Brunton House & Cottages

You’re a few fields from the sandy coastline and in the middle of the Fallodon Estate. The main house is perfect for bringing family and friends: children will adore the play area in the garden, TVs in every bedroom, the piano, pool and table football in the games room; grown-ups will love having two sitting rooms and a snug, two kitchens perfectly equipped (one with an Aga), a drinks room with cocktail-making kit, and large bedrooms.

The cottages – completely separate – are comfy and light with pretty terraces, and one has a large garden overlooking the babbling burn. The owners live nearby and leave you a hamper with bread, fruit, bacon, milk, wine and a newspaper.

There are 2000 acres of estate to explore with maps provided for farm walks. You’re near Alnwick and its famous garden and Bamburgh for castles and dunes, tracks for cycling (hire bikes in Alnwick) and riding – even stabling for your horse. Bring rods for fishing on the lake.