Coastal Retreats in Craster Open to New Ownership

Two properties in the quaint fishing village of Craster have opened their sea view doors to guests after undergoing extensive makeovers. Under the new management of Catch The Breeze Retreats, cottages Driftwood and Harbourway are now open to guests seeking the ultimate coastal retreat.

Clive Sykes, owner, Catch The Breeze Retreats said: “We’re delighted to open the doors to two beautiful cottages. They are perfect for people wanting to escape busy lives and enjoy walks, dolphin-watching, and local delicacies like our local world-famous smoked kipper neighbours L. Robson & Sons Ltd.”

Harbourway sits on West End, the curving road that runs gently downhill to Craster’s double-walled quay. It’s the end house of a pair, and faces south, with the charming front garden offering panoramic views down to the harbour and the North Sea. It also ensures you’re a little removed from the village hustle and bustle.

Inside, Harbourway has everything you’d expect of a traditional seaside cottage. Beams and wooden effect porcelain floors run throughout, and decorative touches hint at the house’s maritime heritage – a pair of oars placed over a hearth, a wicker crab pot, a porthole window peeping out onto blue northern skies. Unusually for Craster, Harbourway offers plenty of parking – there’s space for up to four cars which is perfect as the property sleeps up to eight guests, including one well-behaved canine companion, as long as it’s at least a year old.

Driftwood is only a minute’s walk-up Haven Hill from Craster’s harbourfront, so you’re right in the heart of the village here, but the cottage is set back from the road, guaranteeing peace and quiet. It is one of a cluster of similar cottages, most of which date from the late 1800s (in fact, it’s right next door to Harbourway). The property sleeps up to four guests, with one well-behaved dog also welcome here.

Like the other cottages in the terrace, it’s as pretty as a postcard. Step through the gate and walk up the garden path to the house, then enter the delightful open plan kitchen/dining/living room a beautifully designed space with deep sofas, a window seat to view harbour life taking place, and a gorgeous stone fireplace, the hearth charred coal-black by a couple of centuries’ worth of open fires (thankfully, for ease of use, there’s a woodburner these days).

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 late 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 normal 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.

Driftwood 

Stay for 7 nights from £840. Sleeps up to 4 people in 2 bedrooms plus one dog over 1 year of age

Harbourway 

Stay for 7 nights from £1,205. Sleeps up to 8 people in 4 bedrooms plus one dog over 1 year of age

Both properties have limited availability already for the remainder of 2023 so to secure your coastal retreat please visit https://www.catchthebreeze.co.uk/

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