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Bracken Lodge

Swarland, Northumberland

A high-spec home set in open farmland with sweeping views to the Northumberland coast.

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Overview

A high-spec home set in open farmland with sweeping views to the Northumberland coast.

An impressive new property in a fabulous location between Northumberland’s coast and hills

Hewn from soft cream stone and enclosed by a generous garden, Bracken Lodge is a seriously high-spec new home with a charming rural setting. Built amidst farmland by the farm’s owners, this property delivers the tranquillity and perks of pastoral life (spring lambs gambol in the pasture by the front of the house and guests are treated to eggs freshly laid by the resident curly hens) together with the luxury of high-spec contemporary living. 

The owners have considered every detail in the build of this sought-after holiday cottage: the expansive kitchen, the undeniable heart of the home, is the epitome of rustic chic with its homely AGA, Shaker cabinetry and timber dining table set against slick black granite worktops and smart bar stools set at the breakfast bar. Double windows and French doors leading to the garden allow light to stream in, while internal doors lead through to an inviting, fire-warmed sitting room with French doors to the garden. Here, a stylish garden dining set affords far-reaching views of the surrounding sheep-dotted pastures that stretch all the way to the coast.

The ground floor of Bracken Lodge further features a games room with a pool table, a utility room, cloakroom and two large bedrooms, which are ideally suited to guests with mobility issues. The two bedrooms are both large and beautifully appointed en suite doubles offering views of the surrounding garden and countryside. 

Another two bedrooms are found on the first floor, each set beneath gently sloping ceilings. The impressive master suite features an expansive en suite bathroom with a walk-in shower and freestanding bath as well as its own sitting room while the second bedroom, also an en suite, offers a king size bed and sofa bed. Clearly, the owners of Bracken Lodge love a good bathroom as no expense has been spared on any of the lavish en suites in the cottage.

In addition to the notable quality of Bracken Lodge’s finish, the cottage boasts a winning location between the Northumberland Heritage Coast and Northumberland National Park and Cheviot Hills. Head east for the coastal village of Alnmouth, with its swathes of white sands, links golf course and fabulous Old School Gallery, or head west for the wilds of the Northumberland National Park and Cheviot Hills for fantastic walking and cycling.

Closer to home, there are woodland walks and bike trails to enjoy in Thrunton Wood, friendly wild Cheviot goats to spot in the rugged Simonside Hills and the attractive market town of Rothbury to explore. Quite literally on the doorstep, the village of Swarland is home to a legendary coffee shop, which is particularly popular with families thanks to its large play area, and the acclaimed Cook & Barker Inn. 

Property details

Ground Floor

Access into impressive entrance hall.

Open-plan kitchen and dining area:

Extensively equipped, high spec kitchen with a 2-door electric Aga, electric oven and grill with 4-ring electric hob, large fridge / freezer, Nespresso machine, ample storage, dishwasher and breakfast bar seating for four.

Dining table with seating for eight.

Sitting room with seating for eight guests, wood burner (with large basket of logs provided), Smart TV and Bluetooth speaker.

Games room with pool table.

Cloakroom with basin and WC.

Utility room with washing machine, dryer and drinks fridge.

Bedroom one with king size bed, large cupboards with hanging space and shelving, dressing table and small sofa.

En suite shower room with walk-in shower, heated towel rail, basin and WC. This bathroom has a comfort height toilet with a grab rail on the wall which may be more suitable for guests with restricted mobility. It also benefits from a walk-in shower.

Bedroom two with double (4’ 6”) bed, wardrobe and chest of drawers.

En suite shower room with walk-in shower, heated towel rail, basin and WC.

First Floor

Bedroom three - large bedroom with super king bed and two wardrobes with hanging space. Double doors lead to a private sitting room with armchair, Smart TV and a sofa bed, which is available for one child, at a charge of £80 per week (£50 for a short break)*.

En suite bathroom with feature bath, walk-in shower, heated towel rail, basin and WC. 

Bedroom four with king size bed, wardrobe with hanging space, and sofa bed, which is available for one child, at a charge of £80 per week (£50 for a short break)*.

En suite shower room with walk-in shower, heated towel rail, basin and WC.

*Families with two infants up to the age of 5 years may share one sofa bed rather than booking out two beds, however please note the maximum capacity of the property cannot exceed 10 guests in total, including children. 

 

Outside

Bracken Lodge sits in substantial grounds of about 0.4 of an acre. There is a large fully enclosed garden to the side of the property and a patio area leading from the kitchen with outside seating and a gas barbecue.

