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Overview
A pretty period cottage inside the atmospheric fishing village of Craster.
Chic whitewashed interiors give way to splendid sea views from the master bedroom
Picture a coastal holiday home and it’s likely you’ll imagine a pretty, flinty cottage with soothing whitewashed interiors swathed in marine blues and punctuated by shell-studded mirrors, ornamental starfish and sculptures crafted from driftwood.
Happily, The Arch is just that. Hidden behind a stone archway (hence the name), in the quaint, unspoilt fishing village of Craster – which is chiefly famed for its production of cold-smoked herrings (better known as kippers) – this cutesy 18th century terraced cottage for four lies just a short hop from the picturesque harbour, the striking, windswept ruins of Dunstaburgh Castle and Embleton Bay, one of the finest beaches on the Northumberland coast.
Inside, this period home is full of character with stained glass windows depicting wading birds, fish-shaped shelving and eye-catching artwork from local artists. On the ground floor a convivial open-plan kitchen and living area. To one side lies the kitchen area whose traditional cabinets fitted with sleek integrated fixtures contain everything you need to rustle up a delicious meal, which you can enjoy around the circular dining table in the centre of the room. At the far side, under exposed, white-washed beams and the cosy slope of the staircase beckon deep sofas set in a casual ‘L’ shape around the open cast iron fireplace. Here, painted wooden panelling on the walls and seaside-inspired lamps, artwork and ornaments come together to create a homely coastal feel.
French windows lead out from here to the courtyard-style patio garden – a south-facing suntrap that’s illuminated at night by pretty festoon lighting. An extendable, six-person table lets you dine outside as soft, slightly salty breezes flutter around. Continue further on and you’ll find an outhouse, which handily hides the washer/dryer, a barbecue and a pair of bodyboards out of sight.
Back inside and upstairs, you’ll find two light, bright, airy and impeccably presented bedrooms and a family bathroom. A small twin features traditional wrought-iron beds draped with inky blue bedspreads decorated with small fish, ideal for children, with a selection of children’s books for some avid holiday reading. While in the master bedroom, which contains a comfortable king-sized bed, awe-inspiring glimpses of the sea and Dunstanburgh Castle steal the show.
As close as the sea is, closer still is the low-ceilinged Jolly Fisherman Inn and its award-winning seafood restaurant. You’ll also find a gallery and a café in Craster’s small centre, as well as a seaside children’s playground and a boat lined harbour, great for rock-pooling or paddling. If you’d rather stroll further, a stunning but gentle walk stretches from the cottage over dune-lined headlands to Dunstanburgh Castle. For a longer hike, continue on past Dunstanburgh Castle to white-sand Embleton Bay and stop off at Low Newton-by-the-Sea’s lovely Ship Inn pub, with its own brewery next door.
Holy Island is also within a 45-minute drive, as are the iconic castles at Alnwick and Bamburgh. Both have appeared in many recent blockbuster films –- ones you could perhaps watch after a fun day of sightseeing.
Property details
Ground floor
Entrance leading into open-plan kitchen and sitting room.
Kitchen with integrated fan oven, combi microwave oven, 4 ring induction hob, integrated fridge and freezer, dishwasher, Tassimo coffee machine and Belfast sink. Round dining table with seating for 4 guests. A washing machine and dryer are located in the external outhouse.
Sitting room with two large two-seater sofas, pouffe, side tables, open fire (with coal, kindling and matches provided), Smart TV with Netflix account provided, DVD player, CD Player/ DAB Radio/ Bluetooth speaker, games and books provided. French doors leading out to the patio area.
First floor
Bedroom one with king size bed, bedside tables and lamps, DAB radio, built-in wardrobe with hanging space and shelf, tall chest of drawers, two chairs and a table by the window which is fitted with plantation shutters. Velux windows offer stunning views up the coast to Dunstanburgh Castle.
En-suite shower room with large electric shower, WC, small basin with storage beneath, mirror and heated towel rail.
Bedroom two with twin 3' beds and bedside table between. Wardrobe with hanging space and two drawers, chest of drawers with lamp and wall-mounted mirror, shelf storage, built-in cupboard housing children’s books. Plantation shutters at the window.
Family bathroom with electric shower over bath, WC, heated towel rail, basin, mirror with shaver point and cupboard storage.
Outside
There is a patio garden with festoon outdoor lighting and dining table for six guests with an additional bistro table seating two guests on the raised patio section which benefits from sea views. Two sun loungers are available for guest use. A charcoal barbecue is available.
There is an outhouse which is accessed externally across the patio which stores the washing machine, dryer. This space offers ample storage for bikes and outdoor gear. Two bodyboards are available for guest use.
Parking
There is private off-street parking for two cars.
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 and children
A travel cot and highchair are available for guest use on request.
Dogs
Sorry, dogs are not allowed.
Guest amenities
High quality towels and Egyptian cotton linen are provided with anti-allergenic bedding. A hairdryer is provided.
Wi-Fi & Mobile coverage
Wi-Fi is available. Mobile coverage can be patchy in Craster depending on the network.
Heating
There is central heating throughout in addition to the open fire in the sitting room - coal, kindling and matches are provided.
Location
The cottage is set in an excellent location just a few minutes’ walk from Craster’s pretty harbour and local amenities include the highly-regarded Jolly Fisherman pub and restaurant; the lovely Shoreline Café for a steaming cappuccino and home-made cakes (dogs welcome too!); and the Mick Oxley Gallery where you will find wonderful artworks and artisan gifts. There is also the Craster Fish Restaurant, part of Robson's Smokehouse overlooking the harbour and home of the famous Craster Kippers. Pop next door and you can purchase a selection of smoked delicacies from the shop as well as fresh fish, shellfish, cheeses and other delicious local produce from the Northumbrian heartlands.
