The Hemmel at West Moneylaws
- 4
- 2
- 2
- 2
- Map
15% discount available on remaining holidays between 31st March and 14th April 2023.
Overview
A sympathetically restored former cattle shed set on the English-Scottish border.
A cosy yet stylish Northumbrian cottage offering a tranquil retreat for rest and relaxation
The Hemmel is a sympathetically restored former cattle shed with stunning views across to the South and the West, taking in Moneylaws Hill and the valley towards Mindrum. It is just to the west of Flodden field - the famous battlefield site dating back to 1513 - and the small hamlet of Branxton.
Known as the first and last village in England, Cornhill sits on the border with Scotland where it follows the River Tweed, bordered by the Cheviot Hills to the south. The Hemmel is remote enough to deliver a sense of blissful rural isolation while also being close enough to Cornhill to easily pick up provisions and a pint in the village shop and Collingwood Arms Hotel.
The stylish accommodation is light, airy and has recently been completed by the owners in 2021 to a very high standard.
Outdoors to the rear is a wonderful patio with a table and chairs, where guests will be surrounded by a natural wild garden with wildflowers and fruit trees. This overlooks a wood, orchard and paddock where the owners' chickens, sheep and alpacas graze - a haven for wildlife and nature. To the front of The Hemmel, there is a large, enclosed lawned garden with bench seating.
Inside, the open-plan living area has oak beams and large windows bringing the outdoors in, comfortable seating and feature artwork by local artist, Jim Alexander of Flodden Fields. The stylish Morso log burning stove is the focal point of the room but will also provide a cosy atmosphere for those curl-up-with-a-blanket days.
The kitchen is well-appointed with all the essentials and there is a dining area to seat four guests. Plus, there is a separate utility room housing a washer/dryer, which is the perfect place to dry off any wet and muddy outdoor kit.
Both bedrooms are good sizes and the master features a wooden four-poster bed and a spectacular view towards Moneylaws Hill. There are some bold decorative features including Mulberry Wallpaper and striking prints by a local artist. The second bedroom is inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement with subtle tones of natural greens and prints.
Only slightly further afield, there’s walking and biking galore in the Cheviot Hills, fishing on the River Tweed, historic castles to visit at Norham, Ford and Etal, and the nearby Battlefield of Flodden to explore.
Property details
Ground Floor
The accommodation is all on the ground floor and therefore, may be suitable for less mobile guests.
Ramp to entrance for step-free access.
Entranceway with bench seating, chair and hooks for hanging coats.
Open-plan living area with feature oak beams comprising:
Sitting room with pair of two-seater sofas, footstool, Morso log burning stove and sliding doors to access rear patio.
Kitchen with four-ring ceramic hob, electric oven, large fridge / freezer, dishwasher, microwave.
Dining table to seat four guests.
Utility room with sink, washer / dryer and additional storage space for outdoor kit.
Bedroom one with four poster king size bed, built-in wardrobe with hanging space, dressing table / chest of drawers, large windows with a spectacular view towards Moneylaws Hill.
En suite shower room with large walk-in shower (with rainfall showerhead), LED wall mirror, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Bedroom two with 3' zip and link beds, which can be configured as a super king double or twin beds, as preferred. Built-in wardrobe with hanging space, chest of drawers, window seat, handmade mirror.
Family bathroom with bath with shower over (with rainfall showerhead), heated towel rail, built-in shelving, basin and WC.
Outside
There is an enclosed lawned garden to the front of the property with bench seating.
There is a private, enclosed patio area to the rear of the property with cafe-style table and chairs to seat four. There is a step down to the patio area, however there is a small ramp stored in the outdoor log store, if required.
Please note that the patio area is surrounded by a natural wild garden with wildflowers and fruit trees, overlooking a wood, orchard and paddock where the owners' chickens, ducks, sheep and alpacas graze. The owners would be delighted to offer alpaca trekking during your stay with advance notice.
Parking
There is private parking available for up to two cars.
Babies & Children
A highchair and travel cot can be provided on request.
Please note that The Hemmel is situated next to a working farm with machinery in operation and children must be supervised at all times. The owners have alpacas, ducks, hens and sheep in the surrounding fields and would be delighted to offer alpaca trekking during your stay with advance notice.
Dogs
Two well-behaved dogs are welcome at a charge of £15 per dog. Dogs must be kept off the furniture and out of the bedrooms. The owners can supply dog towels and blankets, as well as a dog cage on request, as dogs are not to be left in the property unsupervised. The owner would be very happy to offer dog sitting if required - this must be organised in advance of your stay.
Due to other dogs on the farm, please do not bring your pet if it is in season.
Doggy welcome packs will be provided.
Guest Amenities
High-quality bed linen and towels are provided for guests along with guest toiletries. A hairdryer is provided in each bedroom.
Wi-Fi & Mobile Coverage
Wi-Fi is available with good speeds. Mobile reception can be variable but this improves outside.
Heating
There is underfloor heating throughout the property and a Morso wood burning stove (with initial supply of logs and kindling provided) in the open-plan living space.
Guest Privacy
There are five properties in the overall development, which is a mix of holiday lets and residential. The rear aspect and patio is not overlooked and offers guest privacy.
Additional Accommodation
For larger groups who wish to holiday together, The Hemmel can be let in conjunction with The Granary, which sits nearby and sits in the same ownership.
