The county of Northumberland is often referred to as "England's last wilderness," as it offers miles and miles of beautiful unspoiled countryside, magnificent beaches with golden sands, and not that many people.It remains one of the least visited counties of England, and if you do venture there for a visit, you could do a lot worse than stay at lovely Tosson Tower Farm, a couple of miles outside Rothbury. Rothbury is a charming Northumberland town settled on the River Coquet, 13.5 miles northwest of Morpeth and 26 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne.The farmhouse at Tosson Tower is a traditional Northumbrian sandstone house built around 1800. It is situated in the hamlet of Great Tosson with a spectacular outlook to the Cheviot Hills.
Tosson Tower Farm offers first class bed and breakfast accommodation in the Farmhouse and in the Millrace Barn, a luxury barn conversion in an idyllic setting next to the thick walled remains of the ancient Tosson Tower, after which the property is named. |
| Nod off in Northumberland |
The Millrace Barn has a large airy lounge to relax in and lovely gardens with an outside courtyard to make the most of any fine weather. There are also three spacious well appointed self catering cottages if you have a larger group and want to stay for a bit longer. The rooms have all mod cons, en suite bathrooms, tea and coffee making facilities, Duck Island toiletries and of course, the feature that can make or break any stay away from home - free WifiNorthumberland, with its wild and beautiful countryside is a great destination for those who enjoy nature and the great outdoors and it's ideal for wildlife enthusiasts. It's also great for walkers and there are lots of local walking routes to suit all abilities. Northumberland National Park has been designated the largest area of protected dark sky in Europe and the night sky here is free from any light pollution. Visitors to Tosson Tower Farm are treated to spectacular views of the Milky Way, and city children have been known to have been disconcerted by waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to see their own hand in front of their face!
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| A warm Northumbrian welcome awaits |
For your evening meal you could pop into one of the many pubs in Rothbury itself or take a stroll across the fields to the nearby village of Thropton and sample the fayre at the the Three Wheat Heads. They have a wide choice of menu, good prices and substantial portions. I had a trio of venison partridge and pigeon in a plum and ginger sauce which was very tasty indeed!
History is all around you - from the mysterious "Cup & Ring" marks carved into the rocks in Iron Age times in the hills just above Tosson Tower Farm, to the highest number of castles and fortified houses in England. Don't forget the World Heritage Centre of Hadrian's Wall is here too - that great feat of construction ordered by the Emperor Hadrian, and once the most northern boundary of the Roman Empire.
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| Welcome to the farmhouse! |
Tosson Tower is just a ruin now, the remains of a fortified Pele Tower - a defensive structure built in medieval times to defend against the Border Reivers. It now provides a focal point for the farm and welcome shade for overheating sheep in the summertime.
Another major attraction close by, just past Rothbury is also the National Trust's Cragside House and Gardens - The first house in the world to be powered by hydro-electricity.
A warm welcome awaits at Tosson Tower Farm from Anne Foggin who has lived here for 42 years with her family - nothing is too much trouble. You are also likely to meet Dibs the cat or maybe come across some wild hares who frequent the fields hereabouts. In the morning, guests gather in the dining room where there is a slap up farmhouse breakfast on offer, with an opportunity to soak up the view from the hill out over the beautiful Coquet Valley for as long as you can make your coffee last. If you're thinking of a staycation this year, make sure you visit soon before everyone else finds out about it....
