Access Statement
Introduction
Craster Tower is Grade 2* country house, located ½ a mile outside the fishing village of Craster on the North Northumbrian coast, in the middle of a designated Area of Outstanding Natural beauty (AONB). The town of Alnwick, with its world-renowned garden and castle (aka Hogwarts by Harry Potter fans), is 7 miles away, and the station of Alnmouth, on the main East Coast route with a direct service to London, is a similar distance. Newcastle is 30 mins by train and 45 mins by road; Newcastle airport is an hour away by road, and can be reached by the Metro from Newcastle Central Station. Edinburgh is an hour by train and 2 hrs by road; Edinburgh Airport is just over two hours by road, and can be reached by the tram or by bus from the Waverley Station.
The house is built around a 14th century pele-tower (fortified dwelling), with a Georgian manor house on the south side, and a Victorian wing to the east; all 3 parts are 3-storey in height. The house was divided into 3 apartments in 1968, and the part to which this statement applies is the whole of the top floor.
We have tried to provide as much information as possible in this statement, but if you have any queries do please call us. We look forward to welcoming you.
General Description
The apartment has its own front door, accessed from the stableyard to the north of the house. Entry is from the minor road leading down to the village of Craster, through electric gates which are controlled by a button on the gate pillars (button height 1.85m). Departure is by means of an electronic beam breaker. There is ample parking for up to 5 cars within the stableyard, which is cobbled, and cars can be driven right to the front door.
Through the door is a stone-flagged entry hall, with a toilet and wash basin off, a glass screen and through the screen a further hall giving access to the stairs. Off this inner hall is a large utility room with sink, washing machine, tumble dryer and airer. The pipes for the central heating and hot water pass through this room which therefore acts as a drying room.
There are 2 flights of stairs, with a small half landing, up to the first floor where there is a larger mezzanine landing with a table-football. From there the stairs go straight up to the top floor.
Once on the top floor the apartment consists of a large sitting room with views to north, east (over the harbour) and south; a large kitchen with seating for 8; a large gallery, running the full length of the house, off which are a small bathroom, an east facing wing with two twin bedded rooms, a shower-room and a family bathroom, and two double-bedded rooms and a small play area for children on the west; and finally, up a further short flight of stairs, the drawing room at the top of the pele tower. The apartment is carpeted throughout (including the stairs) with the exception of the utility room, kitchen and bathrooms all of which have vinyl floor coverings.
Detailed Descriptions
Entrance.
- There is a single step (14 cms high, 29 cms deep and 84 cms wide) up to the front door, with a metal thresh 6 cms high.
- The door (hinged on the left) is a solid wood door 82 cms wide, and the keyhole lock is 122 cms high.
Outer hall.
- The outer hall measures 2.18 m x 2.42 m and is stone flagged, with a coir mat on top.
- The screen door to the inner hall is panelled glass, 89 cms wide, with a lever door handle. Décor is natural stone.
Toilet.
- The toilet door is on the left of the hall, and is 77 cms wide.
- The room is 3.10m x 1.1 m with the toilet on the left of the door and the basin on the right.
- The toilet seat is 41 cms high, and the basin is 81 cms high. There are no disabled aids.
Inner hall.
- The inner hall measures 2.3 m to the foot of the stairs, and is stone flagged, with a coir mat on top. Carbon monoxide alarm.
- The hall is 2.3 m wide and has a bench on the left, with boot pegs on the right.
- There is a door (width 73 cms) on the left leading into the utility passage, with a further door (width 86 cms) leading into the utility. The passage is lined with coat hooks, including a row at a suitable height for young children.
Utility room.
- Thresh 2 cms high at the entrance from the passage.
- The utility room measures 4.1 x 3.1 m, and contains a Belfast sink, washing machine and tumble dryer (both front loading) and clothes airer.
- Iron and ironing board
- Décor neutral
Stairs.
- The stairs go from the ground floor to the second floor in a series of flights. They are carpeted throughout (with the exception of the mezzanine landing which has floor boards), and the treads are 17 cms high, 27 cms deep, 95 cms wide. The banisters (left only, going up) are wooden, and are 97 cms high.
- a. Flight 1. 9 steps to half landing, left turn.
- b. Half landing. 2.57 x 1 m. Turn left.
- c. Flight 2. 6 steps to first floor mezzanine landing.
- d. Mezzanine landing. 1.17 x 2.4 m, then 3.95 x 2.34
m. Turn left.
- e. Flight 3. 6 steps to half landing.
- f. Flight 4. 11 steps to gallery.
- At the top of the stairs there is a gate (width 90 cms), with integral gate lock.
- Décor red.
Public Areas
Gallery
- 2 steps up from landing at top of stairs, treads are 17 cms high, 28 cms deep,1.52 cms wide.
