Different ways to make an entrance

When the arrival sets the scene for what’s inside

There’s something about approaching a holiday home that builds your anticipation for what’s to come. Whether that’s a long driveway up to a private gate, a dramatic sea view as you pull up or a welcoming entrance that isn’t piled full of shoes like the one at home. Here’s a collection of our favourite Retreats where the arrival gives you a flavour of what’s to come.

The one with the tree-lined driveway

There’s an immediate sense that you have ‘arrived’ at North Star House as you turn into its tree-lined driveway and the electric gates open, revealing a spacious stone house and grounds inside. The welcome doesn’t stop there. The panelled oak front door with the northern star of its namesake carved into the frame leads you through to a dramatic hallway with a paddle oar coat stand, a storage bench seat and candle chandelier lighting up the staircase to the floor above. The holiday has definitely started!

The one with the cool neighbours

Bamburgh Beach House has two Northumberland A list neighbours – Bamburgh Castle and Bamburgh Beach. The ‘glow’ of these star attractions will light your way to Bamburgh Beach House and greet you every day of your holiday. Bask in their glory, soak it up and when you get home you can brag about being how close you were to Northumberland ‘royalty’.

The one with the quirky welcome

You know you’re going to have fun at Moo House when you see the cow print milk churn at its front door. Step inside, take the weight off your feet on the cow print chair (it used to be a cow byre!) in the large hallway, fix your hair in the mirror and get ready to have a nosy around, spotting even more nods to its heritage as you explore.

The one with the jaw dropping view

The descent into Craster village isn’t easily forgotten. On a clear day you can see the crystal-clear coastal waters, Dunstanburgh Castle and a close-knit enclave of homes centred around a harbour. As you near Craster Retreat, the impact of that harbour view is a delight to the senses, as you hear the lap or roar of the waves and see the seascape up close. Positioned just on your left is Craster Retreat. Don’t get too mesmerised by the view or you might just miss it and end up at the top of the hill by the pub (!) What’s truly brilliant about this Retreat is that that view is waiting for you every time you leave and return.

The one with the fairytale path

Tiptoe underneath the trellis archway and down the flagstones across the well-manicured lawn to the entrance of this chocolate box cottage. Rosebud is so cute you’ll want to eat it up and will be even more delighted when you see what’s inside. For more practical purposes avoid the path and bring your luggage in from the rear entrance when you’ve have had the joy of your arrival moment.

The one with the floral welcoming committee

As you approach the conservatory entrance of The Old Gardener’s, pots and plants are lined up to greet you, and you can’t help but smile. It conjures up images of cottages on large country estates with a conservatory entrance that is almost orangery-like in style. We love the tongue and groove conservatory wall with its historical garden tools (it was the former home of the gardener at the nearby historic Craster Tower), and the light-filled space. The perfect place to enjoy a cuppa after a long journey in this sun-filled spot.