Craster holiday cottage named among UK's best with regional gold award
A local holiday homeowner is celebrating after her coastal cottage was named one of the UK’s best holiday lets.
Puffin Cottage, a beautifully renovated retreat in the fishing village of Craster with sweeping sea views, has scooped gold in the Best in North East England category at the 2026 Sykes Gem Awards.
After years of searching for the perfect coastal property, Claire Price and her partner discovered Puffin Cottage and immediately knew it was the one.
The cottage needed extensive renovation, and the couple spent a year developing their plans and securing planning permission, determined to create a home they’d love to stay in themselves.
Drawing on their own experiences of staying in holiday lets, the couple filled the cottage with thoughtful touches designed to make guests feel at home, from heated coat racks and generous bedroom storage to underfloor heating.
Outside, a small garden overlooking the harbour offers guests a front-row seat to daily life in the working fishing village.
"We've put so much time, thought and investment into making Puffin Cottage somewhere we'd love to stay ourselves,” Claire said. “So to see that recognised with a gold award is incredibly rewarding.
"It really shows that paying attention to the little details makes all the difference.
"We love giving people a great holiday and we love receiving positive feedback. For us, the details really do matter. When we're renting ourselves, we notice the little extras that make a real difference, like storage in bedrooms and somewhere to hang coats. Small things add up to make a stay as enjoyable as it can be.
"Maintaining five-star reviews from our guests is very important to us, and it's wonderful to have that dedication recognised."
James Shaw, Chief Commercial Officer of Forge Holiday Group, added: "Every year, the Sykes Gem Awards shine a spotlight on some truly incredible holiday lets, and this year's winners show just how much imagination, care and personality goes into creating an unforgettable UK break.
"From properties with extraordinary histories to spectacular locations and stays packed with thoughtful touches, there's so much that makes this year's winners special.
"Puffin Cottage is a fantastic example and a thoroughly deserving winner of Best in North East England. A huge congratulations to Claire on taking home gold."