Host & Stay | The Blacksmiths (River Retreat) — Guest Reviews

Love Warkworth and the property was ideally located for exploring. However it was dirty (kitchen window, cutlery, socks and underwear from previous guest still in drawer). The property was in the road which meant I didn’t sleep, noisy. The host was much more concerned with trying to see us early check in and extra time at the property and ignored my question about whether dogs were allowed on local beach. I asked again and they said they didn’t know. Previous Airbnb hosts have been super helpful and answered all questions well and have often said ‘please stay another night for free if you want as no one is coming in tomorrow’. This Airbnb in comparison felt greedy. Oh, and we were left one toilet roll for four people for across five days. I don’t think a second one in the bathroom would have broken the bank.

Great place to stay, have stayed before and would recommend and stay again ourselves. Positive: Excellent location. Clean. Dog friendly.

Would still return but would like to the above to resolved. Negative: No tv signal for main channels. Reported this but this was not resolved. First time we stayed here we had a welcome hamper. None this time. Property did smell of dog appreciate it is dog friendly but an ait fresher would have been good. Also dog checlw left on radiator and lots of dust around sofa

Cozy Getaway Lovely well equipped accommodation. Beds very comfy, great sized kitchen with cozy dinette. Yard small but fenced in for your furry friend. The village is beautiful and perfect for exploring. Definitely recommend!

The property is well equipped and comfortable with super comfortable beds and bedding although the bedrooms are at the front of the property and extremely noisy . There is plenty of teas and coffees available and there is a lovely little seating area in the rear porch but little too no out side space to sit out the back. There is some lovely pubs in the village for food and drink with a amazing beach within 20 minutes walk. My only complaint would be the poor state of the cleaning when we arrived the dark floors and sofas had long white dog hairs all over them.

Positive: Very cosy and a great location. We particularly liked the little dining area. a short walk to the beach and numerous dog friendly eating places near by. We had the best weather and it was a memorable trip. Negative: The court yard was very small and needed a little tlc.

Had a lovely enjoyable stay at the blacksmiths. The property is in a great location for exploring Northumberland. The garden looks small in the pictures but is even smaller in person which was not ideal for our dog unfortunately. Otherwise the property had everything we needed for a relaxing break.

Great location Positive: Cozy, one floor apartment in a very central location. Street parking around the corner. Nice decor and lounge furniture with a well stocked kitchen + washing machine. Dog friendly. Negative: Bit of noise from the road, but expected due to the location and previous reviews. We're not picky travellers, but the mattress in the larger bedroom is completely past its change date. It was like sleeping in 2 separate large trenches. The window blind in the lounge was missing, making it feel overlooked from the shared garden area out the back at night when other households were emptying their bins.

Fabulous no hassle stay in super village Positive: Perfect location Excellent facilities Great eateries on your doorstep Super walk down the river & 10min walk to beach Dogs loved it Will return

The Blacksmiths, Warkworth - we loved it Positive: Everything, photos very accurate portrayal, the dining area & yard are quite small for x4 people but for us 2, it was perfect light & bright. Great location, handy as not far to walk into Warkworth Village & to the Castle or by the river. Only thing missing was an ice cube tray, otherwise everything we'd need was supplied. May be helpful to state it's a Nespresso Coffee maker so future guests can bring more pods (2 supplied) along with sachets of coffee, teabags, sugar, UHT Milk sachets, salt & pepper which were very welcome. Negative: The amount of dust wasn't ideal, it's clearly not seen a good duster for some time, but on arrival it did look clean & it didn't spoil our stay but definately worthy of mention I'm afraid so it can be addressed for future guests.

Positive: Property is located at the far (north) end of the main street. We didn't find traffic noise a problem - and the excellent cafe, Bertrams, is very close!. Warkworth itself is well located for the southern end of the Northumbrian Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, although you could choose to stay further north. Amble, Alnmouth and Alnwick are all nearby. Negative: Although the facilities were alright for a couple's stay, there are things that might be on the small side for a party of four - the fridge certainly, and perhaps the dining area.

