Guests say
The Blacksmith's Cottage in Bamburgh is a characterful and well-equipped property, praised for its excellent location and cosy atmosphere. Guests appreciate its proximity to local amenities, the beach, and the inclusion of a log burner and garden. While some guests have raised issues with cleanliness and maintenance, the majority have had positive experiences, enjoying comfortable stays and expressing a desire to return.
Reviews indicate a mix of experiences regarding cleanliness. Some guests found the cottage to be clean and comfortable, while others noted issues with housekeeping, such as cobwebs and a greasy extractor fan. The presence of both positive and negative comments leads to a slightly above average score.
The location of the cottage is consistently praised for being central, close to pubs, the beach, and local shops. Its convenience and the ability to explore Northumbria Coast without needing a car contribute to a high score in this category.
Comfort receives positive remarks for the cosy atmosphere and comfortable beds, although some guests mentioned uncomfortable sofas and worn-out mattresses. The mix of feedback suggests that while the property is generally comfortable, there is room for improvement.
Facilities are well-regarded in terms of equipment and the log burner, but there are several mentions of maintenance issues such as mould, a dripping shower, and problematic heating controls. The balance of positive and negative feedback results in a score reflecting adequate facilities with some concerns.
There is insufficient information in the reviews to assess the level of thoughtfulness in terms of gifts or special touches provided by the hosts. As such, this category cannot be scored.
About this property
Having retained a wealth of period features, The Blacksmith’s in Bamburgh, Northumberland, is a Grade II listed conversion of a former blacksmith’s workshop and forge and offers spacious and well-presented accommodation, perfect for a family on holiday. A focal point of the open-plan living area is the original blacksmith’s forge which has been integrated into the room as a fantastic inglenook fireplace, complete with a woodburning stove. This is definitely the favourite spot for guests to gather around and take the chill off in the cooler months. Other features help to add a traditional ambience to the property include a raised vaulted ceiling and original stone flooring.
When it’s time to feed the hungry hoards, make your way to the kitchen which is fully fitted with all that is needed to produce hearty food for the whole family and the elegant dining area is located in front of attractive patio doors leading outside, so if the weather allows, you can throw open the doors and let the outside in. The patio area offers a great opportunity for outdoor drinking and dining and there is even a barbecue ready for you to fire up and indulge in some alfresco dining. At bedtime, take your pick from three delightfully appointed bedrooms; all are stylishly presented and are the ideal spot for relaxing after a tiring day of exploring.
Talking of exploring, Bamburgh is within a short walk and has a good selection of shops and amenities as well as the castle. Head off from here and carry on along the Heritage Coastline where you will find miles of sandy beaches, quaint fishing villages and breath-takingly beautiful castles. Other towns worth visiting in the region include Alnwick, Seahouses (just a few miles away) and you can even head to the border and visit the ever-popular town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Activities to look forward to in the area include golf, sailing (from Seahouses to the Farne Islands), birdwatching, hiking, cycle rides and horse-riding.
The Blacksmith’s provides beautifully presented accommodation bursting with character and is the perfect setting for a memorable family holiday.
The village’s sweeping sandy beaches and dramatic fortress - Bamburgh Castle - make Bamburgh one of Northumberland’s major visitor attractions. The castle can be seen for miles and dominates this part of the county’s coastline. Today it remains home to the family of the great Victorian industrialist Lord Armstrong, and is open to the public on a daily basis. Although overshadowed by the great castle, Bamburgh village is picturesque with neat grey stone cottages facing a manicured village green. There are excellent pubs, hotels with restaurants and a small selection of village shops. There are golf courses in Bamburgh and nearby Seahouses, and within easy reach are more wide sandy beaches, lovely fishing villages, stunning castles and coastal islands to explore along the dramatic Heritage Coast. There are numerous other attractions also a short drive away, including the famous Alnwick Castle and Gardens and the historic walled border town, Berwick-upon-Tweed. A superb base for exploring Northumberland.
Accommodation
Single-storey.
Three bedrooms: 1 x king-size with en-suite with walk-in shower, basin and WC, 2 x twin.
Bathroom with roll-top bath, shower over, basin, heated towel rail and WC.
Kitchen.
Open-plan living space with dining area and sitting area with woodburning stove
Electric radiator heating with woodburning stove.
Electric oven, grill and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher.
TV/DVD player, CD player, WiFi.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Off-road parking for 1 large car/ 2 small cars.
Enclosed courtyard garden, patio furniture, barbecue.
Two well-behaved dogs welcome.
Sorry, no smoking.
Shop 0.1 miles, pub 0.1 miles, beach 0.5 miles
Nearby points of interest
- Bamburgh Castle
Reviews (22)
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Emma
Lovely and cosy and decorated for Christmas as well. Will definitely book again!
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Hazel
A DVD player is listed on the facilities and weâd taken some films to watch, but couldnât find the DVD player. There was mention of a red folder containing information but we couldnât find that either. Also recycling is confusing, different instructions on the bin to what it says in cottage documentation. All these are minor points and rectifiable. Blacksmithâs is well equipped and full of character. Itâs a great location bang in the centre of Bamburgh, yet so quiet and peaceful, and itâs a great base for exploring further afield. The fantastic beach and castle are only a short walk away. Itâs great that pets are allowed, our greyhound loved it. Dog owners beware though, there is at least one resident rabbit in the garden! Luckily we saw it before the greyhound and managed to distract her. The garden facilities are very good along with the patio. The garden shed is full of goodies, including beach toys, wind breaks etc. Overall we were really pleased with the accommodation and we had a lovely time, thank you.
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Kate
It is a lovely space with gorgeous garden and outdoor patio. It is also incredibly well stocked and we had everything we could need. All three generations staying there loved it and we all agreed we would come back. The only comment I would make it that there is a very strong damp smell (or possibly something else) in the main bedroom which overpowers the whole room and makes it quite unpleasant. The abundance of reed diffusers throughout the property also indicate that the property managers probably know there is a general smell issue. I did call the maintenance number after a couple of days to report the smell and they said someone would come and see to it but nobody came.