Guests say
The Folly in Northumberland receives high praise for its peaceful, rural setting and cosy, comfortable atmosphere. Guests appreciate the property's cleanliness, the stunning views, and the enclosed garden, which is ideal for dogs. The cottage's location serves as a perfect base for exploring the countryside and nearby attractions. While some minor issues are mentioned, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests planning to return.
Most guests found The Folly to be very clean and well-maintained, with a high standard of cleanliness. A few mentioned cobwebs and the need for a deeper clean, but these comments were not the norm.
The location is highly praised for its tranquillity, beautiful views, and proximity to local attractions. It's described as an ideal place for a peaceful break, with the only neighbours being livestock.
Guests report that The Folly is warm, comfortable, and spacious. However, some guests found the beds too firm and the pillows too soft, which affected their comfort.
The property is well-equipped, but some guests noted a lack of certain kitchen items and minor maintenance issues. The provision of firewood and the difficulty in finding the key safe were also mentioned.
Guests appreciated the welcome pack and the inclusion of a vet number, which demonstrates thoughtfulness. However, it is politely noted that such gifts are a kind gesture and may not be guaranteed for every stay.
About this property
A picturesque, double-fronted, detached property surrounded by stunning countryside just outside the village of Belsay, near Ponteland in Northumberland. Set well back from a country lane, The Folly is a very pretty cottage set within its own idyllic farm steading, ideal for a family or small group of friends wanting to enjoy a relaxing rural retreat. The cottage features a spacious sitting room; a bright and airy space with lovely countryside views you can enjoy while relaxing on the sofa, with an open fire crackling in the background. The newly fitted kitchen is well-equipped to support you with your every culinary requirement. You can enjoy delicious meals at the dining table, or just relax with a glass of wine in front of the cosy wood burner while you make plans for your stay. There is also a handy utility room and downstairs cloakroom and WC with basin on the ground floor. Head up the stairs to find two large bedrooms; a king size double with lovely sash windows and a stunning view, plus a twin room with a day bed, which can convert into a useful extra bed for a child or small adult. An additional box room provides the perfect place for a travel cot or a camp bed for another child. The stylish family bathroom completes the upstairs layout with a bath and shower cubicle to choose from when you’re getting ready each day. The south facing lawn is ideal for adult relaxation or child play and is enclosed by a pretty stone wall, beyond which lies miles of beautiful countryside with cattle and sheep grazing happily. A terraced area to the rear of the cottage is a sun trap in the late afternoon and early evening – perfect for a sit down with a glass of something special while you review the day’s activities. There is attractive garden furniture on both sides of the house. The Folly has plenty of space for parking up to three cars, as well as good outbuildings, including stabling and an undercover games area. There is direct access to beautiful walking direct from the door, as well as fabulous riding should you wish to bring a horse or two. Stabling and grazing are available at an additional cost by arrangement with the owner. The small village of Belsay has a brilliant shop and post office which can cater for nearly all your culinary needs, including excellent locally sourced meat, cheese and vegetables, as well as spirits, wine, beer and even gifts. For anything else you can venture the 7 miles to Ponteland, where you will find a Waitrose, a Sainsbury’s as well as a local butcher, greengrocers, village pubs and restaurants. Back in Belsay, locals love the nearby Blacksmith’s Coffee Shop which serves delicious lunches and teas and is famous for its scones and tray bakes. A visit to the Greek-inspired Belsay Hall with its medieval castle and amazing gardens is a must for your stay at The Folly, and equally close is the lovely Bolam Lake Country Park – perfect for an afternoon stroll. The Folly is perfectly placed to allow you to discover Northumberland’s wonderful countryside, historic market towns and stunning coastline. Morpeth is within easy reach, while slightly further north is Rothbury and then Alnwick with its superb ‘Harry Potter’ Castle and equally famous Garden. To the south west, Corbridge and Hexham both boast a super selection of shops, boutiques, pubs and restaurants. Walkers and history enthusiasts can enjoy Hadrian’s wall, or a visit to the Roman forts of Chesters and Housesteads; you can also explore Devil’s Causeway or head onto the coast and discover Druridge Bay, Newton-by-the-Sea, Beadnell, Seahouses and Bamburgh – all well within an hour’s drive away. Those looking for a little more metropolitan excitement can head into Newcastle upon Tyne with its wonderful architecture, a plethora of shopping, dining and nightlife, as well as attractions such as the Quayside, the Millenium Bridge, the iconic Sage building, as well as a castle and a cathedral. The Angel of the North and Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, as well as the Cathedral city of Durham are also within easy reach. If you are the sporting type you can try a round of golf on the stunning course at the nearby Matfen Hall Hotel & Spa or take in some fishing at Higham Lake or on the River Tyne. Football fans might want to take in a match at St James Park, home of the Toon Army, or if horse racing is your thing, there are race courses at Gosforth Park, Newcastle or Hexham. With plenty of opportunities for days out close by, The Folly is the perfect choice for a stunning secluded base in the heart of Northumberland.
Belsay is a popular village and civil parish in Northumberland, about 5 miles from Ponteland on the A696, which links Newcastle upon Tyne to Jedburgh. Being about 20 minutes from central Newcastle, with a 7 minute drive into the popular village of Darras Hall where most of the Newcastle United footballers live, Belsay has a tea room, post office and pub to name a few of the amenities available to you. As you head out of Belsay there is a right turn taking you to the popular Bolam Lake and just before you get to Bolam this farm is situated off the road down a farm track. Belsay is a village Scottish nobleman and doctor John de Strivelyn was granted the manor around 1340 by Edward III. On his death, the estate passed to his daughter, who was married to Sir John Middleton, and has remained with the Middleton family since. Belsay parish includes the former parishes of Bitchfield, Black Heddon and Bolam, and is home to Belsay Castle and Belsay Hall. Belsay Castle is a 14th Century medieval castle situated at Belsay - a Grade I listed buidling and nationally important archaeological site. This lovely village is steeped in history and you are sure to enjoy your visit to this iconic location, while having easy access to Newcastle as well as neighbouring towns in Northumbria.
EPC Rating: Band DAccommodation
Two bedrooms: 1 x king-size double, 1 x twin plus flexible accommodation for a further two people.
Bathroom with bath, shower, basin and WC.
Utility with cloakroom and WC.
Kitchen/dinery with woodburning stove.
Sitting room with open fire
Oil heating with woodburning stove and open fire.
Oven and hob.
WIFI.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Set well back from a country lane with parking for three cars.
Lawned front garden and terrace to rear, both with garden furniture.
Two well behaved pets allowed, Outbuildings with covered games area and stables for horses by separate arrangement with the owner.
Sorry, no smoking.
Shop 2 miles, pub 4 miles.
Please note: This property is only able to accept a check-in day of Friday between October and March inclusive (excluding Christmas and New Year)
Reviews (41)
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Sue
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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Stewart
We did find a few things that would put us off returning though, the biggest of these was the incredibly hard bed coupled with very soft pillows. We found the mattress so hard that my partner slept on the sofa one night, and only by sleeping on top of the duvet were we able to avoid having to cut the weekend short. I do appreciate this is maybe a personal preference and others may find it less of an issue, but an orthopaedic mattress is very firm for regular use. While the property was clean, we did notice a lot of cobwebs on ceilings and light fittings. We also found the initial log and wood supply provided to be rather minimal, 5 sticks in the kitchen, 4 logs in the living room and a total of 2 matches felt deliberately stingy.
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Jean
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.