beutifull wooden floor. As the main house is tucked in to the country side it makes the driveway a bit of challenge but well worth it. Our 9 seater van made it up with NO problems. A TV and DVD player is available but why bother if you have such beautiful nature all around. One last thing any person over 6 foot will have to duck at every door as it was originally built for miners.…
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Date of stay: June 2018Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from 196janines, Owner at Blacketts Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Responded 24 Jun 2018
Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review and we are so pleased that you’ve enjoyed your stay here at Blacketts Retreat. We hope we will see you again in the future. Kind regards Mike and Janine Swindale
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Our second stay with wonderful hosts Mike and Janine. Our experience was just as pleasant as that enjoyed previously, but this time enhanced by the entertainment provided by the other furry, feathered or woolly residents. Upon arrival we were greeted by the sight of a red squirrel at the bottom of the drive - a rare treat. The hens and ducks kept the cats in their place (another example of 'pecking order'), but the sheep were as daft as - well, 'sheep'. Janine's offering of homemade rhubarb and ginger jam at breakfast was delicious, and we even went home with a take-away jar. We couldn't rate our stay highly enough - thank you!
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Date of stay: June 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from 196janines, Owner at Blacketts Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Responded 1 Jul 2017
Thank you so much 😊 and please do come and stay with us again in the future
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LOCATION
United KingdomEnglandNorthumberlandAllenheads
NUMBER OF ROOMS
3
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Frequently Asked Questions about Blacketts Retreat Bed and Breakfast
Which popular attractions are close to Blacketts Retreat Bed and Breakfast?
Nearby attractions include Killhope Lead Mining Museum (2.7 miles), Nenthead Mines (5.0 miles), and The Weardale Museum & High House Chapel (4.5 miles).
What food & drink options are available at Blacketts Retreat Bed and Breakfast?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at Blacketts Retreat Bed and Breakfast?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Blacketts Retreat Bed and Breakfast?
Conveniently located restaurants include The Hemmel Cafe, Killhope Cafe, and The Old Weardale Bakery & Tearooms.
Is Blacketts Retreat Bed and Breakfast located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.2 miles away from the centre of Allenheads.
Are there any historical sites close to Blacketts Retreat Bed and Breakfast?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Nenthead Mines (5.0 miles).