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Late availability discount – 15% off bookings arriving within 30 days, and 10% off bookings arriving between 30 and 60 days.
Overview
A warm, well-equipped and dog-friendly property deep in rural Northumberland.
Enjoy Coquet Valley views plus proximity to historic Brinkburn Priory
If you like sweeping views across fields, handsome historical sights, great walking or all three, then you’ll love Bel House.
It lies just inside the rural Coquet Valley’s beautiful Brinkburn estate. The first of four terraced cottages where workers previously lived, this was a gatehouse beyond which visitors proceeded to the 12th-century Brinkburn Priory and its later-added gothic manor house – both of which you can visit today.
Grade II listed and named after the old estate carpenter’s wife, Bel House has two first-floor bedrooms – one king-sized with fine country views and a striking silver-coloured chest of drawers; the other a super-king or twin, depending on your preference, and starring a built-in wardrobe – which share a bathroom. This large bathroom includes a curved glass-fronted shower and a deep freestanding bath for long luxurious soaks.
A classic palette of cream, ivory, white and honey-hued stone holds sway downstairs. In the sitting room this scheme is rendered cosy with rich tones, a caramel-coloured sofa and a wide fireplace fitted with a log burning stove and warm backlighting. Around the corner, hides an open-plan kitchen boasting numerous appliances, from a washer-dryer and dishwasher to an electric fan oven. The light grey cabinetry here is attractively interrupted by wicker storage baskets. To one side stands a round dining table where everyone can gather for mealtimes or a tea and cake in the afternoon.
Offering more pretty pastoral vistas over low fences, Bel’s lawned garden looks south and east. Wrapping around the home, it joins a segregated front garden of potted plants and a shrubbery. This allows dog-owners to get their pooches from car to the rear garden without entering the house – mighty handy in the event of mucky canines! In this garden you’ll also find a white wrought iron table and chairs and a Webber barbecue enabling al-fresco meals or simply another lovely spot to enjoy a glass of wine at sunset.
Brinkburn Priory is a two-minute drive or ten-minute walk into the estate, secluded on a snaking, steep-sided bend of the River Coquet. Featuring distinctive witches’-hat towers, it was built in 1135 by Augustinian monks delighted at the seclusion of this wooded valley. Centuries later, the now-private residence was painted by Turner before seeing a gothic manor house added.
With the Priory now an English Heritage property, you’ll need to pay (or be a member) to enter and admire its stained-glass windows or William Hill organ. Around the wider, wonderful Brinkburn estate, there’s a gorgeous circular trail to walk along the Coquet, plus a designated spot for wild swimmers.
Ready to explore further? Alnwick Castle and the pretty market town of Rothbury are close, while Coquetdale, the Coquet’s upper section, is a wonderfully wild expanse of open moorland and rocky outcrops extending into the Cheviot Hills and Northumberland National Park. You’re also within 15 miles of Alnmouth’s bay beach, and just an hour’s drive from Hadrian’s Wall.
Property details
GROUND FLOOR
Access from the front doorway into the porch.
The sitting room is grade II listed and was originally part of the gatekeeper's cottage. It contains a three seater sofa, armchair, coffee and side table with reading lamp, wood burning stove and Smart TV. Ample amounts of tourist information leaflets are provided.
Well-equipped open-plan kitchen, around the corner from the sitting area. It contains a slimline dishwasher, countertop freezer and integrated under bench fridge, 4-ring gas hob and electric oven, microwave, 4-slice toaster, kettle, cafetiere, integrated washer/dryer combi, ample storage, and round dining table seating up to four guests.
FIRST FLOOR
Bedroom one with king size bed, bedside tables with lamps, chest of drawers, and hanging hooks on the back of the door. Window offers views over the fields to the rear of the cottage.
Bedroom two can be configured to a super king size or twins. Contains bedside tables with lamps, tall chest of drawers with vanity mirror, armchair, large built-in wardrobe with a hanging rail. This cupboard also stores the hoover, iron and ironing board. Window offers views of the side garden and estate driveway.
Large family bathroom with walk-in shower, separate free-standing bath, heated towel rail, WC and basin with illuminated mirror above.
A z-bed is available on request (subject to availability) at a fee of £40 for guests who would like a different bed set-up, however, the number of guests cannot exceed the stated maximum.
