Spent several hours choosing a suitable cottage form their web site…read more Booked the one we found and full payment was taken. Recieved e mail from them confirming booking and advising us to 'look forward' to our holiday. Two days later recieved email to say cottage was booked to someone else. Because of Covid most places are now booked. Very very unimpressed Jonathan and Sandy

Unprofessional and disappointing!…read more After a busy few months of exams and all the usual family chaos I finally got dates free from my family, including our two teenage sons and two of their friends, to visit Grandparents in Beadnell. Our eldest son is then off to University so close proximity to my parents was imperative for a quality visit with them. I spent, as we all know, a great deal of valuable time searching, short notice and a bank holiday in the mix meant for a difficult search as many places were understandably all booked up. Then I came across the perfect property offering a short break with GRACE DARLING HOLIDAYS(based in Seahouses). I first tried to phone them but despite having a shop in town their reservation lines are closed out of office hours. I therefore made the booking online, I completed a booking form with all personal details and paid in full £600 plus a ridiculous £25 booking fee. I received an email back with booking reference number and text reading "This booking secures the accommodation that you have chosen for the dates you have specified". I told my sons and their friends, breathed a sigh of relief that that was all done and booked and got excited! Then on the Monday morning I received an email from GRACE DARLING HOLIDAYS cancelling our holiday. No apology just that the owner had taken a booking of his own on Friday evening. They could find an alternative or refund us. I emailed back my disappointment and pointed out that their email confirming my booking and terms and conditions stated that we had entered into a binding contract upon the company issuing the holiday confirmation form as agent for the property owner. I think I can be forgiven with the wording of the email I received and no mention of the need to confirm the booking with the owner, that my booking was just that ...booked! Apparently not, on speaking to 'Helen' at GRACE DARLING HOLIDAYS, I was clearly going no where. She made no apology at all, she would not convey our disappointment to the owner or make a request that the other booking be cancelled. She refused to assist us at all other than to re-book us somewhere else. As we needed to be in Beadnell she said there was no other availability. She then went on to repeatedly say she couldn't book something out of thin air and asked for our bank details for a refund. At this point another more personable member of staff 'Margaret' mysteriously took over after I sent them back my booking email and their terms and conditions, asking for an explanation as to how this could not be confirmation? I also politely suggested that this email should contain wording such as 'this booking is reserved pending confirmation by the owner'. By this time some research showed that this was not a one off incident and that other people had also had the same problem as us as long as twelve months back but they were still operating the same system. One poor family say they had turned up for their holiday and unpacked their car before finding that their accommodation was double booked. Why would a holiday company close over a weekend? Margaret did accept the point and claimed she would speak to their IT department with a view to changing the wording. Most importantly she apologised for our disappointment. Only time will tell for all future custom if this actually made a difference and if it does then fair enough. In the meantime we are left without any accommodation and although the terms and conditions state that in the unlikely event the holiday maker has any complaint, the agent will endeavour to resolve the matter to the cottage owner. Helen point blank refused to do this. I can only guess that the owner is unaware of how the agent is acting on his behalf, souring customer relations for his property/new business venture. --

My wife and I stayed at the Beach House for two nights in September 2024. We both really enjoyed…read moreour stay here. The location is faultless, right on the beach road with stunning views of the sea and the Farne Islands. The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful. We felt very welcome here. The onsite bar and restaurant were excellent and we were so grateful to have these options available. The room was quite small but well equipped and very comfortable. French doors opened to a small shared garden that were able to let some lovely fresh air into the room. Curtains were drawn for privacy when we needed it. Breakfast each day was wonderful. Full English cooked to order, with pastries, juice, tea, coffee all available. The dining room was clean and not too cramped, and had the most incredible view of the ocean. Starting the day with that never got old. The bar was excellent, with the barman able to rustle up a long list of cocktails. He was a really friendly guy and we chatted quite a bit both nights. A real boon to a small hotel off the beaten tracks a bit. We walked up to town one evening, a really pleasant stroll along the path, with view of Bamburgh Castle in the distance. The small town has a few interesting little places to look at. Parking is a little tight, but manageable. At least it is on-site and off the street. All in all a really enjoyable stay and wouldn't have changed anything. Its a short drive to Bamburgh, conveniently remote and peaceful, with tranquil relaxation.