Last Minute Cottages in Alston

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Wendy - Verified booking

  We all thoroughly enjoyed our four nights stay at Cross View Cottage, (two adults and two teenagers).

  We arrived in the village slightly earlier to park up (we always managed to find a parking space during our stay) and to look round Alston. The cottage is in a prominent position so it was easy to spot as we drove in and we couldn't wait to get inside and unpack. Collecting the key with the key code was easy. Once inside the cottage it was as good as the photos, beautifully presented and spotlessly clean. We loved all the original features, including the spiral stair cases. And having two bathrooms was definitely a plus! Even though we didn't really need to use it, we still lit the log burner in the living room on an evening. As it was a novelty, not having a real fire at home. Plenty of kindling and matches were provided, we just needed one bag of logs from the local Spar. A fruit/veg/plant stall appeared twice in the week under the Market Cross right outside the cottage, which we used. There are ample of shops for groceries etc in Alston so you don't need to bring lots of food with you! We even had one meal from The High Plaice Chippy close to the cottage, after completing the tree top challenge at Go Ape in Matfen, which went down well. We loved having this cottage as a base to visit places near by such as Penrith, Long Meg, Hadrians Wall and the High Force waterfall. We have since recommended Cross View Cottage to our family and friends. Thank you Shanthi and John for such a lovely stay in your cottage, it's a gem and we came home feeling truly revitalised.

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• Angela - Verified booking

  We three ladies had a wonderful time staying at Cross View Cottage.

  The cottage was clean, comfortable, warm and perfect for our stay. The beds were extremely comfortable and we slept better than we have in ages. It is definitely not suitable for anyone with mobility issues but we found it really quaint. Alston has everything you might need on your doorstep. We visited the church, almost next door, the CoOp, handy for supplies, the takeaway, for delicious pizzas and fish and chips and most other shops for souvenirs and just to chat to the local people who were extremely friendly. The journey to Alston from Penrith took us across stunning moors to a height of nearly 2000 feet but what a view from the top!!! We caught the train from Penrith to Edinburgh, just an hour and a half away, and did the tour of the city on an open top bus, we also visited the Lake District and Barnard Castle, all definitely worth the trip. Finally, the best meals we had whilst in Alston were in the Cumberland Arms. The pub was not much to look at but the chef is a genius. If you enjoy walking, stay at Cross View cottage, you won’t regret it.

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• John - Verified booking

  We loved this property, it is beautifully presented, well equipped, very comfortable, beautifully clean and ideally situated, we really enjoyed our stay.

  We would have liked to give this property a 5 star rating but there are a couple of things that have prevented that. The main one is the stairs. The listing does give a warning about the stairs and I would fully support that but I question whether it goes far enough. The stairs are indeed very steep and I would have thought a hand rail should have been provided, the absence of such meant that descending the stairs was a scary experience and one we only got used to by the time we were leaving. I find it hard to believe this past any safety inspection, if the handrail was sorted we would have no problem giving this property a 5 star and recommending it. The other issues were minor and didnt really bother us and didnt impact our star rating. The most note worthy of other issues was that the public parking in the town square while free is chaotic and you could at times find yourself parking some distance from the property, this was the last week in September I dread to think what it is like in high season, probably to be expected in a busy town centre.

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• Elena - Verified booking

  There is only one word I can use to describe Bonny Bits, 'WOW'!

  You really have created a wonderful sanctuary to escape from the city. The interior design is outstanding, as is the tranquil garden. The furnishings and decor are luxurious and perfectly encapsulate the character of the cottage. The location is simply idyllic. It is clear that you have spent a lot of time transforming this beautiful cottage, whilst enhancing the character and history of the building. I really do take my hat off you to for doing such an amazing job! The little treats were very appreciated, as were the print outs of local walks. I think the bed was probably the most comfiest I have ever slept in. We were taken aback by how much wildlife you get in your garden. We were lucky enough to see a red squirrel having a wash in the garden right next to us whilst enjoying our tea. All of the little touches made our stay perfect. You really have thought of everything. We travel alot and I can honestly say that Bonny Bits is without a doubt the nicest place we have had the pleasure of staying in. We will definately be back.

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• Kirsty - Verified booking

  We stayed at Cross View Cottage in early September and thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

  The property, originally the village butcher shop, has been thoughtfully and sympathetically restored by the current owners and offers a cosy base from which to explore the fabulous surrounding countryside. The mix of modern amenities with some delightful items of antique furniture is just right and in this compact house gives an uncluttered and spacious feel. The house, (excluding the cellar which houses the washer dryer and all the cleaning equipment needed) is on four floors with the two bedrooms (v comfortable beds!) and new bathrooms on the top two floors. The ground floor "living"/dining/kitchen area is better equipped than most self-catering cottages and the next floor up is the cosy sitting room, complete with wood-burner, which was just lovely on the chill September evenings. A 'different' (you will be fit after a week of four floor living!), but welcoming cottage in the heart of Alston. Strongly recommend this beautifully kept and sparkling clean property for a holiday.

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