Puddle duck retreat - great for the whole family

Puddle Duck Retreat Enjoy exclusive use of Puddle Duck Retreat, a peaceful countryside escape set in a beautiful park-like setting overlooking the River Wear. Surrounded by woodland and riverside walks, it's the perfect place to relax, explore nature, and spend quality time with family and friends. Whether you're planning a family gathering, a group getaway, or a relaxing break, Puddle Duck Retreat provides a memorable base for exploring the North East. The space Puddle duck retreat - The Alice Well Collection Nestled above the ancient spring that gave Cox Green its name and overlooking the gentle flow of the River Wear, Puddle Duck Retreat is a spacious and welcoming riverside cottage designed for families, friends, and memory-making. Part of The Alice Well Collection, this characterful retreat combines comfort, flexibility, and countryside charm, offering the perfect place to relax, reconnect, and explore. Arrive through the cottage porch, where river views greet you from the moment you step inside. A bench seat with storage baskets, coat hooks, shelving, and a storage cupboard provide plenty of space for coats, boots, and outdoor gear, keeping everything organised and ready for your next adventure. The heart of the cottage is a generous open-plan living space where everyone can gather together. Comfortable sofas surround a cosy log-burning stove, while a large-screen Smart TV provides entertainment for quieter evenings. A dedicated reading corner and vintage bureau create spaces for work, writing, or simply enjoying a peaceful moment. Hard flooring throughout makes the space practical for families, walkers, and longer stays. Leading from the living area is a bright and relaxing sunroom overlooking the garden. With a large comfortable sofa, dining table, and chairs, this second reception room offers a peaceful retreat for reading, playing games, enjoying a morning coffee, or simply watching the changing seasons beyond the windows. The well-equipped galley kitchen enjoys lovely views towards the river and includes everything needed for a comfortable self-catering stay, including a range cooker with double oven, microwave, kettle, toaster, coffee machine, air fryer, double sinks, and a large fridge freezer. Adjacent to the kitchen is the dining room, featuring a dining table with seating for six, a highchair, a small TV, and two comfortable chairs that convert into a 4ft small double bed. This flexible room can also be used as an additional fourth bedroom when required. Beyond the dining room is a practical utility room with a washing machine, dishwasher, and tumble dryer, together with a convenient ground-floor cloakroom with WC and wash basin. Upstairs, the landing offers glimpses of the river and leads to the spacious family bathroom, complete with a luxurious Jacuzzi bath, large walk-in shower, wash basin, and WC — the perfect place to unwind after a day exploring the Wear Valley. Sleeping Accommodation The Mallard Room The principal bedroom features a king-size bed, Smart TV, bedside tables, chest of drawers, and mirror. Rich green décor reflects the colours of the riverside landscape, while views over the garden and woodland beyond create a peaceful and restful retreat. The Duck Egg Room A light and airy double bedroom decorated in calming duck-egg blue tones. Complete with a dressing table and mirror, this relaxing room provides a tranquil space to recharge and unwind. The Duckling Room A versatile family bedroom with fitted wardrobes and generous storage. This adaptable room includes a sofa bed that converts into a large single bed, making it ideal for children or additional guests. An extra folding bed is also available for younger visitors if required. A travel cot can be placed in any of the bedrooms, making the cottage particularly suitable for families with young children. Family-Friendly Features Travel cot available Highchair provided Additional folding bed for children Flexible sleeping arrangements Jacuzzi bath and large family bathroom Utility room with washing machine and tumble dryer Log-burning stove Outdoor Living Puddle Duck Retreat truly comes into its own outdoors, offering plenty of space for both relaxation and family fun. To the rear of the cottage, a large decked terrace overlooks the garden and provides the perfect setting for al fresco living. Guests can enjoy a BBQ smoker, fire pit, two comfortable garden sofas, and a spacious outdoor dining area with table and chairs. Two large parasols provide welcome shade on warm summer days, making this an ideal spot for everything from leisurely breakfasts to long evenings under the stars. Beyond the decking lies a generous lawned garden, perfect for children to run and play. A wooden swing seat offers a peaceful place to sit and enjoy the surroundings, while younger guests will love the large play treehouse complete with swings and slide. The secure enclosed garden makes Puddle Duck Retreat a wonderful choice for families and provides a safe space for four-legged companions to enjoy their holiday too. At the front of the cottage, guests can relax beside the river and watch the sun set over the water. Comfortable seating creates the perfect spot for an evening drink, while a small bistro table and chairs outside the dining room patio doors provide a peaceful place to enjoy a morning coffee as the river slowly comes to life. Whether you're gathering around the fire pit, dining outdoors with family, watching the children play, or simply soaking up the riverside views, the outdoor spaces at Puddle Duck Retreat offer something for everyone. River, garden, and woodland views Whether you're gathering generations together, enjoying riverside walks, discovering local wildlife, or simply slowing down beside the fire, Puddle Duck Retreat offers a warm welcome and a memorable stay in the heart of The Alice Well Collection. Built Above a Spring. Rooted in Stories. Guest access Parking The property benefits from a private driveway with space for up to three vehicles. Access is via a narrow lane leading to the cottage, which may require a little extra care when manoeuvring, particularly for larger vehicles or less confident drivers. For added convenience, a small public parking area is available at the end of the terrace should you prefer to park there or require additional space during your stay. Other things to note Kingfisher's Perch is nestled within a peaceful riverside hamlet of fewer than 20 homes, offering the perfect balance of countryside tranquillity and easy access to some of the North East's most popular destinations. Surrounded by the River Wear, woodland trails and open countryside, the cottage is an ideal base for walkers, cyclists, wildlife lovers and anyone looking to spend time outdoors. Historic castles, heritage sites, market towns and picturesque villages can all be explored nearby, while the vibrant cities of Durham, Sunderland and Newcastle are just a short drive away, each offering shopping, dining, culture and entertainment for all ages. For those who love the coast, some of the North East's award-winning beaches and dramatic coastline are within easy reach, making day trips to the seaside effortless. The cottage is pet-friendly and features a large enclosed garden, allowing both children and four-legged family members to enjoy the outdoors safely. The surrounding riverside setting is home to an abundance of wildlife, including kingfishers, herons, swans, otters and even the occasional seal. Please note that the driveway is accessed via a traditional narrow village lane, which may require extra care for larger vehicles or less confident drivers. Additional free parking is available nearby if preferred. Kingfisher's Perch forms part of The Alice Well Collection, a family-run group of cottages inspired by the ancient spring that gave Cox Green its name. Our family has called this riverside hamlet home for three generations, and many of the stories, local recommendations and hidden gems shared with guests come from our own connection to the area. We hope your stay leaves you with wonderful memories, new adventures, and perhaps a desire to return to this special corner of the Wear Valley.