7 Cosy Northern Stays To Enjoy This Winter
Ok so they’re not all cosy cottages, some are cabins and some are apartments, but nonetheless they are all fabulous, wonderfully cosy and the perfect private escape to getaway this Christmas if you prefer your own space and privacy over a luxury hotel – I shared suggestions for those here! I’ve personally stayed at all of these and absolutely loved them. These cosy Northern stays include the North East, North and West Yorkshire.
Day trips to Christmas markets can be quite tiring, as can Christmas shopping and with all this rain we are getting it seems lots of people want a change of scenery. An escape to somewhere new can add a touch of the festive feels in December, or be something to look forward to in the New Year. All of these cosy Northern stays will do just that. Many of them are dog friendly, and offer all the comforts of home away from home.
Kirkgate Cottage, Ripon
I stayed here in summer, in this stunning little cottage that sits under the gaze of Ripon Cathedral. It was recently renovated to the most beautiful standard, with two bedrooms, a gorgeous country style kitchen, and lovely little courtyard outside. You can read my full review here.
It looks incredible for winter, with the candles lit and blankets provided, imagine sitting in front of the fire with a glass of wine, and enjoying a slower paced weekend.
Ripon has a lot to offer, enjoy walks along the river, the little independent shops and restaurants, and you could even pay a visit to the Cathedral for a Christmas Carol Service or the Nativity Exhibition. You can hear the bells from the cottage.
It sleeps two and isn’t dog friendly. Visit the Kirkgate Cottage website here and their instagram here.
Basement Retreat, Tynemouth
This is another incredibly unique but beautiful boutique apartment right on Front Street in Tynemouth. It’s so modern inside, smells like a spa and has all the luxuries you need for a cosy night in, or is in the perfect spot if you want to head out into Tynemouth.
The entire apartment is really special, with a personalised check in, and breakfast can be ordered from Woods across the road and delivered to your door. The real showstopper is the bathtub. Fill it up, add some of the salts provided, pour a glass of wine and you’ll never want to get out.
It sleeps two, and this one isn’t dog friendly. Read my review of the Basement Retreat here, and find them on instagram here.
Hill House Farm Cottages, Northallerton
I enjoyed a last minute stay here last Christmas in the Honeysuckle Cottage, and was lucky enough to wake up one morning to find we were snowed in. It was incredible! There are four self catered cottages, two sleep two and the other two sleep four. They’re all in converted farm buildings around a central courtyard, and have many of the original features giving them a lot of character.
They’ve been decorated according to their names, Cherry Cottage, Honeysuckle Cottage, Buttercup Cottage and Willow Cottage, and they’re pet friendly. I stayed in Honeysuckle cottage and loved it, it was so comfortable and cosy. There is a playground area, and you’re surrounded by farmland so the views are fabulous.
The people who own it and live in the nearby farmhouse are so lovely as well, it’s family run and they’re on hand if you need anything. Northallerton is only a 5 minute drive away – enjoy a visit to one of the local pubs and of course, Betty’s for festive treats.
Visit the Hill House Farm Cottages website here
The Snug, Otterburn
This three bedroom lodge in Otterburn, Northumberland is as cute as it sounds, and the owner decorates it so well for Christmas that it’s like being in a cosy festive grotto. Based on the Otterburn Estate, there is a pub on site that also do takeaway pizzas, so you never need to leave the estate if you don’t want to.
The lodge is great with a private deck area and sunken hot tub, and it sleeps five across three bedrooms, so you can enjoy a relaxing Christmas break. It’s also dog friendly, and there’s a lovely woodland walk to a little lake just behind the lodges. There are picnic benches so take a bottle of prosecco to enjoy.
Book your festive stay at The Snug here, and read about my festive stay at The Snug here.
The Morpeth Apartment, Morpeth
I stayed here a couple of Christmasses ago, and it’s in the perfect spot to enjoy the festivities of Morpeth. This unique apartment is on the second floor, and being right in the centre of the town you’re close by to the Sanderson Arcade, as well as the amazing little shops, bars and cafes to enjoy too. The apartment has one double room and a single, it’s a bit quirky with some great furnishings, and the host is on hand nearby if you need anything.
Carlisle Park in Morpeth is home to the Pavilion for the festive season, serving up mulled wine and street food vans, so you could visit as part of your stay.
Book a stay at the Morpeth Apartment via air bnb here.
The Malthouse, Alnwick
The old whiskey Malthouse in Alnwick has been converted into apartments, and I recently stayed at this one via Air Bnb. Alnwick is an amazing Northumberland town to enjoy over Christmas, with the Alnwick light trail, loads of independent shops – visit Robinsons, Dovecote Northumberland and Taste of Northumberland for sure, and cosy pubs to enjoy a mulled wine.
The Malthouse is just behind Morrisons so you’re minutes walk away from everything, and it sleeps two in this two level apartment. It’s been done out beautifully, with a modern open plan kitchen and living room. There’s plenty of space, parking which is amazing for central Alnwick, and is dog friendly.
Find The Malthouse on Air BnB here.
Cowrie Cottage, Cullercoats
Cowrie Cottage is perhaps the most unique stay of them all, it’s an amazing dog friendly cottage in the row of old fisherman’s cottages in Cullercoats. The colourful little houses are iconic at the coast, and you can stay in Cowrie Cottage which is the blue one. They have availability close to Christmas and over New Year!
There is parking nearby, it sleeps two, and it’s much bigger inside than it looks from the outside. I loved my stay here it’s in the prime spot for a walk along the coast, and to enjoy places like The Boatyard, Cullercoats coffee and High Tide on the seafront.
You can book a stay at Cowrie Cottage online here.
All seven of these cosy Northern stays offer somewhere private, beautifully furnished, and great locations to explore and enjoy the local surroundings. If you just want to stay warm inside to relax and recharge, they’re ideal for that too. Even if you don’t want to head off anywhere before Christmas, they’d all make a cosy break in January when you want to just hide away and relax after all the festivities.
Other posts you might like:
Luxury North East Stays for the Festive Season
Where to get Festive Afternoon Tea in the North East
Unique Activities & Events across the North East this December