Northumberland for a long weekend...what to do/where to eat?

[tilliebob]

A fortnight from now we'll have crossed the border and our cash notes and will be back in Northumberland for a long weekend again . Last time we did Alnwick castle, Bamburgh castle, and also wandered along Scarborough beach. There's lots to do and I am wondering what to do first this time? I do want to go Whitby this time, but open to suggestions for the rest of the trip. Staying near Filey - where we found a FAB Indian restaurant last time - scoff!!

[Frangipane]

May I shamelessly hijack? I was about to start a new thread asking where is a nice place to stay in Northumberland. Hoping to go there for a week in the summer. I want to see some of the places you mentioned - Alnwick, Bamburgh - also Lindisfarne and possibly Hadrian's Wall and Berwick, and maybe even a day up in Edinburgh.

Any suggestions where (ie which village/town, not specifically looking for a cottage recommendation) I should be looking at to stay?

Apologies for hijack again tilliebob, and I hope you get some good suggestions (which I might copy too!) but it seemed silly to start a separate thread on such a similar subject.

[tilliebob]

Hijack away! We also went to the Holy Island but it can be mobbed at times and you have to watch the tide times for the causeway. We had a great days in Bamburgh and Alnwick with great places to eat nearby. This time I'd quite like to go to Ford & Etal if we get the time.

[BikeRunSki]

Scarborough and Filey are in N Yorkshire. East coast of England still, but a considerable distance south of Alnwick or anywhere else in Northumberland.

[wizzler]

We have had some lovely stays in Bamburgh. The Ford Etal railway is not far away and something we have always enjoyed. A Mill at one end ( with Tea Shop and at the other an exhibition on the battle of Flodden.

Last time we stayed in Bamburgh we went to a restaurant on the road to Holy Island which overlooked the coast. They had wild bird displays which the DC enjoyed. Sorry I can't recall the name, but it would be easy to find.

We ventured as far north as Berwick, and as far south as Alnwick ( Tree house in the gardens)

[tilliebob]

Yeah last time we stayed further north and Alnwick was a right stretch to travel to. Luckily the kids found it worth the car journey!

[Bunbaker]

Goodness, where to start. We go to Northumberland a lot. For the seaside Alnmouth is lovely. Seahouses is a bit kiss me quick these days, but is where boat trips to the Farne islands go from.
The little railway is the Hatherslaw railway.

Inland there is Cragside near Rothbury. It is an absolutely magnificent house with extensive grounds and gardens. There is a large play area near one of the lakes. (NT)

Wallington Hall is another stately home with a fantastic walled garden (NT)

Belsay castle has an old ruined castle and a stately home and wonderful gardens in what was the quarry.

Ford and Etal of course

Morpeth is a thriving country town and has had a lot of money spent on it recently to smarten it up.

Warkworth Castle is a ruined but fairly substantial castle. You can hire rowing boats on the river and row along to the hermitage which is open on Wednesdays (EH)

If it rains Woodhorn museum in Ashington is worth a visit. I first heard of it when Billy Connolly did a trip round Britain.

Alnwick of course, not just the castle and gardens. Hadrian's wall, Bamburgh - don't forget to visit the Grace Darling museum.

Craster - for the world's best kippers and then a walk along the coast to Dunstanburgh Castle.

Chillingham castle, reputedly England's most haunted castle.

Kielder and Ingram Valley have stunning countryside.

I absolutely adore Northumberland. If you stay away from the A1 you will still find relatively quiet roads.

Oh, and Scarborough, Whitby and Filey are in North Yorkshire.

[tilliebob]

Cheers - I love NT and EH sites as we have the equivalents for up here (NTS and HS) and we get in for free/half price to properties in England.

[aoife24]

You can do a lovely walk from Craster to Dunstanburgh castle, beautiful, windy but invigorating.