Guest Guide

Welcome to The Hemmel!

We hope you thoroughly enjoy staying in our home and that you have a relaxing holiday.  To start you off, we have put together the following information and hope you find it helpful.  If you have any suggestions, there should be a Suggestions Book located on the sideboard in the dining room and it would be great if you could add your thoughts as to how we can improve or anything that needs fixing. 

Peter & Akane Kilner

Contact

Your first point of contact during your stay should be the team at Hadrian's Management on 01665 661 160 or info@hadrians-management.co.uk.  More information can be found on the separate sheet included in the information folder in the dining room.

Address:

5 Christon Bank Mews
Christon Bank
Alnwick
NE66 3DJ

Google maps: The Hemmel

what3words: plankton.resides.retail

ordnance survey: NU 21103

WiFi:

network: BT-28CPT6
password: TgMbt4gRdveUbq

Emergency:

Emergency services: Dial 999

Fire: Leave the cottage as soon as possible by the nearest available exit route and call the fire service on 999 (ideally from outside the cottage). Fire extinguisher in the kitchen next to the radiator. Fire blanket attached to the cupboard to the left of the kitchen hobs. Please only use these if it is safe to do so; if in doubt leave the property.

First Aid: There is a first aid kit in the top drawer of the set of drawers next to the freezer on the kitchen island.  If anything in the first aid kit has run out or is about to run out please let either the Hadrian's Management team or us know, or put it in the Suggestions Book.

Information about local hospitals can be found later on this page.

Arrival and Keys

You will probably have already used the main key box which is on the outside wall to the right of the kitchen window.  You should have been given the key code; if you don’t have it please call the team at Hadrian's Management. 


Other keys that you may need should be in the following locations.  These are:

  • second kitchen door key - on the kitchen table or in the welcome pack basket

  • kitchen - yard door and yard gate keys - hanging from one of the hooks to the left of the door from the kitchen into the yard

Please lock all doors when you leave the house during and at the end of your stay.

If you misplace the kitchen door key when you are out and have no access to the cottage please call the Hadrian's Management team.  They can then let you know where the emergency key box is and give you the code.

Departure

At the end of your stay please return the kitchen door key to the key safe and leave the other keys as indicated in the Arrival and Keys section.

Please switch off the bathroom towel radiators at their control panels. Please don’t switch off the master switches (found on the walls outside the bathrooms and labelled ”Leave on”).

Please also put out your rubbish, recycling and glass (see House Basics-Rubbish and recycling collection below)

If you could make sure you vacate the cottage by 9.00am on your departure date that will help with the changeover for the next guests.

House Basics

  • The cottage uses electric radiators and most of these can be controlled via the keypad on the radiator.  

    To switch the wall radiators on or off press the on/off button.  To increase the temperature press the “+>” button (see photo below) and to reduce the temperature press the “<-“ button. 

    If you find yourself in one of the menus you can press the three horizontal lines button (bottom right) once or twice to get back to the default screen.  User guides can be found in the concertina folder in the sideboard in the living/dining room. 

    The towel rail heaters in the bathrooms are controlled using the small panels at the bottom of each radiator.  Please don’t switch off the master switches (found on the walls outside the bathrooms and labelled ”Leave on”).  At the end of your holiday please switch off the towel rail heaters at the control panel.

  • The electric water boiler is in the airing cupboard in the master bedroom’s en suite bathroom upstairs.  The water may be on when you arrive, but if not you can switch it on by pressing the on/off button (see photo on the left below). When on, the On light will be lit.  Please don’t switch off the master switch (labelled “Leave on”).

  • You are welcome to use the wood stove in the living/dining room.  Wood, kindling and fire lighter can be found to the right of the stove, as are heat-resistant gloves.  Fire tools are to the left.  Matches should be on the shelf to the right of the fireplace.  Obviously please take care as the stove, including the handle and large rotating knob, gets very hot.

