Visiting Northumberland

[SurreyClaret99]

Being the cosmopolitan jet-setter I am, I'm off for a break in Northumberland in the next couple of weeks.

Knowing this board is a mine of information, does anyone have any recommendations of places we must see, good walks, places to eat (don't eat meat but love fish), places to relax etc please?

We are going to be based near Rothbury if this influences anything.

Thanks fellow Clarets

[Cubanforever]

Fantastic part of the world with fantastic beaches and coastline, Bamburgh is magnificent though its a bit up the coast from you, Cragside is on your doorstep and we'll worth a visit

[Boss Hogg]

Bamburgh, Lindisfarne,Alnwick. Loads of nice places including where you are stopping. Alnwick has a nice castle and grounds.

[Fazz]

Fish and chips on the quayside at Seahouses...magic

[Bosscat]

Cragside a must not just the gardens (magnificent) but the house and history...
Alnwick Castle and Gardens (Barter Bookshop a good visit too)
Bamburgh Castle...
Lindisfarne
The list is endless

Enjoy ... we do

[dougcollins]

Yep, Cragside is amazing.

[Funkydrummer]

A really cracking day out, 40 miles away is Beamish Outdoor Living
Museum of The North. Choose a decent day and go - I guarantee that
you won't be disappointed.

https://www.beamish.org.uk/

Fabulous venue, fascinating, informative and nostalgic for different decades.

[IanMcL]

National Trust Lighthouse

[Claretmisterg]

Craster Kippers are great.

[Colburn_Claret]

All of the above
Cragside and Alnwick Castle and Gardens are great days out that will fill a day.
For walks the beaches in Northumberland, especially Druridge Bay are big enough to get lost in.

[Fazz]

If you like history Chesters roman fort nr Hexham is good
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/vis ... ians-wall/

[dandeclaret]

Fish and chips on the quayside at Seahouses...magic

And a trip across to the Farnes to see the abundant wildlife, including Puffins. Busy time of year for them - so loads to see.

[jdrobbo]

CRESSWELL BEACH!!!

Our favourite: we’ve even been there on Christmas Day morning

[longsidepies]

Warkworth is a lovely little village and the beach is magnificent. Amble (just down the road) is a lovely, friendly fishing port as I'm sure ambleclaret will testify to.
Boulmer beach is not the prettiest but for beach combing and dog walking it's superb.

We love Northumberland. I'd move there in a heartbeat.

[Colburn_Claret]

And a trip across to the Farnes to see the abundant wildlife, including Puffins. Busy time of year for them - so loads to see.

I think it's closed this season due to bird flu, it was last year. They might do trips around the island, but you might not be able to land. Best to check with Glad Tidings, they do most of the trips.

[ClaretLoup]

Also close to Rothbury are Wallington (NT) and Belsay Hall plus Bolam Lakes country park is also in the vicinity. Morpeth is the county market Town and has a museum dedicated to the Northumbrian bagpipes and you can stroll or boat along the Wansbeck.

[NL Claret]

Love the area. Great for beaches and coastal paths, great for our Lab.

Holy Island - check the tide times
Bamburgh Castle - stunning beach
Seahouses - traditional seaside village, if you like a curry go to the spice house
Beadnell - love the beach and the bay
Low Newton
Craster
Alnwick - the durty bottles for food and a decent pint
Alnmouth

[dougcollins]

I think it's closed this season due to bird flu, it was last year. They might do trips around the island, but you might not be able to land. Best to check with Glad Tidings, they do most of the trips.

I was there in February, but that was a 'seal only' trip. The first thing you notice is the absence of guano odour!

[AmbleClaret]

Warkworth is a lovely little village and the beach is magnificent. Amble (just down the road) is a lovely, friendly fishing port as I'm sure ambleclaret will testify to.
Boulmer beach is not the prettiest but for beach combing and dog walking it's superb.

We love Northumberland. I'd move there in a heartbeat.

I'd rather not publicise just how beautiful our part of the world is, it could end up like Tenerife.

[AmbleClaret]

We love Northumberland. I'd move there in a heartbeat.

I did,3 years ago,never one regret.

[jdrobbo]

It’s a hidden gem

[ALHAMBRA 1925]

Love it up there, we stay at Beadnell when we go.
If you go to Amble you must go down to the harbour and have a belting meal at the Fish shack.

[aclaretinstevenage]

Handy stumbling across this thread, somewhere I've not been. My Daughter got back tonight from a week in Rothbury and is raving about the area.......so I've just booked a cottage for a week!!

[ICL]

Agree with all the above. Love the area, which we visit every year for bird watching. Recommend Low Newton-by-the-sea and The Ship Inn.

[ClaretTony]

A really cracking day out, 40 miles away is Beamish Outdoor Living
Museum of The North. Choose a decent day and go - I guarantee that
you won't be disappointed.

https://www.beamish.org.uk/

Fabulous venue, fascinating, informative and nostalgic for different decades.

Fantastic part of the world to visit.