OUTSIDE
A South and East facing lawned garden wraps around the side of the cottage. Outside dining table with seating for four guests.
Guests are welcome to explore the surrounding estate - the lovely river walk loop trail is a must.
Please note that, unlike the neighbouring cottage, Bel House does not have access from the garden to the field behind the cottages.
PARKING
There are two designated parking spaces opposite the front of the cottage.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING
For safety reasons, we do not permit electric vehicle or hybrid car charging at this property. If you’re travelling by EV, discover your nearest electric vehicle charging point here.
BABIES & CHILDREN
A travel cot and highchair are provided on request.
DOGS
Two dogs are welcome at a charge of £35 per dog.
GUEST AMENITIES
Luxury bed linen and towel robes are provided.
WI-FI & MOBILE COVERAGE
Wi-Fi is available and is a good speed. Mobile coverage is poor in the cottage and surrounding estate but guests will be able to make Wi-Fi calls instead.
HEATING
Central heating throughout the property. Wood burning stove in the sitting room. Initial supply of logs provided, with extra supplies available to purchase on-site.
GUEST PRIVACY
Bel House sits on the end of a terrace row of four cottages at the entrance of the estate. The garden is enclosed but visible to the neighbouring property.
The estate office sits along from the property and staff may occasionally be seen passing.
ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION
For guests looking to holiday together, this property can be booked alongside the other three cottages in the row, Blakey House (sleeps 4), Cuthbert House (sleeps 4), and Mullins House (sleeps 4).
Blakey & Cuthbert House can also be booked as a single unit sleeping 8.
A further two properties, The Stables (sleeps 8) and Priory Cottage (sleeps 2), are located 0.5 miles away on the Estate.
The Stables & Priory Cottage can be booked as a single unit sleeping 10.
Fishing on site
Salmon and trout fishing is available on the Brinkburn Estate.
Guests must bring their own equipment including rods, flies and waders. A rod license must also be purchased.
Please contact us for further details.
Location
The local village of Longframlington (2.8 miles) has a small convenience store and popular local butchers. The village also benefits from The Village Inn and The Granby Inn, both of which serve traditional pub food or head to Running Fox, a delightful artisan bakery coffee shop.
The attractive town of Rothbury is 4.5 miles away and is home to several independent shops, restaurants and pubs. It has an excellent butchers shop opposite the T-junction as you drive in or try Tulley Delicatessen for a great selection of cheeses.
Morpeth is 11.4 miles away and features a wider range of shops and eateries, including Turkish, Italian and Thai restaurants as well as a range of cosy tearooms. Larger supermarkets can be found in the market town for when you need to stock up on supplies.
You can also find some lovely characterful shopping in the village shops at Longhorsley and Belsay.
Activities
This is frontier land, full of history, heritage and wild, natural beauty; where walking and cycling routes have been shaped by ancient Romans, drovers and plundering Border reivers through the ages. Through it, the River Coquet meanders through vast stretches of moorland and picturesque valleys.
You are welcome to explore Brinkburn Estate during your stay where you will find a tranquil riverside trail as well as Brinknurn Priory and Manor House. Members of English Heritage will be able to visit for free, while non-members will need to purchase a ticket.
Nearby Cragside House and Gardens offers a fascinating day out for the family where you can discover the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity. Crammed full of gadgets developed by Victorian inventor, innovator and landscape genius, Lord Armstrong, Cragside is truly a wonder of its age. The adventure playground with its network of paths and tunnels will be a huge hit with children and the gardens are an absolute delight.
Further across you will find Clennell Street which follows the ancient drover road where you can enjoy fantastic panoramic views over the Coquet Valley and Cheviot Hills, dropping down to the tiny village of Alwinton where you can rest tired legs and enjoy a pie and a pint at the Rose and Thistle pub. Alwinton is also a designated Dark Sky Discovery site so it’s also a perfect spot to indulge in a spot of stargazing.
Alternatively, the Street or ‘clattering path’ is a Roman road where you can walk the Border Ridge and look for iron age hill forts and enigmatic rock carvings, or why not take a ranger-led walk from Harbottle to see the fabled Drake Stone.
