Priory Cottage
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20% discount available on remaining holidays from now until the end of April 2023. Guests who book to stay over Easter weekend will receive a complimentary sweet treat.
Overview
Cute and couple-friendly, Priory Cottage lies metres away from historic Brinkburn Abbey, inside a wooded, riverside dell.
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the Brinkburn Estate this delightful bolthole offers luxurious peace in deepest Northumberland
Surrounded by greenery and clambering roses, Priory cottage is a peaceful romantic cottage located handily close to its namesake, 12th-century Priory. Once a shed to store the carts of horse-pulled guests visiting the estate, this delightful honey-hued bolthole has been carefully transformed into a comfortable one-bedroom dwelling (one of several other holiday homes on the estate) ideal for a couple’s stay.
Accessed via a stone pathway flanked by abundant borders you’ll step through a pretty glass porch where you can stow away your coats and wellies before heading straight into the open-plan living room which is homely with two sofas – one of which can be converted to a sofa bed on request – draped with warming throws, a log burning stove and dining table. As throughout, soft colours set a relaxing, snug tone here.
Off the sitting room you’ll find a kitchen corner where sugar-white walls enclose a hob and all the essentials needed to rustle up a delicious dinner. A tiled wet-room bathroom with a generous walk-in rainfall shower and heated towel rails completes the ground floor.
Upstairs, under a sloped ceiling with attractive, green-painted rafters, you’ll find the bedroom, where a pine chest of drawers and kingsized bed await. Though small and cosy you’ll find it luxurious with rich linens, snuggly robes – and, if you open the window, the gentle sounds of birdsong and the burbling River Coquet.
Outside the entrance porch is a private patio with two chairs, which is screened from any passers-by by bamboo fencing.
Separated by a private gate, Brinkburn Priory is only a minute’s walk away . Featuring distinctive witches’-hat towers, it was built in 1135 by Augustinian monks delighted at the seclusion of this steep, wooded valley around the snaking Coquet. Centuries later, the now-private residence was painted by Turner before seeing a gothic manor house added.
With the Priory now an English Heritage property, you’ll need to pay (or be a member) to enter and admire its stained-glass windows or William Hill organ. Around the wider, wonderful Brinkburn estate, there’s a gorgeous river trail to walk, plus a designated spot for wild swimmers just upstream from Priory Cottage.
Ready to explore further? Alnwick Castle and the pretty market town of Rothbury are close, while Coquetdale, the Coquet’s upper section, is a wonderfully wild expanse of open moorland and rocky outcrops extending into the Cheviot Hills and Northumberland National Park. You’re also within 15 miles of Alnmouth’s bay beach, and just an hour’s drive from Hadrian’s Wall.
Priory Cottage can also be booked in conjunction with neighbouring The Stables to sleep 10.
Property details
GROUND FLOOR
Entrace to the open-plan kitchen and living space through lovely glass porch.
Kitchen area contains Slimline dishwasher, small bench top freezer, under bench fridge, four-ring induction hob and electric fan oven, 2 slice toaster, kettle, cafetiere, microwave, washing machine
Sitting room contains two two-seater sofas, coffee table and side table, Smart TV, wood burning stove and dining table with seating for up to four guests.
One of the sofas can be made into a sofa bed on request, creating a studio apartment set up so guests with limited mobility can remain on the ground floor. Please note - this is only available as an alternative set-up from the first floor bedroom and cannot be used to accommodate additional guests.
Ground floor wet room with large walk-in shower with rainfall shower head, basin with drawer below and illuminated mirror above, heated towel rail and WC.
FIRST FLOOR
Bedroom with king size bed, bedside tables and lamps, chest of drawers and one hanging hook. Additional hanging space can be found on the ground floor near the sitting room.
Please note – there is a low-sloped ceiling on one side of the bedroom. There is no bedroom door at the top or bottom of the stairs making it an open studio cottage.
OUTSIDE
Courtyard area for the use of guests at Priory Cottage. Please note - this courtyard is overlooked by neighbouring holiday cottage, The Stables. However, there is an additional small area to the side Priory Cottage's front door, with two chairs and bamboo fencing around for privacy. Most guests prefer to use this.
PARKING
A designated parking space sits further up the drive from the property.
BABIES & CHILDREN
A travel cot and highchair are provided on request.
DOGS
Two dogs are welcome at a charge of £20 per dog.
WI-FI & MOBILE COVERAGE
Wi-Fi is available and is a good speed. Mobile coverage is poor in the cottage and surrounding estate but guests will be able to make Wi-Fi calls instead.
GUEST AMENITIES
Luxury bed linen and towel robes are provided.
