Alnwick, Northumberland

Lookout Cottage

The exterior of Lookout Cottage, Northumberland

Check availability

M	T	W	T	F	S	S

Prices are shown for available check-in dates based on the number of nights selected. If your chosen date does not show a price, please select a different number of nights from the drop-down box.

A former lookout, this simple but snug cottage is next to a HM Coastguard radio room.

Guests
4
Bedrooms
1
Acorn rating
3What's this?
Number of dogs welcome
2
Reference
017001
This former lookout stands tall in a dreamy position just above the golden sands of the beach in Embleton Bay. It was built in 1822 and was used to combat smuggling on the coastline.

Inside, quirks of its 19th-century past remain, from the wood-panelled walls to the original bunks where the coastguards used to sleep. It's snug and homely, with an inviting living space with woodburner. There's one bedroom that sleeps four, making it ideal for a family holiday, as the bunkbeds are small and best suited for children.

As this is partly still a working coastguard service, the north room of the cottage houses HM Coastguard radio equipment.

You can walk down to the fine, sandy beach, with good surf conditions, rockpools and plenty of space for kite-flying, and the pub in Low Newton, serving locally caught seafood and own-brewed beer. You can also walk to Dunstanburgh Castle, a ruined 14th-century coastal fortress, or drive there in 10 minutes. If the conditions are right, you may even be able to witness the Northern Lights in the winter months.

It's only a 15-minute drive to Seahouses, where you can join a boat to the Farne Islands – a paradise for wildlife lovers and photographers. These islands are home to one of the largest grey seal colonies on the east coast of England, and over 40,000 paris of puffins breed here from May to July.

There are two other cottages in the bay, Rockside Cottage (sleeps four, dog friendly) and Risemoor (sleeps six, dog friendly).

Layout

Ground floor: Living space with a full kitchen, sitting area, bay window seating around the dining table, and woodburner. Bedroom with double bed and two original built-in bunks (smaller than average at 2'3" x 5'7" so only suitable for children). En-suite shower room with toilet and washbasin.

Outside space

An enclosed garden with lawn, picnic bench and sea views. There’s an outside toilet (not in use) in an outbuilding built into the walls of the garden.

What's provided in a National Trust holiday cottage?
Wi-Fi, available
Garden, available
EV charging, not available
Fridge, available
Freezer, available
Microwave, available
Open fire / wood burner, available
Television, available
DVD, available
Washing machine, not available
Dishwasher, not available
Tumble dryer, not available
BBQ, not available
Cot & high chair, not available
Heating: Electric heating included.

Access: Access to the cottage is across a field, so careful driving is advised.

Parking: Cars can be parked next to the cottage when good weather permits. There is a designated parking space at the bottom of the hill where guests can leave their car at all other times. Additional car parking available in public pay and display car park across the lane from the cottage.

Please note: The bunkbeds are small and only suitable for children.The north room of the cottage houses HM Coastguard radio equipment. Sounds may be heard and engineers may visit the property at any time but access is separate to the holiday cottage.

There is an outdoor toilet in the garden that is only for use by the coastguard.

Offers: Free entry to National Trust places (parking may be payable). Simply show your booking confirmation upon entry.

Explore the Northumberland countryside, or stay in another coastal lookout.

Search Northumberland cottages

Rockside Cottage

A former fisherman’s cottage next to a pub at Embleton Bay, with sea views and a bright, contemporary living space. Sleeps four, dog friendly.

Risemoor

Close to the sands of Embleton Bay, this coastal cottage is a great spot for wildlife watching. Sleeps six, dog friendly.

St Oswald's Cottage

A Grade II listed cottage on Holy Island, reached by crossing a tidal causeway. Sleeps five, dog friendly.

Laundry Cottage

A cottage in the courtyard of Wallington's historic house, less than an hour's drive from the Northumberland coast. Sleeps five, dog friendly.

The exterior of Garden Cottage, Morpeth, Northumberland

Cragside Garden Cottage

A getaway in the vibrant gardens of Cragside, just half-an-hour from the coast. Sleeps six.

The exterior of The Lighthouse Keepers' Cottage, Lynton, Devon

Search lighthouses and lookouts

From old radar stations to coastguard cottages, we have a great selection of quirky coastal stays. Image: Foreland Lighthouse Keepers' Cottage, Devon

Your top three questions answered

Book a boat trip from Seahouses harbour, just a 15-minute drive from Lookout Cottage, to visit the Farne Islands to see the thousands of seabirds, seals, and historic buildings. You can sail around the islands, or land on Inner Farne or Longstone in certain months.

Two visitors bird watching with binoculars at the Farne Islands, Northumberland

Place

Farne Islands

National Nature Reserve (NNR) and Site of Special Scientific Interest ( SSSI). Home to an internationally significant breeding colony of seabirds and Atlantic grey seals.

Article

Things to see on the Farne Islands

Find out what you might see when you take a boat trip to the Farne Islands, from wildlife such as puffins and grey seals, to centuries-old buildings including St Cuthbert's Chapel.

Group of grey seals on the Farne Islands, Northumberland

Article

Seals on the Farne Islands

Learn about the grey seal colony on the Farnes, as well as other seals that call the Islands home.

Guided tour in the chapel of St Cuthbert's on the Farne Islands, Northumberland

Article

History of the Farne Islands’ buildings

Discover how the Farne Islands have proved to be the ideal location for many structures over the centuries, from a monastery and chapels to a pele tower and several lighthouses.