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Shepherds Nook

(Ref. 1362)

North Charlton near Alnwick, Northumberland Show on map

4.5

Sykes rating

  • 6 Guests

  • 3 Bedrooms

  • 1 Bathroom

  • Pets Yes

Features

  • Off road parking
  • Open fire
  • Garden / Patio
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance

48 Customer Reviews

  • "Very comfortable cottage and great location for our nieces wedding at Doxford Barns."

    Wine and chocolates were a lovely touch. Would have been helpful if when contacting the agent for the key keep code that we had been told to take toilet rolls as there was none.

    Reviewed by Christine3.8Sep 2024

  • "We had a comfortable stay and the cottage is well equipped."

    We couldn’t get the tumble dryer to work, we had a lot of baby washing and really could have done with it. We were disappointed that there was no bbq as per the property description . The bathroom is in need of renovation, However, the beds and sofas are comfortable, the kitchen was well equipped and the cottage was generally clean. The location was almost on the A1 therefore easy access to most places. We could hear the road noise, it didn’t bother us even though we are not used to noise.

    Reviewed by Martin3.1Aug 2024

  • "A wonderful stay - easy to find, good parking, lovely front room with a wood fire, comfy beds, perfect as a base to explore Northumberland."

    Reviewed by Michael5.0Jul 2024

  • "Cracking cottage."

    Will definitley go back. Central to everything, short drive to the coast.

    Reviewed by Sharon5.0Jun 2024

  • "A lovely cottage, in a great location, great for visiting, Seahoueses, Amble, Alnwick, Holy Island and Berwick."

    Reviewed by John5.0May 2024

  • "Fantastic property and well situated."

    Our only issue was with a nearby home owner allowing their dog to poo outside the door. Theyvwere regular visitors next door with a large land rover type vehicle.

    Reviewed by Sean4.7Dec 2023

  • "Very handy to the main A1, Shepherds Nook was a good base to explore the North East."

    I got the impression that the owners employ someone to clean the property between rentals. This was because there was a cleaning checklist on the noticeboard in the utility room and one would not normally need a checklist if you were doing the cleaning yourself. That being said, I also came to the conclusion that the cleaner merely vacuumed and changed the bedding. Looking at the general level of cleanliness, it appeared that the cursory clean undertaken by the holiday makers, was the only clean that the property received. For example: there was a smell of dog urine in the living room, when the door had been closed overnight or during the day; the crockery, cutlery and saucepans had not been checked for food residue, we had to clean items before we could use them; cooker hood is filthy with a brown greasy residue and needs cleaning; sink plughole needs cleaning with bleach to remove staining; dining table was sticky and remained so despite wiping with a damp cloth; bathroom roller blind is very mouldy; windows need cleaning inside as well as outside; handrail is dirty and sticky, it looks like it has not been properly cleaned for some time; the dishwasher needed salt and rinse aid, neither were available. The worst evidence of the lack of cleanliness was the oven, oven trays and shelves. It had not been cleaned for a very, very long time. This is surprising as it states on the cleaning rota that the cooker/oven should be checked between rentals; secondly there was a bottle of Oven Pride in the cupboard in the utility room. When I contacted Louise prior to arrival, she advised me that she did not supply towels since Covid. This would seem fair enough, but it appears that the level of cleanliness does not reflect the same level of concern for the clients. I do understand that sometimes standards can slip due to time constraints and pressure, but in this instance it would appear that the property has not had a thorough clean for some considerable time. Because of these cleanliness issues, I felt it was necessary to take photographs to support my feedback. They are available upon request.

    Reviewed by Frances3.1Sep 2023

  • "The bed, it's old and the slant in the mattress is awful, we had to fight every night to take the middle ground, needs replacing."

    Dog friendly but actually other than country roads which I did use there was no where very locally (village) to actually walk\ run the dog, it's my fault I should have done my homework but I,m used to having official pathways crossing the countryside that can be used, if they are there I didn't find them, the dog had a fantastic run every day but we had to get in the car. That said the beaches, coast walks etc are fabulous, we just unfortunately didn't have the weather.

    Reviewed by Steve3.8Jul 2023

  • "Lovely cottage and well stocked."

    Great location, 10 minutes drive to lovely beaches and Alnwick. Louise was a great host, very friendly and approachable.

