“My grandparents and I recently stayed at “The Bolthole” for a week while on holiday in Northumberland, and it proved to be a perfect base for our trip.”
Our overall experience of the cottage was very positive.
Although the cottage sleeps six, it was very comfortable for the three of us. Once we figured out how the electric heating worked (the temperature buttons are a little faded, which caused some initial confusion), we had no further issues at all. All the rooms are pleasantly decorated in a seaside style, and the sun lounge/conservatory was a lovely bonus - especially as the weather during our stay was excellent.
Everything we needed - bedding, towels, and so on - was provided, along with a short letter containing basic instructions. The cottage was very clean, and there were several thoughtful touches that made a big difference to our stay, such as a sweet treat left for us in the fridge.
The kitchen, though on the smaller side, was just the right size for comfortable self‑catering, with all the utensils and equipment we needed. It was clean, tidy, and very functional. The bathroom was also spotless. The Wi‑Fi password was provided on the kitchen counter, and the connection was stable throughout our stay. The parking space directly outside the cottage was also extremely convenient.
There were plenty of TVs (although no DVD player), with one in the lounge and one in each of the double bedrooms we used. We only used the lounge TV, and while the colours seemed a little oversaturated even after adjusting the settings, this was only a very minor issue that had no ultimate impact on our enjoyment. The lounge itself had very comfortable sofas and, like the rest of the cottage, was attractively decorated.
As for the location, the cottage is very well situated: Seahouses town and harbour are about a ten‑minute walk away, with the beach only a little further. The town has many charming souvenir and gift shops, a very handy Co‑Op, and what turned out to be an excellent butcher!
During part of our stay, the next‑door neighbours were having some renovations done, which caused occasional drilling. However, they were very considerate, and I imagine that under normal circumstances the noise levels would be negligible. Even with the work going on, they were never extreme or unbearable.
The host communicated promptly and was very friendly and helpful with any questions we had in the lead up to our visit.
In conclusion, the cottage matched the description and photos very closely, and I would highly recommend “The Bolthole” to anyone looking for a charming, comfortable seaside retreat.
