What a whirlwind the last five years have been. From managing one property with a few bookings per month, to looking after over 25 stunning holiday homes which have accommodated over 10,000 guests during our management. We can’t quite believe how far we’ve come!
Our journey first began with our own property Seal Cottage, the home which started it all. It’s the first property we bought together and began managing, before a friend asked us to look after their property too. From there, word spread to other owners who approached us to look after their homes across Northumberland.
Looking back now, we had so little confidence in what we were doing, we just kept working and working to provide the best service and the highest quality accommodation to our guests, and knew if that was right, then the business couldn’t go far wrong! It’s only over the past couple of years we would really say that we’ve started owning it and talking about what a top-level service we provide and it’s been amazing to see our reputation grow all across the UK and beyond.
There have been so many highlights, Hollin House, Roses Bower and Hexham House have all been massive additions to the Wooden Star Cottages family over the last few years, offering larger spaces and accommodation for gatherings, celebrations and beautiful weddings we’ve been so honoured to play a part in. There’s definitely never a dull moment and just this Christmas, Shellbraes Farmhouse was used as a filming location for the upcoming series of Vera.
We can’t look back without mentioning Covid either, that was a tremendous challenge both mentally and financially for us and the business, safety was our number one priority and we were so proud that we were able to adapt and offer accommodation for key workers including many NHS staff. What really picked us up after was the ability we then had to bring families back together, it makes us emotional even thinking about it now how many much-needed catch-ups and hugs took place across our properties.
Looking forward, there are so many exciting things on the horizon. Keep your eyes peeled as we have a few new properties coming to the website and we’re also continuing to update our digital processes to make booking and our management even more streamlined. (There’s no such thing as perfect to us, we always want more!)
On top of everything, we’re very excited for the business to grow, we’re incredibly passionate about empowering our employees and working with local businesses, so that if we grow, they do too.
Last but most certainly not least, we want to say a huge thank you to everyone. Thank you to our team that works tirelessly everyday to make our properties the best, thank you to our homeowners for having complete faith in us and thank you to you, our visitors who make it all worth it.
Although we haven’t had a second to celebrate, hopefully we’ll be having a well deserved drink very soon. To commemorate the anniversary Vicky has also named a star after us, so when you’re on your break looking up at the enchanting Northumberland Dark Skies, just know that our very own Wooden Star Cottage’s Star is up there twinkling too.