If you prefer to spend your days on two wheels, head to nearby Kidland Forest and Upper Coquetdale which is a super loop involving lovely woodland tracks and long riverside trails, or for something a little more high energy the Reivers Cycle Route will tick the right box.
The area is also a fantastic spot for climbing and bouldering with crags at Simonside and to the north and west of Rothbury, while fell runners will simply be in their element here.
For those looking for a more relaxed option, enjoy a pampering treatment at your cottage with Harmony Holistic Mobile Spa.
Also within easy reach are the award-winning Alnwick Gardens and Alnwick Castle, home to the Duke of Northumberland and one of Britain’s most iconic castles. With its rich history, exquisite art, beautiful gardens, and film location for Harry Potter, there is plenty of wizardly magic and mayhem to keep all ages entertained.
Finally, the stunning beaches of the Northumberland coast can be easily reached in under an hour - perfect for picnics with a bucket and spade. Visit Bamburgh Castle and its amazing dog-friendly beach where you can walk for miles on white sugary sands, stopping off for ice cream along the way, or why not follow in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims to the mystical Holy Island of Lindisfarne to complete the final journey of St. Cuthbert and enjoy the breathtaking views from the sheltered dune-fringed sands of this uniquely special place. Simply magical!
C&C experiences
We invite you to enjoy the most coveted and exclusive local experiences available in the North of England and the South of Scotland on your next Crabtree & Crabtree adventure.
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Children and families
Here at Crabtree & Crabtree, we like to think we’ve pulled together some rather nifty ideas to keep tots to teens happy and entertained during your stay.
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Fishing
Welcome to the realm of the king of fish, the mighty River Tweed. Every year thousands of Atlantic Salmon make their way up river, an annual odyssey that is one of nature's miracles.
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Historic houses and castles
With more stately homes, castles and historic sites here than you can shake a proverbial stick at, visitors are quite simply spoilt for choice.
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Wildlife
Our region is home to outstanding scenery which boasts emerald forests, pristine lochs and rivers, heathery hillsides, sweeping moorlands as well as a picture perfect coastline.
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Walking
From the lush green uplands to shimmering sea, the area boasts a hugely diverse and enticing landscape that is perfect for exploring on foot. From gentle rambles to long-distance hikes, there are a vast array of trails and waymarked routes for newbie walkers or experienced alike.
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Museums, galleries and culture
Our museums tell the story of Borders people and provide a unique insight into our region’s heritage and culture, such as the turbulent past of the Border Reivers or the tragic tale of exiled Mary Queen of Scots.
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Golf
There are 40 golf courses in Northumberland, and another 21 in the Scottish Borders offering visitors an incredibly wide and varied range of golfing options.
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Adventure Sports
If you love a challenge or just crave a little excitement away from the day-to-day bustle of working life, we have lots to offer - whether it be watery pursuits, muddy blasts or thrill seeking, adrenaline-charged adventures.
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Cycling & mountain biking
Whether you ride fast or slow, on-road or off-road, there is something uniquely special about enjoying some outdoor time on two wheels. Here in the region we have something for everyone from high-energy mountain biking blasts to gentle forest paths the whole family can enjoy.
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Shooting
For sheer variety alone Northumberland and the Scottish Borders are irresistible to any gun.
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Ancestral history research
Crabtree & Crabtree know that tracing the history of your family can be a wonderful journey of discovery. Here are our top tips for starting your family tree.
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Dog sitting
Our experienced dog sitters will look after your furry friends whilst you are out exploring.
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Additional housekeeping
Award yourself a real break and let us provide a pair (or more) of helping hands.
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Wine delivery
Crabtree & Crabtree have teamed up with Corney & Barrow one of the longest established independent Wine Merchants in the UK to offer a bespoke service.
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Holiday photography
Family holidays, reunions and honeymoons kindle priceless moments that deserve preserving.
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Availability
- Two dogs are welcome at a charge of £35 per dog.
- Typical arrival day: Friday and Monday, with the additional option of Wednesday out of high season.
- Arrival time: 4pm
- Departure time: 10am
"The original features retained in the sitting room give the cottage heaps of character and really hint back to the cottage's origin as the cosy estate gate house."Kat, Crabtree & Crabtree
