Grey Barns
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Overview
Newly refurbished
A substantial house set directly on the beach complete with its own beach hut is the dream pad for large groups.
A stylish property with a picture-perfect setting between the sandy beach of Alnmouth Bay and a golf course
Grey Barns ticks pretty much every box we can think of for large groups of family and friends: the spacious, freshly refurbished house boasts an enclosed garden that leads directly down to the beach, a convivial kitchen with adjoining dining area, a fire-warmed sitting room plus a light-filled morning room, and no fewer than nine bedrooms. It even has its own beach hut!
The large stone barn is set at the end of a road that leads from the picturesque village of Alnmouth (known as the Tobermory of Northumberland for its pretty painted houses, clustered along the River Aln estuary) to the beach and Alnmouth Golf Club. Entering the sprawling barn through the front door, you’ll find the kitchen to your left, complete with an Aga, double oven and panoply of appliances, which leads through an arched recess into the dining room, capable of seating 14 guests comfortably. A door leads from here to the elegant sitting room, which features an open fire, large bay window overlooking the garden and sea beyond it, and a door leading out to the terrace.
Entirely enclosed, the walled garden is secluded and safe for dogs and children to explore and further benefits from plenty of furniture for al fresco dining and relaxing. Pass through the gate at the end of the garden to follow a grassy, wildflower-flanked slope down to the beach, pausing before you kick off your shoes to hit the sand to pick up your beach toys from Grey Barns’ dedicated beach hut. Once you’re suitably equipped, step through a gate and you’ll find yourself looking at the six miles of pristine white sands that make up Alnmouth Bay.
Returning to Grey Barns itself, you’ll discover the light and spacious morning room in the centre of the house with its enormous L-shaped sofa and television. Kids invariably gravitate to this room, particularly as it's closest to the two bunk rooms and two single rooms. The four spacious double bedrooms (one of which features an additional single bed) and the bunk room with two sets of bunk beds are positioned at either end of the house, providing privacy for two families holidaying together.
Property details
Ground Floor
Large, open-plan kitchen and dining area;
Extensively equipped kitchen with two-oven AGA, electric double oven with four-ring hob, large fridge, large freezer, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer. A Bosch Tassimo coffee machine is available along with two cafetières. Plenty of good quality cookware, utensils, crockery and glasses for large groups.
Dining for 14 guests.
Sitting room with Smart TV with Sky Q (basic package), open fire with logs provided, selection of books and games, window seat and door to garden.
Morning room with ample seating, large TV with Sky Q (basic package) and integrated DVD player. Also serves as a good playroom.
Grey Barns has nine bedrooms sleeping at least 10 adults plus up to an additional 9 children. The accommodation comprises four double bedrooms (one of which has an additional single bed), two single bedrooms and three bunk bedrooms (one of which has two sets of bunk beds). All of the principal bedrooms are spacious with plenty of storage space. The single bedrooms are smaller and the bunk rooms have limited space. The bunk rooms are best suited for children, though all adult parties are welcome to make use of these rooms if required.
Bedroom one with 6’ double bed, large fitted wardrobes and chest of drawers.
Bedroom two with 4’ 6" double bed, fitted wardrobe and chest of drawers.
Bathroom with bath, walk-in shower, basin, bidet and WC.
Bedroom three with two sets of full size bunk beds, fitted wardrobe and chest of drawers.
Bathroom with bath with handheld shower, basin and WC.
Bedroom four with 3’ single bed, fitted wardrobe and chest of drawers.
Bedroom five with 3’ single bed, fitted wardrobe and WC.
Shower room with walk-in shower. Separate WC with basin.
Bathroom with bath with handheld shower, basin and WC.
Bedroom six with full size bunk beds.
Bedroom seven with 5’ double bed, and 3’ single bed, wardrobe and chest of drawers.
Bedroom eight with full size bunk beds and chest of drawers.
Bedroom nine with 5’ double bed, wardrobe and chest of drawers.
Please note that there are some steps between different floor levels and steps to the beach.
Outside
Grey Barns has a fully enclosed garden with terrace with picnic benches and outside furniture. There is a drying area with rotary line. A gate from the bottom of the garden leads directly to the beach. Please note a barbecue is not provided.
Grey Barns benefits from a beach hut which guests are welcome to make use of.
Parking
There is private parking for at least 5 cars.
Babies & Children
A travel cot and highchair are available on request.
Dogs
Up to three well-behaved dogs are welcome at Grey Barns. Guests wishing to bring more than three dogs should please contact us as arrangements may be possible depending upon the breed.
Guest amenities
The beds are made up with high quality White Company Egyptian cotton bed linen and good quality hypoallergenic, hollow fibre duvets and pillows. A hairdryer is supplied in bedrooms one and eight. Bath sheets and hand towels are provided for all guests. Guest soap is also provided.
Wi-Fi & Mobile Coverage
Wi-Fi is available and a booster system is in place to boost the signal throughout the house. There is good mobile reception on most networks.
Heating
Grey Barns is centrally heated throughout with a combination of electric and oil fired heating.
