Though christened for its epic views rather than any James Bond links, Skyfall excites like a 007 movie. Whether admiring mighty Bamburgh Castle or watching sunsets paint the Cheviot Hills pink and purple, expect to be completely rapt.
This mews-style property is cannily arranged in upside-down style — with its living areas on the first floor, and the bedrooms below — to best capitalise on those remarkable vistas. Inspiration also comes from the sandstone cottages opposite. While those are converted agricultural buildings, Skyfall was purpose-built as a holiday home in the same attractive style.
Colourful yet cosy, the airy, open-plan sitting room and dining-kitchen upstairs is decorated in coastal blues and country greens to complement marine paintings and wildlife-themed décor. Despite an attractive tongue-and-groove-panelled wall, log burner-effect stove and Smart TV containing Netflix, the biggest joy is likely to be its south-east-facing windows. Bamburgh Castle looms only a few fields away, with the Farne Islands visible behind.
That kitchen is exceptionally well-equipped, right down to cake candles and bunting for special occasions. To the rear is a glass-balustraded balcony whose seating faces the distant Cheviots. The skies here are enormous and uninterrupted; at night, you can turn off the solar fairy lights to facilitate some wonderful stargazing.
Hares often scamper around surrounding fields, explaining another decorative theme. That includes feature wallpaper on the stairway, which leads down to both sleeping quarters: a main, king-sized chamber and a twin room whose ice-lolly lamp will delight youngsters.
Another dining table and a gas barbecue beckon in the enclosed lawned back garden, while a bench at the front of the property with its own castle views suits morning coffees.
Skyfall also stands out for the thoughtfulness of its provisions. A basket for foraged berries accompanies beach gear in the utility room. A range of cookery books stand ready when inspiration is needed. There’s anti-allergenic bedding. The broadband is super-fast. And colouring pencils, a stair gate and more are available for kids.
The small Glororum estate is just over a mile from charming Bamburgh village, where tea rooms, ice cream-serving cafes and Potted Lobster restaurant await. On summer afternoons, cricketers play on a green below the castle; a little further on are a golf course flanking that fortress and then sandy, sprawling Bamburgh Beach.
Further afield, days out might be spent on birdwatching boat trips around to those Farne Islands, crossing the causeway to Holy Island or mountain biking around Kielder Forest.
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