Shepherds Dene is an Edwardian country house designed for family living and weekend house parties. As one of our guests said. “It is a very special place in terms of the buildings and the grounds but it is also special in terms of the warm hospitality offered by all the people met.”
The House is ideal for retreats, small conferences and meetings, within easy access of Durham and Newcastle. It can be hired as a whole – which gives guests the privacy to make themselves at home – or in part, for smaller groups and individuals seeking a meeting room or a private room to study.
There are 20 acres of grounds to explore from formal lawns to a woodland stream – where deer can often be seen. There is a labyrinth that can be walked for meditation or just for fun. There are plenty of spots for quiet reflection and a croquet lawn and volleyball court to let off steam.
MEETING ROOMS
The rooms can all be arranged to suit individual requirements and projection facilities can be set up in any of the rooms as well.There is wi fi access throughout the house but only poor mobile phone reception.
Newall Room (5.7m x 6.2m)
Situated on the first floor with views across the Marchburn valley, the Newall Room can accommodate up to 30 people with a theatre style layout. The room can also be laid out in a boardroom style with table and chairs for 18 people and has state of the art projection equipment.
Terrace Room (4.5m x 8.0m)
The principal ground floor room, this room has direct access to the gardens at the front of the house. Laid out with sofas and armchairs, up to 18 people can be accommodated sitting in a semi circle.
Bar (4.0m x 4.0m)
This is an intimate room suitable for one to one and small group meetings with comfortable armchairs. It can seat up to 8 people and also be used as a breakout room. The bar is locked out of sight in wooden cabinets during the day.
Chapel (9.3m x 6.2m)
This opens off the Entrance Hall and can seat up to 50 people for worship, lectures or concerts. It is always open for private prayer and can also be used, by prior arrangement, for suitable meetings and activities.
Dining Room (7.5m x 6.2m)
Overlooking the gardens, the dining room seats up to 40 people refectory style, but the tables can be set up for smaller groups and dressed up for special occasions. There is a wonderful Arts and Crafts fireplace and attractive features.
Entrance Hall
Situated in the heart of the house. It has comfortable sofas, window seats and a log fire. Up to 30 people can be accommodated for informal gatherings, recitals and drinks receptions.
Summer House (3.0m x 2.0m)
Located in the Quiet Garden, this wooden summer house was opened in Spring 2012 and seats 2 comfortably. There are French windows onto the lawn and it is an ideal spot for quiet reflection or one-to-one discussions.
Prayer House
Once the gas store for the house, this hexagonal stone building was converted to a Prayer House in Spring 2012 and can seat up to 6 for prayer and quiet reflection.