Holiday Cottages In Alnmouth

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Sue - Verified booking

  We book cottage breaks quite regularly and I always look at the reviews to make a decision.

  After reading some and then also seeing The Folly was significantly cheaper than other comparable cottages I was really on the fence about booking. The distance from home was my decider (we wanted somewhere in easy travel, but still with a remote feel). We arrived with fingers crossed. All is can say is WE ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. I would have never known but been so gutted to have missed this gem. Absolutely now number one my favourite break list. Location - fantastic. Detached and remote but only 2 minutes from local post office/shop, coffee shop, Castle and Gardens in Belsay and 4 minutes to Bolam Lake. Access information/directions from owner - spot on. We had no problem finding the Folly and getting in. The access is across a field from the main road, so I would advise weatherproof footwear to open the gate. The track across the field is perfectly drivable stone. We were welcomed on arrival and throughout our stay by sheep (we never had a visit from the cows). The cottage itself is really well equipped. I don't think the photos do it justice. Often I find rooms/cottages/gardens smaller in reality with some clever camera angles at play. Not the case here. All rooms are great sizes and ample garden space. Large garden to front and small patio to rear. If you have a large dog or a dog that will jump walls, then definitely keep on a lead in the front garden (as advised). The bottom wall is lower than the sides and the sheep are literally at the other side. Our dog is big (lab/husky) but doesn't jump and is very used to/unbothered by sheep. The back yard/patio is super dog proof! Loads of outside space for parking and undercover barn type area for anything else (I think this is what is described in the listing as undercover games area). Heating was fab, we turned it down so we could justify the log burners (post office sells additional logs and kindling). Water red hot, shower excellent. Kitchen had everything we needed. Outside sensor security lighting (needs to be switched on on arrival) meant even in the dark the gates were easy to manage You can walk for miles through the fields (dog on lead obviously) if you don't want to travel far. We went to Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens but didn't feel with the dog it justified the entry fee. Bolam Lake was a fabulous walk though (free, but car park charge) There's a couple of comments about cobwebs, yes there are a few here and there but I'm not sure in a building like this you'd ever get rid of them all! Everything we used was clean and the towels, bedding perfect. The quilt in the master bedroom was so snuggly. We didn't have a problem with the mattress, it was really firm but didn't cause us any issues. The basics were all there (loo roll, washing up liquid, dishwasher and washing tablets, salt pepper, tea coffee, sugar). There wasn't any welcome pack to speak of (unless these things were it), even though the text from the owner mentioned it (I only noticed this when I was re-reading the message for leaving instructions) but that was fine I'd ordered an Asda delivery to land shortly after we did so we were quickly stocked with milk, bread and all the other essentials. (We met the driver at the gate and transferred to our car to save him driving through the field) If I could change anything I'd say get a bigger TV in the lounge. We so enjoyed a Netflix binge/catch up on a night and it would have been amazing on a bigger screen. The Folly would literally be 11/10 then! Since arriving home yesterday I've already been looking when we can rebook.

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• Claire - Verified booking

  We were not contacted with regards to our stay until we got in touch with the owners before we left home to find out the details.

  Our booking was most definitely forgotten. The directions to get to The Folly from Belsay were poor, on the basis that the 'burn' we are told to turn left after, is really hard to notice, and actually, when you miss it, and follow the directions from the next obvious, 2nd burn, you end up in another property. It took us a while to find the property, only with the help of a local resident, who advised us of the phantom burn used in directions. If you go over a little bridge and swing to the left..you need to turn around. Once we found the entrance gate, with the tiniest signs possible, the lane was easy to navigate, and the cows and sheep were very welcoming and amicable. The key safe was very, very difficult to find. I know other guests have mentioned it was difficult for 'oldies', but actually no, its hard for anyone. It is small, disguised amongst fuse/socket boxes, and in the darkest corner of a brick shed,..oh, and black, not even where the diminishing light can fall...check in from 3:30pm, not 3pm! Had it been any darker, we would not have found it. (Once it was located, even in the daylight as we left, the phone torches had to be used to put in codes) It was during this search that we found the log shed, of which the door could not be opened fully to get logs. Not that it mattered for us, as we had forgotten to bring matches, and the only provision made for us was an empty box. The log baskets had not been replenished either. Confirming that the booking was forgotten. On our second evening, the electricty went off. It came back on again, 30 seconds later, and then back off again. This on and off lasted a couple of minutes, and then it just went off. It was just as night was falling. We anticpated an evening of no heat source, and so after contacting the owners, we decided it was better to pack and leave for home. The owners said it was a power cut, which, after experiencing these before, and managing with 5 small children, we found it to be an odd, and somewhat patronising explanation. Had we been prepared for the possibilty, we would have coped...TAKE MATCHES!! It was then that the electricity came back on, but our trust in the property was now completely gone, and the lack of care to ensure we were okay during the aleged power cut was actually alarmingly rude. It turned the the whole break into a farse. The Folly is beautiful. It is well decorated with gorgeous facbrics and adequate furniture. The garden is enclosed, however the yard at the back of the house does have a gate which requires supervision of determined escapees...children or doggos. We were not aware of outside games area? and parking is generous. The box room which is described as suitable for a cot bed or the zbed provided is actually a through room to the bathroom, and so would really only be suitable for really small children. The 'welcome pack' folder itemises all kitchen utensils, however some of these are still missing, which makes you feel guilty to be honest. As a property and location, The Folly is gorgeous, and comfortable, just be aware of the difficulties we've mentioned, be fully prepared, and it should be a good time. Oh, and maybe take wellies for the opening of the gates.....

