Meadowside Cottage

Meadowside Cottage Escape to our thoughtfully furnished holiday cottage in Allenheads, Northumberland.Sleeps 4, with cosy woodburner, garden sunroom & secure cycle storage.

Ideal for a relaxing break, gentle adventure or slow escape in the wild beauty of Northumberland 💚

08/06/2026

It’s lovely when the weather forecast gets it wrong! ☀️

A quick trip to Alston this morning for fuel and a few essentials meant I couldn’t resist a walk to enjoy the morning.

The road to Hexham is closed today, so Alston was the obvious choice. With the sun shining, I couldn’t resist stopping at South Tynedale Railway for a stroll along the South Tyne Trail.

This is one of our favourite easy walks to recommend to guests. The route is level, peaceful and full of interest, with the River South Tyne winding alongside the trail and wildflowers lining the path at this time of year. It’s perfect for anyone looking for a gentle walk without any steep hills.

For a lovely day out, catch the train from Alston to Slaggyford (services currently run on Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays). The Crossing Cafe at the station in Alston opens when trains are running and does takeaway sandwiches. Enjoy an ice cream at Slaggyford station, then take the scenic walk back along the trail. There are plenty of beautiful spots for a picnic on the way back.

Or, if you’d rather leave the sandwiches at home, make your way to the Kirkstyle Inn for a delicious lunch ( Thurs- Sun) before ambling back at your own pace.

Simple pleasures, beautiful scenery, and an easy day out from Meadowside Cottage. ❤️

06/06/2026

🐿️ Red Squirrel Saturday!

Our guests were delighted to see Tufty back at the feeder this morning, and we were lucky enough to spot him again this evening as this week’s guests arrived.

We feel incredibly fortunate to have red squirrels in the valley. Shy and elusive by nature, they’re often hard to spot, but the hazelnut feeder is clearly proving too tempting to resist for breakfast and supper!

One of the joys of staying at Meadowside is that wildlife is never far away. Whether it’s a red squirrel at the feeder, or birdsong in the garden, nature is right here on the doorstep.

04/06/2026

Wednesday Walks: Rothbury 🥾

This week’s walk took us to the charming market town of Rothbury.

Starting along the old railway line that once connected Rothbury to Scotsgap, it’s an easy and fascinating route through beautiful countryside. Along the way, you’ll discover ancient cup-and-ring marks carved into the rock during the Bronze Age — mysterious symbols whose true purpose remains unknown thousands of years later.

A visit to Rothbury is never complete without calling in at the local butcher. Their pies and sausages are always worth the journey!

The drive itself is part of the pleasure too, winding through the Northumberland countryside and past Wallington.

One of the many lovely day trips waiting to be discovered during a stay at Meadowside Cottage.

20/05/2026

The fields are glowing with buttercups, with just a hint of the wildflower meadows still to come 🌼
Summer is on its way (have you seen the forecast?) We’re ready for it!

I’ve just popped into The Hemmel, Allenheads to check on the next bread delivery 🥖A couple of Fridays ago, they receive...
19/05/2026

I’ve just popped into The Hemmel, Allenheads to check on the next bread delivery 🥖

A couple of Fridays ago, they received their first delivery from The Little Bakehouse and I treated myself to a sourdough loaf. What a treat to have freshly baked bread right here in the village.

We enjoyed it as sandwiches on the first day, then toasted the next morning with our own fresh eggs for breakfast 🍳

The good news? They’re hoping to introduce a pre-order system for a monthly delivery. If it happens to fall during your stay at Meadowside Cottage, I’ll let you know — we’ll definitely be placing an order again!

Fresh flowers just make a house feel like home 🌿 is one of those little gems that’s always worth the drive — beautiful s...
18/05/2026

Fresh flowers just make a house feel like home 🌿

is one of those little gems that’s always worth the drive — beautiful seasonal arrangements, full of colour and charm. Pretty as a picture every single time.

17/05/2026

Our Wednesday wander took us on a 10.5-mile circular from Edmundbyers, taking in the quiet beauty of Muggleswick.

The bluebells have been especially beautiful this year — whole stretches of woodland glowing blue beneath fresh spring leaves. And the weather? Very much one of those North Pennines days… sunshine one minute, showers the next. Waterproofs essential (though at times it felt a bit like being a boil-in-the-bag chicken 😄).

The reward is worth it: wide open views, peaceful lanes and that wonderful feeling of being out in nature with hardly a soul around. It’s also a lovely drive over the tops, with Derwent Reservoir and Derwent Waterside Park nearby if you fancy a gentler stroll or somewhere scenic to stop and linger.

Standing proud in the Allenheads sunshine ☀️The BBC forecast promised 12 degrees and showers today… but here in Allenhea...
08/05/2026

Standing proud in the Allenheads sunshine ☀️

The BBC forecast promised 12 degrees and showers today… but here in Allenheads it’s a glorious 15 degrees and wall-to-wall blue sky.

Built in the 1840s, Meadowside Cottage has seen a lot of North Pennine weather over the years. In 2023 we had the cottage traditionally repointed with lime mortar and what a difference it made. The craftsmanship really comes alive when the sun catches the stonework — she was always pretty, but now she positively glows.

But it’s not just the cottage itself that makes a stay here special. Our returning guests often tell us it’s the whole feeling of being here.

💚 A warm welcome from Russell and Christine
💚 Cosy cottage, pretty garden and light-filled garden room
💚 Spotlessly cleaned and carefully prepared by both of us
💚 Welcome basket with local treats
💚 Five-star guest reviews
💚 Walks, cycle rides and local recommendations all waiting for you in the cottage
💚 Sleeps 4 — one king bedroom and one twin
💚 Pet free
💚 Children aged 5+ welcome

If you’re looking for peaceful mornings, dark skies, fresh air and beautiful walks straight from the door, perhaps it’s time to come and discover why so many guests return to Meadowside Cottage year after year 💚

Summer availability currently available.

It’s not only the garden springing into life.This morning I walked from the cottage to Peasemeadow, following the footpa...
07/05/2026

It’s not only the garden springing into life.

This morning I walked from the cottage to Peasemeadow, following the footpath through the heather, now peppered with tiny mountain pansies coming into flower.

As I passed Smelter Bridge, the swallows were gracefully signalling their return. Further along the river, ducks drifted peacefully on the water while bees hovered over the riverside plants in the morning sunshine.

One of the things that makes Allenheads so special is the landscape itself. This former lead mining landscape created a complex mix of soils and spoil heaps which now provide unique habitats for rare and delicate plants that thrive in the open sunlight here.

You don’t have to travel far for nature here — some of the loveliest moments begin simply by stepping out of the cottage door.

The garden is really coming into its own now 🌿The containers are spilling over, adding colour and little pockets of inte...
06/05/2026

The garden is really coming into its own now 🌿

The containers are spilling over, adding colour and little pockets of interest all around the cottage. It’s such a lovely time of year — everything feels settled, abundant, and quietly welcoming.

We’re now fully booked through to 13th June (thank you, as always 💛), but summer is just around the corner and we do have availability in July and August.

If you’re thinking about a peaceful break, with the garden in full flow and plenty of places to sit and simply be, do get in touch.
We always hope the garden feels like an extension of the cottage itself — somewhere to pause with a morning coffee, listen to the birds, or simply enjoy being still for a while.

It’s a gentle welcome, and one that changes just a little each week 💛

Address

Ropehaugh Cottages, Allenheads
Hexham
NE479HF

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