Great location! Smaller than it seems on the photos and no parking close by, so perhaps more suited to couples and not families. Also lots of traffic too. But great location, clean and well furnished place. Only thing I’d say is put the key safe next for the front door like you have on all the other holiday stays. But beautiful place on a whole

We loved our stay, except from the few things we’ve listed that could do with improving, this really is a nice family ge Positive: We loved the area It felt warm and cosy Comfy beds Negative: Wasn’t the cleanest, old bits of food in the living room. The bathroom could do with some tlc, the shower leaks a lot and will ruin the flooring soon enough. Mould around the shower etc. freezer box is broken so food defrosts easily.

very pleasant stay in warkworth Positive: the cottage was very cosy and comfortable Negative: it was located on the corner of a main road which was a little stressful with small children

Great apartment ina prime location to go on adventures or stay local and enjoy the pubs. We absolutely loved it and are desperate to get back!!!! Would highly recommend

Great location by the river. Perfect for exploring Alnmouth and surrounding scenery. Well-equipped and comfortable place. Our second visit!

We stayed at the property for 2 nights and overall had a pleasant experience. The apartment is easy to find and located in a lovely small village with lots of beautiful places to visit on the doorstep. We were fortunate enough to see lots of seals during an evening stroll at Walkworth beach which was lovely. The apartment was clean and compact but was quite basic. A minor gripe would be that its a shame a couple of coffee pods were not left for us to make use of the coffee machine on our arrival as the cost vs customer experience would be minimal to the letting company. The extra £25 fee which is charged on top of the cleaning fee wasn't made clear until booking which in my opinion didn't represent value for money and wasn't something I have had to pay at other properties. We enjoyed our stay but feel it was expensive with all charges taken into account.

We love Warkworth. The flat was mixed - lovely bedrooms with comfy beds, good shower but very basic kitchen and dark living room. The request for payment to cover insurance before we were given access codes was not helpful - especially only 2 weeks before we went - never experienced this. Unfortunately did not think it represented value for money

excellent would visit again Positive: clean, location good, stylish Negative: All good, but as we were there for christmas I did expect some xmas decorations

Enjoyable: we mayuse this company again and recommend them Positive: The cottage was well presented, good facilities and supplies. Negative: We had to swap over the duvets: the main bedroom had a winter weight which was far too heavy. Recycling was a bit confusing: there was no clear indication of what items should go in the recycle bin, there was a collection timetable inside the boiler cupboard door which was for 2022. The yard outside the back door was OK but needs some gardening work - weeding, plant pots etc. We watered the bay tree. We are both in our seventies; whilst we are not disabled some grab handles inside the front door and in the shower would be useful.

lovely village and nice little cottage for weekend stay Positive: location and size Negative: The bathroom/shower walls were very dirty. When we squeegeed them, there was a lot of brown gunk came off. no extraction fan in the bathroom (only small window to a garage) meant that it didn’t really dry out with 4x adults using it.

Beautiful flat in the stunning village of Warkworth. Clean, well appointed with nice extras/toiletries - welcome basket with tea, coffee, jam, biscuits and Prosecco! Walking distance to the beach and to the pubs! Northumberland is a great place to explore for walks and nice lunches, also very dog friendly. We would recommend and stay again.

Excellent location, lovely holiday Positive: Location, decor, facilities and cleanliness Negative: Road noise

Disappoitning - left early. Positive: The house is lovely. Very comfortable and well equipped. I would definitely recommend if you are not travelling with animals. Negative: When we booked, the photos showed a large open yard at the rear of the property. (I have uploaded the photos - the one with the dining table is what we were expecting, and the other is what we found when we arrived after a long journey) We were travelling with two dogs, so the outdoor space in the pictures appeared ideal for them to stretch their legs. When we arrived, a new fence had been put up, which gave us an area of approx. 1.5 m x 1m for our dogs (a Labrador and a Frenchie). We could access the wider space, but the access was shared with another rental property whose dog did not get on with other dogs (absolutely not their fault). This made our stay stressful, and the property really didn't work for two dogs on this basis. If they had shown the space properly, I simply wouldn't have booked it for us. My only other comment is that the property is on a busy road and the bedrooms are at the front, so it can be a little noisy in the mornings.

