Alnmouth is 4 miles away, Rothbury 10 miles and Bamburgh 15 miles, so plenty sits within easy reach for day trips.

Inside, one bedroom has a king-size bed and the other a small double. The ground-floor shower room has a walk-in shower, basin, WC and a ceiling window that brings in daylight. The kitchen has a Nespresso machine, dishwasher and washer dryer among its appliances. A 50" Smart TV sits in the living/dining room, where the fireplace anchors the seating area. Outside, an enclosed yard with decking sits between old stone walls, a sheltered spot for morning coffee or an evening drink.

Alnwick Castle is the town's centrepiece, home to the Duke of Northumberland and famous as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films (a 15-minute walk). Its gardens hold Europe's largest cascading water feature and an enormous treehouse. Northumberland National Park is a short drive away for walking among rolling hills and wide valleys. Bamburgh, 15 miles away (25 minutes by car), offers a castle and miles of open sand. The Farne Islands can be reached by boat trip from the coast nearby, a proper day out for wildlife fans.

Fancy a base that puts Alnwick Castle on your doorstep and Northumberland's coast within easy driving distance? Middle Cottage delivers a woodburning stove, a private yard and a shop just a five-minute walk away, all wrapped up in a well-presented, characterful cottage. Book today for a cracking break in Alnwick.