Welcome to The Old Schoolhouse by the River, Warkworth

There are holiday homes with a nice view of the water, and then there are the rare few that sit right on it. The Old Schoolhouse is firmly in the second camp. This converted Victorian school sits directly on the River Coquet, where the garden wall is quite literally the river wall. It is the kind of place people arrive at, step onto the terrace, and go quiet for a moment.

We wanted to introduce you properly to this quirky, characterful home by the water, and to everything waiting just beyond the front door.

A schoolhouse with character

Step inside and the building's past is everywhere you look. The original full-height school windows flood the open-plan lounge and dining room with light, all beneath a dramatic double-height vaulted ceiling. It is a genuinely unusual space, full of charm, with large soft American-style sofas, mirrored furnishings and a fully equipped kitchen.

The house sleeps two in a double bedroom, a characterful suspended walkway leads to the bathroom, part of the building's quirky appeal, though it does mean the house is better suited to adults and older children than to toddlers.

Life on the river

The river is the heart of this place. It is a tidal estuary, so the view is forever changing, and if you sit on the terrace by the French doors for long enough you will likely spot herons, ducks, swans, the occasional deer, and if you are lucky, a seal drifting past. Boaters, canoeists and paddleboarders glide by throughout the day.

As you are right on the river, the water is yours to enjoy. It is also a wonderful spot for fly fishing, which can be arranged privately.

A village that has everything, five minutes away

Warkworth is regularly named among the most beautiful places to live in the UK, and it is easy to see why. The village is encircled on three sides by the river and full of pretty stone houses, country pubs, cafes and restaurants. There is a village shop and post office, an art gallery, an ancient church, and the magnificent Warkworth Castle watching over it all. Do not miss Cabosse, the village's French-trained chocolatier, whose creations are worth the trip on their own.

The beach, the marina, the castle and the golf course are all within walking distance. Just a mile away you will find a wider choice of restaurants, supermarkets and shops, and a little further out lies Alnwick Castle and a whole coastline of idyllic beaches and quiet fishing coves to explore.

Come and stay by the water

Whether you come to paddle the river, cycle the coast, explore Northumberland's castles or simply sit on the terrace and watch the tide turn, The Old Schoolhouse offers something increasingly hard to find: somewhere genuinely peaceful, genuinely characterful, and right on the water's edge.

We would love to welcome you. Take a look at our availability and book your stay directly with us.