Places of Interest

PLACES OF INTEREST

HOLY ISLAND                       ( CROSSING TIMES )

Beyond Bamburgh and the tidal estuary-like mud flats of Budle Bay, is Holy Island, still often known by its more ancient name of Lindisfarne. It is only accesible from the mainland at low tide by means of a causeway, which can be reached from the village of Beal.To the south of the more modern road-surface causeway, a series of stakes mark the old route across to the island called the `Pilgrims Way' which was used in ancient times by visitors to the great Christian centre of Lindisfarne. Again this could be crossed only at low tide.

VIEW FROM DUNSTANBURGH CASTLE ( South )

Perched high on a cliff, Dunstanburgh Castle is now largely ruinous although it rated at one time among the largest and grandest castles in the north of England. Dating from the 14th century, the castle was protected on two sides by the sheer cliff face and the sea.

9ml NE of Alnwick, approached from Craster to the S or Embleton to the N (on foot only)

VIEW FROM DUNSTANBURGH CASTLE ( North )

VIEW TOWARDS DUNSTANBURGH CASTLE

SOUTER LIGHTHOUSE - Whitburn

The lighthouse started operating in 1871 and was, at the time the most advanced in the world.

You can explore the lighthouse, starting in the Engine Room. Learn about how lighthouses work through video, displays and a variety of navigational equipment. See the cramped living quarters and climb the seventy six steps to the top of the tower to enjoy wide views of the coastline, from the mouth of the Tyne to the Tees.

WARKWORTH CASTLE

Occupying a position close to the River Coquet in Northumberland, Warkworth Castle originated as a mid 12th century motte castle. However, in the 13th century a new castle was begun with the construction of a gatehouse. Located at the centre of the south curtain wall, the gatehouse has survived with an archway and semi-octagonal projections on either side, although it does not stand to full height.

CHILLINGTON CASTLE

Deep in the English countryside, nestled between Newcastle to the south and Edinburgh to the north, there's a place where fairy tales are born. An eclectic mix of historical and pop culture, Northumberland is host to haunted medieval fortresses and film sites for Quidditch matches.

Haunted tours available

OTTERBURN MILL

Otterburn Mill is an ideal day out. Plenty to do and plenty to see. Travel here by car, enjoy our free parking and excellent facilities.

We offer you a large and well-stocked showroom selling a wide range of outdoor clothing for all ages. A fantastic home baking coffee shop with a beautiful apple orchard garden, which is a natural sun trap where you can enjoy lunch or a snack.

HADRIANS WALL

Hadrian's Wall is the most important monument built by the Romans in Britain. It stretches seventy-three miles from Wallsend near Newcastle, across the neck of England to the Solway in North West Cumbria, and stands today as a reminder of the past glories of one of the world's greatest empires.
It was built in the 120's AD and because it was not an impenetrable barrier, Milecastles (small guard posts) were built at one mile intervals. Two turrets (towers) were placed between each pair of milecastles, for observation. In front of the wall lay a ditch, except where the crags made it unneccessary. The wall crossed three rivers, and bridges were built.

KEILDER FOREST & WATER

Tucked away at the top of Northumberland, close to the Scottish border and Hadrian's Wall, Kielder Water is the largest man-made lake in Europe and one of Britain's biggest nature resorts, home to red squirrels, deer and rare birds.

CRAGSIDE - Rothbury

Extraordinary Victorian house - the wonder of its age - set in dramatic and varied gardens

Cragside, the country retreat of Lord Armstrong, built on a bare and rugged hillside above Rothbury. It became one of the most modern and surprising houses for its time in the country. In the 1880's, the house had hot and cold running water, central heating, fire alarms, telephones, a Turkish bath suite and a passenger lift - but most remarkable of all - it was the first house in the world to be lit by hydro-electricity.

