Northumberland 16-Page Guide
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Why visit NORTHUMBERLAND 16-PAGE GUIDE INSIDE THIS EDITION 28 ANCIENT WORLDS The past casts a powerful shadow over England's most turbulent county 31 TAKING A HIKE Northumberland boasts some of the best walking country in England 32 NORTHERN STRONGHOLDS Few places sum up England's past so evocatively as its castles 37 DOGGY DAYS OUT Northumberland has a rich heritage you can enjoy with your dog 38 NATURE'S BEST THERAPY The county's golden beaches make walking by the sea an absolute joy Out & About 27 Why visit Northumberland Ancient worlds The past casts a powerful shadow over England’s most turbulent county ew counties have had such a tumultuous past as Northumberland and it boasts an extremely rich heritage. Structures indicate the region was inhabited Fduring the Stone Age and artefacts from the Bronze and Iron Ages have also been found. The Romans left a more obvious mark in Hadrian’s Wall but it was Anglian invaders that led to the creation of Northumbria. The kingdoms of Bernica and Deira became one under Ӕthelfrith and, when Athelstan was crowned king, Northumbria became part of England. The Normans also made their presence felt, as they rebuilt many of the monasteries, founded abbeys and added castles (mainly defensive structures against the Scots) and it’s these that make the county so interesting. When the countries united under James VI, many of the castles became less important and their decline was inevitable. It’s these ruins that bring the countryside alive. The county also played its part in the Industrial Revolution producing the coal that helped power the growth of the British Empire around the world. 28 DogFriendly ALNWICK ALNMOUTH The centre of Northumberland under the A charming village on the coast, Alnmouth Normans, Alnwick remains its beating heart. was an important grain port until a It’s surrounded by picturesque countryside, hurricane altered the course of river is within easy reach of the coast and boasts in 1806 and stranded the harbour. Its many architectural delights. It was even gaily painted houses ensure it remains a voted the best place to live in the UK. Its popular destination and you’ll find several attractive cobbled streets are lined with dog-friendly pubs, cafés and restaurants independent shops. Highlights include the particularly along Northumberland Street dog-friendly Barter Books and its café. try The Schooner and The Sun Inn or, if www.visitalnwick.org.uk you’re a real foodie, Hooked – dogs are WALK Dogs are prohibited from the castle welcome in a separate dining area. and Hulne Park but can use the pastures WALK Enjoy the golden sands of the beach. STAY Pegasus Cottage, West End, Craster, STAY Waterside View Cottage, Nr Alnmouth Alnwick NE66 3TS Northumberland NE66 3QL www.gracedarlingholidays.com www.ownersdirect.co.uk EAT Blink Bonny, Christon Bank, Alnwick EAT The Village Tearooms, 58 Northumberland NE66 3ES Northumberland Street, Alnmouth NE66 2RS AMBLE CRASTER Originally a small fishing port, Amble thrived The undoubted home of the kipper, during the 19th century when it shipped Craster may lack amenities but the rugged coal from its newly constructed harbour. coastline is popular with walkers. And, if Now it's more important as the southern you fancy tasting the local delicacy, you can gateway of the Northumberland Coast purchase kippers from the smokehouse, AONB. Launched this spring, Amble Harbour L Robson & Sons. If you fancy a snack, The Village boasts a seafood centre and 15 retail Pipers Pitch serves a kipper in a bun. The pods. The coastline is rich in wildlife so you Mick Oxley Gallery is also worth a visit. don't miss one of Dave Gray’s dog-friendly www.visitcraster.org.uk Puffin Cruises. And don’t leave without WALK Although the most obvious trying a Spurelli ice-cream. destination is Dunstanburgh Castle, others WALK Head north along the river to include Cullernose Point via Howick and the Warkworth or south past the harbour until secret cove of Rumbling Kern you reach Hauxley STAY Artist’s Cottage, Craster STAY Walkmill Campsite, Guyzance NE65 www.crabtreeandcrabtree.com 9AJ EAT The Shoreline Café, 1 Church Street, EAT The Wellwood Arms, High Street, Amble Craster NE66 3TH DogFriendly 29 Why visit Northumberland CORBRIDGE ROTHBURY HEXHAM Once the most northerly settlement in Often called the capital of Coquetdale, Situated in the Tyne Valley, Hexham holds the Roman empire, Corbridge supplied Rothbury is ideally placed if you’re visiting the title of England’s favourite market town. Hadrian’s Wall and boasts many Northumberland, because it’s just 30 Its winding streets boast many architectural architectural delights from that period, plus minutes from the coast, five minutes from delights including Hexham Abbey, the Old a Saxon church and a 17th-century bridge. the Simonside Hills and within