Northumberland - enough to do for a weeks holiday in the summer?

[decena]

We are thinking of a holiday cottage for a week next summer, probably on the coast. We are an oudoorsy type of family, kids 7 and 4 - is there plenty to do for a week? It seems to have nice beaches and castles etc. Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

omg - it certainly has. We spent a fortnight there a few years ago and then wanted to go back last year so went for the whole whit fortnight. You'll be hard pushed fitting it into a week. We spend all our time on castles, beaches, walks and stuff so similar to you.

see!

I took ds to alnwick castle for a couple of days, he had a great time. The tree house is fantastic! They do lovely afternoon tea.

my dses and dd loved the Alnwick Water gardens, pick a nice day and take a picnic - beautiful. They want to go back and play on the diggers in the fountains again

Hi Giggle Off to twilight dear.

The Life centre in Newcastle's really good fun aswell if you want to venture that way.

ooh, and Lindisfarne, both castle and priory worth a look. We also went to Bamburgh castle which is absolutely lovely.

Definetly enough to do-Berwick, Seahouses, Farne Islands, Holy Island, Bamburgh Castle, Ford and Etal, Alnwick Gardens, Blyth Park and Morpeth parks with open air splash areas/paddling pools for kids.
Fantastic area.

We went for 2 weeks this summer with DS(almost 7). First week near the coast close to Holy Island and 2nd week almost on Hadrians Wall (Steel Riggs). Definitely plenty to do, let me see if I can remember:
Day 1 - arrived
Day 2 - Holy Island
Day 3 - Took DS to Newcastle to see Walking with Dinos
Day 4 - Bamburgh
Day 5 - Farne Islands & Low Newton
Day 6 - Alnwick Castle
Day 7 - Berwick Upon Tweed (walked walls) & St Abbs Head
Day 8 - Change over day, monsoon like rain, bookshop in Alnwick & lunch in Rothbury
Day 9 - Vindolanda
Day 10 - Walked bits of the wall/picnic etc
Day 11 - Kielder Water
Day 12 - Housteads Fort & more wall
Day 13 - Hexham
Day 14 - Birdoswald Fort & more wall
Day 15 - home
Would go back like a shot, would love to stay in Bamburgh itself.

Loved it! We had a terrific week - highlights being Bamburgh Castle, Grace Darling Museum, Lindisfarne, Vindolanda (jaw-droppingly wonderful).

Only downside was the long distances driving between places, even tho much of the scenery was beautiful, and for us not enough good places to eat.

We were a bit challenged on the walking side and I would imagine you'd have to pace your children carefully.

Have fun!

absolutely

I have just booked our summer hols in Northumberland, just outside of alnwick and i am sooo excited... been reading this thread and have already got loads of ideas!!! Thanks all! We're in Longhoughton... anyone know the area?

Thinking of a week in Northumberland at Easter. Really want a cottage but it has to be dog friendly. Ideally would step out of cottage onto beach? Any suggestions of places. What is Seahouses like? Is it a a harbour?

Personal opinion only but Seahouses is a bit "fish & chips" but probably fine at Easter. I'd go to Bamburgh. I have these dog friendly cottages on my favourites but I think only one is actually by the beach.

How about this?

A couple of places to suggest:

Beacon Hill Farm, Longhorsley, Northumberland - this is a double winner of England's self catering holiday of the year. There are 11 cottages ranging from 1 to 3 bedrooms and it has an indoor swimming pool.

Northumberland Cottage, Branton, near Alnwick - 3 bedrooms and dog friendly

Lindores, Alnmouth, Northumberland - it is large though and has 5 beds

I hope they help. Lucilla

Alnwick Castle sells lush icecream