Christian Holiday Cottage, Northumberland

Christian Holiday Cottage, Northumberland — On Budle Bay, Near Bamburgh

This spacious Christian holiday cottage, Northumberland, sits right on the edge of Budle Bay in the hamlet of Waren Mill — a place whose name reaches back centuries. A water-powered corn mill is recorded here as early as 1187, and the substantial mill building still standing today, now converted, dates from 1783, when it was designed by John Smeaton, the celebrated civil engineer behind the Eddystone Lighthouse. Built directly on the tidal shore so that flat-bottomed lighters could bring grain in and carry flour out by sea, it made Waren Mill a genuinely busy little port for well over a century, with sailing ships anchoring in the bay and cargo passing along the quay at Warenmouth. RoseAlness Cottage, a former farmhouse dating from around 1750, stands within easy reach of all this history, offering generous, unpretentious space for large family groups, reunions and church parties wanting to holiday together under one roof.

Budle Bay itself, glimpsed from the cottage, lies within the Northumberland Coast National Landscape and forms part of the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, one of the most important wintering grounds for wildfowl and wading birds in Britain. It is the only regular UK wintering site for the pale-bellied brent geese that arrive each autumn from Svalbard, and the mudflats also draw wigeon, teal, shelduck and the handsome common eider duck — birds still known locally as “Cuddy’s ducks” after St Cuthbert, who kept them as pets on the nearby Farne Islands and, in AD 676, issued a law protecting them, thought to be the earliest bird protection legislation anywhere in the world. Watching the tide uncover the mudflats, alive with birdsong, is one of the quiet pleasures guests mention again and again.

Two miles along the coast, Bamburgh carries an even older Christian story. St Aidan, the Irish monk sent from Iona at King Oswald’s invitation to bring Christianity to Northumbria, founded a church on the site of the present St Aidan’s Church in AD 635, and died there in 651, leaning against a wooden beam that is still preserved inside the building today. Bede called him “a man of outstanding gentleness, holiness and moderation,” and the church he founded — a short walk from Bamburgh’s famous castle and beach — remains open to visitors and pilgrims every day. For guests drawn to the deep roots of Christianity in this corner of Northumberland as much as to the coastline, it makes RoseAlness Cottage a fitting base — a stone’s throw from where the faith first took hold, and within easy reach of Holy Island itself.

All of this — birdlife, history and pilgrimage sites — lies within easy walking or short driving distance of RoseAlness Cottage, making it a genuinely restful base rather than just a stopover. The Northumberland Coastal Path runs along the edge of the bay, National Cycle Route 1 passes close by, and Bamburgh’s beaches, castle and village shops are all within about two miles. Guests looking simply to slow down will find plenty of space to do just that, in the cottage’s garden, its many books and games, or on the shoreline itself.

RoseAlness Cottage is perfect for:

Large family gatherings and church family holidays — five bedrooms and several sitting/dining spaces sleep up to 15 plus an infant
Quiet, prayerful time by the water — footsteps from Budle Bay’s birdlife and the wide Northumberland skies
Pilgrimage-minded guests — close to St Aidan’s Church, Bamburgh, and within easy reach of Holy Island
Walkers and cyclists — on the Northumberland Coast Path and near Route 1
Christian workers and those on a limited income — reduced rates available by arrangement

Location

RoseAlness Cottage, Waren Mill, Northumberland NE70 7EE

How to get there:

Road

The cottage is a couple of miles off the A1, on the Northumberland Coast at Budle Bay, 2 miles north of Bamburgh. It is 1 hour north of Newcastle by road, (47 miles) 20 min north of Alnwick, 20 min south of Berwick.

Route 1 cycle route passes close by the cottage.

Train

Train stations at Berwick and Alnmouth are both about 25 min away by car.

It is on the Northumberland coastal footpath, open in summer months.

There are buses from Belford, and from Alnwick that pass the cottage, infrequently on route to Bamburgh and Seahouses.

Newcastle Airport is an hour away.

Nearest Towns: Belford 2 miles away, has pubs, coffee shops and a Coop open 7 days a week

Bamburgh also about 2 miles away. Alnwick and Berwick 20 minutes away.

Local Area

Waren Mill is a hamlet, on the edge of Budle Bay, with campsite and artisan pizza van.

Belford, 2 miles inland, has pubs, coffee shops and a Coop open 7 days a week, chip shop, chemist, and GP practice. Blue Bell Hotel serves food.

Bamburgh, 2 miles along coast, has fabulous beaches as well as great ice cream shop, playpark, butcher selling Bamburgh Bangers, Cheese and Pantry shop, Walled garden café and playpark, as well as hotels and restaurants. Superb Bamburgh Green stretches out below the famous Bamburgh Castle, with tennis, croquet lawns, and cricket in the summer as well as further playpark. Grace Darling Museum is open nearly all year.

Alnwick and Berwick are both 20 minutes away by car, have large supermarkets, and leisure centres.

The cottage is metres from Budle Bay, a bird estuary, attracting bird watchers, and a mile from a sandy beach at Budle.

Northumberland is a stunning destination with an amazing coast of sandy beaches nearby at Budle, Bamburgh, and Ross. Castles nearby at Bamburgh, Alnwick, Lindisfarne on Holy Island, and Dunstanburgh, as well as Warkworth Castle and Hermitage, and Chillingham Castle with Chillingham cattle. The cottage is on the Northumberland Coastal Path, with many other local walks nearby. Close to Route 1 cycle route. The Cheviots, Wooler, and National Trust properties at Cragside, and Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island are all near. Howick Hall, home to Earl Grey, has lovely grounds and excellent teas. The village of Craster, home of the Craster Kipper, has a harbour, and delightful walk to Dunstanburgh.

