Curlews, Alnwick, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1UR

This property is basically a hidden gem. It's perfect for two couples or a family of four. Slap in the middle of Alnwick, everything is easy walking distance and on-street parking is a non-issue, with no parking fees.

The house itself is very well equipped with everything you might need for cooking. We brought loads of cooking stuff with us which turned out to be unnecessary. I would say this easily beat out best expectations.

The cottage is bigger than it looks from the outside and has been very well modernized (while retaining original features), nicely decorated and fully equipped. The kitchen had everything we could have wanted, and the lounge had a good selection of books, guides and videos. The bed was comfortable and there was plenty of hanging space. (There are two double beds.) The little back yard gets the sun in the morning and evening. Parking on the street directly outside was never a problem, though quite a lot of vehicles use the street as a short cut round the town centre.

It is an easy stroll downhill to the town with its shops, cafes and reataurants - all well worth exploring - try Grannies and the Art House Restaurant. The Alnwick Garden is an exceptional attraction, especially its cascade, and dining in its Tree House Restaurant at night is like being in fairyland. Alnwick Castle is well planned to provide things of interest and amusement for all the family. A ticket for these attractions lasts all year, so you don\'t have to slog through everything on the first day. There is plenty to see in the area, though it is quite well spread out. Apart from the obvious places such as Cragside (another place with a load of facilities and activities), Holy Island and Bamburgh Castle, we enjoyed visiting Berwick-on-Tweed and the area of Etal and Ford, including the Flodden Field battle site and the Maelmin interpretation site. We hope to go back in the spring.