Wannies Retreat

05/11/2024

A busy week on the farm! With the winter drawing in and the grass not really growing too much the cows have been coming inside.

It's always a pleasure to move our Luing girls. Not only are they so quiet and easy to work with but the views we have when moving them is just unbelievable 😍

The calves have been put into there own shed and the pregnant cows in other sheds. We do keep about 27 cows outside on the fell over winter. The Luing cow is a hardy breed and is absolutely suited to being out wintered.

Any guests staying from February till mid April may get the chance to see new born calves and then, of course we go into lambing season 🤯

2025 is really filling up now so please get your preferred dates in to avoid disappointment.

Happy to answer any farming questions or any queries. It's always great when I see our guests and have the chance to talk about our farm.

Www.wanniesretreat.com

24/10/2024

October is absolutely flying by! This month we have been fully booked every day and I have enjoyed meeting our guests from near and far.

Our last guests took full advantage of what is on our doorstep, this was there review:

"Needles to say our stay was too short! It is so comfortable in the train it was tempting just to settle down with a drink and a good book. However we visited The Heritage Centre at Bellingham tea and cakes are available in the Tea on the Train Bellingham which is next to the centre. Mary Ann Rogers Gallery is well worth a visit and is very close. We had a meal at The Gun at Ridsdale a community pub, very friendly. Thank you Annabel for taking time to chat to us - you and Dave have created a beautiful oasis"

These guests were 2 couples, from Surrey and Kirkheaton. Family meeting up with each other, which I just love!

We have had guests from London, Scotland, St Helens, Newcastle as well as our very loyal repeat bookings, which I always appreciate.

It looks like there could be some great aurora action over the next couple of months. We have a few mid week stays left but not many. 2025 bookings are coming in every week so please don't delay getting your preferred dates.

Check out our website www.wanniesretreat.co.uk for availability.

As always any questions please just ask.

27/09/2024

A quick video of the exterior at Wannies Retreat. A very firn favourite it the 7 seater hot tub where you can unwind after a long day of exploring with a glass of your favourite 😍

The firepit is also a wiiner where guests simply sit and take in the amazing dark skies above them or enjoy the simple silence. Remember we have binoculars as well as telescopes for you to use 🔭

The bbq is there waiting for you should you wish to use it or you could take a walk to 2 local pubs.

Lots of recent guests have loved chatting to Mary at The Bay Horse 😁 and our guests also receive a 10% discount on food here 😀

Unbelievably we only have 17 weekends left for next year! 133 days are now booked in for 2025. Please do not miss out on your dates 👍🏻

Www.wanniesretreat.co.uk

27/09/2024

With lots of newbies and to remind our lovely past guests, I did a couple of videos the other day to give an insight into our carriage (you know how much I love doing these 🫣). This is a very quick look at the interior.

We have 5 separate rooms which means you get your privacy and it opens the door for couples, friends, families .....

We sleep up to 5 and have really comfy beds with lovely linen and local smellies. 2 ensuites with fluffy towels. Full size kitchen with 4 hob, cooker, grill, microwave, dishwasher, velvitiser. You can purchase our very own beef, lamb, pork and eggs for yummy breakfasts or delicious bbqs. Or yiu can wander to 2 local pubs with the best views. Say hi to the donkey and Shetland en route 😆

Dates left for this year include:

3rd and 4th November
24th to 27th November
1st to 5th December
9th to 11th December

Remember as a past guest to use your loyalty discount 👌

Www.wanniesretreat.co.uk

18/09/2024

🌠🌠🌠🌠SEPTEMBER

I have no idea how we are at 18th September all ready! This year really is absolutely flying by. The kids are back to school which is very helpful in feeling more organised but also comes with the almost daily task of being a taxi mam. Film club, cubs, guides, swimming, rowing and whatever other little impromptu trip they decide 😆

The carriage has been fully booked throughout the summer and we have had some fabulous guests ranging from couples, families, friends and of course our loyal repeat guests 💜

A visit from ITV was very last minute but our guests, as always, went with the flow and had some fun 🎥

Life on the farm is always busy and differs weekly. We have a pit full of silage and a shed full of straw ready for the winter months. The lambs have been weaned off their mothers and we have started to sell them thorough the mart. Shortly we will be testing the cattle to see who is in calf, fingers crossed for a high percentage 🤞

Don't forget when you stay with us you can purchase our very own lamb, pork, beef and eggs to enjoy in our full size fitted kitchen or outside on the BBQ 😋😋

Our dark skies have been spectacular this year and you can take full advantage when relaxing in the dark in the hot tub or using our telescopes or binoculars on the purpose built viewing platform or keeping toasty around the fire pit 🔭🔥

We only have 14 days left this year and already have 115 days booked in for 2025! 👀

Please get your preferred dates in quickly to avoid disappointment and don't forget to tell me if you are staying with us for a special occasion 🎂🍾

As always, any questions please just ask 😊

****check out the picture of a recent gift I received from our friend Derek Knox. A booking form and details with actual tickets for the last train "The Wansbeck Piper" on the Wansbeck Valley Line, how luck am I?***

www.wanniesretreat.co.uk

12/09/2024

Wannies Retreat appeared on ITV national news tonight!! Dave, my husband appeared on ITV to give the story on the difficulties in uplands farming.

