The Outchester Ducket: A tower made for two

This week sees the launch of what is Northumberland’s tallest, smallest and most unique self catering accommodation – The Outchester Ducket. Standing at 65ft high this is no ordinary holiday cottage or villa it is a remarkable and unusual 5 Star holiday experience for two able people.

With over eight year in the planning and restoration, The Ducket’s qualifications are impressive. An 18th century grade 11 listed dovecote on a medieval site scheduled under the Ancient Monuments Act, with 21st century facilities, located about half a mile from Budle Bay near Bamburgh. It’s a place for a dream honeymoon, whether you’ve been married for 5 minutes, 5 years or 50!

The word Ducket comes from dovecote - a place where pigeons roosted - now it has been transformed into a five storey holiday residence. Formerly an empty shell, the materials used in its transformation link the past together with the present. Throughout, original features are carefully combined with features of today. Stone and timber are complemented by state of the art bathroom and kitchen facilities, Wi Fi and underfloor ground-source heating.

Each of the five floors contains a single circular room accessed by a hand crafted wrought iron staircase. The entrance hall in the base of the tower also contains the bathroom. The first floor, the double bedroom, with views of open country towards the Cheviots. The second floor features a well equipped kitchen and dining area. The sitting room on the third floor looks towards the Cheviot Hills, Lindisfarne Castle and the coast. Finally, the library crowns the tower, with opportunities to contemplate The Ducket’s best views, a personal watercolour or a good book!

The isolation of the Ducket – it stands at the edge of a field, near the dunes of Budle Bay – is actually an illusion. The beaches are almost on the doorstep, the A1 is 5 minutes away and Alnwick with its castle and gardens and Berwick upon Tweed are 20 minutes south and north.

Any single couple staying in The Ducket is guarenteed a romantic holiday, in a location where only the setting is more magnificent!

The Ducket is available for weekly lets from £495 and short breaks from £395. Full details can be found on web site – theducket.co.uk.