We had a great stay and the location was perfect Positive: The house was perfect for our stay and had everything we needed. Decor and furnishing were of a good standard Negative: Nothing to dislike

Positive: Nicely presented felt very at home Negative: Nothing

Relaxing and enjoyable. Positive: Great location, comfortable & kitchen well stocked.

The property is nice and in a great location in the centre of Warkworth. It’s a downstairs apartment which they have made great use of the space. Parking close by. The main downside is the condensation in the bedrooms which is causing mould now, there is a dehumidifier there but it’s not making that much difference. Also the bathroom could do with an extraction fan of some sorts. But overall it is a lovely place.

Really lovely cottage in a fabulous location, comfy beds and living room, shame the outside sitting area was so small bu Positive: Perfect location very comfy Negative: Water wasn’t hot for a bath

Warkworth The Blacksmiths Positive: We felt very at home here and would definitely return. The beds were so very comfortable. Everything was perfect Negative: Its not a dislike but to get the shower warm enough it needed to run for about 5 minutes before using.

Thank you for a fantastic holiday in your lovely accommodation!

lovely short stay Negative: we did known the flat had be sold didn't bother us but a bit off putting. Also we though it was a house but it was a flat

Positive: Accommodation was ok but nothing special. Not worth what we paid for it. Negative: Kitchen was dark, one pendant light, so always in your own shadow at cooker, worktop or sink. Property is damp. Heating runs 24/7 for that reason I suspect.

Great getaway Positive: Cosy and well located Negative: Nothing

Positive: A comfortable roomy apartment in heart of village Negative: Cobwebs in the property.

Very relaxing. A wonderful location. Positive: Location was perfect. Self catering with a lovely local shop catering for all needs. Negative: Couldn't fault it.

Warkworth is a lovely place to stay, and the apartment was very centrally located

Location was spot on as we wanted to be in central Warkworth. The flat was lacking in that “homely” feel and the only time we have been away and not been left any kind of welcome pack! I do think the outside space was misleading from the photos..we would not have wanted to sit out there. We did also have an issue with the heating not working but it was resolved quickly. Sofas and beds comfortable. Bedding and towels were all white which is so much nicer.

Disappointing accommodation Positive: The photos need the lights make the rooms look warming. There was no welcoming features. Comfortable and clean beds. Negative: Arrived after the village shop had closed to find a few sachets of milk,coffee etc. Insulting. No hot water or heating. No info on how to operate the tv. I sat with the bed throw around my shoulders to keep warm. The outside space was small with 2 rusty chairs. The crockery was OK but only 4 cups!! The hot water was fixed the following day but still no heating We returned home earlier than booked Definitely not worth the cost

Property needs a lot of maintenance, feels uncared for.Hot water almost non existent at all hours of the day. Kitchen laminate had significant gaps in it making walking barefoot uncomfortable.Road noise pretty apparent especially in bedrooms. Black mould and gaps in bathroom sealant. A few sachets of long life milk in the fridge was not very welcoming. The fridge is malfunctioning everything soaking wet on removal.... There were left children's socks and pants in the drawer of the bedroom wardrobe. On positive side good location right next to small green space and river. Parking easy on next door road. It was definitely a 20 minute walk to the beach but it was lovely beach backed by sand dunes. Sofa and bed comfortable and linen clean.Communication with Host and Stay who manage the property repetitive and lacking any individuality to specific property. There seemed quite a focus on the person staying reporting any damage they might have made to the property.

Very business like and not too homely. Decor out of a catalogue. The rear outside space was drab, fence was so high when sitting you couldn’t see anything. Not that there was anything to see. Noisy in mornings, no double glazing as you are so close to road it got noisy very early. The area is of course fantastic, with so much to see and most of the time you are outside so it doesn’t matter. You couldn’t eat a meal for 4 inside. It would be too small.

