Lowtown Cottage
As anybody familiar with Walltown Byre, the sister property to Lowtown Cottage, will know, its owner Sabina Forwood is the queen of vibrant colours and playful interiors. Like her larger sibling, the two-bedroom Lowtown Cottage is packed with Sabina’s signature design touches: eye-popping colours, rich textures, eclectic artworks and big views of the surrounding Northumberland countryside. An avid art collector and accomplished artist herself, Sabina encourages her guests to seek creative inspiration in the rugged countryside that envelops her homes as well as in the artworks they find within them.
First impressions of Lowtown Cottage are misleading. A narrow track brings you through acres of rolling countryside right down to an unassuming stone cottage on the edge of the Vallum. Only the dainty yellow and green sheep statue, perched on a stone at the front of the property, hints at the surprises to come.
As you approach the front door, you can glimpse a modern timber and glass extension on the west wall of the house before stepping into the converted farm cottage to discover - yellow. The entire ground floor of the cottage, comprising an open-plan kitchen, dining and sitting room and the new rear garden room, is resplendent in bright daffodil yellow. Tucked in one corner, a compact lapis blue kitchen contains everything required to rustle up delicious meals to serve at the dining table or nibbles to enjoy in the comfort of the cowhide armchairs by the inglenook fireplace.
The garden room features floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors leading out to the patio, delivering both southerly and westerly views and making it the ideal spot from which to contemplate the untouched beauty of the surrounding countryside. The peace here is complete, broken only by the calls of curlews and plovers, and the occasional passing deer.
Two vaulted en-suite bedrooms await discovery upstairs. Channel your inner Dutch master in one, where a vibrant floral print is daubed onto black wallpaper and continued in fabric adorning the blind and window seat cushions, before leading into a striking black painted bathroom. The second bedroom, dressed in striped apple green wallpaper complemented by a pink silk window seat, features a vast velvet bed flanked by bespoke Susi Bellamy lampshades and cushions.
Sabina Forwood’s interiors are not for the faint-hearted. Thought-provoking, inspiring and surprisingly restful, they invite the brave to explore colour and art in a rustic setting. Whether you envelop yourself in the romance and tranquillity of this intimate cottage with a loved one or see it as a bolthole from a larger group gathering when taken together with Walltown Byre, it will richly reward those bold enough to sleep amidst the tulips!
ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION
For guests looking to holiday together but enjoy their own space, Lowtown Cottage can be let in conjunction with Walltown Byre sleeping six, Walltown Farm Cottage sleeping six plus a child's bed and sofa bed, and Fell End sleeping eight plus five children's beds. Alternatively, book Walltown Farm Cottage & Byre as a combined unit sleeping 12+2. Lowtown Cottage is approximately a 10 minute walk away along the public footpath from Walltown Byre and Walltown Farm Cottage while Fell End is approximately a 25 minute walk away along the public footpath or a short drive.
RETURNING GUEST DISCOUNT
Upon departure, guests who stay at this property will be offered a 10% discount for use on a future booking at any of the Walltown Crags Cottages. This discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. If you have previously booked one of the above properties and wish to book another, please contact us providing the lead booker’s name and cottage for the returning guest code.
Property Layout
GROUND FLOOR
Access into open plan kitchen, dining area and kitchen.
Sitting room area with four armchairs set around an electric stove. Dining area with seating for four. Smart TV.
Kitchen with integrated units. Large fridge/freezer, separate grill and oven, induction hob, ¾ dishwasher, no coffee maker but includes a cafetiere. Island unit with two stools.
Utility room with separate washing machine and dryer, sink. Leads into ground floor WC.
Sunroom with large double sofa, single sofa, doors leading out to the patio area.
FIRST FLOOR
Bedroom one with 3' twin beds, side table, dressing table, window seat. Hanging space and storage can be found in the in-built cupboard on the first floor landing.
En suite shower room with large shower, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Bedroom two with king size bed, side tables, dressing table, armchair, window seat, in-built cupboard with hanging space.
En suite bathroom with bath with shower over, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
OUTSIDE
There is a patio area to the front of the property with outdoor furniture for relaxation (Garden furniture is provided from April to October inclusive). There is storage space for bikes available in the boiler room. To retain the natural ambience of this beautiful and secluded cottage, please note that the grass adjoining the patio is not cut. This is to protect and encourage the pollinators and other insects which support the wide variety of bird species which this area enjoys. During the winter, the area is occasionally grazed by sheep. The external photograph of the cottage was taken after this area had been grazed.
