4-Night Northumberland Guided Walking Holiday Tour Style: Guided Walking Destinations: Northumberland & England Trip code: ALBOB-4 1, 2 & 3 HOLIDAY OVERVIEW Discover England’s last frontier, home to castles, never-ending seascapes and tales of border battles. Our guided walking holidays in Northumberland will introduce you to the hidden gems of this unspoilt county, including sweeping sandy beaches and the remote wild beauty of the Cheviot and Simonside 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 • Head out on guided walks to discover the varied beauty of Northumberland on foot • Admire sweeping seascapes from the coast of this stunning area of outstanding natural beauty • Head into the Cheviots to discover what makes this area so special, from the solitude of the hills to the clarity of the night sky • Let an experienced leader bring classic routes and offbeat areas to life • Look out for wildlife, find secret corners and learn about this stretch of the North East coast's rich history • Evenings in our country house where you share a drink and re-live the day’s adventures TRIP SUITABILITY This trip is graded Activity Level 1, 2 and 3. Our best-selling guided walking holidays run throughout the year - with their daily choice of up to three walks, these breaks are ideal for anyone who enjoys exploring the countryside on foot. Perhaps choose an Easier walk, then build up to something more challenging as your holiday progresses. ITINERARY Version 1 Day 1: Arrival Day You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary Afternoon Tea on arrival. Day 2: 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. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 2 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 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. Day 3: Southwest Rural And Coastal Scenery Option 1 - Spy Law, Riverside And Countryside Distance: 7 miles (11.5km) Ascent: 560 feet (180m) In summary: After leaving Alnmouth, meander alongside the River Aln and gently ascend to Spy Law with views on all sides of the countryside. The walk continues moving seawards displaying the Northumberland coast in front of you before returning through colourful cereal fields overlooking the Aln estuary and the once port of Alnmouth towards to sea. Highlight: A chance to appreciate the variety of scenery that Northumberland has to offer. Option 2 - To High Buston Hamlet Distance: 8.5 miles (13.5km) Ascent: 600 feet (180m) In summary: Walk around the historic village of Alnmouth and then visit the picturesque village of Lesbury before meandering alongside the River Aln. The walk gives views of countryside and coast, and passes through the Hamlet of High Buston. Learn of the links of the Buston family to King John in 1209 and the traditional “dunking” of the local freemens’ sons. The route returns through undulating countryside culminating in a sight of Alnmouth with colourful houses overlooking the estuary and the sea. Highlight: An appreciation of how the land and seascape framed local life through the centuries. Option 3 - Coast, Railway And River Distance: 10.5 miles (17km) Ascent: 750 feet (240m) In summary: This walk gives the visitor a chance to see traditional villages and hamlets of Northumberland and learn about life in this area at various times in the past. The trail passes through green countryside with river, inland and coastal views. The Shilbottle miners’ route to the sea also forms part of this walk. The Hamlet of High Buston is visited along with the villages of Alnmouth, Lesbury and the route passes by the village of Shilbottle with substantial medieval and industrial records. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 3 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Highlight: Countryside walking steeped in history with inland and coastal views. Day 4: Northumberland’s Early History Option 1 - Beadnell To Bamburgh Distance: 7 miles (11½km) Total ascent: 300 feet (100m) In Summary: Enjoy an iconic beach walk from Beadnell to Seahouses with time to look at the harbour then it’s on to Bamburgh and its castle. Highlight: Look out for seabirds and seals flying and bobbing about amongst the waves on this excellent coastal walk Option 2 - High Newton To Bamburgh Distance: 10 miles (16km) Ascent: 400 feet (120m) In Summary: Follow the beautiful coast from High Newton along the sands to Beadnell’s old harbour. Pass the busy port of Seahouses, with excellent views of the Farne Islands, before continuing on the beach to Bamburgh. Highlight: The final leg along the sands to Bamburgh, with great views of the imposing castle that was once the seat of early Northumbrian Kings. Option 3 - Embleton To Bamburgh Distance: 12 miles (19km) Ascent: 450 feet (140m) In Summary: A fantastic longer walk from Embleton to Bamburgh with great views of castles and islands on distant horizons. Wide sandy bays, nature and history combine on this a remarkable walk along the Northumberland Coast. Highlight: Look out for seabirds and seals, and the rich array of other wildlife that makes its home in this glorious coastal habitat. 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 Version 2 Day 1: Arrival Day You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary Afternoon Tea on arrival. Day 2: Northumberland Coast South Of Alnmouth Option 1 - Buston Links And St Oswald's Way Distance: 7 miles (11km) Ascent: 420 feet (120m) In summary: A repeat from earlier in the week for 7 night guests. We begin following Lovers Walk out of Alnmouth. We walk through Buston Links, this grassland is carefully managed by the National Trust you will see blooming wild flowers. Beyond the dunes, lies the southern section of Alnmouth Bay and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore accompanies you as you walk along this near deserted section of the Northumberland Coast. Highlight: The estuary is renowned as a nature reserve and particularly for migrating waders and wildfowl that gather as autumn approaches. Option 2 - In The Footsteps Of St Oswald, A Northumbrian King Distance: 9 miles (15km) Ascent: 500 feet (160m) In summary: A repeat from earlier in the week for 7 night guests. We follow Lovers Walk out of Alnmouth village to the estuary and renowned nature reserve. There are some fantastic views from the higher path down across the Aln Estuary and the colourful houses of Alnmouth as we make our way towards Warkworth. Look out for fossilised tree stumps on the beach after we turn for Alnmouth. Highlight: Buston Links is a haven for birds and wildflowers, the latter in Spring and Summer, the former can turn up surprises any time of the year. Option 3 - To Warkworth And Harry Hotspur's Castle Distance: 11 miles (17km) Ascent: 600 feet (200m) In summary: A repeat from earlier in the week for 7 night guests. Combining the Northumberland Coast Path, St Oswald's Way and the National Cycleway, our walk heads south to Warkworth Castle. As well as the history, you will be rewarded with attractive coastal scenery, with plenty of wildlife and wild flowers at different times of the year. The ruined buildings alongside the coast path are the old guano sheds, built well away from the village, presumably due to the smell of this imported fertiliser. Highlight: Learn the history of Harry Hotspur, a member of the powerful Percy family who built Warkworth Castle. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 5 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Day 3: The Northumberland Estate Option 1 - The Lesbury Estate Distance: 8 miles (12.5km) Ascent: 600 feet (180m) In summary: The Lesbury Estate, which is part of the Northumberland Estate, stretches from Lesbury to the eastern edge of Alnwick. The route enters the estate at the hamlet of Bilton and we ascend gently to reach the Aln Valley railway route which once connected Alnwick with the London Edinburgh main line railway at Alnmouth.