A great opportunity to showcase the difficulties in farming whilst showing our wonderful guests having a good time 🤣

23/08/2024

As the school holidays are drawing to an end it is time to start looking at the last part of the year. We have lots of guests who love to cosy up at Wannies Retreat under our spectacular dark skies whilst soaking in the hot water in the 7 seater hot tub or toasting marshmallows by the firepit.

The carriage is very toasty with oil central heating throughout, fluffy towels and georgous bedding.

With 2 seperate bedrooms, both ensuite you can come as a family, group of friends, 2 couples....

We also offer our own beef, lamb, pork and free range eggs to have the best breakfast or cook up a storm on the BBQ. Robson Green loved our ribeye steaks! 😋😋

Telescopes and binoculars are on site to use and we have lots of books, indoor games and outdoor games for adults and children 😀 2 local pubs to enjoy a cooked meal too!

Dates remaining for 2024 are:

OCTOBER - 2nd and 3rd, 16th and 17th, 22nd to 25th
NOVEMBER- 3rd to 6th, 17th to 20th, 22nd to 27th
DECEMBER- 1st to 5th, 8th to 11th and 14th to 19th

2 night minimum stay, £225 per night (unless you are a returing guest), sorry no pets.

We have 98 days in already for 2025!!

[email protected]

28/07/2024

July is a busy month! The carriage is fully booked and we have welcomed lots of fabulous guests from all over the country.

On the farm it has been particularly difficult with the weather being so wet. We shear/clip our own sheep, well Dave does and whilst the sheep are in we dose the lambs for worms and bag up the wool. I always think it is quite sad that the wool is worth so little and we have to remove it for the welfare of the sheep. The sheep need to be dry to clip them, which has been a challenge! 🐑🐑🐑✂️✂️✂️

July is also the time we cut our silage fields. The grass is cut and then transferred to a pit and covered in plastic to ferment. This will be our feed for the cows over the winter period so it is a vital cog in the wheel.

August at Wannies is also fully booked and I'm looking forward to meeting new guests as well as repeat guests.

Availability for the remainder of 2024:
1st to 3rd October
22nd to 25th October
3rd to 6th November
15th to 20th November
22nd to 27th November
1st to 5th December
8th to 11th December

Www.wanniesretreat.co.uk

Don't forget to use your loyalty discount if you are a returning guest.

Happy Summer holidays to everyone, have fun 😁💜

14/07/2024

Another day, another changeover 😁

Having a quick bite to eat and having a look through our guest books. It's amazing how many different "types" of guests we have here at Wannies Retreat. Due to our layout we can accommodate couples, 2 sets of couples, 4/5 individuals, families....

We also get lots of special occasions celebrated here too, which I love. Our georgous guests who left today celebrated their 20th anniversary. Harriet had already stayed with friends and wanted to return with her husband. They had ordered a cheese and meat platter to have ready for arrival and after reading there review I was very touched.

"I've now stayed twice, first with friends and now with my hudband for our 20th anniversary and it definitely won't be my last. Annabel does everything possible to make you feel like a valued guest, her visit was a highlight actually, just a lovely, thoughtful host and I can't fault ANYTHING!!! With so much love for Wannies and so much thanks to our hosts"

Thank you to all of wonderful guests for your kind words, it really does make a difference.

Dates are still being booked for next year so please get your preferred dates in for your special occasion 💜

Any bookings made today will include a free firepack, marshmallows and a bottle of fizz to celebrate getting to the final 😀

As always, any questions please ask away.

Oh and Come on England! It's coming home
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

25/06/2024

51 changeovers have been carried out this year so far!