A relaxing weekend in a stunning cottage, in the heart of a beautiful village. Highly recommend. Positive: This is a stunning property with beautifully thought out decor throughout. Negative: Nothing, it was great.

The Blacksmiths Positive: Perfect location, easy for restaurants and location for surrounding locations Negative: The wardrobes in the second bedroom was child size so you could not hang trousers or adult shirts or blouses up without creasing. The outside chairs were rusty and only 2 of them when 4 people were there.There was only one toilet roll for four people for 5 days.

Absolutely fantastic location, very clear instructions and easy to find. Host and Stay were quick to respond and contact the owner when we had a minor lapse in hot water, and talked us through how to sort the boiler ourselves. The only thing was that it wasn’t very clean, but perhaps this was a one-off error. It was just a bit surprising given the price but even so, we would definitely like to come back.

Reverse escape room Some clear instructions of where the key box was to get in the place would have been great.

Fab accommodation. Very comfortable Positive: Centrally located. Very comfortable.

Good communication with the company, Host & Stay & Check in Straightforward. Location great - centre of Walworth by the old bridge. No problems parking on the Butts. Property is as described but in need of a major refresh. The chairs in the outdoor garden space, for example, are rusted and not comfortable to sit on. The smaller of the 2 rooms is uncomfortably hot and having an open window is not really an option as the property is on one level on the ground floor and the window opens onto the Main Street in Warkworth. Bathroom feels like a student bathroom - although the shower is good (as long as the boiler has not lost pressure (needs regularly topping up & lost pressure on first day, leading to a cold shower). Altogether disappointing property in good location. (I was tempted to give it 3* but then a pipe sprung a slow leak and we ended up with wet socks).

Die Unterkunft ist direkt an der Strasse. Dafür zentral im Ort und an einer hübschen Ecke gelegen. Uns hat es sehr gefallen und wir lieben das historische Städchen. Absolut einen Besuch wert ist Craigside, Haus und Parkanlage. Wer länger in England weilt, holt sich einen Visitor Pass/Member Ship vom National Trust und schaut sich mehr tolle Häuser an.

Excellent trip , lovely home with everything you need . Positive: Great location , decor and amenities .

We love Warkworth This was our fourth time at Walkworth abd first time at the Blacksmiths. Great location, cottage well kitted out and comfortable. Definitely stay there again

Short break We are regular visitors to Warkworth . We stayed at the Blacksmiths this time and had a very-comfortable stay.Accommodation was comfortable, fantastic location. Lovely comfortable beds and spacious accommodation.On arrival we had no heating so contacted host and stay and they soon messaged back and problem was resolved.Once heating on , it was lovely and warm. Kitchen only has basic utensils and could be improved . Kitchen lighting even with hob light on was dull and would benefit from brighter lighting especially for preparing food.Comfy lounge and dining conservatory.Would stay there again.

Negative: House was very clean. The beds were very comfortable. The owner responded very quickly to a problem we had, he rang me and then text me later to check everything had been sorted.

Super cosy! Great location, would definitely stay again 😊

Nice weekend away but wouldn’t return to the Blacksmiths Positive: Great location in Warkworth. Nicely furnished and decorated with good bedding and towels. Nice settees and kitchen was ok, fine for doing the basics. Espresso machine appreciated. All in all very comfortable and heating warmed up the apartment well which was critical given the cold weather. Negative: Funky smell when we arrived which remained throughout the 3 days we were there. Almost a mildewy, damp odour. Dehumidifier was on in one of the rooms when we arrived so assume there is an issue. We had it on intermittently whilst we stayed and had to empty it twice. Some noise from road as both bedrooms are directly on the street and being an old property the sash windows are not well insulated. Kitchen could do with a larger fridge and some basics like foil, kitchen paper etc to clean up. For the price paid I would say it was fine and the location is perfect for exploring Warkworth and the surrounding area.

