Summer Holiday Advice

[Vidor06]

Well I have just booked the family summer holiday and we are heading across to the 'mainland'. More precisely we are going to a little town called Bellingham in Northumberland. I picked it as it seemed like a good base from which to explore. So far I am planning a trip to the Lake District, a trip to Alnwick for the castle, Hadrians Wall, Durham for a day and probably Kielder. We are there for 11 nights. So can anyone recommend any other must see destinations? I dont mind a drive to get there. Any good National Trust prorerties worth a visit?

 

[Fnaar]

Yes, Cragside is fascinating. Billions of castles... Bamburgh, Warkworth in addition to Alnwick (if gardens are your thing, also do Alnwick Gardens.
Lindisfarne (Holy Island) and castle are fab, but check tide times, and don't chance it outside of those: http://orawww.northumberland.gov.uk/www2/holyisland/HolyIsland.asp
Are you planning to do any cycling? Happy to advise if so... I live in Northumberland, and know most routes pretty well.

 

[fimm]

Another National Trust property not far from there is Wallington Hall: nice gardens, it is a very long time since I've been in the house but the small girl I was when I last visited would recommend the dolls house collection... (I remember some enormous doll's houses - I just don't know how interesting they'd be to an adult!)

Newcastle is probably worth a day - there's the castle there, the quayside (Millennium "Blinking Eye" bridge, Baltic art gallery) is good for a wander, there's museums if that's your thing.

Belsay Hall is good too - really good garden in a quarry, an old castle and a more modern "Big House" - but it is English Heritage rather than National Trust.

Steam Railway at Alston - pop your family on that and go and cycle up the Hartside pass...

 

[Dave7]

Lindisfarne.......very nice.
The Farne Islands if you are in any way interested in birds..........thousands of Puffins you can get close to. Lots of Seals on the boat ride.

 

[Fnaar]

Another National Trust property not far from there is Wallington Hall:

I've just cycled past there, about an hour ago

 

[Markymark]

London

 

[Fnaar]

If you go to Hadrians Wall, try and take in one of the forts/museums (e.g,. Housesteads, Vindolanda or Chesters). Also the best section for walking (imho) is from Steel Rigg: http://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walk-1198-description

 

[fimm]

If you go to Hadrians Wall, try and take in one of the forts/museums (e.g,. Housesteads, Vindolanda or Chesters). Also the best section for walking (imho) is from Steel Rigg: http://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walk-1198-description

+1 to all of the above. And the Farne Islands are also an excellent suggestion. Bamburgh also has a splendid beach as well as the castle.

 

[gavgav]

We stayed in Bellingham twice on our cricket club tours about 15 years ago. Seemed a lovely area, but didn't really explore much due to too much drinking and cricket matches to play. We did go on a night out in Hexham, which was a big mistake! Dreadful nightclub and "interesting" locals who didn't like outsiders it seemed.

However with Kielder Forest nearby I would recommend a visit there. Drove up and had a look at it whilst we were up there and it was impressive.

 

[Davos87]

Druridge Bay. Beautiful beach area.

 

[Fnaar]

Cycling-related cafes:
"Impromptu Cafe, Elsdon, Northumberland. The old schoolhouse – it’s the owners front room. It’s like stepping back in time with vinyl table cloths and cycling related memorabilia adorning the walls and ceiling. Great owners offering an honest service and will never turn a cyclist away whatever time they arrive. Home made grub and baking including Gibbet Cake. I think they are closed on Thursdays"
http://www.cyclistswelcome.co.uk/establishment/impromptu-cyclist-cafe

Capheaton Village Hall:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Resta...all-Newcastle_upon_Tyne_Tyne_and_Wear_En.html

 

[Vidor06]

Thanks guys. Really appreciate the advice. Looks like some good days out amongst them too. @Fnaar unfortunately I will have Mrs Vidor and two junior Vidors with me who arent interested in cycling so wont be able to get out unless I can sneak off.
Ive been to Alnwick Castle before for a wedding and the girl was from Warkworth so had a wee visit there too. It was the earliest Ive ever been to bed at a wedding. 80% of the people at it were in their 60s and 70s and the bus back to Alnwick was booked for 10pm. In Ireland a wedding is usually only starting to warm up around that time.

 

[fimm]

Oh, yes, if you are happy to travel a bit further, there is Beamish Museum as well - between Newcastle and Durham.

 

[Fnaar]

Thanks guys. Really appreciate the advice. Looks like some good days out amongst them too. @Fnaar unfortunately I will have Mrs Vidor and two junior Vidors with me who arent interested in cycling so wont be able to get out unless I can sneak off.
Ive been to Alnwick Castle before for a wedding and the girl was from Warkworth so had a wee visit there too. It was the earliest Ive ever been to bed at a wedding. 80% of the people at it were in their 60s and 70s and the bus back to Alnwick was booked for 10pm. In Ireland a wedding is usually only starting to warm up around that time.

As it happens, my cycle ride yesterday took me through Bellingham... I forgot to mention one of the best cycle-friendly cafes around, the Fountain Cottage Tearooms. There is also a bike shop in Bellingham who hire bikes out , and another at Kielder Water which is a useful base for the Lakeside Way off-road trail (easy cycling, but really lovely). There are also mountain bike trails at Kielder, with various degrees of technicality (I've done Lakeside Way a few times, but not the MTB trails).

When are you there? If you can wangle a day off from the family, and fancy a ride (road, or lakeside trail) with someone who knows most of the best routes, and if you can hire a bike from the shop, then give me a shout on here (PM, personal message). There really is some of the best cycling around, esp if you fancy quiet roads, challenging hills, big skies and beautiful countryside.

By the way, in case you didn't know, local pronunciation of Bellingham is with -jum on the end, not -um (so = Bellin-jum)