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An ancient stone cottage whose traditional exterior and rural setting belie its bold design and artistic pedigree.
As anybody familiar with Walltown Byre, the sister property to Lowtown Cottage, will know, its owner Sabina Forwood is the queen of vibrant colours and playful interiors. Like her larger sibling, the two-bedroom Lowtown Cottage is packed with Sabina’s signature design touches: eye-popping colours, rich textures, eclectic artworks and big views of the surrounding Northumberland countryside. An avid art collector and accomplished artist herself, Sabina encourages her guests to seek creative inspiration in the rugged countryside that envelops her homes as well as in the artworks they find within them.
First impressions of Lowtown Cottage are misleading. A narrow track brings you through acres of rolling countryside right down to an unassuming stone cottage on the edge of the Vallum. Only the dainty yellow and green sheep statue, perched on a stone at the front of the property, hints at the surprises to come.
As you approach the front door, you can glimpse a modern timber and glass extension on the west wall of the house before stepping into the converted farm cottage to discover - yellow. The entire ground floor of the cottage, comprising an open-plan kitchen, dining and sitting room and the new rear garden room, is resplendent in bright daffodil yellow. Tucked in one corner, a compact lapis blue kitchen contains everything required to rustle up delicious meals to serve at the dining table or nibbles to enjoy in the comfort of the cowhide armchairs by the inglenook fireplace.
The garden room features floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors leading out to the patio, delivering both southerly and westerly views and making it the ideal spot from which to contemplate the untouched beauty of the surrounding countryside. The peace here is complete, broken only by the calls of curlews and plovers, and the occasional passing deer.
Two vaulted en-suite bedrooms await discovery upstairs. Channel your inner Dutch master in one, where a vibrant floral print is daubed onto black wallpaper and continued in fabric adorning the blind and window seat cushions, before leading into a striking black painted bathroom. The second bedroom, dressed in striped apple green wallpaper complemented by a pink silk window seat, features a vast velvet bed flanked by bespoke Susi Bellamy lampshades and cushions.
Sabina Forwood’s interiors are not for the faint-hearted. Thought-provoking, inspiring and surprisingly restful, they invite the brave to explore colour and art in a rustic setting. Whether you envelop yourself in the romance and tranquillity of this intimate cottage with a loved one or see it as a bolthole from a larger group gathering when taken together with Walltown Byre, it will richly reward those bold enough to sleep amidst the tulips!
Finally, for guests looking to holiday together but enjoy their own space, Lowtown Cottage can be let in conjunction with Walltown Byre sleeping six, which benefits from generous reception spaces for larger parties and sits a short ten minute walk or just a few minutes drive from the property.
GROUND FLOOR
Access into open plan kitchen, dining area and kitchen.
Sitting room area with four armchairs set around an electric stove. Dining area with seating for four. Smart TV.
Kitchen with integrated units. Large fridge/freezer, separate grill and oven, induction hob, ¾ dishwasher, no coffee maker but includes a cafetiere. Island unit with two stools.
Utility room with separate washing machine and dryer, sink. Leads into ground floor WC.
Sunroom with large double sofa, single sofa, doors leading out to the patio area.
FIRST FLOOR
Bedroom one with 3' twin beds, side table, dressing table, window seat. Hanging space and storage can be found in the in-built cupboard on the first floor landing.
En suite shower room with large shower, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Bedroom two with king size bed, side tables, dressing table, armchair, window seat, in-built cupboard with hanging space.
En suite bathroom with bath with shower over, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
OUTSIDE
There is a patio area to the front of the property with outdoor furniture for relaxation.
To retain the natural ambience of this beautiful and secluded cottage, please note that the grass adjoining the patio is not cut. This is to protect and encourage the pollinators and other insects which support the wide variety of bird species which this area enjoys. During the winter, the area is occasionally grazed by sheep. The external photograph of the cottage was taken after this area had been grazed.
PARKING
There is private parking for up to three cars to the side of the property.
BABIES & CHILDREN
A travel cot and highchair are available on request.
DOGS
One dog is welcome at a charge of £25. A second dog will be considered on request. Dogs must be kept strictly downstairs and are not allowed on the furniture.
The property is surrounded by a stone wall to the rear with wire fencing to the front of the property, however cannot be considered to be fully enclosed or dog-proofed. The area around Lowtown is farmland therefore dogs will require full supervision and should be kept on leads when walking in the immediate vicinity due to livestock
GUEST AMENITIES
Bed linen, towels and bathrobes are provided and a hairdryer is available.
Please note that the water at Lowtown Cottage is fed from a private supply and in particularly hot and dry conditions, the water level in the well that supplies the cottage can drop and lead to temporary water shortages. If this occurs, water will be temporarily provided by a water bowser. All of the plumbing in the cottage will work satisfactorily and guests should not notice the difference, although it would be recommended that guests do not use this water for drinking. Bottled water will be supplied for this purpose.
WI-FI & MOBILE COVERAGE
Wi-Fi is available with good speeds of up to 20MB. Mobile coverage is reasonable.
HEATING
There is underfloor heating throughout the ground floor. There are thermostatically controlled radiators upstairs. There is an electric stove in the open plan living/kitchen area.
GUEST PRIVACY
The property is secluded, detached and not overlooked. The area sits in Hadrian’s Wall Country and as a result there are likely to be walkers passing through to the rear of the property on Walltown Crags. The front facing aspect looks over rolling Northumberland countryside with plentiful wildlife.
ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION
Finally, for guests looking to holiday together but enjoy their own space, Lowtown Cottage can be let in conjunction with Walltown Byre sleeping six, which benefits from generous reception spaces for larger parties and sits a short ten minute walk or just a few minutes drive from the property.