    Please clean out the stove before laying another fire; wait until the ashes and embers are cold before emptying.  Take care when emptying the stove as the ash has a habit of getting everywhere!  There is a metal ash can to the right of the stove for ashes.

    Logs can be bought at various shops locally, including the Embleton Service Station and Sainsbury’s in Alnwick.  Charcoal for the barbecue can also be purchased.

  • The following appliances are available for you to use:

    • Fridge - nearest to the kitchen door.

    • Dishwasher - next to the fridge; controls on top of the pull-down door.

    • Freezer - in the kitchen island opposite the sink.

    • Washing machine - to the left of the sink.  Best used with capsules as the liquid drawers are difficult to access due to the overlap of the working surface.

    • Oven - the large knob on the left controls the function and the one on the right controls the temperature.

    • Hob - induction; all pans and casseroles provided are induction-ready.

    • Warming drawer - control inside on the right.

    • Filter coffee machine - you will need to use a filter as well as ground coffee.

    • Nespresso machine - please empty the tank when you leave.

    • Toaster - to the right of the hob.

    • Kitchen bins - one free-standing bin and another recessed into the working surface in front of the toaster (please remember to empty this one in particular!).

    • Hairdryers - there should be one in each bedroom.

    • Kitchen TV - controller should be on the table or next to the base of the TV.  (Spare batteries can be found in the cupboard under the stairs.)

    • Lounge TV (plus Apple 4K box) - controllers should be on the coffee table in the lounge or by the TV; to access the Apple 4K box press Input on the TV controller then scroll down and select HDMI 1.  You will need an Apple ID to use the Apple 4K box.  (Spare batteries can be found in the cupboard under the stairs.  The Apple 4K controller is rechargeable via a USB-C connector.)

    • Dyson cleaner - in the cupboard under the stairs; attachments are in a bag at the back of the cupboard.

    • Ironing board and iron - in the cupboard under the stairs.  The ironing board hangs from the coat hook inside the cupboard door and the iron can be found on the shelf.

    • Kitchen radio - on the kitchen dresser shelf; functions include Internet Radio, DAB Radio and Bluetooth (connect your own device).

    • Clothes line - if not already up in the yard this should be just inside the yard door with clothes pole and pegs.  It usually hangs between the metal basket on the living/dining room wall and the metal basket on the right-hand wall.

    • Drying rack - in cupboard under the stairs.

    • Wood stove (see above)

    For additional information, instruction manuals can be found in the concertina folder in the dining room sideboard.

  • Household rubbish should go in the Green wheelie bin.  Recycling waste goes in the Blue wheelie bin.  Glass goes in the Black wheelie bin with red lid.

    Things that can be recycled:

    • Paper, card and cardboard

    • Tins, cans and aerosols

    • Plastic bottles (including plastic milk bottles) and their lids

    • Junk mail, newspapers and catalogues

    Things that cannot go in the Blue bin:

    • Any plastics that are not bottles

    • Glass (glass should go in the black wheelie bin with red lid)

    • Tetra Paks (eg paper-based juice or milk cartons

    • Nappies, food and animal waste, bags

    More information can be found at https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Waste/Recycling.aspx.

    Household rubbish and recycling waste are collected every fortnight on alternate Thursdays.  Collections are usually early in the morning so try to get your rubbish / recycling out by Wednesday nights if possible (and, of course, when you leave).

Accidents and Emergencies | Health and Safety

  • If there is a fire please leave the cottage as soon as possible by the nearest available exit route and call the fire service on 999 (ideally from outside the cottage).  Please keep the landings and stairs clear at all times as they are the exit route from the upstairs bedrooms.  Also remember that keeping doors closed, especially at night, can help reduce the spread of fire and smoke. Please also keep an eye on anything you’re cooking.

    There is a fire extinguisher in the kitchen next to the radiator and a fire blanket attached to the cupboard to the left of the kitchen hobs.  Please only use these if it is safe to do so; if in doubt leave the property.

