7-Night Northumberland Walking with Sightseeing Holiday Tour Style: Walks with sightseeing Destinations: Northumberland & England Trip code: ALWOD-7 Trip Walking Grade: 1 HOLIDAY OVERVIEW Delve into the rich history of Northumberland with this perfect mix of guided walks and sightseeing visits. Each holiday visits a selection of museums, historic buildings and attractions, whose entrance is optional. For 2021 holidays, please allow up to £55 for admissions – less if you bring your English Heritage or National Trust cards. For 2022 holidays, all admissions to places of interest will be included in the price. That’s one less thing to remember! HOLIDAYS HIGHLIGHTS • Explore the wild landscapes and Roman history of Hadrian's Wall • Discover the Lindisfarne Gospels on Holy Island • Walk along the coast to Bamburgh Castle • Take a boat trip to the wildlife-rich Farne Islands • Visit the world-famous Alnwick Castle and the remarkable Cragside House www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 1 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 TRIP SUITABILITY This trip is graded Activity Level 1. Walks are up to 4½ miles (7.5km) with up to 800 feet of ascent, on good tracks. ITINERARY Day 1: Arrival Day You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary Afternoon Tea on arrival. Day 2: Alnwick Distance: 4 miles (6.5km) Ascent: 250 feet (80m) In Summary: A beautiful riverside walk treats us to one of the best views of historic Alnwick Castle as we approach Alnwick. The afternoon is free to discover some of this charming market town's sights - including "Harry Potter's" Alnwick Castle, the stunning castle gardens with their treehouse café, the tranquillity of Hulne Park, or explore the many independent shops (include the famous Barter Books) or relax in one of the many tea shops in the town. Day 3: Hadrian's Wall Distance: 4½miles (7km) Ascent: 450 feet (150m) Descent: 800 feet (250m) In Summary: We walk the absolute classic section of Hadrian's Wall, starting with the famous Robin Hood's tree at Sycamore Gap, before climbing Steel Rigg for glorious views stretching out to Scotland. From here we'll walk along Hotbank crags which takes us past milecastles and along one of the best preserved sections of the Wall, before boarding a bus to Vindolanda. We've plenty of time to explore Vindolanda, it's fort, museum and if we're lucky, we may be able to watch archaeologists in action. The first section of this route is quite strenuous, with some steep ups and downs. but all are well worth the effort as we walk in the footsteps of the Roman legions. Day 4: Free Day Discover more about Nether Grange and the local area for ideas on how to fill your free day. Day 5: Cragside & Rothbury Distance: 4½ miles (7.5km) Ascent: 800 feet (240m) In Summary: Following historical carriage tracks, we walk through beautiful woodland and across the edge of the moor, to the entrance of the impressive National Trust Cragside Estate. After lunch there's plenty of time to www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 2 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 visit the property and its gardens, where we can learn about the feats of engineering of Victorian inventor and industrialist Lord Armstrong. Day 6: Farne Islands & Bamburgh Distance: 3½ miles (5.5km) Ascent: minimal In Summary: We start with a morning sailing from Seahouses around the Farne Islands.* This is a fantastic trip for wildlife watching - from March/April until mid-August up to 37,000 puffins nest on these islands! Returning to the mainland, we've a superb beach walk, from Seahouses to Bamburgh. The entrance to Bamburgh shows the Castle in its full glory and offers its most photographed view. If there's the time, there's a plentiful supply of pubs and tea shops! *fair weather permitting Day 7: Holy Island & Dunstanburgh Distance: 4½ miles (7.5km) Ascent: minimal In Summary: The running order of today's itinerary will depend on the tide times, but includes a half-day on Holy Island (Lindisfarne), with time to visit the castle's famous walled garden, the historic Priory, and the Heritage Centre. The other half of our day is spent enjoying the iconic walk from Craster to the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, perched on its remote headland, a route recently voted the most impressive in the UK. Day 8: Departure Day Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home. ACCOMMODATION Nether Grange Sitting pretty in the centre of the quiet harbour village of Alnmouth, Nether Grange stands in an area rich in natural beauty and historic gravitas. There are moving views of the dramatic North Sea coastline from the house too. This