Alnmill Cottage is a stone-built semi-detached cottage in the village of Lesbury, Northumberland, sitting between Alnmouth and Alnwick. It has been lovingly refurbished with bold patterns and plush fabrics throughout, giving the interiors a contemporary feel rather than a chintzy cottage look. The cottage sleeps four across two double bedrooms and one dog is welcome.

Lesbury is a quiet village and you're within 300 metres of both a village store and a local pub. Alnmouth train station is just 0.9 miles away with very frequent services running north to Edinburgh and south to Newcastle, so this is a genuinely easy spot to reach without a car. Cycle paths run close by and bus links stop just yards from the door. The beach is within easy reach too.

Downstairs there's a lounge with a wood-burner-effect electric fire, smart TV and a dining area with a feature light above the table. The kitchen has sleek white cabinets, an induction hob, dishwasher, slow cooker and coffee machine, plus patio doors out to the garden. Both bedrooms are south-facing doubles with feature wallpaper and crisp linens. There's a ground-floor shower room and an upstairs bathroom with a bath and shower over.

Alnmouth is 1 mile away, known for its colourful houses and golden beach. Alnwick is 3.5 miles (around 10 minutes' drive), home to the world-famous Alnwick Castle and its unique poison garden. The Northumberland Coast Path passes nearby with sea views and a string of castles along the route. One guest walked into Alnmouth in 20 minutes and rated the local pub, a 5-minute walk away, very highly.

This is a great pick for couples or small families wanting a well-equipped base for exploring Northumberland's coast and castles without needing a car. Three separate outdoor spots, from the wildflower garden path to the south-facing patio, mean there's always a sunny corner to sit in. Book Alnmill Cottage today for your Northumberland break.