But if you want somewhere different a trip into Co Durham to Beamish, I’d very much agree with Funkdrummer, a really good day out.

[ALHAMBRA 1925]

Absolutely love the beach at low Newton, miles of peaceful dog walking, we always have a picnic there.

[Silkyskills1]

CRESSWELL BEACH!!!

Our favourite: we’ve even been there on Christmas Day morning

My favourite too. My wife is a Geordie and her sister used to live at Cresswell. Also visit Beadnel and have a drink and fantastic meal in the Craster Arms. Wonderful, unspoilt part of the country.

[Guitargeorge]

If you like fish, the Fishing Boat Inn at Boulmer is a great place. If you like walking put Ingram into your satnav, about 35 minutes up the 697 from Rothbury. Good walking and a good little cafe there. Amble fish and chips are as good as Seahouses. Birthplace of John Angus too. No doubt Ambleclaret knows where he is buried. Would love to find out.

[Volvoclaret]

Howick Hall is worth a visit this time of year. The woodland gardens are unbelievable for displays of Rhododendron and Azaleas. The colour and scent is tremendous.
.

[burnley007]

You will be amazed at the beautiful beaches, with nobody there.

Druridge Bay is gorgeous. 7 miles of sand, by a nature reserve.

[SurreyClaret99]

Thanks everyone so far for your recommendations.
Going to trawl through them over the weekend and plan a few places.
Many of you have talked about moving there - to be honest this is a holiday come recce too!

[Ashingtonclaret46]

If you like fish, the Fishing Boat Inn at Boulmer is a great place. If you like walking put Ingram into your satnav, about 35 minutes up the 697 from Rothbury. Good walking and a good little cafe there. Amble fish and chips are as good as Seahouses. Birthplace of John Angus too. No doubt Ambleclaret knows where he is buried. Would love to find out.

John's funeral service was held at Sacred Heart and St Cuthbert Church in Amble on 23 June 2021 and this was followed by a private cremation. He was a lovely guy and a true Northumbrian who I spent many hours with.

[AmbleClaret]

John's funeral service was held at Sacred Heart and St Cuthbert Church in Amble on 23 June 2021 and this was followed by a private cremation. He was a lovely guy and a true Northumbrian who I spent many hours with.

I can only add that when my Burnley allegiance is brought into conversations locally, everyone mentions him. Obviously a very popular local bloke who kept in touch with his roots.

[Guitargeorge]

I can only add that when my Burnley allegiance is brought into conversations locally, everyone mentions him. Obviously a very popular local bloke who kept in touch with his roots.

He had just passed away when we were up there in 2021 and there was an extensive piece in the local paper about him and his association with Burnley.

[Andreshotboots]

If you like golf, Goswick is a must play whilst in the area..fantastic links course..

[clive40golf]

I’m reading this with interest, really informative. Taking the family to Alnwick for a week in August, I’ve noted down the places that you’ve all mentioned.
Can anyone recommend some places to take two young (14 & 10) adventurous lads, Oh and the wife will be tagging along!

[what_no_pies]

Living in Newcastle we visit the area often.

Some great suggestions already.

Take in my favourite bit of coastline by visiting Rumbling Kern beach. An old smugglers cove and really unique setting. From nearest parking area (free roadside parking) it's about a 15 minute walk along cliff tops with great views before you find yourself isolated in an untouched and spectacularly varied cove.

Budle Bay is my next favourite. Whilst the tide is out it's vast but still varied, unlike some of the championed beaches in the area.

Word to the wise, the above beaches don't offer any facilities. They're a walk in the wild, remain largely undiscovered and quiet compared with some others.

Beadnell Bay is nice but geared for water sports and gets busy. If you want water sports there's few better places though.

Seahouses Fish and Chips are good and I don't visit without indulging but there's better food stops around.

Fish Shack Amble is glorious, as is the Jolly Fisherman in Craster where you can site outside and drink in incredible views. If you're near Tynemouth (maybe a stop en route?) then Riley's Fish Shack is comfortably one of the best food experiences in the country. Tynemouth is beautiful too so you wouldn't regret that stop.

Belsay Hall has an art installation by Ingrid Pollard currently. I've not been yet but plan to. On until mid July.

There's also a nice short circular walk to Saint Cuthberts Cave which is worth a visit.

Sycamore Gap walk along Hadrian's Wall from Housesteads Roman Fort was a favourite but I can't bring myself to go back yet as a result of recent events. I hope it'll be therapeutic when I do visit but that remains to be seen.

Enjoy your trip.

[what_no_pies]

....check out solar activity for the time of your visit. We're blessed with the darkest skies in the country. Kielder Observatory put on amazing star gazing evenings. Their events are wonderous and they even put on a great show when there's a cloud cover. If that's something you have any interest in then it's a must do and worth the drive to get there. If doing that Kielder Water and Forest are a great place to spend the afternoon and early evening too. Booking for the observatory is essential.

