There are few places in the British Isles where you can see the night sky, unspoiled by any degree of light pollution. Press Mains is one of them. On a clear night the stars shimmer and shine above you stretching from horizon to horizon, their light undimmed by encroaching street lights. It is a breathtaking sight and one that is commented upon by many of our guests.

We are fortunate that the farm cottages are at the heart of a secluded valley with nothing but fields, rivers and trees all around. You will be hard pressed to see any lights at all, even in the distance, providing ideal conditions to see the stars from your doorstep or garden.

This month is one of the very best for star gazing with the Milky Way visible to the naked eye and the constellation of Orion at the furthest point and Cassiopeia overhead. Ursa Minor and Ursa Major are clearly visible in their entirety and the constellations of Pisces, Aquarius, Taurus and Gemini can be picked out against the dark sky. The planet Uranus can be clearly viewed overhead, as can the bright stars of Pollux, Betelgeuse, Capella and Vega. All you need is an astrological chart because everything can be easily seen with the naked eye. A good pair of binoculars will enhance the experience even more. Or there is a range of apps for phones and tablets like Star Walk 2 or SkyView which help you to identify the stars and planets you see.

Yet, although you will have an exceptional view of the night sky, unlike many of the better-known Dark Sky Discovery Sites the farm is not remote from civilisation. We are just a mile from the main A1 road and a few miles from Coldingham, Eyemouth and St Abbs. Berwick-upon-Tweed, with its mainline rail connection to London, Newcastle and Edinburgh, is a fifteen minute drive away. So you will never be short of things to do or places to shop and eat when you are not star gazing.