A last minute getaway to Northumbria
Are you looking for a last minute getaway to Northumbria?
Northumbria is absolutely the most perfect place for relaxed, last minute getaways.
Northumberland has so much to offer including a gorgeous coastline, beautiful countryside to explore, busy market towns and rich history. There is something for everyone and for every which way people like to relax.
I’m thinking warm fires, pubs, lovely walks with many options to just rest or to explore. Northumbria really is the perfect place for a last minute holiday.
Places to stay in Northumbria
There are some lovely places to stay in Northumberland and Northumbria Byways is a great choice for last minute holidays in Northumbria
Northumbria Byways is a self-catering holiday cottage agency specialising in Northumberland and the Borders. They also have a range of barn conversions, quaint fisherman’s cottages, log cabins and modern bungalows – even shepherd huts!
They offer great last-minute holiday discounts on some of their stunning properties. You can get 10% off holidays starting in 28 days, 15% off on holidays starting in 14 days, and 20% off on holidays starting in 7 days on the properties listed, That’s pretty impressive discounting! A last-minute getaway always feels like such a lovely little surprise treats too.
Have a look at some of their lovely cottages:
The Old School is superb listed building was once a school for Howick Village and is part of the Howick Estate in Craster where the Earl Grey once lived! It is just 400 yards from the coast and close to Dunstanburgh Castle.
Stonecrop is a cottage crafted from a granary in Alwinton village deep in the heart of the Northumberland Countryside and within the Northumberland National Park, It is perfect for those who love walking, angling or mountain biking. For sightseers, Stonecrop is a great base for Hadrian’s Wall, Kielder Water and the Heritage coast.
Skears cottage is an old fisherman’s cottage in Druridge Bay only a stone’s throw from the sea, it has 3 bedrooms a woodburning stove and allows pets. Just absolutely perfect for a dog-friendly holiday
There is so much to do in Northumberland too whether you are looking for a romantic break or a family friendly vacation.
The Heritage Coastline
There are hundreds of miles of walks along the Heritage Coastline and the North Northumberland is one of the longest stretches heritage coastline in England, taking in 40 miles from Amble to the Scottish border just past Berwick upon Tweed.
It is considered to be twice blessed because it has a shortage of visitors and yet has the most beautiful long sandy beaches.
The Farne Islands
The Farne Islands are a group of 20 small volcanic islands formed of black rocks just off the Bamburgh coast. These use to be inhabited by hermit monks, but now boat trips in the warmer months take visitors but they are unpopulated.
A wonderful place to visit to see puffins, Arctic terns and rabbits. The islands also have 6,000 grey seals, with several hundred pups born each Autumn, What an amazing place to visit.
Wonderful too to find out all about Grace Darling and her heroic rescue Grace was the daughter of a Longstone lighthouse-keeper and in 1838, at the age of 22 years, she and her father rescued nine people from the shipwrecked ‘Forfarshire’ in a strong gale and thick fog. Must have been terrifying!
Northumberland National Park
Northumberland National Park is the most northernly national park in England. It covers an area of more than 1,050 square kilometres between the Scottish border in the north to just south of Hadrian’s Wall. There are villages and moors, hill forts and rivers and acres and acres of gorgeous scenery. Unspoilt and breathtaking. There is also a wonderful landscape discovery centre ‘The Sill’ to visit. Roman remains abound with bathhouses and temple ruins to explore too.
Castles
The castles in Northumbria are spectacular. They actually have more castles than any other county in England thanks to their stormy past of border wars between England and Scotland in the 14th to 16th centuries. There are over 70 castles in Northumberland in total and many are fascinating ruins.
2 must visits include:
Bamburgh Castle
Bamburgh was a royal city during the 8th century and the castle was the home to Kings of Northumbria. It has had a turbulent history but was restored by a Victorian inventor to the most magnificent of castles. It is a place packed with history and just so impressive. It was restored by the innovative Victorian inventor William Armstrong into the mighty castle you see today. It is both a castle and a museum and it has a tea shop and stunning coastal views. What a fabulous day out.
Alnwick Castle
Alnwick Castle has movie star connections and starred in Downtown Abbey and as the official filming location for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets. It is steeped in history and lots of Harry Potter-dom which will definitely enchant the kids! It is also a family home and has belonged to the Percy Family for over 700 years It is the second largest inhabited castle in the UK.
So Northumbria, a place of coastlines, castles and countryside, unspoilt and un-busy with beautiful places to stay and lots to do if you wish to.
I think it looks just the perfect place for a last minute trip.
I do hope you have enjoyed this post on a last minute getaway to Northumbria Have you visited Northumbria? If so do tell me about your trip and what you saw there.
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Further reading
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