[mdd2]

Drift Cafe for lunch and then stroll on the beach
NE615LA in Cresswell

[mdd2]

After you have enjoyed your stay up there
Remember to tell all how disappointed you were
That way we can keep it a great place to visit with not many interlopers there
Corbridge and Hexham nice places to visit too

[Jel]

Another vote for Beamish, we went 2 days in a row due to there being so much to do.
Another day we walked from Roker beach at Sunderland and went North for about 6 miles. Stunning coastline.

[LincsWoldsClaret]

We’re going to Budle Bay in 3 weeks - so thanks for the great tips here.

[ClaretTony]

Another vote for Beamish, we went 2 days in a row due to there being so much to do.
Another day we walked from Roker beach at Sunderland and went North for about 6 miles. Stunning coastline.

Is the pub still open on the beach there that you reach via a lift from the road?

[Ptgclaret]

We did 2 days at Cragside - wonderful place. Alnick castle is good, but I would recommend seeing Bamburgh castle first.

Whitby is worth a visit, there's a very good but expensive chippy, and your allowed to go to the top of the lighthouse - kids loved that and it's something different.

Northumberland zoo is small but good.

Beached are fantastic - even if the weather is bad they're still good for walking.

Loads to do in the area, we deffinately having another week there in the future to tick some more off.

[mdd2]

Do you mean Whitby? That is N Yorkshire. Are you confusing it with Whitley bay?

[clive40golf]

Well, that’s my week booked up! Some great suggestions. Are most of these Dog friendly?

[mdd2]

Chillingham herd wont be but again wonderful to see this ancient wild herd of cattle provided bulls dont scare you

Opening Times
THE PARK AND THE VISITOR PAVILION ARE OPEN UNTIL 3rd NOVEMBER
WILD CATTLE TOUR TIMES

7 DAYS A WEEK – TOURS AT 10.00am, 11.30am, 1.45pm and 3.15pm

THE CATTLE PARK IS OPEN FOR TOURS ON BANK HOLIDAYS.

THE VISITOR PAVILION WILL BE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 9.30am – 3.30pm

IT IS ADVISED THAT ALL TOURS SHOULD BE PRE-BOOKED VIA THE “BOOK NOW” PAGE ON THIS PAGE. TOURS ARE CURRENTLY RESTRICTED TO 20 PEOPLE ONLY, SO PRE-BOOKING WILL AVOID ANY POSSIBLE DISAPPOINTMENT.

TRANSPORT TO THE START OF THE TOUR IS PROVIDED IN THE FORM OF A LAND ROVER AND TRAILER. ALTERNATIVELY, YOU CAN DRIVE YOUR OWN VEHICLE ALONG A HARD TRACK TO THE START POINT OF THE TOUR. THERE WILL THEN BE A SHORT WALK TO THE CATTLE PARK.

WILD CATTLE CAR PARKING
There is only one parking area for your Wild Cattle Tour which is on the track just past St Peter’s Church. The Warden, or one of her helpers, will be on hand to meet you at the newly constructed Visitor Pavilion, where quirky souvenirs are for sale. From there you will be escorted to the Cattle Park, through the woods, where you might see Red Squirrels, Roe and Fallow Deer or Green Woodpeckers.

Access into the Park will be from one of several possible points, depending on where the cattle are grazing. It is likely that you will not have to walk far, but some days there will be a bit of a stroll in order to get close to the cattle. How close will depend on the mood of the cattle and will be at the Warden’s discretion.

The Park and Visitor Pavilion normally open before Easter and remain open 7 days a week through to the end of the October half term week.

It is usually possible to visit the Wild Cattle out of season. We can also accommodate special interest groups who would like to access the cattle after the Park has closed for the day or out of season. This can only be done by prior arrangement and at the discretion of the Warden. Phone Ellie at 01668 215250 to check availability and visitors fees.

We can also accommodate visitors with mobility issues by prior arrangement only and at the discretion of the Warden. Please allow a minimum of at least 24 hours notice. Please phone Ellie at 01668 215250.

No dogs are permitted in the Park.

[Neil]

Is the pub still open on the beach there that you reach via a lift from the road?

Assume you mean Marsden Grotto which is in between Sunderland and South Shields.

Still going strong though more of a restaurant than a pub.

[mdd2]

Most folk unaware that we are home to the only Wild cattle in the World. I think the herd dates back over 700 years and during the Foot and Mouth epidemics some were rounded up and moved away from the infected areas. Fascinating how interbreeding is avoided naturally so the bull father doesnt mate with his daughter.
Many years now since I visited; my late wife had a bit of a panic when a bull started to charge us.
I was fine (I was behind her lol)

[ClaretTony]

Assume you mean Marsden Grotto which is in between Sunderland and South Shields.

Still going strong though more of a restaurant than a pub.

I'd no idea what it was called Neil but I remember going in many years ago when visiting my mate in Sunderland. I think we had something to eat there but it was more a pub at the time. I reckon it must be around 25 years ago then.

And I've just googled Marsden Grotto - that's the one.