Warm welcomes and sizzling sausages: A guest inspection trip to Northumberland
Sawday's Expert
5 min read
Emma Warren was one of the winners of our Guest Inspector competition, thanks to the insight she showed in her description of a visit to Cornwall’s Prussia Cove. Her prize was to be put to work, like a true Sawday’s Inspector, on a trip round Northumberland, checking in on three places, meeting the owners, sipping the tea and reporting back on whether or not they measured up. Here, we get to know a bit more about both Emma and the places she stayed.
What’s your line of work?
This is always a tricky question to answer, because I do a few things. I have a silver jewellery business, a glamping business and I mentor ambitious business owners who are going through a growth phase of their own. First and foremost though, I’m a Mum and wife, with teenaged sons about to fly the nest, so upcoming travel is featuring large on my agenda right now!
What do you love about travel?
I’ve always been fascinated by houses and stories and travelling is a way to indulge that really. You go to different places, experience different things and come back refreshed and thinking a tiny bit differently, which in turn inspires other thoughts in my everyday work. I have to come up with and assess ideas for all my jobs and I don’t think you can do that if you are staring at the same four walls all the time.
When did you first come across Sawday’s?
My husband and I used to go to France regularly, and the Sawday’s book was one of our reference guides that we checked for places to stay, and along the way we’ve checked out various places on the website. It’s always been like a reassuring presence, whose opinion I trust.
How did you find inspecting?
The process was really good. I had a clear itinerary and each of the places we stayed at were very different, but excellent at what they do. They weren’t all necessarily places I would have gravitated to either, so I’m pleased that I left the box blank for “desired location” in the competition and that I got the chance to discover Northumberland. We’re going back in October!
Was there anything surprising about what we look for?
I liked the fact that there was a framework to help me think about each place and ask myself the same questions about each. Obviously, depending on the place, some of the questions were more relevant than others, but I felt they were very much aimed at giving a real insider guide to the accommodation, rather than a cursory overview. It is important to have a site people can rely on, rather than just a listing entry.
How did it feel meeting owners and getting behind the scenes?
It was great, the absolute hallmark of all three places we stayed at was that the owners themselves were the real unique selling point of their businesses. I could tell they were passionate about their spaces and their guest experience and it absolutely shone through in everything they do. I know it’s such hard work to deliver a high end experience and they all delivered in spades.
Inspection No.1: Chillingham Manor, B&B, three double rooms
As you drive down the lane that leads to Chillingham Manor, you can literally feel yourself relaxing. If you wind the window down, you can hear the birds celebrating with you. A former Rectory, the Manor stands beautifully in its own grounds and, on arrival, the lovely Mhairi popped out to greet us and show us in. We chatted to Ed and Mhairi and it’s obvious that renovating the house has been a labour of love. Mhairi has a wealth of experience in hospitality and everywhere you go there are helpful notes, or things artfully placed just where you need them. It’s that easy laid-back luxury, that actually takes a lot of work to deliver so effortlessly. It is an absolute boutique B&B, it’s like joining a small but perfectly formed member’s club. The gardens are beautifully manicured and the front lawn is for guests’ use, then straight out of the gate you can wander the lanes and enjoy the locale. It’s right opposite a gate to Chillingham Castle, which is well worth a visit and The Wild Cattle of Chillingham is a great one hour guided tour to book on to, but the manor was such a treat that I found myself loath to leave. The lure of the comfy sofas was too compelling!
Did you find the people matched the places, like owners and their dogs?
In hindsight, yes! Their accommodation absolutely reflected their values and I think it was the fact that they are presenting spaces that they have lovingly created themselves that makes all the difference. It also means that when you chat to them, they really do match their place. So, did the place inform how the owners developed it, or did the owners shape the space so that it fitted their values? Maybe a bit of both.
What makes a place you visit special to you?
100%, it’s the welcome – it doesn’t have to be in person, but it does start the minute you start communicating and creates such an important impression. If that’s backed up by an easy-to-find space, that’s inviting and welcoming on arrival, it puts you in the right frame of mind to enjoy your time away. Breakfast does run a very close second to this though!
Do you think the inspection trips have changed that at all?
I just think it’s given me a deeper understanding of what owners are looking to do for their guests and probably more insight into how to be a good guest!
Inspection No.2: Chaffinch Cottage, self-catering, two double rooms
The scenery is stunning as you approach, with the vastness of the hills punctuated by little scenes of wildlife like the lazy brown hare who ambled up the track in front of us like a herald of our arrival. We met Terri and Matthew at the end of our stay and heard about how they initially stayed at Kidlandlee themselves. Then through a twist of fate ended up buying it, relocating from Kent and restoring it to a small hamlet of off-grid, restful spaces. Their restoration has sensitively updated the buildings to gorgeously appointed places to stay, which haven’t lost any of the charm of the age of the original buildings. We were lucky with the weather and ate breakfast from our generous welcome hamper outside. The views are absolutely stunning and I found myself just sitting there, tea in hand, and drinking in how awe-inspiring it all was. The surrounding area feels vast but is easily accessed, although you do need to be able to drive to get here. The Star Inn at Harbottle was recommended to us, which is a real community pub providing meals, shopping and entertainment. It was perfect, as was the stay. Kidlandlee (and the team that run it) is remarkable, you don’t need to actively switch off here, it just happens.
Featured places to stay in Northumberland
Chillingham Manor
Chillingham, Northumberland
Chaffinch Cottage, Kidlandlee
Morpeth, Northumberland
Emma’s tour was a great reminder of why we inspect all our places and the importance of getting close enough to owners to see the whites of their eggs. If you’ve been inspired to visit Northumberland, then take a look at everything we have in the area and remember to keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram, because we may well do some more inspector recruiting soon.
Explore our places to stay in Northumberland >
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Christopher Wilson-Elmes
Sawday's Expert
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