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Overview
Enjoy coastal serenity and splendid sea views in a vintage fishing village.
Couples or a small family can live in spacious comfort near sandy beaches and fairytale castles
Oh you do like to be beside the seaside? Then this cottage, which cleverly manages to be both classic and contemporary at the same time, will be a dream.
A mere 40 metres from the sandy cove, Peep-O-Sea sits in sleepy Boulmer (pronounced “Boomer”, just to keep you guessing) – one of Northumberland’s last authentic fishing villages. From this same natural harbour, distinctive blue coble boats go out every morning, just as they have done for the past century, in search of crab, cod, conger eels, lobster and salmon.
You might watch them, too, courtesy of Peep-O-Sea’s splendid sea views. There’s also the excellent Fishing Boat Inn (or “FBI” to villagers – and once Northumberland’s smuggling hotspot courtesy of a Scottish gypsy king) about five minutes’ walk away, serving superb seafood as diners relish more ocean vistas. Just to the north is the beautiful, golden Sugar Sands beach, ripe for old-fashioned family outings involving sandcastles and rock-pooling.
Back to the cottage. Spread across a single storey, it suits couples and small families equally well and feels very spacious as the traditional stone exterior gives way to airy open-plan design.
Via the porch, complete with storage for mucky boots, you arrive in a shared sitting room, dining and yellow-tiled kitchen. A lamp above the round table provides pleasant ambience for dining. In the lounge area, a large L-shaped sofa, Smart TV, Pure sound system and a gas log burner-effect stove in the grand inglenook fireplace all encourage rest and relaxation. Board games, cards and books are provided for cosy evenings in too.
Just to remind you of the sea, a marine theme runs through the bedrooms – the first king-sized and en-suite; the second also king-sized or twin and connected to a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, with its blue-tiled soaking tub. As well as pops of coastal blues and greens amid calming pale hues, there’s a lighthouse-illustrated cushion and a porthole-shaped mirror. Leave the windows open and you can also fall asleep to the rhythmic sound of waves.
Another standout feature is Peep-O-Sea’s extensive outside space. The large, enclosed, west-facing patio has a dining table and two sun-loungers. Across this, a cabin-style outhouse contains the washing machine and tumble dryer. There’s then an artificial lawn, also fenced, plus a streetside, coast-facing front garden whose bench lets you watch waves over morning coffees.
Ready to explore? It’s just three miles along the scenic seaboard to Alnmouth, a gorgeous estuary beach town, and five to quaint, kipper-producing Craster. The fairytale castles at Alnwick, Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh are also close, while Coast Path walks or day trips to Holy Island are a cinch.
You may prefer, however, to simply stay put and delight in Boulmer’s rare, rural tranquillity…
Property details
GROUND FLOOR
Entrance hall with coat hooks and space for boots leading into the open-plan kitchen, dining and living space.
Sitting room area with large four-seater corner sofa, armchair, coffee table, Smart TV with DVD player, and gas log burner in a large stone ingenook fireplace.
Dining area with round table and seating for four guests. Lamps for ambient dining.
Kitchen area with 5 ring gas hob, electric fan oven, slimline dishwasher, under bench fridge/freezer and microwave. Patio doors lead out to the rear garden.
Bedroom one with king size bed, side tables with lamps, chair, and large mirrored wardrobe.
En-suite shower room with a walk-in shower (please note there is a large step into the shower), heated towel rail, WC, and basin with mirror above.
Bedroom two with zip and link beds which can be configured as 2’6” twin beds or a king size double. Bedside table and wardrobe with hanging space and shelf storage.
Jack and Jill style family bathroom with bath, central heated towel rail, basin and WC.
A utility space with washing machine, tumble dryer, iron and ironing board, additional storage space and sink is located in the outhouse at the rear of the property.
OUTSIDE
There is a large enclosed garden to the rear of the property featuring a large gravelled area and an Astroturf lawn. An outdoor dining table is provided with seating for up to four guests. The garden is fully enclosed and has gated access to the driveway and front lawn.
The outhouse utility room is located at the rear of the property. There is also a separate shed, which can be used as storage space for large recreational equipment.
The front garden is on the roadside facing the coastline with a pretty bench to enjoy the views with a morning coffee.
PARKING
Private off-street parking with space for up to two cars. Additional parking is available on the roadside in front of the cottage.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING
A dedicated EV charging point is available in the parking area for this property. This is a type 2 connector, please note the flex to car is not supplied and guests must bring their own.
