Dorothy Forster Court sits right in the middle of Alnwick, Northumberland, tucked behind a small arched door on Narrowgate. This is a 17th-century holiday cottage and one of the oldest buildings in the town. It's Grade II listed and named after Dorothy Forster, whose family once owned Bamburgh Castle. Dorothy famously disguised herself as a servant and used a coffin filled with sawdust to help her brother Tom escape imprisonment after the Jacobite Rebellion. Inside you'll find original solid beams on the second floor, a nod to the building's long history.

Alnwick itself has independent shops, restaurants and pubs within a gentle stroll and the nearest pub is just 20 yards from your door. The coast is 4 miles away, with a 20-mile Heritage Coastline stretch to the east. Head west and you'll reach the Cheviot Hills. There's a cinema and playhouse nearby too, plus golf courses if you fancy a round.

The cottage sleeps 4 across two bedrooms. The first-floor bedroom overlooks the courtyard and has a 3ft single bed plus a pull-out single. Upstairs, the second bedroom has a 5ft king-size bed, an en-suite shower room and views straight to Alnwick Castle. There's an open-plan living and dining space with a Freeview TV, plus a fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher and washing machine. Note there are steep stairs to navigate between floors.

Alnwick Castle is just a few yards from the entrance and famous as a filming location for Harry Potter's Hogwarts (2 minutes on foot). Alnwick Gardens, with its grand cascade waterfall and poison garden, is a short walk away. The Heritage Coastline, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, runs 20 miles east along the coast (about 15 minutes by car). The Cheviot Hills lie to the west for those after heather-capped walking country (around 30 minutes by car).

This is a fantastic base for anyone wanting Alnwick Castle on the doorstep and centuries of history under one roof. Dorothy Forster Court has won Customers' Choice awards every year from 2019 to 2026. Book today for a memorable break in Alnwick for four.