The fireplace is often the heart of a home; a place for gatherings with loved ones as you chitter-chatter and share stories until the wee hours, everyone with hearts content and cheeks a little flushed from the warmth of the flickering flames.

We’ve gathered some eye-catching fireplaces from our handpicked holiday homes in Northumberland, the Scottish Borders and East Lothian. Settle down into a squishy sofa and read on to inspire your next greater escape…

The Boathouse

Take your choice of deep window seats (every room here flaunts a view) cosy up by the warmth of the fire and let Mother Nature’s riverside inhabitants entertain you.

The Boathouse | Sleeps 10 | Norham, Northumberland

Curlew Cottage

A sweeter fireplace we never did see. Daily beachy adventures await and “The Copper Kettle”, the pleasingly named tearoom that is situated next door, is quite simply a must-visit.

Curlew Cottage | Sleeps 2+2 | Bamburgh, Northumberland

Coledale Stables

French-imported, ceiling-suspended, featuring a bold shade of zingy orange in a perfect space for wow-factor entertaining… this may just be our most popular statement fireplace.

Coledale Stables | Sleeps 8 | Kelso, Scottish Borders

Captain's Rest

Dim the chandelier and unwind by the ceiling-height fireplace with a glass of locally made gin or ale in hand. Need a top up? Head to Bamburgh's top-notch village pubs and restaurants.

Captain's Rest | Sleeps 2+2 | Bamburgh, Northumberland

Coach House

Offering a perfect fusion of comfort and elegance, wrap yourself up in the luxurious surroundings. The double-sided wood burner connects the living spaces and is the real heart of the house.

Coach House | Sleeps 8 | Lesbury, Northumberland

School House

Enjoy a peaceful riverside setting and network of walks surrounding the cottage before retreating to throw another log in the fire and enjoy cosy evenings in the double-height welcoming living space.

School House | Sleeps 6 | Coldstream, Scottish Borders

Mulberry Cottage

In this design-led sitting room, Green Smoke and Inchyra Blue are enlivened with an opulent orange velvet sofa and hints of art-deco gold, all set around the warming heart of a real fire.

Mulberry Cottage | Sleeps 4 | Bowden, Scottish Borders

Aikwood Tower

Built in the 1540s, enjoy 500 years of Scottish history as you gather round the vast stone fireplace in the Great Hall for a plethora of family games, storytelling and pre-dinner drinks.

Aikwood Tower | Sleeps 10 | Selkirk, Scottish Borders

The Shieling

Surrender to the call of the sea at this Hamptons style beach house. The seaside fireplace here warms the open plan living space which stretches from the front to the rear of the house.

The Shieling | Sleeps 10 | Bamburgh, Northumberland

The Smithy, Crookham

One of our most-loved fireplaces. Here you’re off the beaten track but close enough to the local Inn to pull on a pair of wellies and stomp across the fields for an evening drink or two.

The Smithy, Crookham | Sleeps 2 | Cornhill-on-Tweed, Northumberland 

The Grieve's House

Relax inside next to the wood burning stove (where the ‘Tree and Cow’ wallpaper is a highlight) or outside around the atmospheric firepit for toasted marshmallows and a spot of stargazing.

The Grieve's House | Sleeps 4 | Pencaitland, East Lothian

The Gingan

The original ‘gin gan’ is a spectacular feature of this house - with its mix of wood burner, generous seating and rich kilim rugs you have a perfect space for hunkering down after a day of exploring.

The Gingan | Sleeps 8 | Corbridge, Northumberland

Beeswing House

Surround yourself with creature comforts. This large wood burning stove sits next to arched windows, sumptuous furnishings and fabrics, cosy tweeds in calming colours and family antiques.

Beeswing House | Sleeps 8 | Morpeth, Northumberland