A changeover is a massive part of Wannies Retreat and Dave and I do each and every one, ensuring that personal touch always 💜

What's involved in a changeover? Well, lots! 👍🏻We empty the hot tub to clean it out and put fresh water in
👍🏻The beds are stripped and freshly laundered linen goes on, we may need to split beds, depending on who is staying as we can accommodate 5 singles, 2 kings etc
👍🏻Fresh, fluffy towels are placed with locally sourced smellies (soaps, which smell amazing!, hand cream, lip balm, shampoo bombs)
👍🏻The 2 ensuites are cleaned and polished (we supply toilet rolls 😬)
👍🏻The bedrooms are wiped down
👍🏻The living area is cleaned and polished
👍🏻Dining table cleaned and if kids are staying activity books, colouring in, scavenger hunts etc are laid out
👍🏻Cooker, hob, fridge freezer, microwave, units, worktop, sink etc are all cleaned, with ethical products 🌏
👍🏻Welcome goodies are left including coffee, tea biscuits, fudge, hot chocolate, fresh milk, cleaning pack, dishwasher tablets......
👍🏻All glass is polished
👍🏻Floors are hoovered and mopped
👍🏻Garden grass is cut, areas are strimmed, firepit and BBQ cleaned out, bird poo removed and the decking gets blowed
👍🏻Entrance grass is cut and strimmed and driveway blown
👍🏻Ensure toys in the shed are tidy, washing machine ready to use (detergent free to use)

We take huge pride in our work to make sure everything is spot on for your arrival.

Lots of guests order meat and eggs, direct from the farm ready to make the best breakfast or a scrummy BBQ. 😋
We also have a travel cot and high chair available for you.

It's a real pleasure going to say hello to our wonderful guests and see the happy faces 😀

A common comment is how well equipped Wannies Retreat is. If you think something is missing, please let me know 😆

Bookings are coming in fast for 2025 with 77 days gone already! Don't miss your preferred dates

Www.wanniesretreat.co.uk

30/05/2024

Hexham is a beautiful market town only 20 minutes away from Wannies Retreat. Lots to see and do for all ages.🧑‍🦳🧑🧑‍🦱🧔

Many historic buildings including the fabulous Hexham Abbey, a central park with many historic features including the bandstand as well as Tyne Green, which is a lovely walk with a great park and ducks waiting to be fed 🦆🦆

Hexham Farmers' Market is worth a look, if, like me you like cheese (👋) this is the place to buy it. There is also a great little cider producer often there 😀 🍎🍏

Many places to eat from great pubs, Italian, Chinese, Indian, cafes, Greek, Mexican.... 🇬🇧🇮🇹🇨🇳🇮🇳🇬🇷🇲🇽

Unique independent shops are growing in Hexham and there really is some great little finds. My boys favourite is Mr Wolf, a fabulous toy shop! 🐺🧸

On a rainy day, as if we get them 🤔😂, you can have a swim in the Wentworth leisure centre of have a game of bowling as well as a soft play, all under the one roof 🏊‍♀️🎳🛝

I have attached a link which shows our guests in June what is on and gives others a tase on what Hexham offers.

If you have stayed with us and went to Hexham and found something you liked please share it with us and let others know. Thank you very much 😊 💜

https://www.visithexham.net/blog/whats-hexham-june-2024?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1873ALP7JH3-TGNpqnCdsSdYdt-bHaA_03BUoQAvA2U3U3WQ6Ek0YvZyU_aem_AY21KQUfTxtCiKUiIyVDdwAsJ98uEaMxGqYxQ__bV23dQBsRNPvtQQEAZUOBR5pC2CF6L6iDMDpID3xCTRcf7cmV

Hexham has some great (and FREE) outdoor events this June, including Hexham Regatta on our lovely stretch of the River Tyne, weekly bandstand sessions on Sunday lunchtimes and the Under The Sun 2 festival offering live music and food.

20/05/2024

🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈

It was 3 years ago this month we opened the doors to Wannies Retreat. We have had so many guests, family groups, couples, friends, 2 couples and we have been so lucky to have such lovely guests who have really appreciated what we are about.

At Wannies Retreat we really try to make it a stay to remember and try to think of all our guests. Friends/couples have there own space with ensuite bedrooms at either end of the carriage. Familys with children - we have lots of indoor books, games and puzzles and lots of outside games as well as our fairy space.

The hot tub is a winner for everyone, whatever the weather. With a constant temperature to keep you cosy under cool dark skies or cooler on the sunny days.

A firepit to toast marshmallows, bbq to enjoy our own farm produce, viewing platform with telescopes and 600 acres to take in the abundance of nature on our livestock farm. Don't forget to say hello to the Shetland pony and donkey.

It's been great to meet so many people and thank you to all of you for the lovely reviews and kind words.

And of course we were on TV! Appearing on Robson Green's Weekend Escapes was a fantastic experience.

Only 3 weekends left this year and bookings for 2025 are filling up. To book your dates visit our website.

https://wanniesretreat.co.uk/

A few pictures of the progress......

