The Stables at West Lyham

With a winning location, sandwiched between Northumberland’s dramatic coastline and pristine National Park, The Stables enjoys a tranquil setting on a renovated farm steading that belies its cutting-edge interiors. The chic two-bedroom cottage has been dramatically transformed from tumbledown stables, creating a light-filled rural bolthole that delivers thoroughly contemporary country living.

The open-plan kitchen, dining and living area achieve the perfect blend of old and new, with reclaimed timber trusses supporting a vaulted ceiling that soars above a sleek modern kitchen and minimalist designer furniture. Low-slung charcoal sofas are dotted with acid yellow cushions, expansive French doors open onto the tranquil stone courtyard and a log burner creates an inimitable homely feel. The cottage further features two bedrooms, each with large fitted wardrobes and en-suite shower rooms, and outdoor seating for al fresco meals or sundowners.

While guests enjoy a sense of blissful isolation at The Stables, the property is in fact just a few minutes’ drive from the village of Chatton, which boasts an excellent village shop stocked with an array of local produce and the Percy Arms, an inviting country pub known for its excellent food. It’s also under ten minutes’ drive from Chillingham Castle, considered to be England’s most haunted castle and home to the only wild cattle in the world, sole survivors of herds that once roamed the forests of Britain. A little further down the road, you’ll find St Cuthbert’s Cave, thought to be where the monks of Lindisfarne brought St. Cuthbert’s body in AD875, following Viking raids on the Holy Island.

Indeed, thanks to its setting between Northumberland’s coast and National Park, The Stables is within half an hour’s drive to many of the county’s most popular attractions, including Bamburgh Castle, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, the picturesque coastal town of Seahouses and Alnwick Castle. Outdoorsy types will find endless pleasure in the 400 square miles of sheep-dotted hills, meandering river valleys and rugged moorland within Northumberland National Park; keen walkers can tackle the 62.5-mile-long St Cuthbert’s Way trail (or perhaps just sections of it), which passes close by to The Stables; and cyclists can explore the 120-mile-long Sandstone Way cycle path, which also skirts the cottage.

The Stables can be booked in conjunction with the adjacent cottage, The Smithy (sleeps 2), and The Steading (sleeps 10), for larger parties wishing to holiday together.