Guest privacy
Grey Barns sits in a hamlet of properties behind the club house at Foxton. The accommodation has been arranged to maximise privacy and the garden is walled and therefore offers relative privacy.
Location
The charming village of Alnmouth is a 15 minute walk from the house with brightly painted houses nestled along the north bank of the River Aln estuary which has earned the village the name of the Tobermory of Northumberland. The village offers a lively selection of pubs and restaurants and independent shops and galleries and hosts a number of events through the year including the summer Arts Festival and a fun raft race in addition to a beer festival in October. Don’t miss the Ferryman’s Hut, a bite-sized museum housed in a former beach hut, said to be the smallest in the country.
The historic town of Alnwick is just five miles down the road offering a good selection of pubs, restaurants, local shops and a farmer's market. Visit majestic Alnwick Castle home to the Percy family for over 700 years and used as a location in the Harry Potters films and the award-winning Alnwick Garden with its famous Treehouse and Poison Garden. Both host a number of events throughout the year including Potter-inspired fun and music in the garden.
Activities
There is sailing from the sheltered harbour as well as surfing, kite surfing and coasteering. Sea fishing is allowed from Alnmouth beach and also downstream of the Duchess Bridge (on the road into Alnmouth). Salmon and sea trout fishing is available on the River Aln and permits can be purchased locally.
There are fabulous walks from the house along the beach, saltmarsh and dunes (a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest) and the village has excellent marked heritage trails. Or walk the famous Northumberland Coastal Path north towards Boulmer, past the remains of the Percy Volunteers battery built to defend against Napoleon and look out for bird life on Marden Rocks.
Keen cyclists can also enjoy a number of routes including the Coast and Castles Cycle Route which runs through the town. The pretty ride from Alnmouth to Warkworth is a National Cycle Network traffic-free route. There are several riding stables nearby including the chance to enjoy an exhilarating beach ride.
Described by the Daily Telegraph as “a birder’s paradise” the Northumberland Coast AONB offers outstanding birdwatching opportunities with a number of rare species and breeding colonies of international significance. Many species can be seen on the beach, saltmarsh and dunes at Alnmouth or take a boat trip to the famous Farne Islands to see terns and puffins to name but a few. Birdwatching guides are available for the less experienced.
Grey Barns is a paradise for golf parties with Alnmouth Golf Course at Foxton Hall literally on the doorstep, widely regarded as one of the finest golf courses in the North East of England and recently chosen as one of the Top 10 Hidden Gem golf courses in the UK by Golf Monthly magazine. Alnmouth also boasts a second village golf club, the second oldest in England and there are a wide range of courses nearby including the well-known links course at Dunstanburgh, Goswick, a British open qualifier course and Bamburgh, said to be one of the most scenic in the country.
There are a number of excellent local pubs in the area including the delightful Ship Inn at Low Newton famous for its seafood and microbrewery, the newly-renovated Joiner’s Arms at Newton by the Sea and the Jolly Fisherman at the pretty village of Craster, famous for its kippers. Not to be missed is a trip to the fabulous Treehouse Restaurant at the Alnwick Garden or a drink at the Potting Shed bar next door.
For rainy day activities, the spa at nearby Doxford Hall is perfect for some rest and relaxation or visit Barter Books, one of the UK's largest second hand bookshops located in Alnwick's magnificent old Victorian railway station with a model railway linking the book columns.
Alnmouth has excellent transport links. The village is close to the A1 and has its own railway station a few miles from the town which is accessed by the East Coast Main line.
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
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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
For sheer variety alone Northumberland and the Scottish Borders are irresistible to any gun.
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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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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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Additional housekeeping
Award yourself a real break and let us provide a pair (or more) of helping hands.
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Nannies and babysitters
Relax, explore the local area, enjoy a long lunch or a romantic evening out by hiring a fully qualified registered and experienced nanny or babysitter to come to your house.
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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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Holiday photography
Family holidays, reunions and honeymoons kindle priceless moments that deserve preserving.
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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.
Find Out MoreReviews
"We had a wonderful Christmas week at Grey Barns! The house was perfect for our large family gathering and had everything we needed. There was a fantastic and very generous Welcome Basket with some real festive treats and the Christmas tree was much appreciated by my son! The proximity to the beach was greatly enjoyed by Finn the labradoodle who had the time of his life chasing the seagulls and the golfers of the party managed to get out for a round on the course right next door despite the weather. We will definitely consider Grey Barns for another family occasion and our thanks to Crabtree and Crabtree for the usual efficient organisation of our holiday."
The Prydal, Hutchins and Holmes families"We really loved our stay at Grey Barns. It had been daunting planning Christmas in an unknown venue with guests travelling from all over the world. In the event the venue and location could not have been better. The house had been dressed for Christmas and felt instantly welcoming. We were supplied with a magnificent welcome hamper. The house was very well equipped, very spacious and really accommodated a large party with great comfort. The garden and surrounds were private, secure and very quiet. The beach is literally 5 minutes away and is superb. The area is well supplied with amenities and attractions and the support from staff was very pleasant and helpful. We all had a thoroughly enjoyable and comfortable stay. Thank you very much."