01/05/2024

🌤🌤🌤🌤🌤🌤MAY🌤🌤🌤🌤🌤🌤

Currently having a quick bite to eat whilst finishing off another changeover. Sitting outside on the decking and watching the lambs playing is a wonderful sight 💜 and it actually feels warm! I haven't felt warm outside for quite a while and I have to say the weather during lambing was pretty shocking and made life very difficult but we got through it 💪🏻

Our recent guests, who stayed with us for 3 nights loved Wannies Retreat so much they booked another 3 nights for September, before they left! It really is humbling to have such positivity and I can't tell you how much I love having people enjoy themselves and take in the surroundings. I struggle to put into words what amazing views we have, day and night. 🌄🌠🌌

Yesterday and today we have been putting the cattle outside with the bulls. It's great to see them out but quite scary when they are running and kicking around you when you are moving them. You can see our cattle now from Wannies Retreat as well as the huge diversity of wildlife we have. We farm in a regenerative manner to ensure the land is looked after responsibly, farmlife and wildlife and biodiversity live together.

Only 3 weekends remaining for 2024 and next available dates are 30th September.

🤞 May is a great month with warm days, bbqs, time with friends and family and general happiness 😊

https://wanniesretreat.co.uk/

Head over to our website to book your stay and as always, any questions, just ask.

19/04/2024

I can't believe the kids have been back to school for a week! We had a fully booked Easter at Wannies Retreat with new guests, returning guests, birthday celebrations, families, friends..... I hope they all made some wonderful memories to treasure? 🥰

This years lambing has been one of the toughest we have ever experienced 😔 very, very long days and our 2 kids, Isabel and Finlay have been absolutely fantastic. 💯
Such a huge help to us that we are really missing them now they are back in school. I always reward the kids when they work hard, hopefully teaching them that if you put the effort in it is worth while 💪🏻

As you know, Dave and I did not come from a farming family and everything we have today we have grafted for! We haven't been handed anything, which is fine and to be honest I think that makes us appreciate what we have even more? 💜

Lots of our guests have been down to the (very muddy!) farm to see the lambs and calves and interacting with our guests is a huge part of what I love about Wannies Retreat. Don't worry, you don't have to talk to me if you don't want to 🤣🤣

Our next free date is 15th September and we only have 4 weekends left this year!!

Dates are going fast for next year so please get your preferred dates in to avoid disappointment 📆

https://wanniesretreat.co.uk/

Have a great weekend everyone, I know what we are doing this weekend 🐑🥴🤣

Pictures of my fabulous kids (although the 14 year old isn't keen on my pictures these days 🙄) oh and our good friend Sue Buckle 😊

06/04/2024

We, obviously get lots of guests who are interested in trains staying with us at Wannies Retreat.

Just 5 miles away is the lovely village of Bellingham and 2 great "must see" activities within 1 site. The Heritage Centre at Bellingham is packed full of wonderful displays about our local area and a great display on the railway infrastructure in this area. You pay what you want to enter! It's a wonderful little insight into our fascinating rural part of the world.

Metres away is the fabulous Tea on the Train Bellingham which serves delicious food including afternoon teas whilst seated on a mark 3 train.

Whilst in Bellingham you could take a walk up to Hareshaw Linn Waterfall, visit a great kids park with a walk along the river, browse 2 wonderful gift shops. Bellingham also has 3 pubs, a tap room, post office, hardware store, co op, butcher, soon to open new bakery, 2 other cafes, Chinese takeaway, Indian takeaway and pizzeria and a garage!

I would love to hear from guests who have experienced anything I have mentioned. Please comment below ⏬️

Bookings are coming in for 2025 and we have some winter availability. Check out our website to get your dates in. Thank you

https://wanniesretreat.co.uk/

Pictures of lambs as we are getting very busy with the little fellas! I will admit it is very, very hard work because of the wet conditions. We lamb outside and it would be lovely to see some sunshine on their backs! 🙏🌞☂️

02/04/2024

So.... we start lambing on Friday, 5th April! Oh do we?? We have had quite a few early arrivals 🤣🤣
All ok, thankfully but gosh it's made life tougher, quicker!

Our Easter guests have been pleased though so that's made it all worth while.

Esme and Grace got to meet our new arrivals and it was just lovely to show them.

As well as the lambs they saw our georgous calves too 💜 oh and the beautiful Corona, the donkey 🫏

It really is a pleasure when guests are so happy to be here, thank you 😊

https://wanniesretreat.co.uk/

And don't forget your loyalty discount! I don't do random discounts as I don't think it is fair on guests who have already booked but we do offer a loyalty discount 💜👍🏻❤️