“Peaceful location, lovely room, great breakfast and feels like staying with family (the ones you like!)”

My two daughters (aged 11 and 9) were looking for somewhere near Alnwick Castle and we were lucky enough to come across Lorbottle West Steads. What a find! Helen and Les were the perfect hosts. We arrived to find a lovely farmhouse and a well furnished, clean, spacious room for the three of us. … Plus

My two daughters (aged 11 and 9) were looking for somewhere near Alnwick Castle and we were lucky enough to come across Lorbottle West Steads. What a find! Helen and Les were the perfect hosts. We arrived to find a lovely farmhouse and a well furnished, clean, spacious room for the three of us. My girls had been sold on the fact that it was a farm and Les immediately picked up on this and took them to feed the sheep and chickens to their delight. They even had the chance to collect eggs, trust me this is now more important than seeing where Harry Potter was filmed! They are already nagging me to go back - which I definitely will be doing as soon as I can. If you want some space, peace, quiet and something to keep the kids occupied this is the place. I can't recommend it enough I just hope their reputation doesn't build so much that I can't get in next time!

Moins

“Our second home!”

We first stayed in the cottages at Lorbottle Weststeads in October 2009 and we must have been back around a dozen times since. So what is its attraction? We love the getting away from it all feel of the place; as you drive down the track to the farm and the cottages you are so aware of there bein… Plus

We first stayed in the cottages at Lorbottle Weststeads in October 2009 and we must have been back around a dozen times since. So what is its attraction? We love the getting away from it all feel of the place; as you drive down the track to the farm and the cottages you are so aware of there being nothing else around. Of an evening you can walk out across the fields (usually with Tigger the dog for company) and hear nothing other than perhaps Leslie putting in a late shift on the tractor or quad. The cottages themselves are cool and airy in Summer and warm and cosy off season. Hosts Helen and Leslie are lovely people; quietly unobtrusive but there if you need them (and the very generous gifts of fresh farm eggs and a sample of one of Helen's fabulous sloe gin creations are always hugely welcome when we arrive). They suggested that we go and stay in April last year to be part of the lambing season. Not only did it give the kids (and us!) a no holds barred understanding of what is involved in the process but it also reinforced how incredibly hard Helen and Leslie work to get as many lambs and mothers through the whole business unscathed (I would never have believed there was such a thing as a sheep truss if I hadn't see one in action with my own eyes!). It is a little drive to Alnwick and the fabulous Northumberland coast beyond but through such lovely country that it's all part of the attraction for us. Rather like Northumberland itself Lorbottle Weststeads is one of the country's best kept secrets but one that I'm risking sharing!

Moins

“Not modern, but very pleasant”

Helen made us most welcome and looked after all our needs. The breakfast was excellent and nicely cooked. The only downside was that we could only get one channel on the TV, even with Helen's help, and even that one kept breaking up. Free Wifi, thank you A lovely isolated 19th century farmhous… Plus

Helen made us most welcome and looked after all our needs. The breakfast was excellent and nicely cooked. The only downside was that we could only get one channel on the TV, even with Helen's help, and even that one kept breaking up. Free Wifi, thank you A lovely isolated 19th century farmhouse furnished appropriately.

Moins

“Isolation and escapism from the world !!”

A lovely stay at Lorbottle Westheads - a real 'get away from it all' experience. The price was great - £60 per night - but get another couple to come with you as the cottages sleep 4 (in 2 rooms) so you can make it really economical ! Having said that, one bedroom has 2 singles and the other is a d… Plus

A lovely stay at Lorbottle Westheads - a real 'get away from it all' experience. The price was great - £60 per night - but get another couple to come with you as the cottages sleep 4 (in 2 rooms) so you can make it really economical ! Having said that, one bedroom has 2 singles and the other is a double so a family stay is probably more appropriate ? The hosts were super too, we mentioned we'd brought no towels and she immediately fetched loads, there was a slight technical problem with the TV and the host immediately fetched someone to assist ! One or two issues are that you are 4 miles from the nearest village (Thropton) and the shop there (post office) only appears to be open daytime hours so make sure you've got all your essentials before settling in ? The bathroom is downstairs and the farmer's pet dog will follow you if you go for a walk in the surrounding lanes so best to check with the owners if he's allowed ! Lots to do locally, Rothbury, Alnwick, Hadrian's Wall etc etc

Moins