- 13 m long x 3.70 m wide,
- Carpeted throughout with short pile carpet and central rug
- Décor red/neutral, contrasting colours for carpet and doors
- Smoke/carbon monoxide alarm at head of stairs
- Library area at south end, with table and seating
- 3 Bookcases, with books and maps
- Long table, suitable for fine dining if required
North Corridor
- From stairs to sitting room L shaped around kitchen, 3.9 m long x 1.44m wide, and 8.10 m long x 1.55 m wide
- Carpeted with short pile carpet
- Smoke alarm outside sitting room
- Décor neutral
South Corridor
- Off gallery, giving access to 2 twin-bedded bedrooms, shower room and bathroom, 5.4 m long x 1m wide.
- Décor wallpaper, contrasting with carpet and doors (dark walls, lighter carpet, white skirting and doors)
Accommodation
Sitting Room
- Door width 79 cms
- The room is 6.3 x 6.5 m, with windows on 3 sides
- 3 x 3-seater sofas and 2 easy chairs, all with arms and all moveable. Some feather cushions.
- Large central coffee table, 146 cms long, 90 cms wide, 48 cms high, between sofas
- Log burning stove, with logs, on internal wall.
- Wrap-around fireguard
- Smart 48” flat screen TV and DVD recorder with remote controls.
- Landline telephone, cordless, with honesty box
- Wifi hub.
- There is free space of 1 x 3.7 m clear of door and furniture
- Carpeted throughout with short pile carpet
- Décor is contrasting walls and carpet (dark) with light skirting and door
- Wall lighting, table lamps and additional reading lamps
Kitchen/Diner
- Access from top of stairs (glass panelled door, width 74 cms), and from outside sitting room (glass panelled door, width 74 cms)
- The room is 5.55 x 4.5 m
- Worktop height 91 cms, with cupboards underneath
- Electric range cooker with 3 ovens, 2 with drop down doors 1 swing door, height of lowest shelf 19 cms, can only be accessed from front.
- Hob is 91 cms high and halogen
- Sink is 91 cms high with cupboards underneath
- American style fridge-freezer with floor length doors. Lowest/Highest shelf in fridge 41 cms/143 cms
- Music system with DAB radio, Bluetooth and IPod dock
- Wall mounted flat screen Freeview TV
- Flooring is vinyl
- Central rectangular table (moveable – just), legs close to corners, 65 cms floor to lowest point of table (underspace), 2.23 m long, 90 cms wide and 73 cms high.
- 8 dining chairs (46 cms to seat) and 1 x 2-seater sofa
- At least 1.1m free space between all furniture and worktops
- Evenly lit kitchen
- Good contrast between floor, cupboards and other surfaces.
- Smoke alarm
- Décor neutral
- Tableware and full cutlery range for 8
- Full range of glassware
- Wide range of cooking/baking equipment, incl mixer & liquidiser
Small Bathroom
- Located off gallery on left side at top of steps
- Door width 70 cms
- Bath with “telephone” tap arrangement including flexible hose and shower head
- Bath height is 56 cms
- Free space in bathroom (free of doors and furniture) is 94 x 100 cms
- Toilet seat height 41 cms
- Space to right/left of toilet is 45 cms/ 31 cms
- Electric towel rail
- Flooring is vinyl
- Colour neutral with contrasting floor
- Basic first aid kit
Shower Room
- First room on left in South corridor, basin and toilet on left
- Door width 67 cms
- Free space in shower room (free of doors and furniture) is 200 x 68 cms
- Toilet seat height 41 cms
- Space to right/left of toilet is 30 cms/38 cms
- Electric towel rail
- Shower cabinet at end of room, with sliding door and removable shower head
- Shower tray height 25 cms
- Flooring is vinyl
- Colour neutral with contrasting floor
“Sailboat” Room
- Second room on left in South corridor - twin bedded room
- Door width 67 cms
- The room is 4.2 x 2.9 m
- 2 x 3ft beds (moveable if more space required to one side)
- Bed height 55 cms floor to top of mattress. Height can be raised if advised prior to arrival
- Non feather duvets provided. Sheets, duvet covers and pillow cases are all cotton.
