StyleNest heads to Northumberland for luxury, family-friendly self-catering…

The summer holidays are nearly here and if you’ve got a family, you might be thinking about taking a week – or a weekend – for a ‘staycation’ here in the UK. And with little ones in tow, self-catering can be a really appealing option. But with so many choices out there, how can you pick something that’s home from home – or even more luxurious than that?

Look no further than Sykes Cottages, founded over 25 years ago by the Sykes family, and the company is based in Chester. It’s the UK’s fastest-growing holiday cottage agency, with more than 5,500 holiday cottages all over the UK and in Ireland – and they were voted Best Large UK Holiday Cottage Booking Company in 2013 and 2014 in the prestigious British Travel Awards.

Choosing a cottage on their slick website was a breeze. Easy to navigate and with a cottage in every imaginable area of the country, you would be unlucky not to find something you wanted. But it’s the quality that struck us. There are no fillers her – just page after page of ‘Oooh that looks lovely’ properties.

Our choice was Seafield Lodge, a Scandinavian style lodge not far from Alnwick in Northumberland. It’s a beautiful part of the world – endless sandy beaches to walk along, noble castles to wander around and pretty villages to explore. And if the weather isn’t up to much – you can put the kids in the car and drive to Newcastle – it’s within easy reach wherever you are in the region and perfect for rainy days with its shops, museums and restaurants.

Seafield lodge is in the grounds of Eastfield Hall, a few fields away from the small town of Warkworth and with a beautiful view right over to the town’s castle and the sea. Warkworth is charming – you can walk along the river, explore the castle or just head straight for the beach, but don’t forget to have a look in some of the little antique and gift shops in the centre.

The lodge itself couldn’t be more perfect for a family like ours with young children. No stairs is a major selling point as our youngest, Phoebe, 4, is still at the post-toddler falling over stage, and the eldest, Jake, 6, is entering the ‘daredevil’ stage. Plus, the open plan style means you can keep an eye on the little ones without being all cramped in one room. We arrived, tired (the adults) and over excited (the children) and the lodge was immediately a sanctuary. We put the stove on and opened the wine that was left for us and the children busied themselves excitedly exploring their bedrooms, the terrace and the lawn area outside.

The lodge has three bedrooms: one double with an immaculate en-suite with a shower, one twin room and one single room. There’s also a bathroom, then an open-plan living area with a superbly equipped fitted kitchen. Not just the basics here – if you need a whisk, a pizza slicer, a fish slice, you name it… you’ll find it right there in the drawer. And the same goes for the rest of the property – think of it, and it’s there, including five-star hotel quality bed linen, extra blankets and throws and super-soft towels.

When we felt like venturing out (although with a lodge this comfortable it was quite hard to motivate ourselves), we roamed the local area, getting soaked in the fountains at the famous Alnwick Gardens nearby, stepping back in time at Bamburgh castle and eating the finest ice cream of our lives at Morwick Farm. And talking of food, don’t visit this area without trying the award-winning Bamburgh Bangers sausages from the butcher’s in tiny Bamburgh – the children loved them as much as us.

Sykes Cottages are all carefully selected and approved – and it shows. There are a lot to choose from, but the quality shines through, from details like the sheets and the pizza slicer to the friendly, prompt emails when arranging our holiday. We’ll be booking with them again soon – we’d be hearing about it from the children if we didn’t…

Seafield Lodge, Eastfield Hall, near Warkworth, Northumbria.

Need to know

Rates: 7 nights from £320.

Facilities: The lodge sleeps 5 and has 3 bedrooms, oil central heating and a cast iron gas stove in sitting area. Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, TV with Freeview, DVD player, CD player. All fuel and power included. Bed linen and towels included. Off road parking for three cars. Lawned garden area with furniture, BBQ (by request) and decked area off living area. No pets and no smoking. Shops and pubs 2 miles.

Check out time: Before 10am

How to get there: From the south: Travel through Warkworth on the A1068. On crossing the bridge over the River Coquet as you leave Warkworth, take the first turning on the left (Station Road), signposted Shilbottle 4 miles. Follow the road for approx. 1 mile, crossing over the main railway line. After another 0.5 miles the entrance to Eastfield Hall will be found on the left. This is opposite the second of two roadside mirrors, and between two black and white beamed lodges. Follow the service road to the far end, leaving Eastfield Hall to your right. At the end, follow the road’s U-turn and Seafield Lodge is on your left. From the North: Follow the A1068 from Alnwick for approx. 6 miles towards Warkworth/Ashington. Approx. ¼ mile after passing the Warkworth sign, take the first turning on the right (Station Road), signposted Shilbottle 4 miles.
Follow the road for approx. 1 mile, crossing over the main railway line. After another 0.5 miles, the entrance to Eastfield Hall is on the left hand side at the end of a tree-lined avenue. This entrance is opposite the second of two roadside mirrors, and between two black and white beamed lodges. Follow the service road to the far end, leaving Eastfield Hall to your right. At the end do a U-turn, and Seafield Lodge, No. 6 is on the left.

For more information and prices, visit www.sykescottages.co.uk 01244 356666 (9am to 9.30pm, 7 days a week)