A little further afield, you will find a greater range of amenities in nearby Alnwick (7 miles) with an eclectic selection of specialist shops, including a deli, bakery, award-winning butcher’s, charming coffee and gift shops, as well as a number of supermarkets for holiday provisions. It is also home to the extraordinary Barter Books, one of the largest second-hand book shops in Europe where you can spend a blissful few hours browsing or relaxing in a comfy armchair in this characterful and beautifully restored former railway station. Also not to be missed is the wonderful Treehouse Restaurant at Alnwick Gardens set high in the treetops for a very unique dining experience.
Activities
The beautiful scenery at Craster is a haven for walkers, photographers and artists who are drawn by its dramatic coastline, colourful fishing boats and the rich birdlife and wildlife of the area’s coastal nature reserves. The walks around Craster regularly feature in the top ten coastal walks in the UK and guests can enjoy some fabulous routes right from the doorstep. Walk or cycle northwards along the flat shoreline where the skeletal fingers of Dunstanburgh Castle jut dramatically towards the skyline; take in the wonderful views over towards the Farne Islands seabird colony; head south to explore the sheer diversity of the landscape on a coastal walk to Cullernose Point; or discover the hidden cove of Rumbling Kern once used as a cache for whisky smuggling and bootlegging.
Embleton Bay (3.5 miles) and Low Newton-by-the-Sea (5.5 miles) cover a breathtaking stretch of silver sands just perfect for families, children and dogs where you can spend endless hours paddling, sandcastle-building, walking, surfing and body-boarding. The Northumberland Coastal Path and National Cycle Route 1 run right through this area taking in scenic coastal paths and never-ending beaches all the way along to Beadnell Bay, one of the best equipped places in the county for watersports. Backed by huge dunes which offer shelter for a cosy picnic on blustery days, the wide, golden sands of this horseshoe shaped bay make it a popular destination for families.
You can try kitesurfing, bodyboarding, coasteering and kayaking with a number of accredited schools and instructors across the area, and the bay offers excellent conditions for wakeboarding and waterskiing. Jetskis and boats can be launched here, and there are a number of diving and snorkeling clubs with a host of popular dive sites close by including the wreck of the Somali, a ship that was bombed in 1941.
A short drive will take you to the charming village of Alnmouth with its brightly painted houses nestled along the bank of the North Aln Estuary, while a little further south will take you to the docks of Amble Harbour where you can take a boat charter to the RSPB reserve of Coquet Island which is home to over 36,000 sea birds, including thousands of puffins as well as roseate tern, one of the country’s rarest nesting seabirds.
For golf fans, there are scenic courses at Dunstanburgh, Alnwick, Alnmouth and Seahouses, while fishing enthusiasts can cast a line on the River Coquet for sea-trout, or book a sea-fishing charter from the harbour at Craster or Amble.
History buffs will delight in visits to the grand stately homes and medieval castles of the area - Warkworth, Bamburgh and Lindisfarne stand as reminders of the area’s turbulent past, or head inland to the magnificent Alnwick Castle or Chillingham Castle for a super family day out. Here you will find an activity programme brimming with adventure where children can take part in all sorts of magic and mayhem inspired by the characters of Harry Potter or test their knightly courage in the Dragon Quest. For garden lovers, a visit to the stunning setting of Alnwick Gardens or Howick Hall is an absolute must, with spectacular spring and autumn colours and beautiful walks through the grounds.
Finally why not take a journey inland to Ingram to experience a star-gazing treat under the outstanding dark skies of the Northumberland National Park, or pack your mountain bike, walking boots and climbing kit to experience the endless traffic-free trails and dramatic open landscapes of the Cheviot and Simonside Hills, taking in iron-age hill forts, Hadrian’s Wall and some amazing panoramic vistas along the way.
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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"We have had a wonderful stay in Craster and the Arch. Stunning place to visit. The house was beautifully organised and very special."
The Thornhills" Thank you once again for a wonderful week at The Arch. The cottage is beautifully set up and can not be faulted."
Sue"Your beautiful cottage was delightful to stay in for our first visit to Craster. The Arch is a place we'd definitely return to and recommend! We especially loved visiting Embleton, Alnwick Gardens and the fantastic Ship Inn ( this was by far our favorite place to eat!)"
Eilidh, Ben & Joe"We have had a wonderful week exploring the coast & countryside around Craster. The Arch is comfy & cozy home from home - we hope to be back soon!"
Brown party"Once again Crabtree&Crabtree didn’t let us down.The Arch in Craster was a lovely comfortable house in which to spend a lovely week.Location was perfect house was within a great area to explore Northumberland. We will be back! Thank you."
Mr & Mrs Brown"Thank you for sharing your wonderful cottage. One of the loveliest and well equipment we have stayed in. We were hoping for a much needed relaxed break and we got just that by the bucketful! Caster has so much to offer and with very friendly locals."
Hunter FamilyAvailability
- Sorry, dogs are not allowed.
- Typical arrival day: Friday or Monday
- Arrival time: 4pm
- Departure time: 10am
"The pretty harbour right on the doorstep. As well as the wonderful view towards Dunstanburgh Castle that can be enjoyed from the main bedroom window"Kat, Crabtree & Crabtree
