“We booked this cottage for 2 reasons, 1) dark skies so we could see stars without light pollution, we got clear cold nights but also a full moon, so we could only see the stars that we would see back at home.”
2) to have time away due to bonfire night, as our dog got very stressed last year at home, we got our wish and very chilled and relaxed dog.
About the cottage.....WOW you get a lot of cottage for your money, particularly in off season, loads of internal space, photos don't do it justice and deceptive from front, if you are taking dog(s) there are safe areas for them front and back, back is preferred as you can see through several windows.
Cast log stove makes lounge nice and cosy, watching flames dance with no lights on and a lovely moon rise in the old arch window, was a joy for me....but lost on the hound.
Kitchen, plenty of space and enough utensils and cookware (take a water filter if you have one) water is from a bore hole, but tea is nicer having had water filtered.
Bathroom, big, nice deep bath and separate shower.....but its the only one, if you have family of four, you may struggle at times.
The area, well you got a forest on your doorstep, 2 rivers (1 front, 1 back) Kielder water not far away, Hadrian's wall (I recommend locating a place called the SILL) its a new education centre, great for kids. Hexham is nearest major town, lovely buildings, and shops a good park with skate park, nearest village is Bellingham, which has food shops, tea rooms, heritage centre with a railway carriage, a waterfall walk.....its a cracking area for those muddy walks and wide open spaces, my only gripe is dog and animals, the place is full of either sheep or cattle.....so no suitable places to let dog off lead, same with cottage area, only safe space to play is your rear enclosed garden, everywhere else has to be on lead.
But apart from that I cannot recommend this cottage enough, for a autumn/winter hide away it's perfect.