Grey Hens, a remote barn conversion in Northumberland, offers a peaceful retreat for couples with access to countryside and coast. Priced from £785 per week, it's dog-friendly and highly rated.
Location and Surroundings
Grey Hens is situated in the heart of the Northumberland countryside, described by its owners as 'perfectly positioned between' Northumberland National Park and the Northumberland Coast. The Simonside Hills are a 30-minute drive west, while Druridge Bay is half an hour east.
The nearest town, Rothbury, is a traditional market town that Visit Northumberland calls a 'peaceful and picturesque haven' surrounded by scenery and wildlife. Rothbury offers shops, pubs, and tea rooms on its high street.
Accommodation and Features
Designed by local artist Marie Stansby, Grey Hens features vaulted ceilings, Scandinavian-inspired furnishings, and a garden with wildflower beds, vegetable patches, and ponds. It sleeps up to two people and allows two dogs.
Priced from £785 for a seven-night stay, bookings are already filling for summer 2027. According to holidaycottages.co.uk, Rothbury is a top spot for dog walks, with nearby Simonside Hills, the River Coquet, and Thrunton Wood offering scenic trails.
Guest Reviews
Guests have praised Grey Hens as 'delightful' and 'a home away from home'. One June visitor wrote: 'Delightful, dog friendly with inspiring decoration and garden, a pleasure to visit again.' Another said: 'Situated in a quiet, rural location, fairly close to stunning beaches and pretty little market towns.'
A third reviewer added: 'Our stay at Grey Hens couldn't have been better. The property was so comfortable and the owners had clearly put a lot of thought into making it so welcoming.'
Nearby Attractions
Top attraction Cragside, a Victorian mansion lit by hydro-electricity, is in Rothbury. It has 40 miles of trails, dog-friendly outdoor spaces (dogs on lead), and tickets priced at £27 for adults, £13.50 for children (under-fives free).
Alternative accommodation includes The Turks Head, a 16th-century coaching inn with pet-friendly rooms, and other cottages like The Coquet Nest and Simonside Apartment via Sykes Holiday Cottages.
Booking and Availability
Grey Hens is fully booked for summer and autumn 2026, with next availability in late November for seven-night stays. The garden is shared with owners but privacy is assured.