    Hi Maxine, Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. We are delighted that you enjoyed our cottage and beautiful Northumberland Property Owner

    Reviewed by Maxine5.0Apr 2023

  • "Fantastic location to visit the area just off the A1 some road noise but not much."

    Hi Debbie, I hope the road noise did not spoil your stay, I will review the information on the website. Louise Property Owner

    Reviewed by Debbie4.7Mar 2023

  • "2nd time at shepherd nook x lovely accommodation x had everything in for a real ..."

    2nd time at shepherd nook x lovely accommodation x had everything in for a real home feel x with complementary wine x chocolate s and milk x (thankyou)

    Hi Jean, Thank you so much for your kind feedback. It is super to hear that you feel at home in our cottage Louise Property Owner

    Reviewed by Jean5.0Mar 2023

  • "Great cottage and location, it has everything you need for your stay."

    Reviewed by Thomas4.1Feb 2023

  • "I have only stayed at a cottage once before and it was nice but just didn't compare to this one, it was really a home away from home."

    The added benefits of washer/dryer/dishasher (none of which we used but they were there!) wood for the fire (which lasted us a week so it was much more than adequate) to the chocolates and wine left as a welcome. If I had to be picky I would say that the shower screen didn't open off the bath, and the shower head couldn't be pulled out/down to the open end of the bath in order to clean off my dog when we got in, that would have been good to do but we got round it and managed, it would just have been easier. All in all I would not hesitate to stay here again or to recommend it to others, it made our stay in Northumberland very comfortable and homey.

    Reviewed by Tracey5.0Nov 2022

  • "The cottage was exactly as described."

    It was the perfect base for our weekend.

    Reviewed by Kirsty5.0Nov 2022

  • "Absolutely wonderful cottage, so cosy and welcoming and had everything we needed for a delightfully restful stay."

    It was so much more spacious than we had expected and the boiler room was great for drying our outdoor clothes on the one wet day. So many thoughtful touches around the house and the wine, chocolates and milk on arrival were very much appreciated. Very friendly neighbours which added to a very happy stay. We shall definitely return as the cottage was in such a wonderful location too. Couldn’t have been happier to stay there- the loveliest cottage we’ve ever stayed in. Just a couple of points : We wondered if a handrail on the other side of the stairs might prove helpful. The landing light flickered off and wouldn’t work while we were there. My husband tried another bulb but it seemed to be a problem with the bulb holder. The cleaner wouldn’t have been aware of this as it would only have been noticed after dark.

    5.0Sep 2022

  • "Good initial info by phone call was very useful Everything we needed was provided Clean& comfortable, we hope we left it as such!"

    Reviewed by Peter5.0Sep 2022

  • "We had a lovely stay, even in the heatwave!"

    We found the cottage deceptfully larger compared to the outside. Kitchen had everything we needed as did the utility room (washer, dryer). The property was clean and tidy on arrival. Parking was tight if you had a large car ,(eg ,4x4) but was certainly manageable. Road noise from the A1 not an issue for us. Many thanks for having us!

    Reviewed by Rhianne3.8Jul 2022

  • "We loved this cottage."

    The beds were comfortable and rooms spacious. Everything was spotless. The property was child friendly for our 3 year old with the main bedroom close to the children's room and no hard corners on furniture etc downstairs. There's a farm up the road selling fresh eggs and alpacas in the field next door. We didn't notice the road noise at all and we usually live in the middle of nowhere. The only downside was the people next door who seemed to be permanent residents and let their dogs foul their courtyard and never cleaned it up as well as smoking out there so we never used it. It was a great location for Alnwick, Alnmouth and Beadnell.

    Reviewed by Amy5.0Jun 2022

  • "Lovely homely cottage."

    Had everything we needed. Very handy next to the a1 within easy reach of attractions. Would highly recommend

    Reviewed by Lyndsey5.0Jul 2021

  • "List of complaints for Shepherd’s Nook Kitchen surfaces sticky, when we cleaned them, brown water came off Cutlery drawer is filthy Toilet brush covered in poo Black mould in the bathroom Windows need cleaning Floor not mopped Upstairs stinks - carpets smell of wee Carpet stains in the lounge (wet patch when we arrived) Bathroom plug disgusting Needs decorating E-cig juice empty in plant pot Very dusty Even after requesting for these to be fixed, nothing was changed apart form a replacement toilet brush."

