Spring in Northumbria – Alnwick and Holy Island

SUMMARY

Dates: Monday 5th to Friday 9th April  –  4 nights with 5 walks

Guide: Bridget Turnbull

Walking Grade: 2 Goats

Max elevation: 1500ft/450m

Terrain: Good paths and tracks. Bring poles if you need them.

Max distance: 11. 3 miles/ 18.2km

Base : The White Swan at Alnwick

An historic coaching Inn in the heart of Northumberland. It is located in the centre of town, a few steps from Alwick castle and the Alnwick Gardens. If you want to stay longer to explore more we can arrange this. We felt this is the perfect base to explore the castles,coastline and countryside of this beautiful part of England. There is a bar and lounge for relaxing and chatting together. Evening Meals will be in the hotel restaurant.

Nearest Station. Alnmouth Station just 4 miles away from the hotel. There are taxis at the station and it’s a 10 minute journey. Or there are local buses that run regularly.

Arrival : MEET UP AT THE WHITE SWAN – For check in at 15:00 to settle in and have a short walk at 16:00 with your guide,  before dinner at the hotel.

Departure: This is after a morning walk on your last day finishing around 14.00. Plan travel for after 14:00. You will have lunch together in a local cafe at the end of the walk (optional and not included in the price).

Price: £1,100 for solo occupancy and inclusive of all meals and all travel required for walking.

If you bring friend,partner,family and are sharing there is a discount of £300 per person and the price is £800 per person.

What is included:

• Ensuite Room for solo occupancy
• Bed and Breakfast, Evening Meals at the hotel
• Packed lunches on your 3 full days of walking
• Local travel required for walks (local taxi or mini bus)
• Specialist guided walks

Not included:

• Travel to Alnwick
• Drinks at the bar or additional drinks during the day

DETAILS

Alnwick is in the heart of Northumberland, the Alnwick District is famous for its unspoilt beauty, and is one of the most picturesque areas of countryside in the whole of England – with long sandy beaches, quiet friendly villages, the Simonside and Cheviot hills, well preserved medieval Castles, and gardens (Alnwick Garden should come top of your list to visit!). There are numerous Stately Homes in the area including the fantastic Alnwick Castle, home to the Duke of Northumberland and oft referred to as “The Windsor of the north”.

What a lovely place for a spring break.

ITINERARY

Itinerary – this may change subject to weather and at the discretion of the guide. The following itinerary gives you an idea of the walks and what distances you can expect.

ARRIVAL DAY – Check in at 15:00 at the White Swan Hotel. Your guide, Bridget, will lead an introductory walk around the lovely old town of Alnwick at 16:00 lasting an hour and a half. Everyone will meet at reception for a briefing at 18:00, followed by your welcome dinner at the hotel.

Bridget will give you a full briefing and choose the best walks for each day depending on the weather. You can expect to do the following hikes..

Embleton to Bamburgh Castle – 18.2kms /11.3 miles with 12m ascent

This is one of the finest stretches of the Northumberland Coast Path and we will have almost continuous sea views. Although slightly longer distance than we’d normally do for a Goat level 2 this is offset by the fact that there is hardly any ascent.

Leaving the village of Embleton, we join the coast with the mighty ruined Dunstanburgh Castle behind us as we set off north. The coast gently undulates, and we walk on a series of vast sandy bays with huge horizons. Binoculars are a must for all bird watchers!!

Our journey’s end is Bambugh Castle on its imposing rocky outcrop. It is one of the largest inhabited castles in Britain having stood for over 1,400 years.

Holy Island (Lindisfarne) – variable min 8kms/5miles

This is a very special day and will depend on tide and weather.

Our aim is to walk across the sands to Holy Island (5kms/3miles) and enjoy a reflective state as we tread where countless pilgrims have trod before us. Once on the island you will have free time (3 hours) to explore and visit Lindisfarne Priory (National Trust) and Castle (English Heritage). (Admission charges not included).

(Please note that there will be a substitute walk if the tides or weather don’t allow us to make a safe crossing.)

Rothbury and the Simonside Hills  – 15kms/9.3 miles with 448m of ascent

Today we have a contrast and head inland to the historic market town of Rothbury. We head up into the Simonside Hills, in the Northumberland National Park. From here we get expansive views over the Cheviot Hills, the Coquet Valley and the coast on a clear day.

Descending back down into Rothbury we pass one of the richest concentrations of prehistoric rock art in the country. These curious cup and ring marks are thought to date from the Bronze Age, some 4,000-3,000BC.

Day 5 – Departure Day. For those able to linger Bridget will lead a walk from Warkworth Castle up the coast to Alnmouth to arrive there by 2pm (5kms/3 miles).

Departure to suit your own travel plans.