National Trust - Well worth a visit

BEAMISH OPEN AIR MUSEUM

Welcome to Beamish, The North of England Open Air Museum, where the past comes to life. Beamish is unique. We're no ordinary museum but a living, working experience of life as it was in the Great North in the early 1800s and 1900s.
Beamish, Britain's favourite open air museum, set in over 300 acres of beautiful countryside, vividly recreates life in the North of England in the early 1800s and 1900s. Winner of both the British Museum of the Year and European Museum of the Year Awards, it demonstrates the recent history of the region in a "living" way and provides entertainment and education for visitors of all ages and interests.





ALSTON

High up in the North Pennines, Alston claims to be the highest market settlement in England, being about 1000 feet above sea level. It is also remote, about 20 miles from the nearest town. From every direction Alston is approached over a broad, heather-cladded Pennine landscape which has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Set on the upper reaches of the River South Tyne, it lies within the Eden district of Cumbria.

Alston has a steep cobbled main street with a distinctive market cross, and many stone buildings dating from the 17th Century. Next to the entrance to the Church, is a building dated 1681 (below right). The Angel pub to its left is dated 1611, and the white building left of the pub is dated 1687. It is a bustling town, with a reputation for delicious locally made specialities such as Cumberland Mustard, and Alston Cheese.

HIGH FORCE WATERFALL

Upper Teesdale Co Durham

The woodland walk leads you to this spectacular sight. As you begin the descent down the gentle slope the well-maintained path twists and turns giving a different view every few yards. The muffled rumble suddenly turns to a roar and the sight astounds you. High Force commands your respect.

From its rise as a trickle, high on the heather covered fells at the top of the North Pennines, to the top of the whin sill rock at Forest -in-Teesdale, the River Tees steadily grows and gathers pace, then it suddenly and spectacularly drops 21 metres into the plunge pool below.

BAMBURGH CASTLE

Bamburgh Castle is probably the finest castle in England. It is perched on a basalt outcrop on the very edge of the North Sea at Bamburgh, Northumberland. It commands stunning views of the Farne Islands, Holy Island and land' ward to the Cheviot hills.

