The Art of Holiday Home Management and the Best North East Escapes
Along the dramatic coastline and countryside of Northumberland, a name in regional tourism has been making waves. In just over a year, North East Escapes has grown from a start-up to one of the region's fastest-growing holiday home management companies
From beautiful coastal retreats to elegant countryside escapes, North East Escapes is helping homeowners unlock the potential of their properties while offering visitors beautifully curated places to stay across the region.
A Business Built on Local Knowledge
When Steve Mitchenson launched North East Escapes in June 2024, it was with a clear vision. After many years working at senior level in the holiday home industry, he had seen how the landscape was changing.
Independent regional agencies were increasingly being absorbed into large national operators. While this brought scale, it often came at the cost of local expertise and personal service. North East Escapes was created to do things differently.
‘We wanted to build something that combined the professionalism and technology of national agencies with genuine local knowledge,’ Steve explains. ‘The North East has such a distinctive character, its coastline, countryside, towns and communities, and managing holiday homes here requires understanding those places properly.’
Today the business operates from headquarters in Alnwick with a growing presence along the coast, and every member of the team lives and works in the region. That local insight plays an important role in everything the company does, from pricing strategy and marketing to guest recommendations and property care.
Rapid Growth Through Reputation
The journey from start-up to regional player has happened remarkably quickly, but growth has not affected or will never effect the quality of service, for North East Escapes it meant even more investment into the business to ensure holiday home owners in the North East receive the highest standard of holiday home management services.
North East Escapes began with just 13 properties under management. Within less than two years, that portfolio has expanded to more than 110 homes across Northumberland and the wider North East.
Much of that growth has come through word-of-mouth recommendations from holiday home owners who have experienced the difference first-hand. Many owners join the agency after working with larger operators and finding communication or performance lacking.
One property owner who moved four homes to North East Escapes explains:
‘They were incredibly helpful from the start, clearly explaining how they would improve both the service and the performance of my properties. Since taking over, communication has been excellent and guest reviews have been fantastic. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.’
Another owner, who lives abroad and relies entirely on the team to manage their property, describes the service as completely hands-off: ‘Having a capable and reliable management company is essential when you’re overseas, and Steve and his team deliver on every front. The communication is clear and professional, and they’ve done an excellent job maximising bookings.’
For Steve, that trust is the most important measure of success. ‘Holiday homes are often very personal investments,’ he says. ‘Owners want to know their property is being looked after properly, and that’s something we take extremely seriously.’
Showcasing the Best of the North East
Alongside supporting property owners, North East Escapes plays an important role in promoting tourism across the region. Visitors increasingly choose holiday homes over traditional accommodation because they offer flexibility, character and the chance to experience destinations more authentically.
From long beach walks along the Northumberland coast to exploring historic market towns and countryside trails, the region offers an extraordinary variety of experiences. something the company aims to showcase through its carefully selected portfolio. Every property is chosen not only for its quality but also for the experience it offers guests.
As the North East Escapes collection continues to grow, a number of exceptional homes have recently joined the portfolio. From Scandinavian-inspired countryside retreats to elegant Georgian beach houses, each property offers a distinctive way to experience the region.
The Nordic Barn: Scandinavian Calm in the Northumberland Countryside
Set within peaceful countryside near Morpeth, The Nordic Barn is a striking Scandinavian-inspired barn conversion designed with relaxation and sociable living in mind.
Sleeping up to eight guests across four beautifully styled bedrooms, the property blends clean Nordic design with luxurious comfort. At its heart is a spacious open-plan living area with a modern kitchen, central island and generous lounge space centred around a bio-fuel fireplace.
Outside, the experience becomes even more special. Guests can unwind in the private hot tub beneath the Northumberland skies, enjoy alfresco dining from the outdoor kitchen, or simply soak up the quiet countryside setting.
With its stylish interiors, thoughtful layout and peaceful rural location, The Nordic Barn is perfect for family gatherings or group escapes.
Auty Cottage: Coastal Charm in the Heart of Tynemouth
Just moments from the vibrant heart of Tynemouth, Auty Cottage offers a charming coastal retreat that combines historic character with modern comfort.
Sleeping up to six guests, the cottage features three welcoming bedrooms, including a ground-floor ensuite room and a master bedroom with vaulted ceilings and exposed beams.
Inside, the atmosphere is warm and relaxed, with a cosy living room, open-plan kitchen and dining space, and a bright sunroom with bi-fold doors opening onto a private garden.
The enclosed outdoor space includes a barbecue, outdoor hot shower, perfect after sea swims, and plenty of room to relax after days spent exploring nearby beaches, coastal walks and harbour views.
Percy Park House: A Georgian Beach House with Spectacular Sea Views
Overlooking the sweeping sands of Tynemouth Longsands, Percy Park House is a magnificent Georgian property offering one of the most enviable locations on the North East coast.
Sleeping up to 12 guests, the five-bedroom home combines elegant period architecture with stylish contemporary interiors.
Spanning four floors, the house features generous living spaces designed for sociable gatherings, a fully equipped kitchen perfect for long dinners together, and multiple ensuite bedrooms offering comfort and privacy.
With the beach quite literally on the doorstep and the restaurants and boutiques of Tynemouth just minutes away, Percy Park House offers a truly exceptional seaside escape.
The Byre: A Countryside Escape with a Hot Tub
Located in the charming village of Chatton, The Byre is a beautifully restored barn conversion that perfectly balances rural charm with modern comfort.
Sleeping six guests, the property features a spacious living room with an electric fire, a well-equipped kitchen and dining area, and three comfortable bedrooms including a private master suite upstairs.
Outside, an enclosed garden provides space to relax, complete with decking, outdoor seating and a private hot tub, the perfect place to unwind after a day exploring Northumberland’s dramatic coastline or nearby market towns.
With walking routes, fishing lakes and local pubs close by, The Byre makes a wonderful base for discovering the region.
A Growing Portfolio of Exceptional Stays
With more beautiful properties joining the portfolio ahead of the busy summer season, the North East Escapes collection continues to grow.
Whether it’s a coastal getaway, a countryside retreat or a stylish base for exploring the region’s towns and villages, the company’s properties are designed to help visitors experience the North East at its very best.
For Holiday Home Owners: A Limited-Time Opportunity
For holiday home owners considering letting their property, North East Escapes is currently offering a limited-time incentive.
Owners who join before the end of April will receive free property onboarding, professional photography and expert pricing and revenue optimisation setup from day one.
It’s an opportunity designed to help new properties launch successfully ahead of the peak summer season.
As Steve explains: ‘We’re always looking for exceptional homes to join the portfolio. Our goal is to help owners achieve the best possible performance while ensuring guests enjoy a truly memorable stay in the North East.'
