Our Coast, Our Sea - New cow shed turned bunkhouse reaps praise

25 May 2010

A former cow shed turned seaside bunkhouse has been hailed a hit by tourism and environmental chiefs.

The Lookout Bunkhouses created by the Gregory family at Springhill Farm near Seahouses officially opened its doors and will now provide the largest number of budget beds to visitors on the Northumberland coast.

And the farm will also offer travellers a ‘glamping’, upmarket camping experience with its new coastal wigwams, inspired by the upturned boats-cum-sheds on nearby Holy Island.

Describing the project as a ‘jewel’, Northumberland Tourism marketing manager Jude Leitch said:

“The project is just superb and a real asset for the county. We have got a jewel to show people coming to Northumberland.”

She added: “Northumberland Tourism is urging people to up their game to encourage different types and groups of people to come to Northumberland which Springhill has done here with such flair.

“The fact it looks fantastic is a tribute to the Gregory family and their team of staff’s hard work, while its advance bookings from across the country show there is demand for accommodation like this, which provides low cost, serviced rooms as well as extra facilities such as drying rooms and cycle storage.”

Iain Robson, recreation and access officer for the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership has championed the Springhill project from an embryonic stage five years ago. He said:

“The Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership is happy to support the development of the new bunkhouse and wigwams at Springhill Farm. The value of walking, cycling, diving and bird watching to the local economy is huge and the bunkhouse will cater for these visitors, especially for larger groups and single-night stays.

“As well as delivering economic benefit, tourism must also deliver social and environmental benefits if it is to be sustainable. This type of accommodation provides for the type of visitor who will have a low impact on the natural beauty and resources of the Northumberland Coast while providing a welcome boost to the local economy.”

The bunkhouse, which has outstanding views to the sea and Cheviot Hills will provide much-needed budget accommodation for visitors travelling to the area, particularly those looking for single night stays and for groups.

Sleeping up to 57 in total, the bunkhouse will be the largest single provider of serviced budget accommodation in a 50-mile radius.

A funding grant of £120,000 funding from ONE North East’s Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) kick started the project which transformed a redundant cow shed into a bunkhouse with features including cooking facilities and room servicing.

Business Link rural advisor Chris France said:

“This excellent development has set the standard for farm diversifications to follow. It’s exactly what the area needs, I could stay here myself quite easily!”

Julie Gregory, who runs Springhill Farm Accommodation with her daughter Sarah Gregory on the 400 acre organic farm owned and managed by her husband Colin with the couple’s son, Simon, is delighted the project is completed.

“It’s unbelievable to see the Bunkhouse and wigwams open for business and ready to welcome guests. It’s a dream come true,” she said.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to transform a gem of an idea for a bunkhouse barn which the AONB first mooted to us five years ago.”

Sarah Gregory said: “The Bunkhouse and wigwams are already booking up – we’re already booked up for Christmas and New Year. We’ve taken bookings from all sorts of different groups from school parties to diving, walking and cycling parties.

“We’re keen to work in partnership and complement other tourism businesses in the area and accommodation providers. The bunkhouse will fill a gap in the market we felt existed for serviced budget beds, single night and larger group accommodation in north Northumberland.”

She said: “We want to offer guests a quality budget accommodation experience that’s a step up from traditional backpacker and hostel type provision and which has more home comforts than camping without being a hotel or bed and breakfast.”

For more information about the Lookout Bunkhouse at Springhill and coastal wigwams visit www.springhill-farm.co.uk