I have two things in common with Corinne Joicey. Like me, Corinne loves Northumberland and, just like me, Corinne loves stylish accommodation where everything has been thought of to create the most wonderful stay. It is there that any commonality between us ends!
Corinne is married to the Honorable Andrew Joicey whose family have owned the sixteen and a half thousand acre Ford and Etal Northumbrian Estate for over one hundred years. With a location as far north in England as you can get, the area embraces a rich history, stunning scenery, and of course the two main villages of Ford and Etal. You may recall my visit last year to the Lady Waterford Gallery at Ford.
Well, this year I am back in Northumberland and enjoying a relaxing week in one of Corinne’s holiday cottages ‘The Smithy’ in Crookham.
The Smithy is one of four cottages in Corinne’s Portfolio, Wild Plum Northumberland’s Greatest Escapes; luxury cottages converted from old buildings on the estate. Ours, as the name suggests, was once a working blacksmiths for the Crookham Eastfield Farm, one of thirty-seven farms on the estate.
Today The Smithy is the perfect little bolthole for two adults to get away from it all and enjoy the best of Northumberland. The luxury fittings of the cottage belie its’ past role, though a reminder dominates the cosy lounge in the form of the original smithy fireplace.
Corinne has thought of everything we could possibly need for our stay – including a welcome basket of delicious locally baked bread, cake and shortbread!
I am actually writing this post from the cottage! We should really be out and about exploring, but this place is hard to leave, even for a few hours! We have managed a short(ish) walk, a trip to the pub and a five-minute drive to the local deli to pick up further supplies! Step out of the cottage and there are an abundance of places to go, including the Flodden Battlefield and Hathershaw Corn Mill on the estate. A short drive away and we could be at the stunning Bamburgh Castle and beach.
Corinne called by the cottage yesterday to give us some information about local attractions we may be interested in during our stay – how thoughtful! That same thoughtfulness is evident throughout her cottage, the attention to detail makes you feel she really wants you to enjoy your time here, and I just love it……..though tomorrow we should really venture out and do some exploring!!
Filed under: Dining Tagged: Accommodation, cottages, ford and etal, Northumberland