Positive: The cottage was well equipped and clean and tidy. Beds were really comfy and location great. Negative: Could've done with some cleaning products to wipe down with but that's all ☺️

Great base Positive: Lovely property in a lovely village offering a great base for exploring that part of Northumberland. Handy for the local pubs, Warkworth Castle and good walks. Negative: Only negatives was the proximity of of the main through road and the very small fridge. Neither issues spoiled our holiday though and we had s great time.

The apartment was clean and comfortable especially the beds which were super comfortable. Plenty of storage space for clothes with big wardrobe and drawers in the second bedroom. Kitchen was fine for us although we didn’t really cook that often but was well stocked with pans & utensils. The road noise wasn’t an issue for us but may bother others. Parking was around the corner on The Butts which was less than 1 min walk so no issue for us and we also parked on the square when we needed to use the EV charger which was handy. The property was a little dark even in July, perhaps some better lighting would be in order and the bathroom light turned itself off from time to time! The outside space is very small but the small room to the rear was rather nice to sit in the evening with a small dining table and seating area. Overall we had a most enjoyable stay. Warkworth is a charming village with a good selection of bars & restaurants. Amble larger and is a 5 min drive away.

This property was lovely and very convenient.

Positive: Location Negative: Mattress

Comfortable stay Positive: The property was in a great location - Warkworth itself is beautiful with a lovely cafe/restaurant across from the apartment and a short walk to the village shop and a few pubs. The property was clean and spacious. It was easy to access and parking was just around the corner. The bed and sofas were comfortable. I would definitely recommend and stay here again. Negative: Issue with heating was resolved with the online chat quickly - thank you!

We had a very enjoyable week here – exploring this stretch of the beautiful Northumbrian coast. Positive: An excellent location in the centre of Warkworth – a lovely village near the sea. Comfortable beds. Great shower. Nice little dining nook. Negative: Road a little noisy outside the bedrooms. Some repairs needed to sort out kitchen sink plug and fridge door handle.

Disappointed Positive: Great location. Initially it looked good but not very clean. A nice welcome pack. Negative: Only 1 hand towel (3 guests) Quite dusty, fridge not clean, handle on fridge broken. Hot water went off on last night, despite trying to contact someone, it was not fixed so had to leave without a shower. Tried to use boiling water from kettle to get a wash but plug in bathroom didn't work so water just ran away.

Nice spring break in good location Positive: Spacious well located Negative: No designated parking

Enjoyable and relaxing stay. The cottage is cosy and beds were comfortable fitted with quality linens. Road noise didn’t bother us. You are straight onto the busy road when you exit but able to walk to village in minutes and no issues with parking. Outside space is tiny, but dining area was sunny and comfortable. Only slight annoyance when booking was requirement for refundable deposit which you have to pay £12.50 admin fee in order to have it returned to you! I hadn’t picked that up in the T&Cs. Or you pay a £25 insurance. The host was very responsive.

Perfect apart from the constant noise from above Positive: Location Facilities Cleanliness Negative: Noise from the above rooms / rental property, sometimes the amount of movement / noise on the wooden floors was unbearable

Nice place to stay for 2 maybe 3 people Positive: Good location, nicely decorated. Nice living room. Negative: Heating didn’t work upon arrival. We had to call the hotline but were very disappointed with the offered support. TV was a bit complicated. Bathroom has a problem with condensation and the corners had cobwebs so not completely spotless.

second stay and we loved it

Nice place, comfy beds, generally very clean, but we found quite a lot of spiders webs. Bathroom light switch probably needs replacing - it occasionally switches itself off at inconvenient moments. Kitchen is quite well stocked with equipment. Lack of parking space is easily manageable with plenty of on road spots. Warkworth itself is lovely. Communication was proactive and clear. Overall an enjoyable stay in a nice spot.

very nice apartment, tastefully decorated and spotlessly clean.

A beautiful property in the heart of the village which was clean and had all you needed for a comfortable, enjoyable and Positive: The location was excellent, the property had everything you needed and it was fitted out beautifully. Negative: If I had to pick something to not like it would be the outside space was small. I knew that it was small before we booked but not as small as it was. To be honest we were always out and about anyway.

