Stately Homes
Alnwick Gardens
The brainchild of The Duchess of Northumberland, The Alnwick Garden is a multi-award winning visitor attraction based in Alnwick, Northumberland. 12 acres of meandering and magnificent Gardens are home to the world’s largest Tai Haku Cherry Orchard, a Grand Cascade comprising 120 water jets and the worlds largest Treehouse Restaurant. Families and children can run freely throughout The Garden playing on mini diggers and interacting with daily Summer street theatre programme. At other times of the year, The Garden is a peaceful and tranquil haven to spend hour after hour wandering amongst the Roses, the Ornamental Garden and the Cherry Blossom or just kicking back to take it all in on one of our 50 swinging benches. If you are looking for a unique dining experience, why not dine in the magnificent Treehouse Restaurant, or for a lighter bite then you can visit the Potting Shed, The Bakery or The Pavilion Cafe.
Howick Hall Gardens and Arboretum
Howick Hall Gardens & Arboretum, the ancestral seat of the Earls Grey since 1319. Discover the history of the 2nd Earl, after whom the famous tea is named, wander through the beautiful gardens created by the 5th Earl Grey and his family which are awash with snowdrops and daffodils in the spring and a veritable display of colour in the Autumn or for the more energetic explore the arboretum a united nations of shrubs and trees covering over 65 acres. Take a rest from exploring in the Earl Grey Tea House for a bite to eat and a cup of Earl Grey Tea.
Paxton House and Gardens
80 acres of parkland, gardens, woodland and riverside walks with red squirrel and bird hides include a net fishing museum, adventure playground and picnic areas. With a gift shop, enjoy a home cooked lunch in the tea room and many changing exhibitions Paxton House has much to offer
Cragside House
The revolutionary home of Lord Armstrong, Victorian inventor and landscape genius. Discover the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity. It is crammed full of ingenious gadgets – most of them still working. See one of the largest rock gardens in Europe which leads down to the Iron Bridge, which in turn leads to the formal garden. Children will love the adventure play area and exploring Nelly’s Labyrinth, a network of paths and tunnels cut out of a vast area of rhododendron forest. Keep an eye out for the red squirrels.
Floors Castle and Gardens
Visit the historic Castle, the largest inhabited house in Scotland, take in the beautiful gardens before a delicious homemade lunch at the cafe. Follow way-marked trails through the woods or down to the river, all set in the stunning landscape of the Scottish Borders.
The Farne Islands
This group of between 15 and 20 islands, depending on the tide, is accessible from Seahouses harbour where you can join a boat tour to see some 37,000 pairs of puffins, 23 species of seabirds and a large grey seal colony.Inner Farne and Staple Island are open to the public where you can see the wildlife up close and there are some beautiful views of Bamburgh Castle and neighbouring Holy Island, so take a camera.Glad Tidings, Serenity, Golden Gate and St Cuthbert Boat Tours are just some of the boat companies which offer trips to the Farnes
Holy Island
Some people come to Holy Island for a sense of peace while others love the thrill of spending time in place which is only accessible at low tide.Holy Island is known as a place of pilgrimage. It marks the end of St Cuthbert’s Way – a long walking route signposted by wooden poles in the sand from the mainland out to the island. St Aidan came here in 635AD and built a monastery, Lindisfarne Priory, which is currently housing the Lindisfarne Gospels – a medieval manuscript celebrated across the world. Check the safe crossing times before you visit to ensure you arrive as the tide goes out so you can make the most of your trip. Walk around the island, taking in the upturned boat sheds, the former fort then holiday retreat of Lindisfarne Castle, seals on the beaches and the lovely shops in the village. From the rocky mounds of Lindisfarne Castle, there are some great views of Ross Back Sands across the water and Bamburgh Castle and the Farne Islands to the south.
