The Old School House, Ancroft
A quirky and characterful former school house offering fabulous entertaining space for families and groups.
Dating from 1858, The Old School House oozes charm and character. Splashes of colour from carefully curated soft-furnishings have been used to artful effect against a more neutral backdrop to allow the property’s plentiful original features to take centre stage.
Families and groups will appreciate the array of living spaces on offer, the highlight of which is the magnificent light-filled school room complete with vast windows positioned so that the children would not be distracted from their lessons! An adjacent snug provides a cosy spot for curling up with a book whilst the heated conservatory is a fabulous light space for yoga, crafting or reading. A dining-cum-sitting room next to the kitchen is the ideal convivial entertaining space.
The three bedrooms comprise a ground floor bedroom double with an adjacent family bathroom – an ideal option for less mobile guests. Two additional first-floor bedrooms in the eaves are accessed by a spiral staircase; a double with an en suite shower room and a twin.
The house sits in a large, fully-enclosed garden with attractive views of the church and over open countryside. Several outbuildings provide storage for outdoor kit. There is ample parking to the front of the house for up to three cars.
The hamlet of Ancroft is around six miles southwest of the historic town of Berwick-upon-Tweed with a good range of independent shops and eateries. There is also a village shop and an excellent pub at Lowick, six miles away.
The house is very well-placed for exploring Northumberland’s celebrated Heritage Coastline with the magnificent Cheswick Beach just a three-mile drive to the east. The dramatic beauty of the Cheviot Hills and the Northumberland National Park is also very close by.
Property Layout
GROUND FLOOR
Small entrance hall.
Open-plan sitting and dining room comprising:
Dining area with seating for six guests. Seating area with wood burner (with unlimited supply of logs provided), two-seater sofa, armchair, selection of books and board games.
Kitchen with range oven with 5-ring electric hob, double oven and grill, microwave, Nespresso coffee machine, dishwasher and washer / dryer.
Adjacent walk-in pantry with fridge / freezer. Boiler/ drying room with tumble dryer.
Snug / reading nook with three-seater sofa, armchair and patio doors leading to the garden. Spiral staircase to the first floor. Wood burner (at the opposite end of the room with an unlimited supply of logs provided).
Sitting room with a three-seater sofa, two-seater sofa, large armchair, desk, Smart TV, DVD player and wood burner (with unlimited supply of logs provided).
Heated conservatory with pair of two-seater sofas and wood burner (with unlimited supply of logs provided).
Bedroom one with 5' king bed, built-in cupboards with hanging space and shelving.
Family bathroom with feature bath with handheld shower, walk-in shower, basin and WC.
FIRST FLOOR
Bedroom two with 5' king size bed, hanging space provided by Zebedee hanging rail, Velux window which opens to form a small balcony. A chest of drawers on the landing provides additional storage.
En suite shower room with walk-in shower, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Bedroom three with 3' twin beds, chest of drawers and Velux window which opens to form a small balcony.
OUTSIDE
The Old School House sits in a large, fully-enclosed rear garden with an outside dining table and chairs. The garden has attractive views of the church and open countryside. Please note that guests do not have access to the greenhouse or inside the cabin. Guests are welcome to use the cabin decked area and chiminea. There is a small yard to the rear, as well as several outbuildings for the storage of outdoor kit.
There is private off-street parking for up to three cars in front of the house.
Location
The Old School House offers guests an excellent base to explore the wider Scottish Borders and Northumberland area.
The Elizabethan walled town of Berwick-upon-Tweed is just ten minutes by car, making it easy to pick up provisions from one of the many supermarkets located on the outskirts of town. There is a good mix of high street and independent shopping, as well as a good selection of cafes, pubs and restaurants, including The Maltings, a vibrant theatre and arts venue for an evening of entertainment.
The area has a rich food heritage and there is something to cater for all tastes and budgets here from tasty fish and chips on the coast to cosy pubs, characterful cafes or bistro restaurants. The Black Bull in Lowick, just 6 miles south of Ancroft, is a very good pub for lingering lunches or informal evening dining, The Barn at Beal where you can savour the catch-of-the-day and a craft beer at The Bothy bar (please check seasonal opening times). Or, head further down the coast to the very picturesque village of Bamburgh where you can enjoy fantastic seafood at The Potted Lobster for a superior eating experience.
Alternatively, why not pop the wine in the fridge and arrange for a platter of seafood to be delivered straight to your door by the Berwick Shellfish Company - oysters reared in the clear North Sea beds of Lindisfarne, lightly smoked kippers from traditional local smokehouses, or perhaps some freshly dressed lobster or langoustines.
The town of Berwick-upon-Tweed is also served by the main East Coast rail line with regular services to Edinburgh and Newcastle for a city day out.
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 friendlyTwo well-behaved dogs are welcome (£15 fee per dog). Dogs must be kept to the ground floor and are not allowed in any of the bedrooms or on the furniture.
- HairdryerA hairdryer is provided in each bedroom.
- HeatingThere is gas underfloor heating throughout.
- Highchair
- Linen & towels providedHypo-allergenic duvets and pillows are provided.
- Outside space
- Wi-FiThe house has superfast broadband. Mobile reception is good on most networks.
All Amenities
Important Information
Please note that the property has a spiral staircase and children should be supervised when ascending/descending the stairs.
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
Accessibility
Getting availability
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