7-Night Northumberland Guided Walking for Solos Holiday Tour Style: Guided Walking Holidays for Solos Destinations: Northumberland & England Trip code: ALBOS-7 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 • 5 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 • Discover the Holy Island of Lindisfarne with its medieval priory and rich wildlife • Walk along the beautiful Bamburgh coast • Follow St Cuthbert’s Way to the edge of the Cheviot Hills • Walk in the Simonside Hills • Walk to the clifftop Dunstanburgh Castle near a rich site for seabirds 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: 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. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 2 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 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 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 www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 3 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 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. Highlight: Countryside walking steeped in history with inland and coastal views. Day 4: Free Day View more about Nether Grange and the local area for ideas on how to fill your free day. Day 5: 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 In 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 Distance: 9½ miles (15km) Total ascent: 600 feet (180m) Day 6: 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. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 4 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 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. Day 7: 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. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 5 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 *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 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.