I have such a weak spot for visiting cottages and country houses and one of the best ones I’ve ever visited is The Old Rectory from the Crabtree & Crabtree portfolio. This lovely holiday cottage is located near Slaggyford in Northumberland, about an hour away from both Carlisle and Newcastle. I could have easily stayed here for a lot longer, just to enjoy the country house and the surroundings. Right next door to The Old Rectory there is also the charming The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest which is a lovely gastro pub which serves amazing food. If you are looking for holiday homes in Northumberland, do consider The Old Rectory and let me tell you why I loved staying here.
The Old Rectory: rooms and living spaces
There are six bedrooms that sleep 12 at The Old Rectory. As well as a big open kitchen and living room with lots of natural light. The kitchen is fitted with everything you need to cook all of your meals, but you can also ask for a private chef recommendation if you would prefer. We had the pleasure of enjoying some of our meals prepared by a chef, but more on that a bit further down. I absolutely loved the interior design and was not surprised to hear that it was all done by Fantoush. I’ve seen their work before and it’s such a lovely mix of nostalgia, style and charm.
There are bedrooms both upstairs and downstairs and some of them have ensuite bathrooms. In total there are 5 bathrooms, some have showers and some have freestanding baths. The main living areas are on the ground floor: the kitchen plus the dining space and the lounge right next door.
It wasn’t really the season for sitting outside in the garden during my visit. However there is a BBQ at the property so in the warmer months it would also be lovely to sit outside. Your closest neighbours are the cows and sheep just on the other side of the garden.
There is a charming graveyard and church next door as well as The Kirkstyle Inn pun where you can stop by for some food or a drink.
style kitchen.
The Old Rectory features
- Countryside location: Nestled into a valley near Slaggyford with the hills as your view on one side and a field of cows on the other.
- Interior design by Studio Fantoush: One of the most stylish holidays homes in Northumberland. Incredibly charming and inviting interiors that almost makes you not want to leave the country house.
- Open fireplace: Who doesn’t love snuggling up by the fire after a day outside with a hot drink in hand?
- Dog-friendly: Isn’t it lovely being able to bring your dogs on holiday, especially one where being outdoors and going on long walks are the only thing on the agenda?
- Comfortable beds: I always tend to sleep really well after some hill-walking, but felt as if I slept particularly well in these comfortable beds. It’s something so lovely waking up to the sounds of nature outside as well.
Dining in with a private chef
I was on such a high when we returned from a morning of hill-walking with a red face and big smile. That is when I discovered that our chef has prepared the most wholesome and delicious soup for our return. And to top it off he had also baked us bread! This would only be the start of our flavour journey with him as he then returned to also cook our dinner. Multiple courses of local ingredients and foraged plants where each bite was even better than the next. It was also so lovely to sit together as a big group and share stories and experiences around the table. One of those nights where you just sit at dinner for hours talking and then continue on to the lounge next door to enjoy a final drink by the fire.
A private chef can really enhance your stay at a holiday cottage and is a great way of discovering the local flavours of Northumberland! I’m very passionate about trying as many local things as possible when I am traveling. I know England can get a little bit of a bad rep when it comes to cuisine, but when you actually explore the local ingredients it can be incredible. Here in the Northumberland region, you’ll find plenty of foraging opportunities, local farmers, and excellent seafood. As a result, there is always something tasty for everyone to explore.
The Old Rectory
a day outdoors.
Staying at a Northumberland holiday cottage: What to do in the area
Hill-walking
There are many options for hill-walking around Northumberland of varying lengths and difficulties. If you are staying at The Old Rectory I would advise to ask the hosts for recommendations as they will know what trails to recommend from your experience, what season it is and what is safest. Northumberland National Park has a lot of routes on their website where you can choose one that suits your preference. Some routes feature historic remnants, while others offer fantastic views. In addition, several paths stay fairly flat, so there is something for everyone. I would recommend the iconic walk to the Sycamore Gap tree; however, it was sadly cut down by two vandals. It’s still a lovely, quite short, walk and you do get to see Hadrian’s Wall.
UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hadrian’s Wall
Hadrian’s Wall is a stone wall built by the Romans across the country to mark the empire’s frontier. It streches an impressive 73 miles from coast to coast and the purpose was to keep out the “barbarians” of the north (in current Scotland). There are many different sites along Hadrian’s Wall, like Roman bath houses, forts and temples. You can cycle along Hadrian’s Cycleway. In addition, the AD122 bus stops at several sites along the route. The bus is named after the year that the wall was built.