	HOLY ISLAND ( CROSSING TIMES ) Beyond Bamburgh and the tidal estuary-like mud flats of Budle Bay, is Holy Island, still often known by its more ancient name of Lindisfarne. It is only accesible from the mainland at low tide by means of a causeway, which can be reached from the village of Beal.To the south of the more modern road-surface causeway, a series of stakes mark the old route across to the island called the `Pilgrims Way' which was used in ancient times by visitors to the great Christian centre of Lindisfarne. Again this could be crossed only at low tide.
	VIEW FROM DUNSTANBURGH CASTLE ( South ) Perched high on a cliff, Dunstanburgh Castle is now largely ruinous although it rated at one time among the largest and grandest castles in the north of England. Dating from the 14th century, the castle was protected on two sides by the sheer cliff face and the sea. 9ml NE of Alnwick, approached from Craster to the S or Embleton to the N (on foot only)
	VIEW FROM DUNSTANBURGH CASTLE ( North )
	VIEW TOWARDS DUNSTANBURGH CASTLE
	SOUTER LIGHTHOUSE - Whitburn The lighthouse started operating in 1871 and was, at the time the most advanced in the world. You can explore the lighthouse, starting in the Engine Room. Learn about how lighthouses work through video, displays and a variety of navigational equipment. See the cramped living quarters and climb the seventy six steps to the top of the tower to enjoy wide views of the coastline, from the mouth of the Tyne to the Tees.
	WARKWORTH CASTLE Occupying a position close to the River Coquet in Northumberland, Warkworth Castle originated as a mid 12th century motte castle. However, in the 13th century a new castle was begun with the construction of a gatehouse. Located at the centre of the south curtain wall, the gatehouse has survived with an archway and semi-octagonal projections on either side, although it does not stand to full height.
	CHILLINGTON CASTLE Deep in the English countryside, nestled between Newcastle to the south and Edinburgh to the north, there's a place where fairy tales are born. An eclectic mix of historical and pop culture, Northumberland is host to haunted medieval fortresses and film sites for Quidditch matches. Haunted tours available
	OTTERBURN MILL Otterburn Mill is an ideal day out. Plenty to do and plenty to see. Travel here by car, enjoy our free parking and excellent facilities. We offer you a large and well-stocked showroom selling a wide range of outdoor clothing for all ages. A fantastic home baking coffee shop with a beautiful apple orchard garden, which is a natural sun trap where you can enjoy lunch or a snack.
	HADRIANS WALL Hadrian's Wall is the most important monument built by the Romans in Britain. It stretches seventy-three miles from Wallsend near Newcastle, across the neck of England to the Solway in North West Cumbria, and stands today as a reminder of the past glories of one of the world's greatest empires. It was built in the 120's AD and because it was not an impenetrable barrier, Milecastles (small guard posts) were built at one mile intervals. Two turrets (towers) were placed between each pair of milecastles, for observation. In front of the wall lay a ditch, except where the crags made it unneccessary. The wall crossed three rivers, and bridges were built.
	KEILDER FOREST & WATER Tucked away at the top of Northumberland, close to the Scottish border and Hadrian's Wall, Kielder Water is the largest man-made lake in Europe and one of Britain's biggest nature resorts, home to red squirrels, deer and rare birds.
	CRAGSIDE - Rothbury Extraordinary Victorian house - the wonder of its age - set in dramatic and varied gardens Cragside, the country retreat of Lord Armstrong, built on a bare and rugged hillside above Rothbury. It became one of the most modern and surprising houses for its time in the country. In the 1880's, the house had hot and cold running water, central heating, fire alarms, telephones, a Turkish bath suite and a passenger lift - but most remarkable of all - it was the first house in the world to be lit by hydro-electricity. National Trust - Well worth a visit
	BEAMISH OPEN AIR MUSEUM Welcome to Beamish, The North of England Open Air Museum, where the past comes to life. Beamish is unique. We're no ordinary museum but a living, working experience of life as it was in the Great North in the early 1800s and 1900s. Beamish, Britain's favourite open air museum, set in over 300 acres of beautiful countryside, vividly recreates life in the North of England in the early 1800s and 1900s. Winner of both the British Museum of the Year and European Museum of the Year Awards, it demonstrates the recent history of the region in a "living" way and provides entertainment and education for visitors of all ages and interests.

	ALSTON High up in the North Pennines, Alston claims to be the highest market settlement in England, being about 1000 feet above sea level. It is also remote, about 20 miles from the nearest town. From every direction Alston is approached over a broad, heather-cladded Pennine landscape which has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Set on the upper reaches of the River South Tyne, it lies within the Eden district of Cumbria. Alston has a steep cobbled main street with a distinctive market cross, and many stone buildings dating from the 17th Century. Next to the entrance to the Church, is a building dated 1681 (below right). The Angel pub to its left is dated 1611, and the white building left of the pub is dated 1687. It is a bustling town, with a reputation for delicious locally made specialities such as Cumberland Mustard, and Alston Cheese.
	HIGH FORCE WATERFALL Upper Teesdale Co Durham The woodland walk leads you to this spectacular sight. As you begin the descent down the gentle slope the well-maintained path twists and turns giving a different view every few yards. The muffled rumble suddenly turns to a roar and the sight astounds you. High Force commands your respect. From its rise as a trickle, high on the heather covered fells at the top of the North Pennines, to the top of the whin sill rock at Forest -in-Teesdale, the River Tees steadily grows and gathers pace, then it suddenly and spectacularly drops 21 metres into the plunge pool below.
	BAMBURGH CASTLE Bamburgh Castle is probably the finest castle in England. It is perched on a basalt outcrop on the very edge of the North Sea at Bamburgh, Northumberland. It commands stunning views of the Farne Islands, Holy Island and land' ward to the Cheviot hills.