There is private parking for up to three cars to the side of the property.
Location
For eating out, the Mile Castle pub sits 2.25 miles east along the Military Road and is within walking distance down the farm track from the property within 45 minutes or so. You will also find good pub food at the Greenhead Hotel 1.25 miles west.
Alternatively, the Samson Inn, Gilsland or the Blekinsopp Castle Inn and Bistro are 2.75 and 2.9 miles respectively and both come recommended.
The Twice Brewed pub sits 4.5 miles east along the Military Road is a popular choice with walkers and has its own micro-brewery, or for a stunning dining experience with a difference, head to Restaurant Hjem which has achieved the coveted stamp of approval as the first Michelin starred restaurant in Northumberland. Guests can experience a fantastic tasting menu combining the finest Northumbrian produce with the flair and precision of Scandinavia (21 miles).
A little further afield sits the pretty market town of Hexham (21 miles) characterised by cobbled streets and historic architecture which offers quirky coffee shops, award-winning restaurants and excellent independent shops. Hexham offers more extensive shopping and amenities. It also boasts its own racecourse, theatre, cinema, golf course and leisure centre, including a pool and a ten-pin bowling alley.
The popular tourist village of Corbridge is 25 miles and offers a variety of shops, a delicatessen, and one or two restaurants and cafes, while Matfen Hall (26 miles) offers excellent spa and leisure facilities.
In the other direction, the pretty market town of Brampton, with Lanercost Priory close by, is 10 miles away and the historic city of Carlisle is 21 miles away. There is a wealth of things to see and do in Carlisle including the award-winning Tullie House Museum and Gallery, Carlisle Cathedral, Carlisle Castle. Walby Park Farm is a family favourite where you can meet farmyard favourites and rare breeds with plenty of opportunity for the younger ones to burn off some steam. Carlisle offers extensive shopping, a cinema, a railway station and various bars and restaurants.
If you or your guests are coming by plane or train, the new Carlisle Airport, with flights from Southend, Belfast and Dublin, is 16 miles away. Car hire is available at the airport.
Newcastle and Carlisle have mainline train services with direct trains to London and Edinburgh/Glasgow, and there is a local train between Newcastle and Carlisle that stops at Haltwhistle which is 2.5 miles away.
There is a bus (the AD122) linking the major Roman sites, together with Hexham and Haltwhistle which has a stop at the Roman Army Museum which is ¾ mile from the Byre or a 15-minute walk. This runs between Easter and the 1st October.
Amenities
- Allows babes in arms (up to 12 months)
- Allows children (1 - 16 years)
- CotA travel cot is available on request. Travel cot bedding is not supplied.
- Dog friendlyOne dog is welcome (£25 fee per dog). Dogs must be kept strictly downstairs and are not allowed on the furniture. The property is surrounded by a stone wall to the rear with wire fencing to the front of the property, however cannot be considered to be fully enclosed or dog-proofed. Guests should be aware that the area around the property is farmland. Under no circumstances should guests walk through fields with cattle, or during lambing and calving season. Dogs must be supervised and kept on leads at all times.
- HairdryerA hairdryer is provided.
- HeatingThere is underfloor heating throughout the ground floor. There are thermostatically controlled radiators upstairs. There is an electric stove in the open plan living/kitchen area.
- Highchair
- Linen & towels provided
- Outside space
- Wi-FiWi-Fi is available with good speeds of up to 20MB. Mobile coverage is reasonable.
All Amenities
Important Information
Please note that the water at Lowtown Cottage is fed from a private supply and in particularly hot and dry conditions, the water level in the well that supplies the cottage can drop and lead to temporary water shortages. If this occurs, water will be temporarily provided by a water bowser. All of the plumbing in the cottage will work satisfactorily and guests should not notice the difference, although it would be recommended that guests do not use this water for drinking. Bottled water will be supplied for this purpose in the case of a drought.
Guests should be aware that the area around the property is farmland. Under no circumstances should guests walk through fields with cattle, or during lambing and calving season. Dogs must be supervised and kept on leads at all times.
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.
Arrival time: 4pm
Departure time: 10am
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