Positive: Lovely interior design in a beautiful location close to Warkworth beach and castle. Easy check in and out. Negative: Cleaning company really letting the host down. House smelt of chip fat on arrival, bathroom and kitchen dirty. Bedding is ripped. Kitchen bin had no lid, toilet seat needs replacing. Quite noisy with upstairs neighbours and traffic.

Nicely decorated in a beautiful village Positive: The area is super cute. Not alot in actual Warkworth , but Bertrams for breakfast and The Masons for dinner has everything you need. The decor is lovely in the flat and a well kitted out kitchen and hot shower. Excellent WiFi and a perfect little snug/ dining area for working at. Negative: The mattress was very uncomfortable. They ask you to clean up and leave everything as you found it, but don't supply a dishcloth for washing up. The local shop has the bare minimum for self catering. NB ..not the accomodations fault but the snoring coming from upstairs could be heard loud and clear in both bedrooms.

Lovely few days in beautiful Warkworth…. Lovely accommodation in close proximity to shops and bars.

Positive: Location good. Everything needed was in house Negative: Blind in lounge wouldn’t rise,didn’t want to force it as danger of damaging it and property take £250 damage insurance from you on booking . Oven was very dirty so didn’t use

Warkworth was a quaint sleepy village, beautiful beech and lovely surrounding areas. we will revisit but won’t be rebook Positive: The property location, although on a busy main road, that was very noisy especially the bedrooms, as they’re at the front of the apartment,it was ideally positioned for all local amenities, restaurants, beach, walks and more. Negative: The whole apartment needs a good deep clean, bedding and towels were clean, but floors were dusty/sandy, the bathroom has no ventilation and no plug for the bath, kitchen floor unswept, hob had grease on from previous guests, the inside of the oven wasn’t clean, both sofas had sand on them, hadn’t been hoovered, the “Patio” 3 by 3 was inadequate and unusable. un swept, un weeded. table was dirty. all in all the place felt unloved and in need of some attention.

Positive: Great location, clean accommodation with everything that we needed

Warkworth is beautiful and this accommodation is lovely and bright, its a great base to explore the surrounding area This is a great space with very comfy beds - the only drawback was the noise of the traffic on the main road, as the bedrooms are at the front. I appreciate that cant be helped, but secondary glazing would improve this. A substantial welcome basket was a very nice touch The agents were clear with their instructions and were very helpful and friendly

Positive: We liked the location and the lounge and bedrooms were very comfortable and it had all that we needed for our stay. The communication and arrival details were very detailed and we had no issues arriving or accessing the property. Negative: The bathroom could do with a deep clean and some kind of ventilation/fan being installed, after 3 of us showering it was dripping in condensation. The oven could also have done with a good clean as it was pretty grim so we didn't use it.

Positive: Location. Negative: Faulty kitchen tap that was broken and unusable when we arrived. Faulty bathroom pop-up plug which was jammed in the plug hole. Strange heating system that either didn't work at all, worked sometimes or just came on at strange times. No instruction manual available to perhaps help to sort.

fantastic stay! great location and was a lovely apartment. the amount of messages via email, booking.com app and text fr Positive: location was excellent! property decorated to a high standard. Negative: very small outside area

Positive: The living area and the central location. Negative: The frozen freezer and full bin.

Great stay

Lovely stay at The Blacksmiths, cosy & stylish decor, & well equipped, good bathroom. The outdoor space is very small, just enough room for a small table & 2 chairs, and looks out to a shared yard. Nice cosy morning room was lovely. We very much enjoyed Bertram’s cafe breakfast across the road!

Would stay again Positive: great space Negative: 2nd bedroom with continuous humidifier running

Property in great location. Not far from pubs & cafe serving good food. Bus stop nearby Beach 15 minutes walk away , lovely walk along river & to castle Overall 3 night stay was good, pity about 4pm check in & early 10 am check out