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Merlin Cottage
Morpeth, Northumberland
Merlin Cottage is a premier family retreat at Beacon Hill Farm, offering a sophisticated blend of modern style and effortless simplicity. Designed to accommodate four guests, this exceptionally spacious cottage represents the pinnacle of luxury self-catering in Northumberland.
The interior is both sleek and inviting, equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi and a Smart TV to ensure a seamless stay. Outside, Merlin features a private terrace and garden, providing a serene vantage point to soak in the magnificent surrounding views. Whether you are visiting as a family or a group of four, Merlin Cottage delivers a holiday experience defined by comfort, space, and high-end finishes.
Relaxation at the Beacon Hill Spa
Just a short stroll through our manicured gardens, the Beacon Hill Spa awaits. Housed in a magnificent building with floor-to-ceiling glass, it offers a tranquil escape with views stretching across the countryside toward the Northumbrian coast.
Open 365 Days a Year: Enjoy the facilities from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm every day.
Wellness Facilities: Take a dip in the heated pool or unwind in the steam room and sauna.
Accessible Design: The Spa is fully wheelchair accessible, ensuring everyone can enjoy a moment of peace.
Adventure & Play at Your Doorstep
At Beacon Hill Farm, the 350-acre estate is your playground. From high-energy sports to quiet nature trails, there is something to capture everyone’s imagination:
Woodland Magic: Discover our 40-acre ancient beech wood, follow the Harry Potter Trail, or enjoy a Sausage Sizzle at our dedicated woodland fire pits.
Sporting Fun: Challenge your group to a match on the tennis and pickleball court, practice your aim at the cricket net, or play a round of Disc Golf. We also feature a football pitch, boules court, and a traditional croquet lawn.
Rainy Day Activities: Our heated games room (with pool, air hockey, and table tennis) and indoor adventure playground (perfect for ages 3–12) ensure the fun never stops.
Water & Stars: Head to Meg’s Lake for wild swimming and paddleboarding, or visit our on-site observatory to witness the incredible Dark Skies of Northumberland.
Property Reference:
DI/130326/01
Designed with both luxury and ease of movement in mind, Merlin Cottage welcomes you through a ramped entrance into a grand, tiled hallway.
The heart of the home is a vast open-plan living space, where a generous sitting area—complete with a cozy wood-burning stove—invites you to relax. Large patio doors blur the line between indoors and out, opening onto a private terrace and garden that boasts spectacular westerly views of the Northumbrian sunset.
Equally impressive is the expansive gourmet kitchen. Finished with elegant granite worktops and a full suite of high-end appliances, it features an American-style fridge-freezer, dishwasher, and washer-dryer. Every detail has been curated to meet the exacting standards of a 5-Star holiday retreat, ensuring you have everything you need for a seamless self-catering stay.
Living Areas
The sleeping quarters at Merlin Cottage provide a perfect balance of luxury and accessibility:
Master Suite: A restful sanctuary featuring a super-king-size bed, a private en-suite bathroom, and its own television for ultimate relaxation.
Twin Bedroom: A bright and spacious second bedroom, ideal for family or friends.
Family Bathroom: A large, modern space equipped with both a full-sized bath and a convenient roll-in shower, thoughtfully designed for ease of access.
Bedrooms
A proud recipient of the prestigious Visit England 5-Star Gold award, Merlin Cottage is the ultimate choice for those seeking a luxury Northumbrian escape. Ideally located near the coast and equipped with its own EV charger, it seamlessly blends high-end comfort with modern convenience.
Furthermore, Merlin Cottage holds an M2 Mobility accessibility grading, making it a premier choice for guests with additional access requirements who refuse to compromise on style or luxury.
Outdoor Areas
Features
Visit England 5-Star Gold Award: A premier holiday home recognized for exceptional quality and luxury.
Breathtaking Westerly Views: Experience spectacular Northumbrian sunsets from your private garden and sandstone terrace.
Expansive Open-Plan Living: A massive, light-filled space featuring a cozy wood-burning stove and large patio doors.
Gourmet Kitchen: A high-end chef’s space with granite worktops, an American-style fridge-freezer, dishwasher, and washer-dryer.