    After complaining to Sykes, they then offered a measly £480 back if we left by 5pm on our second day, when we paid £800 for the week. Terrible service from both the owner and Sykes themselves. I will not be recommending either to friends and family.

    Reviewed by Elliot1.9Jul 2021

  • "Lovely cottage, although near the A1, this was not a problem."

    It was convenient for travelling to nearby tourist spots, BAmburgh, seahouses,, etc. The cottage was well equipped, and comfortable. We had a lovely holiday there.

    Reviewed by William4.1May 2021

  • "Cosy, well equipped & good location for the Northumbria coast."

    Reviewed by Gerrard4.7Apr 2021

  • "It was impossible to get through to your customer services team when I wanted to ask some questions."

    This was poor. Although this cottage was full of character the level of cleanliness was not good enough.

    Reviewed by Carrie2.2Sep 2020

  • "We were lucky with reasonable weather and made the most of the area, which we know as day visitors."

    The cottage was warm and comfortable, although there were some items missing from the cooking point of view. Eg a grater and a bread knife would have been useful, as well as sharp knives in general. But this is nit picking and we'll contact the owners about that. Some previous tenants noticed the noise from the A1 nearby, but we didn't have the windows open very much, so weren't affected by road noise. Considering our ages ranged from 82 to 2 years plus dog, the cottage was fine. The parking is a bit tight but we parked at the front on the road if necessary. So, all in all, we'd be happy to go back to Shepherds Nook. Kate and Gordon Lawrie.

    Reviewed by Kate5.0Aug 2020

  • "Fabulous cottage in great location!"

    Reviewed by Kathy5.0Aug 2020

  • "Shepard's Nook X lovely cottage X sleeps 6 comfortably x everything you needed ..."

    Shepard's Nook X lovely cottage X sleeps 6 comfortably x everything you needed was there X only needed to take towels X a bit tight parking the car in the bays provided X it was great to come back after a cold day out to the log burner X all in all a great holiday was had X would not hesitate to go back X thank-you

    Reviewed by Jean4.7Feb 2020

  • "We loved our stay."

    Perfect location to visit the beautiful surrounding honey pot sites! The cottage was surprisingly big...the photos didn't do it justice. We just loved it!

    Reviewed by Sarah4.1Oct 2019

  • "Petty this sounds but the plug hole in the bathroom is revolting!"

    !!It needs a good clean !!!! The noise from the main road is very bad couldn't have the bedroom windows open but that said it was a lovely cottage and we had a lovely weekend(apart from the weather of course)

    Reviewed by Jean4.1Oct 2019

  • "We were very happy and cosy in the cottage but felt a little misled by the description of where it actually was."

    We thought there were eateries nearby for our evening walk out for meals but we had to go a reasonable car journey each night which was disappointing. But we found Lilberts in Alnwick which met our needs even though it was more than a walk away! North Charlton is a very good base for getting out and about and in beautiful countryside despite being right next to the A1 - but no noise disturbance from it! Carnaby's Eatery and gift shop, just a little walk away was super for coffee, lunches and fabulous brunches and breakfasts but we only realised it was there because of signposts on the A1! All in all we had a lovely holiday and have returned home well-rested. Thank you.

    Reviewed by Janice4.1Oct 2019

  • "Lovely cottage, very well equipped and surprisingly spacious."

    Would recommend to anybody wanting a good base to explore the Northumberland coast.

    Reviewed by Laura4.7Sep 2019

  • "The cottage is really well appointed and the wine, chocs and milk were a lovely surprise and much appreciated."

    The cottage is deceptively large with all mod cons.. Perfect base for all the stunning beaches loved by us and Poppy the dog- we visited Alnwick, Seahouses and recommend a visit to St Abbs. We ate in a variety of places and enjoyed some amazing meals. Plenty of dog friendly pubs - Greys Inn and Pack Horse were very busy on the couple of occasions we tried to get in they were fully booked up so suggest booking in advance. Local recommendation we stumbled across by chance one evening was a young man selling wood fired pizza, all home made ingredients in the car park at Eleanor's Byre at Embleton. The best pizza we have eaten. A lovely visit to Chain Bridge Honey Farm - so much more than advertised and a short walk to the Union Chain Bridge. All in all a perfect cottage in a perfect spot for exploring the areas.

