| Says Bryn
Frank editor of The Good Holiday Cottage Guide,
'The Northumberland coast is amazing. But while
there are places of character there's a shortage
of high-end properties. This remarkable new portfolio
of holiday cottages fills the gap.'
In exceptional sought-after coastal locations around Beadnell, Seahouses, Bamburgh and Tughall Steads, near charming Newton-by-the-Sea, Coastal Retreats is a privately-owned Five Star-graded collection of 13 luxury self catering holiday cottages with boutique style contemporary interiors. They could be classified as 'coastal chic', and child and baby friendly to boot. There's a penthouse apartment with huge vaulted ceiling overlooking Budle Bay, a restored fisherman's cottage in the oldest part of Seahouses and a harbourside upside down, architect designed, house with stunning sea views.
Among so many memorable features, common to all
or most properties, are log fires, sea views, professionally
designed interiors, gardens, CD players, coffee
machines, barbeques, breadmakers, dishwashers, phones,
squashy sofas and comfy king size beds. There's
well chosen children's play equipment and soft furnishings.
Creche days at a local nursery, babysitting, gourmet
dinners in your cottage, wine tasting, organic vegetable
hampers and freshly prepared meals can all be arranged
for you in advance.
Membership to the nearby private leisure club and
spa included with its 20m pool, jacuzzi, gym and
steam room. Non smoking. No pets. Friday and Monday
changeovers. All have digital TV, some have docking
stations and most have free WiFi access.
We know Northumberland well, but think this description
of the county by the people behind Coastal Retreats
sums up its charms exceptionally well:
Northumberland is a place to come for wide, wide
spaces and long, long beaches. For the charm of
market towns, for the echoes of Roman legionaries
and the silence of green forests.
There are Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty among
the North Pennines and Northumberland coast including
a 40-mile stretch of Heritage Coast between Berwick
and Amble, and the rolling Cheviot Hills and myriads
of tracks through Kielder Forest. You can experience
Skyspace and get lost in a maze, or see two of the
fascinating, specially-commissioned sculptures dotted
around Kielder Water. Cast yourself away on Holy
Island (the tide cuts it off twice a day from the
mainland) and explore the castle, priory and Heritage
Centre. In the latter, you can ‘turn the pages’
(via a computer screen) of the brilliantly illuminated
7th century Lindisfarne Gospels, which have been
described as the most beautiful illuminated manuscript
in the world. Or go puffin and seal spotting around
the Farne Islands.
Nearby attractions include Alnwick Gardens, Dunstanburgh Castle, Chillingham Castle, Paxton House and Howick Gardens. For a truly inspirational mix of peace and fresh air, you can’t beat the coastal retreats of Beadnell, Alnmouth and Druridge Bay. Ford and Etal are delightful estate villages, one with a working cornmill, Morpeth has a bagpipe museum and The Sanctuary Wildlife Care Centre, and Berwick-upon-Tweed is a proud border town whose magnificent Elizabethan walls give some of the finest views of the coastline.
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