Master Suite: A luxurious retreat with a super-king-size bed, private en-suite, and its own television.
Modern Tech: Stay connected with high-speed Wi-Fi and a large Smart TV.
Eco-Friendly Travel: Includes a private EV charging point for guest use.
Inclusive Spa Access: Open 365 days a year (6:00 am – 9:00 pm) with a heated pool, sauna, and stunning coastal-facing views.
Endless Estate Fun: Full access to 350 acres of farm activities, including the Harry Potter trail, tennis/pickleball courts, disc golf, and the Dark Sky observatory.
Accessibility
Mobility M2 Graded: Officially recognized for providing a high standard of accessibility for guests with limited mobility.
Seamless Entry: A fully ramped access path leads from the parking drop-off point into a large, maneuverable tiled hall.
Single-Level Design: The entire cottage is situated on one level, providing a barrier-free experience throughout.
Accessible Bathing: The main family bathroom features a roll-in power shower and a bath with integrated grab rails.
Spacious Bedrooms: All rooms are designed with ample space to allow for easy wheelchair-to-bed transfers.
Mobility Equipment: * Complimentary use of a Vecta Sport Scooter.
Lightweight wheelchair available for use on or off-site.
Shower chairs and bath seats provided free of charge upon request.
Accessible Spa: The Beacon Hill Spa is fully wheelchair accessible, ensuring everyone can enjoy our wellness facilities.
Visual Accessibility: Large, floor-to-ceiling windows ensure the stunning views are visible from a seated position.
Nearby Places
Staying at Merlin Cottage at Beacon Hill Farm places you in a prime location to explore Northumberland's most inclusive heritage sites and natural landscapes. The farm itself is highly accessible, offering level access to its spa and providing guests with a Vecta Sport Scooter and lightweight wheelchair for use on or off-site.
Historic Houses and Gardens
Wallington Hall is a 17th-century mansion just a short drive away, offering a mix of grand interiors and extensive grounds.
Access: The Hall features a ramped entrance and a lift to the first floor. Outside, the paths through the walled garden and woodland are a mix of gravel and resin, providing a solid surface for wheelchair users.
Facilities: Designated disabled parking is available, and the National Trust provides a specific "access map" for those with mobility needs.
The Alnwick Garden is a world-renowned contemporary garden designed with accessibility at its core.
Design: The garden features smooth, solid surfaces and wheelchair-accessible routes throughout its Bamboo Labyrinth and Rose Garden. Even the famous Treehouse Restaurant is fully accessible via a series of elevated wooden walkways.
Support: Free wheelchair and mobility scooter hire are available (booking in advance is recommended), and the site features award-winning accessible toilets.
Science and Industry
Woodhorn Colliery Museum offers a glimpse into Northumberland's coal mining heritage within the Queen Elizabeth II Country Park.
Transport: A narrow-gauge railway links the museum to the country park and includes a dedicated wheelchair-accessible carriage.
Landscape: The surrounding park has level-access walks and a specially designed wheelchair-accessible fishing platform at the lake.
Kielder Observatory is located in the heart of the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park and is committed to making the stars accessible to everyone.
Inclusion: The observatory features ramps to almost all areas, and they host "Relaxed Astronomy" sessions for a slower-paced experience.
Note: While most telescopes are accessible, one turret involves steps, so it is best to check which equipment will be in use for your specific session.
Coastal and Lakeside Nature
Bolam Lake Country Park provides a tranquil lakeside setting ideal for wildlife spotting.
Paths: The mile-long path that circumnavigates the lake is fully accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, allowing you to get close to the water and resident swans.
Amenities: Accessible parking is located near the Boathouse Wood, which is also where the lakeside cafe is situated.
Amble Harbour Village is a bustling waterfront area that has been praised by visitors for its high level of wheelchair accessibility.
Shopping: The "Harbour Village" consists of level-access wooden pods selling local crafts, and the surrounding quayside is flat and paved.
Equipment: Nearby, Beach Access North East provides free loans of specialized all-terrain beach wheelchairs for those wanting to venture onto the sand.