Ratcheugh Crag Cottage

Built in the mid-19th century beside a whimsical 18th-century folly, Ratcheugh Crag Cottage is a rare and romantic retreat for two near the medieval market town of Alnwick. From its elevated position, the cottage enjoys panoramic views across rolling farmland towards Alnwick, Dunstanburgh, and Warkworth Castles, in addition to the Farne Islands and North Sea. True to the Gothic sensibilities of the time, the idea for the folly stemmed from Elizabeth Percy, 1st Duchess of Northumberland, who felt a mysterious ruin on Ratcheugh Crag would be the perfect addition to the landscape that she so enjoyed touring on her carriage drives. Tragically, the Duchess died before her vision could be realised, but her husband commissioned the folly, Ratcheugh Observatory, in her memory.

The attached cottage was added later to house an estate keeper responsible for overseeing the surrounding land. Beautifully restored and encircled by stunning views from dawn until dusk, it's a truly unique place to enjoy a solo or couple's retreat to the Northumbrian countryside while enjoying easy access to some of the finest things to see and do in the area – from exploring the state rooms and courtyards of Alnwick Castle to the vast white sand beaches in the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Enter the cottage through the arched front door into a dainty vestibule. This leads through to the open-plan living area, where a cosy open fireplace is joined by a comfortable sofa and armchair. A dining table is set beneath one of the room's large sash windows, so you can continue to enjoy the scenery over breakfast or leisurely suppers. Four steps lead down from the living space into the kitchen, where contemporary quartz countertops and cream cabinets are illuminated by an original quatrefoil window. Featuring a breakfast bar and all the amenities needed to prepare meals with ease, the space is both elegant and thoughtfully designed for laid-back holidays.

An impressive spiral staircase in the living room wends its way up to the first floor. In the bedroom, a half-tester double bed is topped with plump pillows and crisp white linens to ensure a restful night's sleep. A pretty seating nook with two upholstered tub chairs is a lovely spot to take in the breathtaking views through the window, or to open it up to listen to the sound of birdsong as you rise in the morning. The bathroom is also situated on this floor, fitted with a wonderful freestanding bath and cubicle shower, while the WC sits separately.

Outside, a table and chairs on the patio create the perfect place to relax or dine when the weather is fair. Guests at Ratcheugh Crag Cottage also enjoy private use of the grounds around the observatory itself, as well as direct access to private walks on the estate at large – including a nearby woodland which is famous for its carpet of bluebells in the spring. The surrounding area is some of the prettiest to be found in Northumberland, from the sheep-dotted hills and Roman ruins of the Northumberland National Park in one direction, to the expansive, sandy beaches of Northumberland's heritage coast in the other. With so much to enjoy on its doorstep, Ratcheugh Crag Cottage is an enchanting place from which you can appreciate the very best of the region.