    Reviewed by Chris5.0Sep 2019

  • "We had a very enjoyable stay in this lovely, well-equipped, spotless cottage."

    The location was perfect for us to explore Alnwick, Holy Island and Bamburgh. After a busy day sightseeing, it was great to come back to such a homely cottage in a peaceful village. The alpacas in the field next door were an extra bonus! I would definitely consider booking it again and recommending it to family and friends.

    Reviewed by Charlotte5.0Jul 2019

  • "Great cottage and very homely and comfortable."

    It was a car drive away from shops or local Inn which was a bit disappointing and no where near, on foot, for the children to walk and play. However a lot of nice places and beaches within driving distance.

    Reviewed by Alison5.0Apr 2019

  • "Cottage was clean, warm and welcoming."

    Friendly interaction with everyone we came into contact with which helped to make us feel at ease and relaxed. Would highly recommend.

    Reviewed by Evelyn4.7Mar 2019

  • "Thank you very much cottage was beautiful hopefully goi g to book again soon"

    Reviewed by Ross5.0Mar 2019

  • "Enjoyed a nice relaxing weekend in this farmhouse style cottage with lots of room and extras."

    We did however find that the heating boiler was tricky to control and the smell of its oil made things smell in the area but leaving the utility window slightly open solved this. The bathroom sink's plug operating lever was stuck in the open position and preventing the basin from holding water. The car parking allocated space could do with being highlighted and the bend to the rear of the cottages could benefit from a mirror to help drivers entering and leaving.

    Reviewed by Peter4.7Mar 2019

  • "Only thing wrong with who ever takes care of the place had left 12 day out of ..."

    Only thing wrong with who ever takes care of the place had left 12 day out of date milk in fridge and fuel for fire consisted of 3 logs hand full of sticks and 2 matches surely could have run to a bit more I know it states initial fuel but had to go straight back out and buy 3 sacks of logs and milk

    Reviewed by Michelle4.1Nov 2018

  • "Lovely cottage, very comfortable and well equipped."

    Fantastic base to explore all the surrounding areas and beaches with our dog. Would definitely recommend. The only thing I would mention and this is for Sykes is that you failed to say that towels were not included. It was only when I rang for the key code that the owner mentioned this. The fact there were no towels would not have stopped me booking the cottage but I really think you need to put this in the description. I rang your customer service before I left for my holiday to give them this feedback, your service was very poor it took 7 hours for you to call me back despite being assured I would receive a call back within a hour. Also you were very dismissive of my call. As I said it was not a problem taking towels but if for whatever reason the owner hadn’t mentioned it then I would have arrived at the cottage without them. Generally every cottage I have booked in the past towels are included.

    Reviewed by Jackie4.4Sep 2018

  • "The cottage felt so lovely and homely it was a perfect base for us to explore the area."

    We were there with a toddler and the layout was perfect for him to chase us round and the stairs were great for him to practise on safely. The location was very practical to get in and out of quickly and we all loved looking at the cows and alpacas next door. The welcome gifts were a great addition too - would definitely go back. Many thanks!

    Reviewed by Laura4.7Sep 2018

  • "Delightful and beautifully appointed cottage, kitchen really well equipped and bedrooms comfortable."

    Wine and chica much appreciated!

    Reviewed by Kath5.0Jul 2018

  • "The booking system was easy to use and there was plenty of information to plan our trip."

    The cottage was amazing - exceeded expectations.

    Reviewed by Lucy5.0Mar 2018

  • "The cottage was beautiful, quirky and comfortable."

    The owners had even left us cookies and wine - very much appreciated There is everything you could possibly need for your stay - even a slow cooker! We were attending a wedding on the Saturday so weren't able to enjoy the surroundings as much as we would have liked but will definitely be going back.

    Reviewed by Trudi5.0Nov 2017

  • "Beautiful cottage very warm and cosy and really central for touring all of the gorgeous beaches and villages Northumberland has to offer."

