Member Article

A well earned break

Its five o’clock on a Friday afternoon and you’ve just finished what’s been a long hard week at the office.
But with a spring in your step, you’re already feeling the stress melt away as you know that in just over an
hour, you and that special someone will be sipping champagne in your idyllic Northumberland hideaway.

Forget the hassle of catching a train, waiting for a flight or sitting through a long motorway drive. Here in
the North East we have what has been described by many as England’s finest county, Northumberland - a
magical place filled with ancient castles, golden beaches, rolling hills, rugged moorland and friendly towns
and villages meaning there’s no need to look any further than our own doorstep when planning a romantic
retreat.

Northumberland has plenty to offer – long lazy walks on endless stretches of golden beach, countless
country houses, castles and picturesque villages to explore, a wealth of friendly hospitality providing
mouth-wateringly-good food and for the more energetic, there’s the miles and miles of cycle paths, horse
riding, golf, surfing, sailing, fishing and Northern Experience wildlife tours – however you chose to relax
and unwind, you’ll find it in on offer in Northumberland.

And when planning where to stay, look no further than The Ducket, run by Outchester and Ross Cottages.
Considered by the Guardian and Observer to be ‘one of the UK’s ten best cottages’ in 2010, The Ducket
combines a spectacular location with luxurious facilities.

An 18th century dovecote with 21st century facilities, The Ducket is a restored, 65ft high, Grade 2 listed
tower located half a mile from Budle Bay. With its magnificent panoramic views of Lindisfarne Castle, the
Northumberland coast and Cheviot Hills, this unique self catering holiday cottage is the perfect retreat for
two*.

Also nestled between the magnificent Bamburgh Castle and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne on the
Northumberland Heritage Coast, are the 4-star Outchester and Ross luxury cottages. Set in stunning
scenery, they offer the perfect base from which to experience all that Northumberland has to offer,
including the nearby Ross Beach with its three miles of deserted golden sands. Or, you can simply hide
yourself away and take advantage of the cottages’ cosy comfort, snuggling up in front of the fire as you
settle down to relax and unwind.

Warm and welcoming, Outchester and Ross Cottages are equipped with everything you could need for
your getaway, including dishwasher, washer-drier, oven, hob and microwave, fridge, freezer, free view TV
and DVD plus each cottage has its own garden. Prices start from as little as £250 per cottage for a 3 night
weekend break in The Puffin cottage (sleeps 2) or midweek break in the Eiderduck Cottage (sleeps 2).
Midweek breaks in The Ducket start from £550.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Kate Slater .