Whether it’s a gentle walk along the coast, a day’s stretch in the hills, a visit to a historic castle or watching the seabirds on the shore, the area has so much to offer that whatever you decide, you won’t be disappointed. Dunstanburgh Castle & Embleton Perched high up on its promontory and protected by cliff and sea, Dunstanburgh Castle is a magnificent sight. A gentle walk along beautiful Embleton Bay will take you right up to its walls where you can either explore the ruins at length or continue along the coast to the delightful village of Craster. North from Embleton Bay takes you to Low Newton, a whitewashed gaggle of houses gathered round the Ship Inn on the beach. Alnwick 9 miles inland, Alnwick has its own palatial castle, home to the Dukes of Northumberland and now also to the Duchess’s world famous gardening project – cascade, walled garden, rose garden and arboretum. The Playhouse has good repertory theatre, film and occasional concerts. Barter Books in the old railway station has 350, 000 books on its 8000 sq. ft and a model train that runs round the lot - a must for all booklovers and train enthusiasts. www.alnwick-online.co.uk www.alnwickcastle.com www.alnwickgarden.com www.alnwickplayhouse.co.uk www.barterbooks.co.uk Holy Island To the north, Holy Island lies just off the coast and is connected to the mainland by causeway at low tide. Visited by pilgrims as well as lovers of nature and history, the attractions include the Abbey ruins, a well-thought out visitor centre and 16th century Lindisfarne Castle, converted into an Edwardian house by Lutyens with later garden by Gertrude Jekyll. www.lindisfarne.org.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk Farne Islands Home to an extraordinay number of migrant birds, these famous islands can be visited from Seahouses. Guillemots, Razorbills, Eider Ducks, Terns, 70, 000 puffins and an estimated half a million Fulmars. Breeding season is the best time to visit and runs from May to July. www.farne-islands.com www.nationaltrust.org.uk Bamburgh En route to Holy Island, the small village of Bamburgh has an impressive history. Briefly capital of the Kingdom of Northumbria, it has an imposing castle, a fine village green, good restaurant, tea room and last but not least, The Grace Darling Museum - dedicated to the local Victorian heroine who rowed across stormy seas to save nine people from a sinking steamboat in 1838. Chillingham Castle and Wild Cattle Fine medieval castle, lovingly and imaginatively restored where dinners and other parties can be arranged. An extraordinarily eclectic collection of artefacts and memorabilia complement garden, state rooms, dungeons and torture chamber. Also home to the only herd of wild cattle in the UK, isolated from other herds when it was enclosed within the Park in 1270. www.chillingham-castle.com www.chillingham-wildcattle.org.uk Northumberland National Park and Kielder Water Inland lies the dramatic expanse of the Northumberland National Park. Rivers, hills, woods and lakes are all there ready to be explored by the outward bound. www.northumberland-national-park.org.uk www.kielder.org Sports Golfers are spoilt for choice with beautiful coastal courses at Dunstanburgh (www.dunstanburgh.com) and Bamburgh 01668 214 378 as well as a decent nine-hole course with floodlit driving range at Belford 01668 213433 Divers will find diverse sites and much of interest all along the coast, particularly at The Farne Islands, Newton and Howick. www.dcordes.freeuk.com/welcome.htm Riding. We have stabling here at the house for three horses. For riders without mounts, excursions can be arranged at Slatehall Riding Centre in Seahouses (01665 720320) and elsewhere. Beach rides and lessons available. Fly, coarse and sea fishing are all available locally. The House of Hardy 01665 510027, on the edge of Alnwick, contains a museum of fly fishing and an excellent shop for fishing kit of all kinds, clothing, waders, flies etc. The River Aln has some fly fishing while the Coquet to the south is stocked by the Northumberland Anglers Association. 01670 787663. Sea Angling is possible onshore and by boat at Amble, Seahouses and Craster. Brunton House, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 3HQ T: 01665 589198 | E: info@bruntonhouse.co.uk