A further stretch of un-enclosed lawn extends to the rear and far side of the property. In addition, there is a terrace to the front, which provides a sheltered place to sit.

The garden offers fabulous uninterrupted views across pasture to the coast beyond.

Parking

There is ample private parking to the front of the house. 

For guests with restricted mobility or wheelchair users, there is a ramp up to the rear of the property. There is a small lip at the door but the interior ground floor is otherwise level in terms of accessibility. Cars can be parked on the tarmac area to allow access to the rear door.

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

Babies and children are very welcome and a highchair, booster seat and stair gates are provided. Please note that a travel cot is not provided.

Families with two infants up to the age of 5 years may share one sofa bed rather than booking out two beds, however please note the maximum capacity of the property cannot exceed 10 guests in total, including children.

Parents of toddlers should be aware of the first-floor hallway balcony and young children should not be left unattended.

The side garden will be full enclosed by mid-May, however it is important to note that Bracken Lodge sits next to a working farm and as such, there will be large farm vehicles and farm machinery in use nearby. Children should be closely supervised at all times.

Dogs

One well-behaved adult dog (over 1 year old) is welcome with a charge of £30 and must be kept to the ground floor, uncarpeted areas of the property and are not allowed on the furniture.

It is important to note that the property sits on a working farm with livestock in the surrounding fields, so it is essential that dogs are closely supervised and under control at all times.

Guest Amenities

Luxurious bed linen and towels are provided along with Arran Aromatics toiletries. A hairdryer is provided in each bedroom.

Wi-Fi & Mobile Coverage

Superfast broadband is provided. Mobile coverage is good on most networks.

Heating

Underfloor heating throughout the ground floor. Upstairs is heated by radiators and underfloor heating in the bathrooms.

Guest Privacy

Bracken Lodge sits on the owner’s farm within its own grounds. The owner’s farmhouse is about 100 yards from Bracken Lodge and the owners are on hand should guests have any queries during their stay.

Accessibility

This property benefits from two ground floor bedrooms and bathrooms which may be suitable for guests with restricted mobility and wheelchair users but please do check if you have any specific requirements in advance of booking. There is a ramp access from the rear door.

Location

Bracken Lodge is nestled in an enviable position with a panoramic view of the Northumbrian coast to the front and rolling hills to the rear. Located between the villages of Swarland and Newton-on-the-Moor it is just 7 miles from the historic town of Alnwick, with its Castle and world-famous Garden, and 9 miles to Morpeth where the shops are a must.

In Alnwick you will find an excellent range of amenities and an eclectic mix of charming specialist shops. Here you can wander the cobbled streets and gift shops around the marketplace, or stop-off at one of the many quaint cafes across the area, including Strawberry Lounge, for a very lovely lunch, cream tea or delicious cake! Sit by the fire in the old station waiting room of Barter Books in Alnwick reading one of their thousands of second hand books.

For provisions, you will find plenty of choice - try award-winning Turnbull’s for fine food and quality meats; The Alnwick Deli for delicious local produce, cheeses, hampers and gifts; or the Alnwick Bakery for home-baked breads, pies and pastries. There is a market every Saturday, a farmer’s market on the last Friday of every month, and a large supermarket nearby for all your holiday essentials.

Activities

Bracken Lodge is in a winning location between the Northumberland Heritage Coast, Northumberland National Park and Cheviot Hills. Quite literally on the doorstep, the village of Swarland is home to a legendary coffee shop, which is particularly popular with families thanks to its large play area, and the acclaimed Cook & Barker Inn.

Set in 17 acres of countryside just ten minutes from Bracken Lodge, there is a wide range of animals to visit at Northumberland Zoo from wallabies to racoons in the mammals’ section, to Shetland ponies, pigs and donkeys in the farm. As well as all of the animals, you can enjoy a game of mini golf, ride the pedal tractors or make the most of the outdoor play area.

Explore the pretty coastal villages of Warkworth and Alnmouth, or take a boat charter from the docks of Amble Harbour to the RSPB reserve of Coquet Island which is home to over 36,000 sea birds, including thousands of characterful puffins. Many of the things to do in Amble are based in the around the water that surrounds it. Watersports such as sailing, canoeing, kayaking and fishing are all extremely popular and there are a number of accredited surf and watersports schools up and down the coast for those looking to try something new in a relaxed teaching environment.