one-time 18th century granary was first converted into a large family home for the High Sheriff of Northumberland in the 19th century and then reimagined as a characterful hikers’ hotel. Many of the 36 bedrooms look out across the sea, while a large lounge, conservatory and adjoining bar are there to entertain you. Easily accessible from the house are the coast path while inland lies the Northumberland National Park. North are the Farne Islands and their spectacular seabird colonies and close by is Lindisfarne and its romantic castle accessible at low-tide via an ancient pilgrim’s path. Nearby too is the medieval market town of Alnwick and its eponymous castle, as well as the atmospheric ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, perched on a grassy peninsula to the south of Embbelton Bay. Best of all though is Bamburgh Castle, built to resemble a magnificent medieval fortress but actually an impressive Victorian folly. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 3 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Matchless Country House Accommodation Accommodation Info Need To Know Important Covid-19 Steps We Have Taken For Guest Safety: Please Read Following the relaxation in government guidance on 19 July, we are continuing to take extra steps to keep our guests leaders, and staff safe in our HF country houses. We ask all our guests to respect the measures put in place. The English, Scottish and Welsh governments are not in sync, so measures in our country houses will vary between the nations. With the relaxation of social distancing in England, from 19 July we will be allowing larger groups to dine and relax in the bar together. However, we will still give guests space e.g. we will seat 6 people at a table where pre-pandemic we may have seated 8. We will ensure our public rooms are well ventilated by opening doors and windows wherever possible. If you have any concerns about distancing, please speak to the House Manager. The government recommendation for England is to wear face coverings in crowded areas. You must wear a face covering by law in public areas in hotels in Scotland. This is mandatory in public spaces; however, face coverings will not be required whilst eating and drinking in the restaurant and bar areas or whilst you are outside our houses. In Wales face coverings will remain a legal requirement indoors, with the exception of hospitality premises. As a temporary measure, we will not be servicing rooms during a stay. Extra tea, coffee, milk, and toiletries will be made available on request for all guests. It is recommended that guests bring their own toiletries for the duration of their stay. We will though be increasing the frequency of cleaning in our public areas providing particular attention to frequently touched items including door handles and handrails. Menus for the week will be available in your room on arrival. A self-service breakfast will be served from 7.45am – 9am. Picnic lunches will now be pre-ordered the night before from an order form in the room. Evening meals will be table service. A dinner order form will be available in each room for completion. Dinner is served at either 7.15pm or 7.30pm. Please check at the house for details. The bar will be open. We will be offering a table service but guests can also come to the bar to order (depending on local restrictions). Join our team after dinner on Wednesday evenings for the HF Big Pub Quiz. There will be one other evening of entertainment at the start of the week, which will vary depending on the country house that you are staying at. Our Walk Leaders will also be on hand in the bar or lounge for individual or small group walks talks briefings, which allow guests to talk through the following day’s walk options and ask any questions. All of our swimming pools are open, except for Glen Coe, which will not re-open this year. Swimming Pools will be operated in line with maximum capacities. For more information and to see all the steps taken, visit our page on how house stays will be adapted. Rooms Tea & coffee-making facilities, TV, Hairdryer, Toiletries, Wi-Fi Stay in one of the house’s smartly presented rooms up an impressive sweeping staircase. Full of warm tones or coastal colours and comfy touches they’re a great base for exploring the area. With 36 bedrooms, Nether Grange has plenty of space and there’s a range of Good and Better Rooms to choose from. All ‘Good’ rooms are ensuite and furnished to a high standard. There are also several ‘Better’ Rooms that are either larger or have a desirable view, a more luxurious mattress and larger television – upgrade your stay for just an extra £15-25 per person per night.