Northumberland – Legends and Landscapes

It’s a bit of a way from the South so, today we focus on just getting there with an easy journey broken into comfortable segments for maximum comfort!
In the evening, we arrive at our luxurious hotel, offering a unique blend of history, luxury and charm. With opulent rooms, fine dining and dramatic architecture, it’s a truly atmospheric escape steeped in medieval grandeur.

Bide-a-Wee Garden near Morpeth is a beautifully designed hillside haven, rich in texture, colour and rare plants. Nearby, Stanton Fence Garden offers sweeping views and vibrant borders set within a charming country setting. Together, they promise a day of inspiration, tranquillity and horticultural excellence for garden lovers.
As an extra treat we’ll spend a couple of hours in the delightful town of Morpeth where we can find lunch and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Cragside is the home of Lord Armstrong of Vickers Armstrong, the vast British Armaments company. Always needing to be ahead in technology, Lord Armstrong created the world’s first ‘Smart Home’ set amongst a beautiful river valley – which is craggy!
In the afternoon we visit Chillingham Castle, reputed to be Britain’s most haunted! Originally a 12th century monastery, it was rebuilt into a castle and is set amongst lovely grounds.

In the morning, we venture northwards to Whalton Manor, a hidden treasure of Northumberland, offering enchanting gardens, elegant architecture and peaceful charm. Discover vibrant borders, historic features and timeless beauty.
In the afternoon, once the tidal causeway is clear, we head to Lindisfarne to explore the sacred ruins of Lindisfarne Abbey and the dramatic silhouette of Lindisfarne Castle, perched above the sea.

We couldn’t come all this way without a long visit to Alnwick Castle and Gardens which offer a magical blend of history, grandeur and horticultural wonder.
Explore the majestic castle – home to the Percy family and film location for Harry Potter – then wander through the award-winning gardens, featuring the stunning Grand Cascade and mysterious Poison Garden.
Later in the afternoon we visit the lovely town and perhaps partake of the famous second-hand bookshop and cafés or maybe a spot of shopping?

Belsay Hall offers a captivating blend of Greek classical architecture, romantic ruins and the stunning Quarry Gardens.
Hadrian’s Wall is famous for its role in keeping the Scots, who were allegedly wild and untameable, out of Roman Britannia and we visit Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum to learn about life on the Wall and in the surrounding Roman camps.

Set amongst beautiful grounds and gardens, Raby Castle offers a majestic glimpse into medieval history, with grand interiors, scenic parkland and herds of deer.
Later in the day, we visit the fabulous waterfalls of High and Low Force before heading on south to Harrogate and our lodging tonight at the 4-star Crowne Plaza Hotel.

During the plague of 1665, Isaac Newton was sent from Cambridge to his family farm, Woolsthorpe Manor, for around 18 months and it was here, in this time, he made all of his major breakthroughs, and today we see the extent of his genius.