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• Richard - Verified booking

  After what has been an unusual year, it was good to get away and return to Briar Cottage.

  From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel welcome by Foster and Debra and by the cows, sheep, hens and dog (Briar Cottage Mascot). The moment you enter Briar Cottage, you are met by a warm homely feel and instantly relax into the start of a holiday. On the table there were freshly laid eggs from the hens, a crusty loaf in the bread bin and some milk for a cup of tea. As this was our second visit to Briar Cottage, we knew where everything was and were soon unpacked with our feet up. The cottage is very well equipped with a lovely stove, fabulous shower and really comfy bed. The throw over the bed was so nice that we purchased one like it for our home, effectively taking a piece of Briar Cottage with us. The cottage is so quiet that as the week wore on, we started to wake up later and later in the day. There were several visits to Rothbury for eating out and we'd recommend doing some of the walks shown in the book, that you will find in the cottage. We visited several of the places that we were unable to get to last year and were not disappointed. We'd recommend Roslyn Chapel (Da Vinci Code), it is well worth the trip. Please note that under the current restrictions, it pays to ring ahead and ask if you need to book in advance. We visited the Alnwick Gardens on a hot sunny day (pre-book) and alot of the cafe's were open although socially distanced queuing was the order of the day. The gardens are spectacular and the water features amazing. The roar of the water is fabulous and is an ideal location for photographs. We loved it. Every day we would return late to find Briar Cottage cosy and warm and ready for snuggling down in the evening. There are DVD's in the drawer under the TV if there is nothing worth watching on terrestrial. If you are looking for a quiet romantic get away for two people, Briar Cottage is the place for you. We would recommend Briar Cottage to anyone looking for a break away, and will probably find ourselves back there next year.

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• Jean - Verified booking

  My husband snd myself teavel north from Lincolnshire, my brother and wife travelled south from Fife.

  Meeting up somewhere in the middle for our annual pre christmas break. What a marvelous find this was. This is a lovely cottage, quite remote, (make sure you take what you need with you, you arent popping out to the shop f you forget anything. ) there is a well stocked village shop a few miles away in the nearest village, The cottage is surrounded by stunning views cosy, yet spacious. and exceptionally clean and well equipped to a high standard . One point to highlight , the beds have orthopaedic mattress, very firm, if you like a soft mattress you may struggle. We were contacted by our hosts two days before travelling , with detailed direction on how to get there. Key safe numbers etc. Our queries were promptly responded to. You do indeed (as advised) need your wellies if it is wet weather, opening gates (two) to get from the road, through the sheep field , to reach the cottage, not digfficult to do, the men sat in the cars while the women opened the gates, in the rain... the courtyard is well contained and was well suited to our small dog. (Lots of walks in the area). The weather wasn't great , to be expected at this time of the year, but the warm welcome from our hosts, cosy cottage open fires and good company made for a great long weekend break. Would highly recommend. We plan to return.

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• Laura - Verified booking

  Beautiful cottage, clean and comfortable in a lovely village and next to a very good pub.

  The furniture was good quality and the beds extremely comfortable. We were impressed by the immaculately clean rooms and the thoughtful welcome box. The downside was the smell coming from the cesspit next to the cottage. On our second day it was so bad we couldn't open the windows. My elderly mother wanted to go home bit decided to percevere with it. We couldn't sit out in the lovely garden on nice days because although not constant, the smell was on and off all the time and you could taste it. We would loved to have used the wonderful bbq facility but couldn't face doing our food in that smell. It was a real shame because it did put a dampener on our holiday with my elderly parents, 81 and 86 years old. Plus this was the most that we have spent on a cottage over past few years. My mother couldn't sleep very well because she couldn't have the window open. I note from previous comments on trip advisor that the owners have been told about this problem before which makes it even more disappointing because nothing seems to have been done. I dread to think how bad it was in the heat. Like I said, the cottage was amazing, clean and comfortable but please please please do something about the awful smell. I do hope that they contact me with how they are going to resolve the issue

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