The Property
The accommodation includes a pretty, compact yet fully-equipped kitchen, a spacious open-plan living area with log burner and fabulous views and a sleek, contemporary bathroom. Upstairs the owners have made the best use of the space and light to create two delightful bedrooms. The larger double has outstanding views to the hills whilst the cosy twin rooms looks out onto the rolling fields behind the cottage.
A great deal of thought has gone into the renovation of the cottage with furnishings sourced from a variety of suppliers to create a unique look. The owners’ thoughtful touches are very much in evidence; a welcome tea tray greets guests on arrival (the owner is a very good cook!), there's Wifi, towels and cosy slippers and a biomass chip heating system installed on the estate ensures the cottage is welcoming and snug at any time of year.
Outside a sheltered garden provides plenty of space for children and dogs and a lovely peaceful spot to sit and enjoy the fabulous view. There are excellent walks from the doorstep around the owner’s 200 acre farm along field margins and through surrounding woodland.
Local Amenities
Despite the peaceful, rural location, there are excellent amenities close by. For provisions, you can purchase award-winning organic meat and charcuterie from neighbouring Peelham Farm who can arrange for a fantastic selection of free-range organic pork, lamb or gourmet goodies to be delivered to your holiday home for the start of your stay. There is also a well-stocked village shop at Ayton (3 miles) selling local produce from Heatherslaw Bakery, Chainbridge Honey, quality meats from Foreman’s, and fresh fish from Waddell’s.
More extensive amenities can be found in the historic town of Berwick-upon-Tweed (6.5 miles) which has a mix of high street and independent shopping, as well as two large supermarkets, a Marks & Spencers food outlet, and a good selection of cafes, pubs and restaurants, including the popular Maltings Kitchen with adjoining arts and theatre venue. Alternatively head to the pretty fishing village of Eyemouth (5.5 miles) where you can purchase lobster, scallops or wild Scottish salmon fresh from the day’s catches, or there are a number of local smoke houses preparing fish, meats and cheeses using traditional oak-cured methods. For dining, watch the comings-and-goings of this busy port over a relaxed lunch at award winning Oblo Bar & Bistro, visit Giacopazzi’s for a delicious homemade ice-cream, or head inland for an evening meal at The Allanton Inn (6 miles) renowned for serving fresh, local, seasonal food and an excellent selection of real ales and fine wines.
Activities and Attractions
As well as gentle walks on the footpaths around the owner’s 200 acre arable farm, there are several established walking routes nearby. You can link into ‘Eddie’s’ Trail from nearby Ayton, a 6 mile circular route which takes in the baronial splendour of Ayton Castle and then threads its way through woodland, grassy lanes and riverside paths all the way down the coast to the pretty fishing port of Eyemouth. Here you can spend a day pottering around the harbour, enjoy a spot of fishing from the quayside, or perhaps pack an easel for an afternoon painting the colourful fishing boats or seascapes of the area with tuition from a renowned local artist.
For something different, why not take a mighty ride on a powerboat with Eyemouth Rib Trips, or for birdwatchers, photographers or naturalists, take a more leisurely cruise touring the stunning cliffs and coves of the Berwickshire coastline where you will spot thousands of seabirds and seals around the St. Abbs Nature Reserve before returning via the sea caves at Burnmouth - a legendary smugglers haunt! As one of Europe’s top five dive sites, the area offers fantastic scenic diving teeming with rich marine life as well as over 100 technical wrecks to explore including SS Glanmire and HMS Pathfinder.
Serious walkers and cyclists can link into a number of long distance routes including the Berwickshire Coastal Path, St.Cuthberts Way or the Sandstone Way which take in the spectacular scenery and rich wildlife of the area, but which all have easier stretches and shorter routes for those seeking a more leisurely pace. Alternatively the vast open spaces and heather-clad hillsides of the Cheviot Hills and Northumberland National Park provide endless opportunities for horse riding, biking and walking with iconic landmarks, big sky views and plenty of cosy pubs and picturesque villages for a coffee and cake stop.
For families, the area is a wonderful playground with something for all ages. Glorious beaches for sandcastle building, sheltered coves for surfing and bodyboarding, rocky inlets for coasteering, and inland waterways for kayaking. Berwick and Eyemouth both have leisure pools for wet-weather days, there’s a cinema at The Maltings, and a craft and paint studio at nearby Pot-a-Doodle-Do. Explore the interactive activities at Gunsgreen House, head inland to the charming 15” gauge steam railway at Ford & Etal, or head further up the coast towards Dunbar (26 miles) where you can try your hand at wake-boarding, tear up and down the lake on large inflatable rings, or test your skill on the ropes course over water.
Finally take time to tour the wider area where castles and fortifications stand as historic reminders of the area’s rich and dramatic past. Wander the medieval town walls and cobbled lanes of Berwick, explore the beautiful grounds and mansion of family-friendly Paxton House, cross the causeway to the mystical Holy Island of Lindisfarne or visit the magnificent castles at Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh and Alnwick.
Accommodation
Ground floor
Sitting room with log burning stove (logs provided), TV. Dining area with pull-out table for 4.
Well-equipped kitchen with electric oven and 4 ring electric hob, fridge with ice box, dishwasher and washing machine.
Bathroom with bath with shower over, basin and WC.
Hall leading from the rear garden with hanging space for outdoor kit.
First floor
Bedroom one with 5’ double bed with drawers beneath, built-in wardrobe and shelving, dressing table, superb far-reaching views. Please note this bedroom has a coombed ceiling to one side as shown in the images.
Bedroom two with two 3’ twin beds, open wardrobe and shelving. Please note this is a small bedroom has with a coombed ceiling to one side as shown in the images.
Wi fi and mobile coverage
Wi fi is available throughout the house. There is adequate mobile coverage on most networks.
Guest amenities
The beds are made up with good quality bed linen and hypoallergenic duvets and pillows. A hair dryer is supplied in each bedroom.Towels and slippers are provided for all guests, along with White Company toiletries.
Babies and children
A travel cot and high chair are available on request.
Garden and grounds
There is a partly-enclosed, lawned garden to the rear of the cottage which looks out onto open fields without side furniture. Further landscaping is planned for spring 2015. There is ample parking in front of the cottage. Guests are welcome to walk around the farm.
Welcome pack
A welcome tea tray is provided.
Catering
The house can be taken on a purely self-catered basis, or a cook is available throughout guest’s stay, for breakfasts or dinners only or to provide one-off celebratory meals for a special occasion. A homemade meal delivery is available which is popular for guest’s first night and wine delivery is available in conjunction with renowned wine merchants Corney & Barrow.
Dogs
Two well-behaved dogs are welcome. Owners are requested to keep their dogs downstairs.
Logs
Logs are provided.
Heating
The cottage is heated along with the rest of the estate on a very efficient biomass woodchip system and is extremely warm and cosy.
Guests’ privacy
Three Acre Cottage sits at the end of a row of three cottages. The adjacent cottage is available for holiday lets. Please contact us for details.
