Middlerigg | Holiday Home By The Sea

Full Details

Middlerigg perches above the harbour on the aptly named Haven Hill. With its strong stone walls and elevated position, it’s removed enough to observe the activity below but close enough to feel part of it all. It is both homely and elegant—a palette of slate and oak, dressed with Welsh woollen blankets and warmed by a woodburning stove—ready for friends and family to gather. The glazed archway in the well-equipped open-plan kitchen-diner looks out to the immensity of the North Sea and a spellbinding coastline stiff with magic. The dramatic ruins of 14th-century Dunstanburgh Castle loom to the north. The mezzanine floor adds to the airy ambience but also, usefully, provides an additional upstairs lounge area. The main lounge, downstairs, with its woodburning stove, Smart TV, wifi, and Sonos speakers, provides the perfect space for a cosy evening in with loved ones. There’s also a handy utility room with washing machine and tumble dryer.

Upstairs there are three roomy bedrooms, all with luxurious super king-size beds and one with useful zip and link system that converts it into two twin beds. A combination of Egyptian cotton, hypo-allergenic duvets and Melin Tregwynt woollen blankets will spoil you for anywhere else. Every bedroom has an ensuite shower room with toasty underfloor heating.

There’s air source central heating throughout Middlerigg; the perfect foil for any chilled winds brought in by the North Sea.

If you’re not a weather watcher already, you will inevitably become one while at Middlerigg. Watch as the seascape constantly repaints itself. When the sun shines, the glazed archway doors of the kitchen-diner lead to a patio seating area, where you can sit and watch not only the weather but turnstones pick through the bladderwrack and linnets, cormorants and eider ducks going about their respective business. Don’t be surprised if the enticing aroma of oak-smoked kippers wafts from the nearby L Robson & Sons – home of the legendary Craster Kippers. Not to be missed. On your doorstep is the wonderfully take-me-as-you-find-me Jolly Fisherman. A simple pub serving well-priced crab sandwiches that are perfect washed down with a pint of Black Sheep ale. There’s even off-road parking for up to two cars—a real coup for the intimate streets of this small village.

This retreat by the sea awaits you and your family this summer.

Need to know

Interior Features

Dishwasher
Smart TV
Wood Burning Stove
All En-Suite
Tumble Dryer
Sonos
Washing Machine

External Features

Patio
Barbecue
Off Road Parking

Children

High Chair available
Travel Cot available

Pets

No Pets

Location

Coastal Village
Pub - within 1 mile

Key Features

Internet
Off-Road Parking
Open Fire/Wood burner

Download floor plan (PDF format)

Location

Lying six miles northeast of Alnwick, the quiet village of Craster seems to tumble into the sea. Sandy and salty, it was an important fishing harbour in the 17th century. And it’s safe to say that seafood is still Craster’s raison d’ être. There’s a fish restaurant, and the fish shop boasts the best kippers in the world. In the early 20th century, 2,500 herring were smoked here daily, and the kippers produced here today grace some of the finest breakfast tables in the world, including the Queen’s. The Farne Islands, Holy Islands and Hadrian’s Wall are all within easy reach. The Northumberland coast is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Stonehatches are common in the area and look out for wheatear and linnet. The carolling of the skylark overhead fills the fields between Craster and Cullernose. Little auks are occasional visitors when bad weather blows them south from their usual habitats. Snow buntings winter along the shoreline in small flocks, and heron, curlew and redshank reside all year round. The Northumberland Coast—designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty—is abundant with wildlife and is as wild and windswept as it is utterly spellbinding.

The Jolly Fisherman – 50 metres

Alnwick – 7 miles
Alnmouth Train Station – 8 miles

Dustanburgh Castle – 1.3 miles
Embleton Bay – 3 miles
Bamburgh Beach – 13 miles

What our guests say

Fantastic stay

Middlerigg had everything we needed. High quality accommodation and extremely clean. It was in a wonderful location with superb views along to the castle. A highlight was getting up early to watch the sunrise over the harbour. Booking and communication was great and Clare was so helpful and friendly. We enjoyed smoked fish from Craster, walks along the coast and trips to explore the spectacular coast, castles and Holy Island.

Adam from Coventry ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another magical stay at Middlerigg

Well we keep coming back. Is it the view up the coast to Dunstanburgh Castle, the walk to the Ship Inn at Low Newton, dinner at the Jolly Fisherman, the oak smoke from Robinson's, the beach at Beadnell Bay or the impeccable decor, layout and aspect of the house itself? Well. it's probably all these things and more. So we'll be back again.

John from Wallingford⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The most wonderful birthday celebration!

We have just returned from the most fabulous week spent at Middlerigg whilst celebrating a special birthday with loved-ones. From the moment we set foot inside this outstanding property, we felt instantly at home. Nestled in the centre of Craster, Middlerigg provides stunning views of the harbour towards Dunstanburgh Castle and every care has been taken to ensure a most comfortable and enjoyable holiday. The rooms are beautifully decorated, immaculately clean, spacious and light, and there are views from every single window. We loved the kitchen area leading onto the patio, and the upstairs sitting area was an absolute joy - watching the weather over the harbour became an enjoyable daily routine! The house is really well equipped with everything you could possibly need, with high quality fittings, comfortable beds & sofas, plenty of hot water & even logs for the fire which made for cosy evenings when the sun had gone down. The location is perfect, with easy accessibility to all the local amenities and many places of interest in the surrounding area - with amazing walks from the door, and even a wonderful pub just a few steps away! Clare was so helpful and kind and we wouldn't hesitate in booking with 'Catch The Breeze' again. The week will linger long in our memories and we hope to return in the very near future.

Alison from Whitley Bay ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Loveliest house in Craster

Just back from our third stay at Middlerigg - in our opinion the loveliest house in Craster. The decor is comfortable and tasteful and the bathrooms are modern and spotlessly clean. We didn't really use the kitchen as dining out in the area is fabulous, however it is spacious and extremely well equipped. The mezzanine room has the best view in the house although the views from all the windows are stunning. Would recommend this house to anyone looking for a luxurious home from home in a stunning location.

Jonathan from Mirfield ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

So good, we re-booked on our second day

We have stayed in many self-catering properties before, but this was without doubt the best. Comfortable, warm, clean and with absolutely everything you could possibly need. From a well equipped kitchen, to soft bath sheets and comfortable beds and furniture, we could not fault Middlerigg.

Personal touches were welcome as well. A variety of things in a welcome pack - butter, bread, milk, biscuits etc. And a couple of visits from Claire to check everything was OK was very reassuring.

And then there is the view - across the harbour to Dunstanburgh Castle and out to sea. We could sit all day watching the comings and goings and the rhythm of the village. Not to mention the Jolly Fisherman pub, Robinson's Kippery and shop and the Shoreline Cafe all just around the corner.

Barbara from Liverpool ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️