7 Night Northumberland Walking with Sightseeing Holiday

Check-in at the hotel is available from 16:00. If you are a member you can arrive at the house from 14:00. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea at 16:30 and meet other guests.

Distance: 4 miles (6.5km) 

Total ascent: 260ft (80m) 

A beautiful riverside walk treats us to one of the best views of historic Alnwick Castle as we approach Alnwick. The afternoon is free to explore this charming market town. Some of your options include visiting Alnwick Castle which starred as Hogwarts in several Harry Potter films (don’t miss the castle gardens’ treehouse café), Alnwick Gardens, Hulne Park, or some of the many independent shops (including the famous Barter Books), and tea shops around the town.

Distance: 3.5 miles (5.5km)  

Total ascent: 510ft (155m)  

We’ll walk the classic section of Hadrian's Wall, starting at Sycamore Gap, before climbing Steel Rigg for glorious views towards Scotland. From here we'll walk along Hotbank crags, which takes us past milecastles (small Roman forts) and along one of the best-preserved sections of the wall, before boarding a bus to Vindolanda (entrance fee payable locally). The first section of this route is quite strenuous with some steep ups and downs, but it’s well worth the effort as we walk in the footsteps of the Roman legions.

Discover more about Nether Grange and the local area for ideas on how to fill your free day. 

Distance: 4 miles (6.5km)  

Total ascent: 800ft (250m)  

Following centuries-old carriage tracks, we’ll walk through woodland and across the edge of the moor to the entrance of the impressive National Trust Cragside Estate. After lunch, there’s plenty of time to visit the property and its gardens to learn about the feats of engineering by Victorian inventor and industrialist, Lord Armstrong. Entrance to Cragside isn’t included in the price of your holiday but is free for National Trust members. 

Distance: 4.5 miles (7.5km)  

Total ascent: minimal  

The running order of today's itinerary will depend on the tide times, but we’ll spend half a day on Holy Island (Lindisfarne), with time to visit some of its famous sights including the walled garden, the historic Priory (payable locally, English Heritage members free), and the Heritage Centre. We’ll spend the other half of our day walking from Craster to the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle (payable locally, English Heritage members free)- perched on a remote headland, the route was recently voted the most impressive in the UK. 

Distance: 4 miles (6.5km)  

Total ascent: Minimal  

We’ll start the morning by sailing from Seahouses around the Farne Islands.* This is a fantastic trip for wildlife watching - from March/April until mid-August up to 37,000 puffins nest on these islands. Returning to the mainland, we've a superb beach walk from Seahouses to Bamburgh, the entrance to which shows Bamburgh Castle in its full glory, including its most photographed view. If there's time, there are plenty of pubs and tea shops to relax in. *Weather permitting  

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.