History buffs will delight in visits to the grand stately homes and medieval castles of the coastal area such as Warkworth, Bamburgh  and Lindisfarne which stand as reminders of the area’s turbulent past.  Head north from Bracken Lodge to visit the magnificent Alnwick Castle which was the location for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films and alongside this is the Duchess of Northumberland’s fabulous horticultural creation The Alnwick Garden , which boasts one of world’s largest tree houses and the Grand Cascade.

For golf fans, there are scenic courses at Alnmouth , Warkworth and Dunstanburgh  which are all within a 30-minute drive of Bracken Lodge, while fishing enthusiasts can cast a line on the River Aln with permits available locally.

Keen cyclists can also enjoy a number of routes including the 192 mile Coast and Castles Cycle Route from Newcastle to Edinburgh which runs through the nearby town of Amble. The pretty ride from Alnmouth to Warkworth is also a National Cycle Network traffic-free route.

C&C experiences

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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Golf

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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Historic houses and castles

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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Children and families

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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Cycling & mountain biking

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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Walking

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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Fishing

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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Wildlife

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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Adventure Sports

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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Shooting

Shooting

For sheer variety alone Northumberland and the Scottish Borders are irresistible to any gun.

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Ancestral history research

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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Services

Cooks and chefs

Cooks and chefs

Make your stay hassle-free with your own personal cook

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Additional housekeeping

Additional housekeeping

Award yourself a real break and let us provide a pair (or more) of helping hands.

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Dog sitting

Dog sitting

Our experienced dog sitters will look after your furry friends whilst you are out exploring.

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Wine delivery

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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Beauty and spa treatments

Beauty and spa treatments

Everyone needs some pampering, whatever the occasion.

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Fresh flowers

Fresh flowers

Fresh cut flowers delivered to your holiday home.

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Holiday photography

Holiday photography

Family holidays, reunions and honeymoons kindle priceless moments that deserve preserving.

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Reviews

"Our stay at Bracken Lodge was fantastic. The property was more than we expected its views to the sea and lo cation was ideal within easy reach of the coast,cheviots,Alnwick and Morpeth. It was perfect for three generations of our family to get together and would definitely book the property again. The owner was great friendly and also gave advice on where to go and supplied fantastic free range eggs and other goodies. Definitely one to note."

Mr Hoyland

"Bracken Lodge was voted by our group of six as the best accommodation we have had either here or abroad. Outstanding quality with a stunning location. Our welcome basket was much appreciated particularly the lemon drizzle cake. Once again thank you for recommending Bracken Lodge."

Ms Butler

"We had a super week in Bracken Lodge. The property was perfect for our needs. The building and fittings are of excellent quality and we were impressed by the space.

We really appreciated the extras provided by the owner, who was a very thoughtful and welcoming host. We would thoroughly recommend the property and hope to stay again."

Wright Family

"So Bracken Lodge was amazing! The house looked gorgeous and spacious on the website but when we arrived it exceeded all our expectations!  It was immaculately clean, had all the mod-cons you could ever need (including a pool table and beer fridge!), had the most comfortable beds, and properly powerful showers.  There was so much space - the house would be great for large family get togethers. The owners were also the most helpful hosts - welcoming us to the house and being available for any queries or questions throughout our stay. Would recommend!"

Allen family

"Just to let you know our stay at Bracken Lodge was fantastic…the house and its facilities are by far the best we have stayed in. The owners are so accommodating and go that one step further to ensure your stay is perfect. Part of us did not want to feedback to keep this property our secret. Definitely aim to be back sometime in 2022. Many thanks for helping to book this property."

Mr Amos

"We had a fantastic time at Bracken Lodge. A beautiful, well equipped, comfortable cottage with lots of space. Beautifully styled, fresh flowers, personalised welcome basket, and delicious lemon drizzle cake. The owner was there to meet us and was very helpful. We visited lots of lovely places, a little disappointed that due to the time of the year castles/country parks were closed. Recommended to visit Amble for fresh seafood which we purchased and our lobster was taken and cooked at a local restaurant."