HEATING
Underfloor heating within the property. Wood burning stove in the sitting room. Initial supply of logs provided, with extra supplies available to purchase on-site.
GUEST PRIVACY
The Stables holiday home is attached to Priory Cottage.
Please note - The courtyard is overlooked by The Stables. However, there is an additional small area to the side Priory Cottage's front door, with two chairs and bamboo fencing around for privacy.
The property sits in a private area of the estate, however, please note Brinkburn Priory and Manor House is located nearby which is an English Heritage attraction.
ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION
For guests looking to holiday together, this property can be booked alongside the neighbouring cottage The Stables (sleeps 8).
The Stables and Priory Cottage can be booked as a single unit sleeping 10.
A further four cottages in a terrace row at the entrance of the estate, Bel House (sleeps 4), Blakey House (sleeps 4), Cuthbert House (sleeps 4), and Mullins House (sleeps 4), are located 0.5 miles away.
Location
The local village of Longframlington (2.8 miles) has a small convenience store and popular local butchers. The village also benefits from The Village Inn and The Granby Inn, both of which serve traditional pub food or head to Running Fox, a delightful artisan bakery coffee shop.
The attractive town of Rothbury is 4.5 miles away and is home to several independent shops, restaurants and pubs. It has an excellent butchers shop opposite the T-junction as you drive in or try Tulley Delicatessen for a great selection of cheeses.
Morpeth is 11.4 miles away and features a wider range of shops and eateries, including Turkish, Italian and Thai restaurants as well as a range of cosy tearooms. Larger supermarkets can be found in the market town for when you need to stock up on supplies.
You can also find some lovely characterful shopping in the village shops at Longhorsley and Belsay.
Activities
This is frontier land, full of history, heritage and wild, natural beauty; where walking and cycling routes have been shaped by ancient Romans, drovers and plundering Border reivers through the ages. Through it, the River Coquet meanders through vast stretches of moorland and picturesque valleys.
You are welcome to explore Brinkburn Estate during your stay where you will find a tranquil riverside trail as well as Brinknurn Priory and Manor House. Members of English Heritage will be able to visit for free, while non-members will need to purchase a ticket.
Nearby Cragside House and Gardens offers a fascinating day out for the family where you can discover the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity. Crammed full of gadgets developed by Victorian inventor, innovator and landscape genius, Lord Armstrong, Cragside is truly a wonder of its age. The adventure playground with its network of paths and tunnels will be a huge hit with children and the gardens are an absolute delight.
Further across you will find Clennell Street which follows the ancient drover road where you can enjoy fantastic panoramic views over the Coquet Valley and Cheviot Hills, dropping down to the tiny village of Alwinton where you can rest tired legs and enjoy a pie and a pint at the Rose and Thistle pub. Alwinton is also a designated Dark Sky Discovery site so it’s also a perfect spot to indulge in a spot of stargazing.
Alternatively, the Street or ‘clattering path’ is a Roman road where you can walk the Border Ridge and look for iron age hill forts and enigmatic rock carvings, or why not take a ranger-led walk from Harbottle to see the fabled Drake Stone.
If you prefer to spend your days on two wheels, head to nearby Kidland Forest and Upper Coquetdale which is a super loop involving lovely woodland tracks and long riverside trails, or for something a little more high energy the Reivers Cycle Route will tick the right box.
The area is also a fantastic spot for climbing and bouldering with crags at Simonside and to the north and west of Rothbury, while fell runners will simply be in their element here.
For those looking for a more relaxed option, enjoy a pampering treatment at your cottage with Harmony Holistic Mobile Spa.
Also within easy reach are the award-winning Alnwick Gardens and Alnwick Castle, home to the Duke of Northumberland and one of Britain’s most iconic castles. With its rich history, exquisite art, beautiful gardens, and film location for Harry Potter, there is plenty of wizardly magic and mayhem to keep all ages entertained.
Finally, the stunning beaches of the Northumberland coast can be easily reached in under an hour - perfect for picnics with a bucket and spade. Visit Bamburgh Castle and its amazing dog-friendly beach where you can walk for miles on white sugary sands, stopping off for ice cream along the way, or why not follow in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims to the mystical Holy Island of Lindisfarne to complete the final journey of St. Cuthbert and enjoy the breathtaking views from the sheltered dune-fringed sands of this uniquely special place. Simply magical!
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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.
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Availability
- Two dogs are welcome at a charge of £20 per dog.
- Typical arrival day: Friday and Monday, with the additional option of Wednesday out of high season.
- Arrival time: 4pm
- Departure time: 10am
"The whimsical watercolour of a cow beside the sitting room’s log-burning stove – it’s hard not to smile!"Kat, Crabtree & Crabtree