    Loved the wood burning stove and cottage was very clean and well equipped

    Reviewed by Fran3.8Oct 2017

  • "Cottage was advertised for 6 adults, if there was six adults it would be difficult for everyone to have a comfortable seat."

    Small touches really appreciated, I would definitely recommend this cottage!!

    Reviewed by Thomas3.8Oct 2017

  • "We were very impressed by the cottage."

    The location was excellent. It was very well equipped and suited our requirements very well. The booking process was straightforward. All in all, a great venue.

    Reviewed by Mick4.8Sep 2017

  • "Cottage was homely, well equipped and had everything you needed to make it a memorable holiday."

    The owners thought of everything with lots of games etc. Also the lovely touch of wine and chocolate made it extra special. We will return

    Reviewed by Keith5.0Jun 2017

  • "This was an excellent cottage that had a range of wonderful little touches we were not expecting."

    Wine, milk and biscuits on arrival, a wide range of board games, and X-box, hairdryer, even straighteners and even a supply of poo bags for the dog! The log burner was lovely. The owners had clearly put a great deal of thought into setting it up and we thoroughly enjoyed our week. Two small issues - it took us a while to sort out the hot water and meant having the heating on full blast to get a full bath - not sure of the connection between the two! The TV in the lounge was somewhat temperamental. Otherwise, I would thoroughly recommend this lovely little cottage.

    Reviewed by Sue4.8Oct 2016

  • "We were given the wrong key code but this was sorted out with a quick phone call."

    As a general comment it would be helpful for preperties where there is no mobile phone signal it would be helpful if there were an emergency contact number in case we needed to be contacted. (Last year we had to come back early from holiday because our daughter was ill). I was concerned about the location being so close to the A1 but this was not a problem. If properties are advertised as being dog friendly it would be helpful to know if there is a secure garden to let them out into. The cottage was well kept and well equipped. It was a good holiday - https://tsatravels.wordpress.com/2016/09/22/who-needs-sand-castles-for-this-beach/ It is up to you whether you want to publish any of this, but I would not want it published in its entirity.

    Reviewed by Tim4.6Sep 2016

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Summary

  • Three bedrooms: 2 x double, 1 x adult bunks
  • Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC
  • Well-equipped fitted kitchen
  • Utility
  • Impressive open plan sitting room with dining area and woodburning stove in inglenook fireplace.
  • Oil central heating with woodburning stove in the sitting room
  • Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, TV with Freeview, DVD, radio/CD, WiFi
  • Fuel, power and initial supply for woodburning stove inc. in rent
  • Bed linen inc. in rent
  • Off road parking for 2 cars
  • Enclosed courtyard to rear
  • Private patio area with furniture and BBQ
  • One well-behaved pet welcome
  • Sorry, no smoking
  • Shops and pubs 4 miles.

The property

A delightful 19th century mid-terrace cottage situated in the hamlet of North Charlton, just 7 miles from Alnwick.

Located just a short drive from the spectacular Northumberland Coast, the cottage is ideal for a family holiday.

Decorated and furnished to a good standard throughout, this Northumbrian cottage boasts charm and character, including a spacious sitting room with beams and a woodburning stove in a feature inglenook fireplace.

There are three well-appointed bedrooms and a modern bathroom on the first floor and a well-equipped fitted kitchen which will cater for all of your needs.

The castle and gardens at Alnwick are just a few miles away from the cottage, or you could visit Lindisfarne on Holy Island, the Scottish Borders, and the magnificent Heritage Coast, only a few miles east of this charming cottage.

There are many National Trust and English Heritage sites to visit in the area making this lovely North Charlton cottage a great base for discovering all that Northumberland has to offer.

View on map

About the location

NORTH CHARLTON

Alnwick 7 miles; Rennington 5 miles.

The small hamlet of North Charlton is an ideal place from which to explore Northumberland. A short drive will take you to Embleton Bay, Low Newton by the Sea and Beadnell Bay, each offering lovely sandy beaches. The ducal market town of Alnwick, with its magnificent Norman Castle, is just 10 minutes away and offers a wide range of amenities. The countryside surrounding North Charlton is extremely picturesque and the Cheviot foothills and National Park are only a short drive away. For golfers, there are challenging Links courses in abundance. A superb base for exploring all the region has to offer.

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute
  • Christmas