On the doorstep is The Pack Horse Inn, a dog-friendly, traditional English country pub where you can enjoy a delicious lunch, evening meal or simply pop in for your tipple of choice. They also do a wonderful choice of Sunday Roasts alongside their usual evening menu, so there’s something to please everyone.

The cottage is conveniently placed for access to the A1, where you can reach the charming village of Belford in under fifteen minutes. Here, you’ll find a cluster of independent shops, restaurants, and coffee shops, plus the popular eatery-stroke-farm shop – Sunnyhills of Belford – with delicious organic produce and local produce to savour. The foodies amongst your party will be delighted by the wealth of local delicacies on offer, including Doddington Dairy ice cream, Northumberland cheeses, Lindisfarne Oysters, Chainbridge Honey, and Craster Kippers to name but a few. There are also several excellent local pubs in the area, including the delightful Ship Inn at Low Newton-by-the-Sea (6.5 miles), famous for its seafood and microbrewery.

Heading south, the medieval market town of Alnwick (9.5 miles) offers plenty of choice. Wander the cobbled streets and gift shops around the marketplace, or stop off at one of the many quaint cafés across the area, including Strawberry Lounge, for a very lovely lunch, cream tea or delicious cake! While there, seek out Barter Books; ‘a book heaven’ with thousands of paperbacks, hardbacks and collector’s editions based in a beautiful former railway station, or pop into the super Bakehouse Gallery showcasing the work of local artists and designers. To sample local produce, try award-winning Turnbull’s, for fine food and quality meats; The Alnwick Deli for delicious cheeses, hampers and gifts; or the Alnwick Bakery for home-baked breads, pies and pastries. There is a market every Saturday, a Farmers’ Market on the last Friday of every month, and a large supermarket nearby for all your holiday essentials. There is also a direct and regular rail link to Newcastle from Alnwick, perfect to enjoy a day out in the city.

For a dining experience with a difference, the Treehouse Restaurant at Alnwick Gardens (9 miles) is not to be missed. Set high in the treetops, it is a magical spot to spend an evening, featuring local fish and seafood, meats from Northumberland’s farmlands, as well as other regional specialities all within a lovely ambient setting. Alternatively, head to the pretty fishing village of Craster (9 miles) to sample the legendary oak smoked kippers from L Robson & Sons; or the Jolly Fisherman pub, famous for its crab sandwiches and mussels.

The location of Appletree Cottage means that it is incredibly well placed for exploring this outstanding area. A short fifteen-minute drive will take you to the spectacular sandy beaches of the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where you can enjoy all kinds of pursuits from simple beach strolls to high-energy adventures.

The beautiful scenery at Craster (9 miles) is a haven for photographers and artists who are drawn by its dramatic coastline, colourful fishing boats and rich birdlife of the area’s coastal nature reserves, while the walks around Craster regularly feature in the top-ten coastal walks in the UK. Walk or cycle 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; explore the sheer diversity of the landscape on a coastal walk from nearby Howick to Cullernose Point; or discover the hidden cove of Rumbling Kern once used as a cache for whisky smuggling and bootlegging.

Low Newton-by-the-Sea (6.5 miles) and Embleton Bay (7 miles) covers a breath-taking 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 runs right through this area taking in never-ending beaches all the way along to Beadnell Bay, one of the best-equipped places in the county for water sports. 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 snorkelling 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 (13 miles) 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 (18 miles) 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, Foxton, Alnmouth, and Alnwick, while fishing enthusiasts can cast a line on the River Aln with permits available locally. 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’ll 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; test their knightly courage in the Dragon Quest; or explore a world of wobbly rope bridges and treetop walkways within the stunning setting of Alnwick Gardens.

For something different, why not head to Ingram (19 miles) 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.

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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Horse riding

Horse riding is intrinsically linked to the history and heritage of the area and goes right back to the 13th and 14th centuries where townspeople would ride the clan’s boundaries to protect their common lands. Thankfully our riding pursuits today are not quite so dramatic!

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Shopping, arts and crafts

We are extremely fortunate to have a region where independent shops are king, and to have an area flowing with creativity through its talents in arts, crafts and textiles.

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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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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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Spas and beauty treatments

Everyone needs a little time-out to relax and for many that may involve a little pampering, the chance to experience new therapies, or simply some dedicated ‘me time’ to enjoy or practise disciplines which bring a sense of well-being and good health.

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