easy reach of Gaol and the Moot Hall. You’ll find market Corbridge has been popular with shoppers the National Park. It boasts a large number stalls in the Shambles and a full market since the 19th century and has an eclectic of boutiques, shops and galleries – several every Tuesday and Saturday. There’s a wide mix of independents, many dog-friendly – including Pots & Paws, Coquetdale Arts range of independent shops and several Activ Cycles (with a café), The Balman Centre and The Congregational Art such as The Vintage Emporium, The Peter Gallery (Duck House Café), Craftworks, Re Gallery & Café welcome dogs. Flanagan Gallery, The Small World Café, The (homewares) and Retriques. WALK This circular route takes in many of Garden Coffee House and Shire Gate Café WALK images.visitnorthumberland.com/ the local sights www.northof are dog-friendly. routes/Corbridge_and_Aydon_Castle.pdf thetyne.co.uk/RothburyWalk.html WALK Try the Tyne Green Trail at STAY The Hayes, Newcastle Rd, Corbridge STAY Tomlinsons Café Bunkhouse, Bridge www.visithexham.net/walks.htm NE45 5LP www.hayes-corbridge.co.uk Street, Rothbury NE65 7SF STAY Rosemary Cottage, Hexham NE46 3EL EAT Watling Coffee House, 11 Watling EAT The Railway Hotel, Bridge Street, EAT Holly Bush Inn, The Terrace, Hexham Street, Corbridge NE45 5AG Rothbury NE65 7SE Northumberland NE48 1PW BLANCHLAND SEAHOUSES LOW NEWTON BY THE SEA Set beside the river Derwent, Blanchland is Seahouses may be one of Northumberland’s One of the most attractive villages on the considered one of the prettiest villages in most popular destinations, but it was quite Northumberland coast, Low Newton by the North Pennines AONB. It was bought insignificant until the harbour was created the Sea boasts an open-ended square of by Nathaniel Lord Crewe in 1708 and, on in 1889. It’s now a lively resort, with a wide cream-washed cottages, overlooking a his death, became part of a charitable trust. variety of shops, amusements and cafés. picturesque sandy beach. At its heart is The Most of the properties were built during The Farne Islands, with their populations Ship Inn which, with its microbrewery, has the 18th century using stone from the of seabirds, seals and whales, are a popular become a popular destination and is well abbey (set up by white-robed Canons of attraction – dogs are welcome on the boats worth a visit. There’s only a small car park Premontre in the 1160s) and the whole area operated by Golden Gate, Hanvey’s and Billy but many people use the lane is now protected by a conservation order. Shiel’s, but are prohibited from landing on WALK The coastline between Low Newton WALK There are numerous routes locally any but Longstone Island and Craster is amazing and includes them including several based on packhorse trails WALK Head south until you reach Beadnell Bay inspiring ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle www.explorenorthpennines.org.uk/ STAY Wyndgrove House, 156 Main Street, STAY The Joiners Arms, High Newton-by- blanchland Seahouses NE68 7UA the-Sea NE66 3EA STAY Lord Crewe Arms, The Square, www.wyndgrovehouse.co.uk www.joiners-arms.com Blanchland, Consett DH8 9SP EAT Pinnacles, 17 Main Street, Seahouses EAT The Ship Inn, Low Newton-by-the-Sea, PIC S© SHUTTERSTOCK.COM S© PIC www.lordcrewearmsblanchland.co.uk NE68 7RE www.pinnaclesfishandchips. NE66 3EL www.shipinnnewton.co.uk 30 DogFriendly Taking a hike! Northumberland boasts some of the best walking country in England orthumberland National www.visitkielder.com Park covers a large WALK The Lakeside Way follows LONG-DISTANCE PATHWAYS Nswathe of the county the shoreline – download a HADRIAN’S WALL PATH downloaded from and is one of England’s least trails guide from the website Running between Wallsend www.yournorthumberland. populated areas. It’s popular STAY There are camping and and Bowness-on-Solway, co.uk or you can order with walkers who enjoy caravan sites in the park or you Hadrian’s Wall Path is a guide from www. exploring Hadrian's Wall, the can stay in a luxury lodge popular with walkers northumberland.gov.uk Cheviots and Kielder Water. EAT There are cafés at Tower because, although it can Knowe and Kielder Castle visitor be quite muddy, it isn’t that ST OSWALD’S WAY ALLEN BANKS centres and dogs are welcome strenuous and can be split St Oswald’s Way links places One of the largest areas of in the bar at The Boat Inn, into stages. However, there associated with the 7th- ancient woodland in the county, Leaplish Waterside Park are grazing animals so a lead century king after whom Allen Banks includes the is essential. Stiles may also it was named. Starting at 101-acre Stawardpeel Site of THE CHEVIOT HILLS cause a problem. Although Lindisfarne, it heads along the Special Scientific Interest and A picturesque range of hills, the there’s a bus service, it only coast via Bamburgh, Craster boasts miles of waymarked Cheviots straddle the border.