As Brits ditch travels abroad in favour of escaping the frenzy of daily life with a peaceful retreat right here in the UK, Northumberland is fast becoming one of the top destinations for a 'staycation' - here's just one holiday cottage already being snapped up by tourists for summer.
Railway Cottage Retreat is located on the outskirts of Northumberland National Park, which was recently named as one of the best destinations in the UK for nature lovers thanks to its starry skies and picturesque walking trails. The charming cottage is one of the top choices among holidaymakers planning trips to Northumberland this year, offering "stunning" views of the countryside and hills for a real rural retreat.
Inside the cottage there are two bedrooms with room for up to four guests and one dog in total, making it the ideal size for small families, as well as an open-plan lounge, kitchen and diner. There's also an enclosed garden where you can soak up the views and watch lambs skipping in the fields, as well as taking in the spectacular starry sky on a clear night within Northumberland's official Dark Sky Park.
The lounge window at the front of the Railway Cottage has views out to Yeavering Bell on the very edge of the Cheviot Hills, which is home to wild goats and the remains of the largest Iron Age hillfort in the region. This is just one of Northumberland National Park's many spectacular natural attractions, with more than 400 square miles of scenery to explore.
But the cottage is also just a 10-minute drive away from the small market town of Wooler, where you will find traditional shops, pubs and cafes, so you will have the full countryside experience while still being just a stone's throw away from all the amenities you may need on your trip. Nicknamed 'the gateway to the Cheviots', Wooler is often described as a walker's paradise due to the number of stunning trails that lead from it.
Railway Cottage is already fully booked in May and June, but is priced from £729 for a minimum three-night stay in July or drops down to £539 for three nights in October or £495 for three nights in November and December if you want a winter escape in the countryside. It has been described as a "fabulous" and "stunning" place to stay by guests, who particularly loved its "beautiful and peaceful" location.
The cottage is also just a half-hour drive away from the breath-taking beauty of the Northumberland coast and the picturesque village of Bamburgh, which was recently named as one of the 50 most beautiful places to visit in the UK. Travel experts at Staysure included it on the list specifically because of its most iconic landmark, the 1,400-year-old Bamburgh Castle which still stands guard over the spectacular coastline and was once home to a succession of kings.
Another of Bamburgh's main attractions is undeniably the magnificent Bamburgh Beach, which is the perfect place for a scenic walk all year round with its pristine sands. After some time spent enjoying the views here you can wander up to the village's main street, where you will find a cluster of cafes including the famous Copper Kettle Tearoom alongside a smattering of restaurants serving up fresh locally-sourced seafood, with The Potted Lobster being the top-rated choice on Tripadvisor.
Meanwhile, travel experts at holidaycottages.co.uk have also named 10 of the most "fun-packed" days out to suit all ages across Northumberland. Whether you fancy a peaceful walk or a hair-raising adventure course, take a look at the list here to get inspired for an unforgettable experience this half term.
To book a self-catering stay in Northumberland, it's worth checking out the likes of holidaycottages.co.uk and Sykes Cottages where you can find hundreds more charming options for a peaceful getaway. If you would prefer a hotel, take a look at which luxury options have been singled out by the Good Hotel Guide as among the best in the county here.
Railway Cottage is at the cheaper end when it comes to stays in Northumberland National Park, where stays start from around £400 for a seven-night stay but climb all the way up to £5,000 - remember, with most holiday cottage options, the longer you stay, the cheaper it typically works out. Another budget-friendly option being booked up right now in the area is Bonny Barn, priced from a more affordable £352, which you can read more about here.
Join our Things To Do WhatsApp community
Join our Things To Do community for all the latest news What's On news sent direct to your phone.
To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is click on the link and press 'join community'.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
