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Brackenlea Cottage, Northumberland National Park

Originally built in 1820, this charming stone cottage has recently undergone total refurbishment to provide stylish and luxurious accommodation whilst retaining its traditional Northumbrian character. Harbottle is a quiet and idyllic retreat in the heart of the Upper Coquet Valley with miles of beautiful scenery all around. The ruins of the medieval fortress of Harbottle Castle are just yards away and the tranquil River Coquet winds its way past the village down through the Coquet valley on its way to Rothbury.

The Cottage:

Brackenlea Cottage has been beautifully furnished throughout to provide a cosy and contemporary countryside retreat. It is the perfect size for a couple, but with a second bedroom it can also accommodate children or friends/family. The open plan ground floor has all you need to rustle up a tasty meal and the luxurious leather sofas are ideal to relax and rest those tired limbs after a long day of walking or sightseeing. The cottage has been recently updated and restyled with contemporary artwork by local artists, Laura Ashley blinds, luxury Tweedmill wool throws and gorgeous Voyage Maison cushions, all blending in with the woodland animal and countryside theme.

Accommodation:

Ground floor - Entrance. Open plan lounge, dining and kitchen area with luxurious leather sofa and armchair, dining table and 4 chairs.

First Floor - Landing. Large bathroom with shower, basin and WC. Two lovely bedrooms with stylish touches and cream painted furniture.

Beds:

1 x kingsize (5ft) bed - with a zip & link twin option so the cottage can accommodate different guest combinations.

1 x small double (4ft) bed.

Amenities:

40' HD television with FreeSat HD, Blu-ray/DVD/CD player, Bluetooth audio, Free WiFi Broadband Internet, landline payphone telephone, night storage heating throughout, plus stove-effect fire in the lounge. Electric fan oven and hob, microwave, fridge with small freezer compartment, washer dryer plus a great selection of books, maps, games and DVDs.

All bed linen, towels and utilities are included in the price.

A high chair can be provided on request.

Free roadside parking in front of the cottage.

1 very well-behaved pet may be welcome by prior agreement.

The cottage is strictly no smoking.

The Area:

The area around Harbottle is perfect for outdoor activities. There is abundant walking, fishing, horse riding, and cycling in the beautiful Cheviot Hills, a Nature Reserve on the doorstep and warm and welcoming pubs nearby to relax in. The views around the cottage are simply stunning and one of the very best walks in the region starts on your own doorstep; up to the mysterious Drake Stone, past Harbottle Lake and through the woods down into Alwinton, before returning on the other side of the river back to Harbottle.

The cottage is also ideally placed for the attractions of Cragside, Alnwick Castle & Alnwick Garden, Kielder Water, Kielder Forest and Hadrians Wall, as well as the stunning Northumberland Heritage Coast which is less than an hour's drive. The Northumberland towns of Rothbury, Alnwick, Morpeth and Otterburn are all within easy distance of Brackenlea.

But for those looking to relax in the great outdoors, there is no better place in England - The Northumberland National Park is a place where mobile phones will rarely ring and you can walk, cycle or fish all day in beautiful surroundings and hardly see a soul. Brackenlea Cottage is also located within the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, Europe’s largest area of protected night sky. Due to its pristine skies it was awarded gold tier designation by the International Dark Sky Association, making it officially the best place in England for people to go to enjoy the heavens.

Location description from owner

The Northumberland region

Harbottle is at the heart of The Upper Coquet Valley and is within the Northumberland National Park. The Coquetdale area is best known as Walking Country, with the vast expanse of the Cheviot Hills and the stunning views over the valleys of the River Coquet for all to enjoy. Coquetdale is a scenic area has a long and rich history, it is home to a number of historic houses, churches and castles. During the summer months the area hosts a number of country and agricultural shows that are held in Coquetdale and around the National Park. Barrowburn is also located in Upper Coquetdale, here visitors can see hay meadows with wildflowers, further down the valley is Harbottle known for its historic castle ruins that date back to the 12th century and the Drake Stone. Holystone is a stone built village that is best known for the Holy Well that is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The town of Rothbury is located on the banks of the River Coquet, the charming market town is surrounded by rolling hills, visitors can find a fine choice of local independent shops and a traditional town with a thriving community. Local attractions include Rothbury Church, Golf Club and a choice of routes for walkers and cyclists. In Rothbury and across the valley there are a number of festivals, fairs and shows that take place throughout the year. Visitors can go to the Simonside Hills that stretch for over 4 miles offering a great place to enjoy a picnic and some wonderful views over the Coquet Valley, the Cheviot Hills and the coastline.

The Cheviot Hills are located in the north of the national park close to the north with Scotland, the landscape is untamed and wild with valleys and hills. The area is famous for its rounded shaped hills that include bridleways and footpaths offering a number of interesting routes for walkers and mountain bikers. Adventurous visitors can try to climb The Cheviot at 815 metres, it is the highest point in the national park. The nearby Breamish Valley is a popular destination for visitors, with a number of walks into the hills, local river side picnic areas and a number of hillfort archaeological sites that include Neolithic and Bronze Age burials, medieval villages, farmsteads, hillforts and a very scenic waterfall at Linhope Spout.

Northumberland National Park

The Northumberland National Park is located in the county of Northumberland in north east England. Designated a national park back in 1956, the area is known for its scenic landscapes, tranquillity, remoteness, charming small towns and villages and for Hadrian’s Wall world heritage site located in the south of the national park. It offers an excellent choice of walks with more than 600 miles of way marked footpaths and bridleways to explore.

Northumberland is the least populated of the national parks and enjoys feeling of calm and tranquillity to it, with some of the finest scenery in England. The park has a long history including Hadrian’s Wall located in the south, the prehistoric Cheviot Hills located to the north, it is thought the park has been inhabited for around 10,000 years leaving a wealth of history through archaeology. The park is known for its range of landscapes attracting many people each year and its geodiversity.