4-Night Northumberland Guided Walking for Solos Holiday Tour Style: Guided Walking Holidays for Solos Destinations: Northumberland & England Trip code: ALBOS-4 1, 2 & 3 HOLIDAY OVERVIEW Country walking is a great way to meet new friends. We welcome individual travellers on all of our holidays, but on Guided Walking for Solos the entire holiday is especially for single guests. Enjoy like-minded company and a great selection of walks on the Northumberland Coast. Discover stunning beaches, iconic castles, and the peaceful Simonside and Cheviot Hills. WHAT'S INCLUDED • High quality en-suite accommodation in our country house • Full board from dinner upon arrival to breakfast on departure day • 3 days guided walking • Use of our comprehensive Discovery Point • Choice of up to three guided walks each walking day • The services of HF Holidays Walking Leaders www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 1 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 HOLIDAYS HIGHLIGHTS • Follow the River Aln past magnificent Alnwick Castle • Walk in the Simonside Hills • Walk to the clifftop Dunstanburgh Castle near a rich site for seabirds • See the best of the Northumberland coast • Get to know other solo travellers as you walk and socialise in the evenings TRIP SUITABILITY This trip is graded Activity Level 1,2 and 3, Get away from it all to explore peaceful Northumberland on our guided walks. Enjoy stunning walks along the coast in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, taking in the iconic castles at Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh and Lindisfarne, and looking out for dolphins and seals. Heading inland the Cheviot and Simonside Hills in the Northumberland National Park each offer rare tranquility; two of England's undiscovered gems. Join our friendly and knowledgeable guides who will bring this beautiful landscape to life. Our experienced guides offer the choice of up to three different walks each day Choose the option which best suits your interests and fitness We provide flexible holidays. Join our guided walks, explore independently, or relax at Nether Grange ITINERARY Day 1: Arrival Day You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary Afternoon Tea on arrival. Day 2: Around Alnwick Or The Breamish Valley Option 1 - Around Alnwick In Summary: Follow the River Aln, past Alnwick Castle and into Hulne Deer Park, part of the Duke of Northumberland’s estate. Here we’ll see the striking remains of Hulne Priory, before returning to the historic town of Alnwick. Highlight: Enjoy great views of Alnwick's mighty medieval castle as you follow the riverside path along the River Aln. Distance: 7 miles (11½km) Total ascent: 600 feet (180m) Option 2 - Along The River Aln Summary: From Denwick village follow pleasant paths and by-ways down to the River Aln and pass Alnwick castle on the way to Hulne Deer Park. Here visit the Priory Ruins before returning to Alnwick. Highlight: The curious statues at the Priory. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 2 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Distance: 9½ miles (15km) Total ascent: 600 feet (180m) Option 3 - Breamish Valley Hill Fort In Summary: An upland walk from the remote, winding valley of the River Breamish visiting some remarkable Iron Age hill forts in wonderful scenery. Highlight: The poignant memorial cairn for two cheviot shepherds. Distance: 11½ miles (18½km) Total ascent: 2,200 feet (660m) Day 3: Rothbury And The Simonside Hills Option 1 - Above Rothbury Distance: 7 miles (11½km) Ascent: 1,100 feet (340m) In Summary: A circuit from Rothbury heads onto the hills above the town, following the winding carriage drive, which loops round the forests and moorland of Lord Armstrong’s Cragside Estate. Highlight: Look out over the fine rolling countryside of Northumberland with excellent views of the Cheviot and Simonside Hills. Option 2 - Dove Crag & Rothbury Distance: 9 miles (14½km) Ascent: 1,450 feet (440m) In Summary: Walk from Rothbury through fieldpaths to the village of Thropton, then climb steadily through woodland to the summit of Dove Crag, on the Simonside Hills. We descend back into Rothbury via the Beacon and Garleigh Moor. Highlight: The Simonside Hills are a real hidden gem. Look out for the ancient cup-and-ring stones on top of Garleigh Moor. Option 3 - The Simonside Hills Distance: 10½ miles (17km) Ascent: 1,900 feet (580m) In Summary: Ascend via Garleigh Moor to walk the length of the Simonside Hills. After a steep descent from the summit, we drop down through woodland to Thropton, then climb again to follow part of the carriage-drive back into Rothbury. Highlight: Enjoy panoramic views up Coquetdale and into the Cheviots from the top of the Simonside Hills. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 3 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Day 4: Along The Northumberland Coast Option 1 - Craster To Alnmouth Distance: 7½ miles (12.5km) Ascent: 450 feet (140m) In Summary: Walk south along the coast from the quaint fishing village of Craster to Alnmouth.* Walk on the low cliffs and the beach, with fantastic sea views throughout. Highlight: Explore the atmospheric harbour at Craster, and let your nose lead you to famous kipper smokehouse. *due to a stretch of beach walking, this walk may be reversed to avoid doing so at/near high tide Option 2 - Dunstanburgh Castle Distance: 10½ miles (17km) Ascent: 700 feet (220m) In Summary: Walk from Embleton to the iconic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, then follow the path all the way back along the beautiful Northumberland Coast to Alnmouth.* Highlight: Dunstanburgh Castle occupies a glorious cliff-top position. Look out for fulmars, razorbills and kittiwakes nesting nearby. *due to a stretch of beach walking, this walk may be reversed to avoid doing so at/near high tide Option 3 - High Newton To Alnmouth Distance: 12½ miles (20km) Ascent: 700 feet (220m) In Summary: Starting further north at High Newton this grand coastal walk takes in the sweeping arc of Embleton Bay, Dunstanburgh Castle and Craster, before continuing to Alnmouth.* Highlight: A glorious opportunity to see the best of the Northumberland Coast. With luck you may see seals, as well as the rich array of birdlife. *due to a stretch of beach walking, this walk may be reversed to avoid doing so at/near high tide Day 5: Departure Day Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 4 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 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. 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.