Shafto Cottage

Shafto Cottage stands a minute's walk from Seahouses harbour, where fishing boats dock and boat trips to the Farne Islands depart regularly. This terraced cottage is yours alone for the week, with two bedrooms—one double, one with bunks—and space for four. The ground floor holds a living and dining room (no television), and a kitchen equipped for proper cooking. Upstairs, a shower room serves the bedrooms. Heating and electricity are included, as are bed linen and towels; you'll need to bring or hire towels if you prefer them fresh each day.

The village itself spreads around the harbour with cafes, pubs and shops within easy reach on foot. A pub sits about a mile away. One dog or cat stays free. There is parking for one car on the property. Seahouses has been a working fishing community for centuries, and the Farne Islands—accessible by boat from the harbour—hold significant bird and seal populations. Bamburgh Castle and its beach lie three miles south along the coast. The setting suits people wanting to base themselves for exploring Northumberland's coastline without the formality of a seaside resort.