For safety reasons, please only use the dedicated charger for car charging at this property. Discover alternative electric vehicle charging points here.
BABIES & CHILDREN
A travel cot and highchair are available on request.
DOGS
Sorry, dogs are not allowed.
GUEST AMENITIES
Quality bed linen and fluffy towels are provided.
WI-FI & MOBILE COVERAGE
Wi-Fi is available. Mobile coverage is good on most networks.
HEATING
Gas central heating throughout the property.
Gas log burner-effect stove in the open-plan sitting room and dining kitchen.
GUEST PRIVACY
The property is a semi-detached cottage in the village of Boulmer.
Location
Boulmer, one of Northumberland’s last genuine finishing villages, sits on the Northumberland Coast just north of Alnmouth. Although there are no shops in the village, Bolumer does feature the Fishing Boat Inn, a popular traditional pub for both locals and visitors.
The nearest shop, a very good (though small) Co-Op supermarket can be found in Longhoughton a mile and a half away. You will also find The Running Fox bakery and coffee shop in the village, serving a range of mouth watering treats and hearty lunches.
Head to the larger village of Alnmouth (3 miles) with its charming, 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 six miles west, 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 as well as Downton Abbey, 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.
If you feel a trip to the coast isn’t complete without enjoying good local seafood, then you’ve come to the right place. The Jolly Fisherman at the pretty neighbouring village of Craster is renowned for its smoked kippers and The Potted Lobster is a must if you visit Bamburgh. At Low Newton you will find the delightful Ship Inn - famous for its seafood and microbrewery.
Activities
With the Boulmer beach right on the doorstep, Peep-O-Sea is perfectly placed to enjoy beach walks every day during your stay. Head out of the village on a longer walk along the coast to reach the beautiful sandy cove of Sugar Sands. A tranquil spot with soft golden sandy tucked between two rocky outcrops.
More fabulous walks can be enjoyed by following the Northumberland Coastal Path past the remains of the Percy Volunteers battery built to defend against Napoleon and look out for bird life on Marden Rocks to Alnmouth where you can enjoy the beach or head into the village which has excellent marked heritage trails.
For guests who enjoy being on the water, Alnmouth offers sailing in 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.
Keen cyclists can also enjoy a number of routes including the Coast and Castles Cycle Route which runs through Boulmer. Follow the trail north to explore Dunstan and Craster or head south to Alnmouth and Warkworth. 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 from Seashouses to the famous Farne Islands to see terns and puffins to name but a few. Birdwatching guides are available for the less experienced.
Northumberland coast is a paradise for golf parties with Alnmouth Golf Course at Foxton Hall just down the road, 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.
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 will 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 or test their knightly courage in the Dragon Quest. For garden lovers, a visit to the stunning setting of Alnwick Gardens or Howick Hall is an absolute must, with spectacular spring and autumn colours and beautiful walks through the grounds.
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.
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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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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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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Museums, galleries and culture
Our museums tell the story of Borders people and provide a unique insight into our region’s heritage and culture, such as the turbulent past of the Border Reivers or the tragic tale of exiled Mary Queen of Scots.
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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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Dog sitting
Our experienced dog sitters will look after your furry friends whilst you are out exploring.
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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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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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Holiday photography
Family holidays, reunions and honeymoons kindle priceless moments that deserve preserving.
Find Out MoreReviews
"We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Peep-O-Sea this week, so much so that I’ve just booked for next year! We know the area well but this was our first stay in a Crabtree & Crabtree managed property. Staying in Boulmer was a real treat. The cottage was clean and cosy, a home from home. The goody bag and fridge items were much appreciated - thank you. Thank you for such a lovely stay. We look forward to returning."
Ms Hodgkins"The owner has made a lovely job of fitting out the cottage in a stylish and user-friendly way, arranging its presentation with the usual style of Crabtree and Crabtree. It was both welcoming and spotless when we arrived. It is very well equipped for a holiday cottage."
CochranAvailability
- Sorry, dogs are not allowed.
- Typical arrival day: Saturday
- Arrival time: 4pm
- Departure time: 10am
"The Northumberland Coastal Trail is literally on your doorstep. Head north to the nearby village pub, The Fishing Boat Inn then on to Sugar Sands beach and Craster. Heading south you're following the dunes over Seaton Point to picturesque Alnmouth Village. "Kat, Crabtree & Crabtree