Stubbing Party"We all had great time in a lovely spacious comfortable house, it's situated perfectly for walks on the beach etc. Loved the welcome card and basket. Would certainly highly recommend this house in the future."
Mrs Paton"We loved our stay at Grey Barns - the location was perfect and it's a great house for several families to share. The kitchen was very well equipped and it was particularly useful having the two lounges so that adults could get a bit of peace! The gift hamper was a very generous and kind touch so please would you pass on our thanks to the owners."
Nossiter Family"We (14 of us) had a fantastic times at Grey Barns. It is a lovely roomy house in a beautiful setting with the added bonus of the beach and the beach hut a few steps away. Thank you letting us have the opportunity to stay in this lovely house."
Corley family"Just to thank you for our recent stay at Grey Barns. My family from NZ and USA thought it a perfect property in every way and a special mention to John from the estate for his outstanding support getting the WiFi operating. The fantastic setting of Grey Barns along with some great Northumbrian weather, in contrast to other parts of the UK, made this a wonderful Christmas for all the family."
Reed family"We had a really fantastic week at Grey Barns, apart from being incredibly lucky with the weather! The house suited us well as we were 5 couples and the room layout was good. The beds and bedding were good, kitchen well equipped, lovely to have the fire on a couple of nights, and view from living room was wonderful."
Gaunt family"I had a week's holiday in Grey Barns and just wanted to feedback to you that we had a wonderful time. It was comfortable, very spacious, well equipped, perfect location - I could go on and on about its merits."
Moody family"We had a fantastic family weekend stay at Grey Barns. Our family of 17 ranged from 3 year old to 75 year old and everything in between. The property was clean and fantastically well equipped particularly in the kitchen. The utensils and crockery were of a high quality and there was plenty of it, which is always a bonus. We were delighted to see the log fire and spent time relaxing in the lounge while watching the six nations. The weather wasn't great but it didn't stop us from heading out down the beach from the easy access through the garden. Other than heading into Alnwick briefly on Saturday and Alnmouth on Sunday, we didn't venture far but then why would you with a lovely home like Grey Barns. Thank you for the welcome pack, it was a lovely touch and well received. All in all a fabulous weekend and one which will be talked about for many months to come."
Scarrett family"We had a wonderful time. The house was ideal for two large families and particularly with small children as there are few stairs. The house was excellently kitted out and I would have no hesitation in using Crabtree & Crabtree again."
Cooper family"Our stay at Grey Barns was absolutely delightful, my family and I really enjoyed our stay. The location of the cottage is excellent, and the high quality of the appliances, furnishing, bedding, towels etc made it feel very much home from home. We all had a great nights sleep which is always important :). The welcome hamper goodies was a lovely gesture too. The overall experience was a positive and happy one, we have all left feeling very relaxed and keen to book again for next year. As for the service from Crabtree & Crabtree, I would sum this up as excellent! I am personally impressed with the friendliness and timeliness of communications, you have put your customer at the heart of the experience and made sure I was well informed. I felt the service was personalised too, as I had the same person contact me on most occasions. Where another team member contacted me, they knew all about my booking and never once referred to "oh that's not what the system said". It might sound simple, but this level of communication and service is unfortunately not consistent across the industry and is often what makes the customer feel very frustrated - but not Crabtree & Crabtree, you do this so well and that's what makes you stand out. You will come highly recommended to friends, family and colleagues. Well done indeed!"
Mullinder family"We had a great time at Grey Barns. It was very well equipped - we couldn't find a whisker and having reported this to the manager in the morning, we found a brand new packaged whisk awaiting our return. The quality of the fittings, linen and towels was all first class. There was plenty of hot water and we had a wonderful welcome basket and card awaiting our arrival. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Grey Barns. Wonderful."
Hepworth family"This is the 10th holiday that we have done in a big group of 6 adults and 9 children, and our 3rd stay at Grey Barns. In all the places we have stayed around the UK, Grey Barns is definitely our favourite. The house is perfect for a big group - there's plenty of space, comfortable beds and a great sitting room, kitchen and dining area. The garden is enclosed and fantastic for kids and dogs to run around in, and with the gate at the back and the beach a stone's throw away it makes it the most wonderful location too."
Alderson family"We had a great time at Grey Barns we would definitely recommend it.
As a party of 13 plus a 2 year old and 2 dogs, you are never sure that there will be enough space for all.
We made use of every room and it was great having the 2 lounges, especially when it was the strictly final!
It was well equipped and as it’s on the beach was great for morning walks with the dogs.
It’s also a great base for visiting all the local sites and attractions, most places are 10-20 mins drive away.
The late checkout was much appreciated too. We would love to return, maybe when the weather is a little warmer.
Thank you!
Hobson Family"We had another fabulous holiday at Grey Barns. Perfect location for us all and perfect sized accommodation."
Kirkwood FamilyAvailability
- Three dogs are welcome. Additional dogs may be considered on request.
- Typical arrival day: Saturday during high season. Flexible during low season.
- Arrival time: 4pm
- Departure time: 10am
"Building sandcastles, flying kites or even enjoying a good book on Alnmouth Beach, which sits just at the bottom of the garden."Lynn, Crabtree & Crabtree
