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Overview
A quirky and characterful former school house offering fabulous entertaining space for families and groups.
Ideally located between Northumberland’s stunning Heritage Coast and the Cheviot Hills
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 details
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.
Parking
There is private off-street parking for up to three cars in front of the house.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING
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.
Babies & Children
A travel cot and highchair can be provided on request. Please note that the property has a spiral staircase and children should be supervised when ascending/descending the stairs.
Dogs
Two well-behaved dogs are welcome at a charge of £15 per dog. Dogs must be kept to the ground floor and are not allowed in any of the bedrooms or on the furniture.
Guest Amenities
The beds feature high-quality linen and hypo-allergenic duvets and pillows. Towels are provided along with a hairdryer in each bedroom and luxurious toiletries.
Wi-Fi & Mobile Coverage
The house has superfast broadband. Mobile reception is good on most networks.
Heating
There is oil heating throughout the ground floor of the house and electric radiators on the first floor. There are heated towel rails in the bathrooms and wood burners in the dining / seating area, sitting room, snug and conservatory. An unlimited supply of logs is provided.
Guest Privacy
The Old School House sits off the road in the hamlet of Ancroft with the church on one side and a neighbouring property on the other side.
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.
Activities
The Old School House is located in the heart of North Northumberland and is exceptionally well placed for exploring the wider area. Six miles in one direction will take you to the bustling town of Berwick-upon-Tweed where you can walk the outstanding Elizabethan walls of the Old Town taking in ancient bastions, watchtowers and gun batteries - a testament to Berwick’s turbulent past defending England from the Scots. Along the way, enjoy stunning views of the coast and Tweed estuary before a visit to the Hawksmoor-designed Berwick Barracks with three separate museums showcasing its military history, as well as part of Sir William Burrell’s art collection.
Next, follow Berwick’s Lowry Trail and discover the cobbled streets and seaside scenes depicted in the paintings of the great ‘matchstick men’ painter who was captivated by the town and the area. If that sparks your creative side, why not spend an afternoon out-and-about drawing and painting under the tuition of a renowned local artist. Or, explore the range of unusual, independent shops including galleries, antique and restored furniture shops and quirky gift shops. The town is also well served with pubs, restaurants and cafes and foodies will be delighted with the supremely fresh fish, excellent local cheeses, Chainbridge Honey and other fine local produce on offer.
Thirteen miles in the opposite 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. It is also England’s first, and Europe’s largest, International Dark Sky Park, which means that it is perfect for a spot of stargazing. On a clear night, you will see stunning Meteor Showers, the Milky Way and even the Andromeda Galaxy - an astonishing 2.5 million light-years away!
The dramatic beauty of the Cheviot Hills can be accessed from Wooler (11 miles) where walkers and mountain bikers can 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. Follow the legend of St. Cuthbert with a visit to the Cuddy’s Cave (9 miles) a short walk exploring the area around this historic feature, or alternatively join Northumberland Park Rangers for a guided walk where you will learn much about the heritage and wildlife of the area and enjoy some outstanding vistas along the way. 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 (9 miles) which has a super range of child-friendly activities with over 20 attractions to explore, including a 15” gauge steam railway, fishing, canoeing, cycle hire and riding centre.
The stunning heritage coastline is just a short 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 enjoy 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. Follow in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims to the mystical Holy Island of Lindisfarne (7 miles) to complete the final journey of St. Cuthbert, or simply sit back and enjoy the breathtaking views from the sheltered dune-fringed sands of this uniquely special place.
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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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
"I just wanted to say how much we enjoyed our stay in this gorgeous cottage. It was our first time in this one and, as ever with all your cottages, it was simply lovely and exactly as we expected it to be from the website. We book so often with you as its always a home from home. The Old Schoolhouse was absolutely gorgeous. The interior was beautifully done and the garden was simply lovely. It felt so homely and provided us with a great base for our holiday. We were lucky enough to have a good weather so we didn't spend as much time in the cottage as we might have done."
The Guest's"We had a wonderful, relaxing and very comfortable stay at The Old School House. We loved the space, the light and airy interior and the location. The size of the house and its variety of living spaces really worked for us, our two children and dog. We also appreciate the big private and secure garden. The proximity of the house to Goswick & Cheswick beaches meant daily family beach walks with our dog; is there a more beautiful beach anywhere?"
The Fraser Family"We've had a lovely time, thank you. The house is so eclectic with great taste. We've stayed in quite a few Crabtree & Crabtree houses - this is up there as one of the best!"
Mrs Bosley“Brilliant Holiday – thank you! We loved the beaches and castles and enjoyed finding Flodden field. Fantastic walk in the Cheviots too. We highly recommend this amazing house.”
The Tuxworth Family“Fabulous stay – fires, book nooks, board games and fossil hunting, what could be better?! Cheswick Black Rocks was our favourite beach - lots of fossils and practically deserted. Can’t wait to come back!”
The Moynihan Family"The perfect location to visit Cheswick - sometimes twice a day. In between revision, fires, art making and reading we've walked and walked. A beautiful home. Peaceful."
Stephenson Family"Super week in a super house!"
Mrs BosleyAvailability
- 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
"A vintage desk sits in the former main school room - now a magnificent light-filled sitting room - a charming nod to its past history."Olivia, Crabtree & Crabtree
