Haining House, situated on the Haining reserve near Elsdon in Northumberland, has achieved the coveted 2026 Customers’ Choice Award. The Haining reserve and the house were gifted to the Trust in the autumn of 2022.

The Customers’ Choice Award is given to owners whose holiday homes achieve a consistent score of 4.75 out of 5 or above for the overall rating through Feefo guest satisfaction feedback.

Around 40 hectares (100 acres) of trees have been planted on the site, established around two smaller but older plantations of Scots pine.

At this time of year, the woodland is alive with birds, rabbits, deer, and squirrels. A range of butterflies and dragonflies, including common hawker and small skipper, will soon be gearing up to make an appearance at the woodland edges and glades.

Over the summer months, the hay meadows burst with plants such as yellow rattle and common spotted orchids, making them well worth experiencing.

The small ponds are home to an impressive population of toads, and the Elsdon Burn is well used by otters. Barn owls and bats can often be seen flying and hunting over the grassland at dawn and dusk.

Mark Dowell, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Buildings & Facilities Coordinator, says:

“We are delighted to have received this award after all the hard work we have put into Haining House over the past eighteen months to ensure it looks its best. Thank you also to the conservation volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure the reserve looks its best for visitors.”

“This amazing piece of land is a wildlife hotspot well worth escaping to from time to time. It’s even better that dogs can stay in Haining House thanks to the fencing around the garden.”