A Northumberland cottage has been listed among 20 of the cosiest to stay in the UK for a break this winter.
Skylark Cottage at Laverock Law Cottages was recommended in an article on Guardian Travel, and its owners have already seen a big increase in bookings. Dave and Harvest Harris-Jones have already had plenty to celebrate this year; winning gold for Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism at the North East Tourism Awards, being nominated in the same category for the 2023 awards; and achieving the "dream" of completing their heart shaped treehouse.
However, it wasn't the treehouse that took the title, instead it was one of three traditional labourers' cottages that has been transformed into a cosy cottage for a weekend away. Dave said he and Harvest are delighted to have been recognised, explaining: "Being in the Guardian was a great privilege, we had hoped that we would be picked up by them one day for our work with sustainable tourism and wellbeing."
Read more: New heart-shaped treehouse opens at award-winning glamping site in north Northumberland
The couple found out that they'd been listed when they were away in the Lake District with the Scouts, preparing for the Great Gable memorial service on Remembrance Sunday for hillwalkers and climbers who lost their lives in war. Outside of the service and walking, they were inundated with enquiries, meaning that they were busier than they would have expected during their break - not that Dave minded.
He added: "I think we've had 15 bookings or enquiries that have led to bookings since we were in the Guardian, eight were on the Saturday alone. It's quite exciting - all of a sudden you're in a newspaper that loads of people are looking at and that gives you a hell of a lot of exposure.
"The number of little bits of vacancies that have filled up have been amazing, and it's not just been for Skylark Cottage. People have obviously gone on the website and looked at our other cottages and the treehouse and booked them, so it's been very, very good."
Citing Skylark as good for breadmaking and yoga, the article read: "There are three traditional farm labourers’ cottages at Laverock Law – Skylark, Swallow and Woodpecker. Each sleeps five and makes a snug home from home, with an emphasis on the eco-friendly: biomass heating, EV chargers, organic bedding and local goodies.
"It’s an ideal spot for a winter getaway beneath Northumberland’s truly dark skies – you can stargaze around the fire pit outside. You can also join hosts Harvest and Dave for on-site activities including yoga, breadmaking and felt-making classes (for an extra cost). Holy Island is just a few miles east."
To read the full article on the UK's best cosy cottages for a winter break on Guardian Travel, click here. For more information on Laverock Law Cottages, visit the website.
Where is your favourite place for a winter getaway in the North East? Let us know!
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