Alnwick, has a castle, Alnwick Gardens, with fountains, and the famous Barter Books (huge second hand book and record shop in old Alnwick station). It also has river walks, and an excellent Bailiffgate Museum. Seahouses, 5 miles south of the cottage, has excellent fish and chips, a harbour, mini golf, and boats giving trips to the Farne Islands, with seals and puffins.

To the north, Berwick has town walls, a viaduct and the Maltings (cinema/theatre). Nearby is Chainbridge honey farm, with foot bridge into Scotland.

The Heatherslaw Light Steam Railway travels to Etal, where there is a ruined castle ( English Heritage) and also a good walk along the river.

Over the Scottish border is Paxton House, as well as Eyemouth, (more fish and chips!).

Facilities

RoseAlness cottage is a spacious 5 bedroom property, built in around 1750, originally part of larger farmhouse. It can sleep 15 plus an infant. It has its own large, enclosed back garden, well equipped kitchen, washing machine, dishwasher, fridge and additional fridge and freezer in the utility room. There is a TV and Wifi.

Accommodation:

2 double bedrooms (one with sink), 2 bedrooms (one with sink ) each able to sleep 4, with bunk beds as well as 2 additional beds in each. A further twin bedroom (with sink), has an additional bed, so that it could allow 3 singles or a super-king and a single.

There are 2 bathrooms, each with a toilet, one with bath, one with electric shower, but both are upstairs. There is unfortunately no downstairs access to toilets, making the property unsuitable for those with physical disabilities requiring wheelchair access, or unable to manage stairs.

Duvets and pillows are provided but guests are requested to bring bedlinen and towels/tea towels, unless by specific prior arrangement.

There is a travel cot and high chair, as well as booster seat. There is a fireguard, which must be used to protect stove, if in use and small children are present.

The garden has garden furniture, in the shed, a barbeque and a washing line.

There are games, and lots of books.

There is a spacious large dining room, with large (expandable) table, and additional table, allowing a large group to eat together. There is a sitting room with comfortable seating, Smart TV, DVDs and a keyboard, but also 2 other rooms, one with comfortable seating and one with table and seating, and currently additional cooker/sink, allowing larger family/groups to cater and the option to divide into smaller groups.

It is suitable for family breaks, family get togethers, or groups wanting to spend time together, but no parties, hen or stag dos are permitted. Clarity on number of guests must be discussed and agreed in advance. No smoking please.

There is parking for 2 or, if carefully parked, 3 cars at the front of Rose Cottage, and 2 further spaces in the shared courtyard to the rear, accessed via a narrow private road to the side of the cottage.

The property is comfortable rather than immaculate, and is priced accordingly.

We are grateful if guests can leave it tidy and clean. Additional cleaning fee may be requested if required.

Additional Photos

Click to enlarge

Two wooden benches sit on grass in front of an old stone house. Flowering climbers climb the wall between two windows, and the sky above is cloudy.

Cosy living room with cream sofa, armchairs, a coffee table, a TV, bookshelves, a digital piano, and landscape art. Window and fireplace visible. Room has a relaxed, lived-in feel.

A cosy living room with a wood-burning stove in a brick fireplace, paintings on the mantelpiece, a round dining table with chairs, a sofa, and exposed wooden beams on the ceiling.

Cosy living room with a floral sofa, yellow armchair, bookcase, beige curtains, framed photos and art on the walls, and a pink patterned rug on the floor.

A dining room with a table and six chairs, a red-patterned rug, a sofa with a blanket, artwork on the walls, a staircase, and a large window letting in natural light.

Modern kitchen with light wood cupboards, black worktops, a cooker, microwave, kettle, and mini fridge. Decorative art and various kitchen items are on the counter and by a small window. Overhead lights illuminate the room.

A cosy bedroom with a wooden double bed, white bedding, a wardrobe, drawers, bookcase, window with floral curtains, and two framed pictures on cream walls. Sunlight streams in through the window.

Cosy bedroom with a bunk bed above a small table and seats, two single beds with colourful bedding, a bookcase filled with books, and floral curtains covering a window. Warm lighting creates a welcoming atmosphere.

A cosy bedroom with yellow walls, a single bed, and a wooden bunk bed. A window with floral curtains and a small lamp sits next to a radiator. A painting hangs on the wall above the radiator.

A narrow bedroom with two single beds, colourful bedding, a wooden chest of drawers with a lamp, wall art, a radiator, and carpeted floor. A doorway with light is visible at the far end of the room.

A cosy bedroom with yellow walls, a white bed, two bedside tables with lamps, wall art, a white door, a small fireplace, and framed pictures resting on the mantelpiece.

A wooden bench sits on a grassy lawn bordered by blooming pink trees and green bushes under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

A serene beach scene at sunset with clouds and sky reflected in shallow water, wet sand in the foreground, and grassy dunes on the horizon.

A large stone castle sits atop a hill, surrounded by green fields under a bright blue sky, with a few scattered buildings nearby.

Costs

£250-£800/week Depending on size of party and circumstances, season and duration of stay.

Cheaper rates available for full time Christian workers and those on limited income.

Energy Provision:

Smokeless fuel / wood stove and electric heaters in combination. Prices include fuel.

Availability

Available all year round.

Arrival and Departure times:

Usually arrival from 4 pm Departure usually by 10 am

Booking arrangements:

Please email to discuss availability and prices. Most weekly bookings Friday to Friday, but midweek breaks and weekend breaks are potentially available on discussion, particularly out of school holidays.

Pets: Sorry – no pets.

Contact the Owner

If you are interested in making a booking, or you would like further information, please get in touch using the following contact details:

Name: Anna Redfearn

Phone Number: 07741 476344

Email Address: redfearncottage@gmail.com

RoseAlness Cottage, Waren Mill, Northumberland NE70 7EE