Findlay Family

"We had a fabulous family holiday at Bracken Lodge. The lodge was beautiful inside and out, and had absolutely everything we needed. The owners attention to detail was second to none. From luxurious bath robes and thick fluffy towels, to Arran toiletries, Nespresso coffee machine, laundry products and even spare light bulbs - everything had been thought of. The lodge is ideally positioned for a relaxing break in wonderful Northumberland. Far enough away to be out of the hustle and bustle of busier towns but in a convenient spot only a few minutes from the A1, meaning that we didn't need to drive over 30 minutes to anywhere we visited. We had days out at Alnwick Castle, Alnwick Gardens, Holy Island, Alnmouth, Craster and Alnwick. The lodge is within walking distance of a lovely park in Swarland with great facilities for children and sports, with a super cafe - Nelsons in the Park (the hot chocolate was delicious). The owners were very friendly, welcoming and helpful and the welcome hamper was a lovely (and much appreciated) surprise. The views are amazing and it was great to see and wake up to the farm animals (including super cute Labrador puppies). Bracken Lodge is an amazing, luxurious place to stay for a relaxing, getaway from it all holiday. We cannot praise it enough and we really didn't want to leave at the end of our week's stay there. We would like to say a big thank you to Bracken Lodge and Crabtree & Crabtree."

O'Sullivan Family

"We have all had a wonderful holiday in the beautiful Bracken Lodge. The little personal touches such as the welcome pack, fresh flowers & visits to the gorgeous puppies & cows really made a big difference. This is our first family holiday to Northumberland, we have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Bracken Lodge is a fantastic place to stay, very comfortable, luxurious and in a perfect location with incredible views. Thank you for everything, we’ve made some wonderful memories. We hope to visit again soon."

Butler Family

"Bracken Lodge was the best holiday house we’ve ever stayed in. The positive experiences began even before we arrived. Directions were clear, and the use of what3Words made everything unambiguous.
Pre-arrival communications with our hostess were easy and clear. Parking was ample and easily accessed, which isn’t always the case. On arrival there was an amazing welcome pack. We’re not going to detail all the contents, but it formed part of a welcome that makes us want to return. The Lodge itself was airy and inviting. The rooms were all well equipped, including the kitchen. Too many holiday rentals have inadequate kitchen equipment. However, it was a pleasure to be able to cook with kitchen knives that were sharp and held an edge. There were enough pans and crockery, and these were nice to use. A spacious kitchen dining room worked well for our group. The bedrooms were all very comfortable, and spacious, with excellent en suite bathrooms. Bedroom curtains and blackout blinds kept out the early morning sun. Beds were all very comfortable. There were plenty of fluffy towels, which was nice. The sunny garden was safe and enclosed. We would have liked to use the top rate BBQ, but plans and weather didn’t permit. There is a Mediterranean feel to the garden with its fig tree, olive tree, and the lavender - as far as Northumberland weather permits. On the sunny days we made good use of the garden furniture, ample seating for all. The location of the Lodge was convenient for Alnwick, Northumberland coast, and the more inland sites and routes. When we needed help, the owner was able to quickly resolve the situation. This only serves to highlight the overall quality of provision, and the completeness of the package."

The Scown Family

"We had a wonderful time at Bracken Lodge, which was the height of luxury. There was absolutely nothing which could have improved our experience. Our hosts were really friendly and helpful and provided an excellent welcome pack full of goodies. The location was perfect for us - only very slightly off the beaten track and very handy for both Morpeth and Alnwick, as well as the seaside. There is so much to do and see in Northumberland and the village cafe was a a real bonus - it was just a walk away and we visited 3 times, for breakfasts and afternoon tea. The house is very light, spacious, well equipped, peaceful and quiet, and we felt at home straight away. The beds were extremely comfortable and we loved the quality linens and towels.
We genuinely didn't want to go home when it was time to leave and we will try to return soon."

Mr & Mrs Cooke

"We had a fantastic week staying at Bracken lodge. The house was beautiful and we were extremely comfortable and very happy staying there. The welcome package was very much appreciated. The owner's lemon drizzle cake and homemade jam were second to none. It was a real pleasure to meet both owners. We hope to return in the future."

Mrs Kettertingham

Availability

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Location Rural - 7 miles from Alnwick, 14 miles from Morpeth
Dogs
  • One adult dog (over 1 year old) is welcome with a charge of £30.
Arrival / Departure
  • Typical arrival day: Friday with the additional option of Monday during low season.
  • Arrival time: 4pm
  • Departure time: 10am
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The master bedroom suite sitting room in Bracken Lodge
The little things we love...
"There’s a chill-out spot for everyone in this house, whether you’re cooking with company in the kitchen, enjoying some lively fun in the games room, reading a book in the garden or enjoying a quiet drink in the master suite sitting room. "
Helen, owner of Bracken Lodge
email us or give us a call on 01573 226711 for details.

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