Ad Gefrin Distillery & Anglo-Saxon Museum
Northumberland’s most local distillery is Ad Gefrin. The distillery is not just a site for spirit production but there is also an Anglo-Saxon Museum here. So no matter if you’re into drinks or history (or both!) this is an excellent spot to visit.
Alnwick Castle
Both Harry Potter and Downton Abbey has been filmed at Alnwick Castle so it’s a very popular spot to visit. The tickets are slightly cheaper online, so it’s recommended to buy them in advance for about £22 for an adult. Alnwick Castle is a historic stone castle and a really impressive sight worth a visit.
Bamburgh Castle
Bamburgh Castle sits near the Bamburgh Beach and is an impressive site up on a hill with stunning views of its surroundings. If you want to go inside the castle you have to buy a ticket (just under £20 for an adult) and they can be bought in advance but are not for any specific timeslot. You can also purchase them at the ticket office, but they are cash-less so you will need to pay with card.
The Holy Island of Lindisfarne
Lindisfarne is a historic tidal island that you can only access at low tide, so careful planning is essential. One of the main attractions is Lindisfarne Castle, with adult tickets costing around £15 via the National Trust website. The castle sits about a one-mile walk from the visitor car park, with cobbles and steps along the way, so wear suitable footwear. In addition, the island offers rich history, cafés, and local shops. The castle itself looks like something straight out of a fairytale, perched on the edge of the island.
on our walks.
The Kirkstyle Inn
Breakfast
For breakfast on our final day we walked over to The Kirkstyle Inn. They had an a la carte menu and I chose granola to start followed by an avocado toast. Whilst both were lovely, the granola was really outstanding! Something I also appreciated was the beautiful crockery used which just heightened the feeling of countryside wholesomeness.
Dinner
We also enjoyed one of our dinners at The Kirkstyle Inn and they have a chic gastropub menu with a lot of ingredients sourced locally. There is also the options for a tasting menu for lunch. The Kirkstyle Inn has a really charming interiors, feeling like a classic pub but slightly more elagant and elevated which suits the food offerings. A perfect stop if you are either staying in any holidays homes in this part of Northumberland, or if you are just passing through.
Crabtree & Crabtree
Crabtree and Crabtree has a wonderful collection of holiday cottages and holidays homes in locations like Northumberland but also other spots across the North of England and South Scotland. For each of the properties there are helpful information on each of the property pages on the website as well as recommendations for things to do and see in the area, which I think is such a nice extra touch. There are a variety of options available, from something smaller and perhaps more affordable, to larger houses suitable for big families or groups of friends.
Dog-friendly team!
The Crabtree & Crabtree team are also really fond of dogs so there are several options for those wanting to take their four-legged friends along during the stay.
I certainly hope to have the opportunity to stay at more of the Crabtree and Crabtree properties in the future!
FAQ The Old Rectory
The Old Rectory is about a 40minute drive from Carlisle, 1 hour drive from Newcastle or 2.5 hour drive from Edinburgh.
There are 6 bedrooms that sleep 12 guests at this gem of holiday homes in Northumberland.
Prices start at £1074 for two nights, £1148 for three nights or £1223 but depend on the season.
Two small or medium dogs can be brought for your stay at The Rectory, as long as they are kept out of the bedrooms and off the furniture. Large dogs are unfortunately not permitted.
Both towels and bed linen are provided for your stay.
Yes, unlimited logs are provided with your stay.
Both a highchair and cot is available on request. Do make sure to bring travel cot bedding as this is not included.
You can find this lovely cottage and other holidays homes in Northumberland on the Crabtree & Crabtree website.
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Meet Moa, our multi-talented writer from Sweden who now calls Edinburgh, Scotland home. With over a decade exploring Europe’s hidden corners—from Nordic landscapes to alpine villages—Moa brings a unique perspective shaped by her years as a travel guide in the Swiss and Austrian Alps. As a whisky book author and freelance drinks writer, she has an eye for exceptional food and beverage experiences, while her background as a photographer ensures she never misses a scenic moment. Whether she’s discovering old European cities or chasing golden hour in mountain villages, Moa’s stories blend cultural insight with a dash of adventure and plenty of authenticity.