  • No smoking, vaping or e-cigarettes are allowed in the property, and please no candles or other naked flames (other than the wood stove: see below).  If you do wish to smoke please do so outside and dispose of the cigarette butt safely.

  • Use the wood stove with care, and don’t leave the matches where children might be able to reach them.  Please don’t leave the wood stove door open except when lighting or stoking the fire.  For extra protection for children there is a fire guard that you can use.  All ashes from the fire should be placed in the metal ash bucket, but in any event please wait until the ashes are cool before emptying them from the stove.

  • If using the barbecue please move it away from the cottage wall before lighting it.

  • There are smoke or heat alarms in the kitchen, living/dining room and upstairs landing and a carbon monoxide alarm in the living/dining room.

  • There is a first aid kit in the top drawer of the set of drawers next to the freezer on the kitchen island.  If anything in the first aid kit has run out or is about to run out please let either the Hadrian's Management team or us know, or put it in the Suggestions Book.

  • There is a minor injuries unit at Alnwick Infirmary, approximately 9 miles away.  The unit’s phone number is 0344 811 8111 and it is open from 7.45am to 8.30pm, seven days a week.  See https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/our-locations/alnwick-infirmary/minor-injuries-unit#47449bbe or search for Alnwick Infirmary Minor Injuries Unit.   The address of Alnwick Infirmary is Infirmary Drive, Alnwick, NE66 2NS.  Driving from the north on the A1, take the second exit for Alnwick. At the first roundabout turn right, then turn left at second roundabout. Continue for about 400 metres and the hospital is on the right.

    For slightly more serious cases such as minor head, ear or eye problems, minor fractures, cuts, bites or wound infections, Wansbeck General Hospital, approximately 32 miles away, has an urgent treatment centre - see https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/our-locations/wansbeck-general-hospital/urgent-treatment-centre#47449bbe or search for Wansbeck General Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre.  The centre’s phone number is 01670 529 565 and the centre is open from 8.00am to 10.00pm.  Wansbeck General Hospital’s address is Woodhorn Lane, Ashington, Northumberland NE63 9JJ.  The urgent treatment centre is on the ground floor to the right of the main entrance.  Directions to the hospital can be found at https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/our-locations/wansbeck-general-hospital#47449bbe.

    For serious cases the nearest Accident & Emergency is at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, approximately 38 miles away.  This specialist emergency care hospital is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week - see https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/our-locations/northumbria-specialist-emergency-care-hospital#47449bbe or search for Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital.  Directions to the hospital can be found at https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/our-locations/northumbria-specialist-emergency-care-hospital#47449bbe.

    Dentists

    There are a number of dental practices in Alnwick, for example:

    We haven’t used either of these but reviews on the internet seem positive.

    Chemists

    The nearest chemist is a Boots in Alnwick, approximately 9 miles away.  The address is 50-52 Bondgate, Alnwick NE66 1JD and it is open on weekdays and Saturdays from 9.00am to 5.30pm and on Sundays from 11.00am to 4.00pm.  The phone number is 01665 302 143.

    Vets

    If your dog needs a vet then there are a few veterinary practices in Alnwick.  One is Morris and Plumley (https://morrisandplumley.co.uk/).  Appointments can are booked online and opening hours are 8.45am to 5.45pm Mondays to Fridays and 8.45am to 12.30pm on Saturdays.  Googling Alnwick vets will show you other local vets.

  • For child safety reasons each of the upstairs windows is fitted with a restrictor which limits how far the window can be opened.  If you need to open the windows further than these allow press in the end of the restrictor attached to the frame and turn anticlockwise.  Please remember to secure them (press in and turn clockwise, i.e. the reverse of the opening mechanism) before you leave and before children may have access to the upstairs.

  • The main east coast line passes a couple of hundred yards from the cottage along the lane to the right as you look out of the kitchen window.  Please make sure that children and pets do not go near the line except under adult supervision.  There is a pedestrian crossing of the line at the end of the lane.

