BREAKAWAY
SHELL
Seekers
A holiday booked early gives the undeniable
satisfaction of glorious expectation, coupled
with every opportunity to plan ahead. The
last minute panic of, ‘I’ve got to get away’ is
an altogether different proposition. However,
as every hotelier worth his or her salt will tell
you, the market is increasingly being taken
over by last minute mini-breaks. Equally, many
in the industry and that includes self-catering
accommodation, are keen to offer last minute
breaks to keep the turnover turning so to speak.
What’s more, said cottage owners are now no
longer so insistent on the requirement that
you take a full week, making a restorative long
weekend a distinct possibility. There is little
doubt that this gives us every opportunity to
capitalise on some great value and last minute
possibilities.
The
When you’re harbouring a need to escape,
make the most of the coast
So it was that as New Year beckoned, we felt a
sudden urge to ‘get the hell out of here’ and were
delighted to find the perfect solution to our last
minute dilemma: a self-catering cottage right on
Beadnell’s harbourside.
We set the compass north, to the sea. Some eight
miles from Alnwick, and just four miles south
of beautiful Bamburgh, Beadnell offers a mix of
architecture – some attractive New England-style
clapboard, others fairly drab – but it does have
a buzz and for many it is a haven for second
homes, hence the self-catering rental potential.
Despite it being the heart of the holiday season
it was a surprisingly sleepy Beadnell we found
as we headed towards the harbour. The weather
was less than friendly and the wind so strong
that the historic harbour was brimful and the
beach had disappeared below the high tide.
We found our cottage hidden away: quaint,
homely and ideally situated for the beach (once
it reappeared). Downstairs, the kitchen led into
a sitting/dining room with the essential woodburning stove. Given the wind, it was fortunate
that the small west-facing garden was sheltered
by a high wall and it was not until we ventured
upstairs that the view of Beadnell’s historic lime kilns,
harbour and sweeping sandy bay became apparent in all its
windswept glory. The property included three bedrooms,
one master (with view) a twin room and a third room with
bunks ideal for children. A family bathroom completed the
picture.
As the storm gathered momentum, and the high tide had
already ruled out a beach walk, we headed instead to
the peninsular that tiptoes into the North Sea. Just a few
minutes from our back door, it wasn’t much of a walk
in length, but delightful for the views and shell-seeking
opportunities, and was just enough to blow away some
cobwebs and amuse a small daxi-doodle who loves the
beach almost as much as he loves bacon. We had booked
three nights, with New Year slap-bang in the middle and
although the idea had been to hide-out, we found ourselves
surrounded by family and friends who had also made an
escape to the beach and unbeknownst to us had property
nearby, which certainly made for a party.
‘With the woodburner
glowing with warmth,
board games on the go and
an excellent Rioja to hand,
the whole mood of our
mini-breakaway was one of
relaxation’
Partying aside, the weather gradually improved allowing
us to maximise two other Great British pursuits; wonderful
walks (Beadnell to Low Newton is a gem) and sampling
excellent eateries, of which there are a growing number in
this neck of the woods. Don’t miss the newly refurbished
Jolly Fisherman at Craster, The Joiners Arms at High
Newton, The Ship at Seahouses (a historic pub with
exceptional beers and a packed bar) and for dinner, The
Mizen in Bamburgh is a great choice. In fact, Bamburgh
is a great choice full stop. R Carter & Son, Bamburgh’s
renowned butchers, last year celebrated 125 years as the
village butcher, and is where we picked up some lastminute treats for New Year’s Eve to accompany our smoked
salmon from Seahouses.
Images © Inside Story Photography
It is always something of an adventure cooking in someone
else’s home, but thankfully all the basics were easy to find
and the kitchen, though fairly small, was easy to navigate.
The adjoining dining/sitting room also made for easy
catering – which was ideal for our aforementioned party
and pre New Year feast.
190 www.livingnorth.com
With the woodburner glowing with warmth, board games
on the go and an excellent Rioja to hand, the whole mood
of our mini-breakaway was one of relaxation. There are few
places as appealing as the Northumberland Coast, even
when the weather is less than kind, but just relaxing with
friends and family, in a home away from home – even if
only for a few ‘last minute’ days – is worth its weight in
gold.
Levante Cottage, Beadnell is available to rent
from Cottages in Northumberland, Portland Road,
Jesmond www.cottagesinnorthumberlanduk.co.uk
www.livingnorth.com 191