Location
Nearby Cornhill-on-Tweed (3.5 miles) offers a superb village store and coffee shop in addition to the popular Collingwood Arms bar and restaurant. Just over the River Tweed in Scotland is the historic town of Coldstream which has a good selection of pubs, cafes and local shops, including a butcher, baker and grocer.
The Blue Bell Inn which offers excellent food is about 4.5 miles from West Moneylaws, and The Red Lion at Milfield (5.5 miles) is also well worth a visit.
For a more extensive range of shops and larger supermarkets, the charming market towns of Berwick-upon-Tweed and Kelso are an easy half-hour drive by car.
Activities
The Hemmel is located in the heart of North Northumberland and is exceptionally well placed for exploring the wider area. Seven miles in one direction will take you to the edge of the Northumberland National Park, a designated area of outstanding natural beauty with over 400 square miles of stunning landscapes, crisscrossed by over 700 miles of walking, biking and riding trails that follow the routes of ancient cattle drovers, taking in Iron Age stone fortifications and traces of Bronze Age hillforts amidst the tranquil and rugged landscape.
Hop into your walking boots and you can join Northumberland Park Rangers for a guided walk from Wooler where you will learn much about the heritage and wildlife of the area, or follow sections of St. Cuthbert’s Way and enjoy some outstanding vistas along the route as it winds its way to the dune-fringed sands on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. For cycling, you will find everything from gentle low-level meanders to big hill country treks, including long-distance routes such as the Pennine Cycleway or the cycle challenges of the Wooler Wheel Hub.
For families, the Breamish Valley is a popular area with pretty river picnic spots where children can paddle, followed by a walk to the lovely waterfall at Linhope Spout where you may even spot some wild Cheviot goats along the way. Alternatively, a warm welcome awaits you at Ford & Etal Estates (6 miles) which has a superb range of family-friendly activities with over twenty attractions to explore. Take a ride on Bunty on the very charming 15” gauge steam railway, follow the mouse trail around the Heatherslaw Corn mill or there is fishing, canoeing, cycle hire and a riding centre all nearby. For art lovers, a must-visit is the pre-Raphaelite murals at the Lady Waterford Hall, or explore the ruins of EtalCastle or the local heritage sites of nearby Flodden or Duddo Standing Stones, Northumberland’s equivalent of Stonehenge.
The stunning heritage coastline is just a short half-hour drive away with miles of pristine sandy beaches, jolly pubs serving the freshest fish and chips, and picture-postcard coastal villages with charming galleries and gift shops. Experience the exhilarating thrill of kitesurfing at Bamburgh, coasteering at Beadnell or perhaps just the simple pleasures of a picnic and a game of beach cricket on sands that remain almost deserted even in the summer months.
History buffs will be enchanted by the rich heritage of the area, where dramatic castles and grand stately homes punctuate the landscape here, including imposing Bamburgh perched on its rocky outcrop above Bamburgh Beach; Alnwick, star of the Harry Potter films; or Chillingham, said to be the most haunted castle in Britain and home to the only wild cattle in the world.
Fishing is available on the River Till about a ten-minute drive and is one of the area's best-kept secrets with an impressive sea trout run each spring said to be the best in the country. Trout permits are available for as little as £5 per day and rods, reels and waders can be hired locally.
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.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
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!
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
Shooting
For sheer variety alone Northumberland and the Scottish Borders are irresistible to any gun.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out MoreServices
The owners can offer catering on site and can offer prepared meals, cakes and cater for celebrations. Please contact us for more details.
Additional housekeeping
Award yourself a real break and let us provide a pair (or more) of helping hands.
Find Out More
Dog sitting
Our experienced dog sitters will look after your furry friends whilst you are out exploring.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
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 More
Holiday photography
Family holidays, reunions and honeymoons kindle priceless moments that deserve preserving.
Find Out MoreReviews
"Following our recent stay at The Hemmel at West Moneylaws, we found the property to be even better than the photographs! It is in a wonderful position and we spent many hours sitting in the completely private patio at the back watching the chickens, farm animals and wild birds, especially the swallows. The decor of the property was very calming and the starter pack provided was second to none! We will certainly return when we can."
Bowerbank Family"As always with Crabtree and Crabtree properties, we had very high expectations but The Hemmel surpassed them! The house is simply stunning - what a fabulous renovation. We loved the high beamed ceilings and the light streaming in from all directions. It has been beautifully finished inside; the master bedroom and bathroom, in particular, have really got a wow factor. It is such a spacious property and it has been very thoughtfully equipped and prepared for guests by the owners. The very generous welcome pack was also much appreciated. The Hemmel was a glorious base for a walking holiday. We loved returning to the peace and comfort of the property at the end of each day. Thank you to the owners for making us feel so welcome. We were very reluctant to leave at the end of our stay and can't wait to return."
Ms Siljehag"We had a wonderful time at West Moneylaws, a beautiful property to add to the places we want to visit again."
Ms WhiteAvailability
- Two dogs are welcome at a charge of £15 per dog.
- Typical arrival day: Friday during high season. Flexible out of high season.
- Arrival time: 4pm
- Departure time: 10am
"The beautiful exposed oak beams throughout the property are a tasteful reminder of The Hemmel's past."Olivia, Crabtree & Crabtree