  • Each bedroom has two torches, one by each bed, and there is a torch in the left hand kitchen dresser drawer.  Please do not move any of these.  There are also two NIteSafe Duo nightlights, one plugged in on the landing and the other by the downstairs bathroom door.  These should come on automatically if the power supply to them switches off (so please do not pull their plugs out or switch them off at the mains).  Do not remove either of these from its mounting except in an emergency, when they can be used as torches.  Instructions can be found in the concertina file in the sideboard in the dining room.

Shops, Petrol, Places to eat, Places to visit, and other information

  • Embleton:

    The closest shop is The Village Farm Shop (6 Front Street, Embleton), 2.5 miles by road. This fantastic little shop has most of the essentials, as well as a well-stocked deli and fresh bread. It is also a post office. It is open between 8.00am and 5.00pm Mondays to Saturdays and 8.00am to 3.00pm on Sundays.

    Embleton also has Embleton Service Station with a small shop attached which stocks many basics. This is in the middle of the village on the west side of the B1339 just north of the Dunstanburgh Castle Hotel. It is the only local petrol station. You can buy logs here.

    Alnwick:

    For a serious food shop you’ll want to visit Alnwick. Here you can find all the usual supermarkets such as:

    • Aldi (https://stores.aldi.co.uk/north-east/alnwick/south-road)

    • Lidl (https://www.lidl.co.uk/s/en-GB/store-finder/alnwick/south-road/)

    • Marks & Spencer Food Hall (https://www.marksandspencer.com/stores/alnwick-foodhall-1004)

    • Morrisons (https://my.morrisons.com/storefinder/201/alnwick)

    • Sainsbury’s (https://stores.sainsburys.co.uk/2177/alnwick)

    as well as some excellent local shops such as:

    • Turnbull’s Northumbrian Food Hall (https://www.turnbullsfood.co.uk/) (next to Marks & Spencer).

    The easiest to get to are probably Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer and Turnbull’s Northumbrian Food Hall, as these are accessible from the first roundabout off the A1 just after the second exit to Alnwick as you drive south from the cottage.

    For non-food shopping, again Alnwick is probably where you want to be locally. There is parking along Bondgate Within (search on Google Maps) for which you will need to buy a parking disc (£1) which you can then use for the whole of your stay. Parking discs are available from a number of outlets in Alnwick including the Tourist Information Centre (see https://alnwick-tc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/ATC-Parking-disc-availability-April-2022.pdf).

    For chemists, please see above under Accidents and Emergencies; Health and Safety.

  • For petrol, Embleton Service Station (see above) is quite convenient; otherwise Alnwick has:

    • BP (https://map.bp.com/de-AT/GB/tankstelle/northumberland/rontec-alnwick/1103360899)

    • Esso (https://gr.fuelo.net/gasstation/id/81797?lang=en)

    For fast EV charging you need to go to Alnwick, where there are a number of charging stations, including Be.EV (https://maps.app.goo.gl/KV92x7HagJLtYvJs8?g_st=ic) and IONITY (https://maps.app.goo.gl/YDCK6Fm65ckBSnpK8?g_st=ic).

  • There are a number of taxi firms based in Alnwick. Our favourite is Alnwick Wizard Taxis (01665 663 709), a small firm which you usually need to book well in advance. You can find others via a Google search.

  • Books

    You will probably already have spotted the books on the landing shelves. Please feel free to browse these during your stay.

    Games

    There are a few games in the left hand sideboard cupboard in the living/dining room for cosy evenings or wet days.

    Batteries and lightbulbs

    Spares can be found in the cupboard under the stairs; batteries in a box on the shelf and light bulbs in a container on the floor or on the shelf.

    Fuse box

    The fuse box is at the top of the kitchen wall to the right of the bathroom door.

    Shoes

    We try to leave shoes off in the cottage and there is a shoe rack by the kitchen / yard door.

    Please no outdoor shoes upstairs or in bedrooms.