- Largest transfer space available to left or right of beds is 1.23 m
- Largest free space clear of doors and furniture is 2.4 x 1.23 m
- Window seats with cushion, height to top of cushion 53 cms
- Carpeted throughout with short pile carpet
- Wall-mounted flat screen Freeview TV
- Wardrobe
- Mirror
- Hair dryer (in chest of drawers)
Family Bathroom
- Second room on right in South corridor
- Door width 72 cms
- The room is 4.1 x 2.4 m
- Bath with flexible shower over with clear plastic screen
- Bath height is 57 cms
- Free space in bathroom (free of doors and furniture) is 1.35 x 2.35 m
- Toilet seat height 41 cms
- Electric towel rails
- Space to right/left of toilet is 42 cms/45 cms
- Window seat 46 cms high
- Flooring is vinyl
- Colour neutral (with contrasting floor)
“Lighthouse” Room
- First room on right in South corridor - twin bedded room
- Door width 83 cms
- Room is 4.1 x 3.3 m
- 2 x 3ft beds (moveable to one side if more space required)
- Bed height 58 cms floor to top of mattress. Height can be raised if advised prior to arrival
- Non feather duvets provided. Sheets, duvet covers and pillow cases are all cotton.
- Largest transfer space available to left or right of beds is 62 cms
- Largest free space clear of doors and furniture is 1.6 x 1.1 m
- Carpeted throughout with short pile carpet
- Wall-mounted flat screen Freeview TV
- Wardrobe
- Mirror
- Hair dryer (in chest of drawers)
Master Bedroom
- Last room on right at end of gallery – double-bedded room
- Door width 80 cms
- Room is 6 x 5.3 m
- 1x 5ft bed (moveable if more space required to one side)
- Bed height 60 cms floor to top of mattress.
- Non feather duvet provided. Sheets, duvet covers and pillow cases are all cotton.
- Largest transfer space available to left or right of bed is 2.1 m
- Largest free space clear of doors and furniture is 2.7 x 5.3 m
- 2 x window seats with cushions, height to top of cushion 55 cms
- Small sofa and armchair
- 2 x luggage stands
- Carpeted throughout with short pile carpet
- Wardrobe
- Mirror
- Hair dryer (in chest of drawers)
Blue Room
- First room on right off gallery – double/twin-bedded room (zip and link beds)
- Door width 89 cms
- Room is 5.3 x 3.75 m
- 2 x 3ft beds (separable, and moveable if more space required to one side)
- Bed height 57 cms floor to top of mattress.
- Non feather duvets provided. Sheets, duvet covers and pillow cases are all cotton.
- Largest transfer space available to left or right of bed is 1.9 m
- Largest free space clear of doors and furniture is 3 x 1.7 m
- 2 x luggage stands
- Carpeted throughout with short pile carpet
- Wardrobe
- Mirror
- Hair dryer (in chest of drawers)
Play Area
- Open space on right of gallery behind stairs to Drawing Room
- Entrance width 84 cms
- Low table under window, height 39 cms
- Table mounted flatscreen Freeview TV, height 74 cms to base of screen, DVD player and X-box games consol under. Remote controls and some games provided
- 3 x bean bags
- Largest free space clear of doors and furniture is 1.87 x 3 m
- Carpeted throughout with short pile carpet
Stairs to Drawing Room
- Stairs go from the gallery to a small landing outside the door to the Drawing Room. They are carpeted throughout, and the treads are 17 cms high, 25 cms deep, 92 cms wide. The banisters (left only, going up) are wooden, and are 93 cms high.
- The landing is similarly carpeted and is 138 x 96 cms
Drawing Room
- Door width 95 cms
- The room is 9 x 6.2 m, with very large windows on the west side
- 1 x 4-seater and 1 x 3-seater sofas and 1 easy chair, all with arms and all moveable. Some feather cushions.
- Window seat 330 x 42 cms, and 51 cms to top of cushions
- Broadwood boudoir grand piano with stool
- Large central coffee table 140 x 80 cms and 45 cms high, between sofas
- Music system with FM radio, Bluetooth and IPod dock
- Large fireplace with open fire basket and fireguard
- There is free space of 3 x 2 m clear of door and furniture
- Carpeted throughout with short pile carpet and large central rug
- Décor is contrasting walls and carpet (dark) with light skirting and door
Facilities
- Heating and hot water are by central biomass system, and can be regulated within the flat.
- Wifi available throughout.
- An initial supply of logs is provided for the Sitting Room. Additional logs can be purchased on request, as required
Grounds and Gardens
Cobbles and grassed area with trees (approx ½ acre) available to all residents. Fully enclosed, walled with electric gates, with access to fields through gate in wall on east side. Access to tennis court and large trampoline.
Additional Information
- Information folder is produced in size 14 font
- No mobile phone reception in apartment
- The apartment is no smoking
- Maximum of 2 well behaved dogs welcome
Contact Information
Address: Craster Tower, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 3SS
Telephone: 01665 576 674
Email: stay@crastertower.co.uk
Website: www.crastertower.co.uk
Open: All hours.
We welcome your feedback to help us continuously improve. If you have any comments please phone 01665 576 674, or email us at info@crastertower.co.uk
01 September 2022