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4 Night Introduction to Watercolours in Northumberland

Nether Grange
New holidays

■ 4 nights at an HF Country House

■ Availability Mar 2027

■ One itinerary available

■ Full Board

Non-members From

£649

pp

Members From

£619

pp

Members Save: on this booking and get a whole range of extra exclusive benefits. You can become a member during the booking flow. details

For group booking of 10 or more please click here
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With the countryside or coastline as an inspiring backdrop, this holiday caters for all ability levels; from absolute beginners to more experienced artists hoping to shake up their style. Led by expert tutors in groups of no more than 15, you’ll learn how to get comfortable using watercolour paints - and try out new ideas. You’ll also have ample time to practise in peaceful surroundings.

Accommodation

HF Country House
You can tell that you’re in for something special at this former 18th century granary in the heart of Alnmouth – the postcard-pretty coastal village treasured for its colourful cottages, superb walking routes, and peaceful beach where the River Aln meets the North Sea (in its heyday, it was a working river-port, exporting grain, wool, coal, and even the odd pipe of Madeira wine). Not only will you be a 40-minute drive from Northumberland National Park, but also within easy travelling distance of several visit-worthy castles, including Alnwick, Lindisfarne, Dunstanburgh, and Warkworth. If the weather’s nice, a boat trip to the Farne Islands that lie just offshore midway between the villages of Seahouses and Bamburgh rewards with sightings of England's largest grey seal colonies.
10673_0024 - Nether Grange - Chess

What You’ll Love

  • Learning how to work with watercolour paints
  • Taking advice and guidance from an expert tutor
  • Expressing yourself through art
  • Gaining confidence by using various techniques
  • A more personalised experience thanks to small group sizes (maximum 15 people) 

What's Included

  • Expert tuition
  • Loan of wooden A3 art boards
  • Comfortable en-suite accommodation in our country house
  • Cream tea on arrival day
  • Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
  • Daily packed lunches
  • Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee 
  • Easy-to-follow routes, maps, and information available in our Discovery Point if you want to explore independently

Reviews

Itinerary

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

Itinerary

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.

We’ll start with the basics on our first day. Learn about the materials involved in watercolour painting and how to use them. We will talk through the various elements of the watercolour artist’s kit and build a solid foundation on which to develop our skills. 

Following on from yesterday’s introduction, we’ll experiment with traditional watercolour techniques, with a particular focus on wet-on-wet painting. Creating paintings in this way means we can take full advantage of the medium to produce soft yet complex effects in our work. 

Today, we’ll build upon our work so far and push into the world of pen and wash. This method combines basic watercolour techniques with ink. By mixing the two mediums, we’ll create more detailed and expressive artworks which contrast the sharper ink with softer watercolours. 

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.

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Accommodation

Nether Grange

You can tell that you’re in for something special at this former 18th century granary in the heart of Alnmouth – the postcard-pretty coastal village treasured for its colourful cottages, superb walking routes, and peaceful beach where the River Aln meets the North Sea (in its heyday, it was a working river-port, exporting grain, wool, coal, and even the odd pipe of Madeira wine). Not only will you be a 40-minute drive from Northumberland National Park, but also within easy travelling distance of several visit-worthy castles, including Alnwick, Lindisfarne, Dunstanburgh, and Warkworth. If the weather’s nice, a boat trip to the Farne Islands that lie just offshore midway between the villages of Seahouses and Bamburgh rewards with sightings of England's largest grey seal colonies.

A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out). 

Evening entertainment

While evening entertainment varies from house to house, HF Holidays Inter-House Quiz night held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided waking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.

Walks talks 
Our HF Holidays walk leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on guided walking holiday arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s guided walks (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.  

The walking day
Prior to setting off on guided walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house. 

You are welcome to check in from 4pm at the earliest. HF Members can check in earlier, from 2pm. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team. Check out 10am.

•  34 well-appointed guest rooms  •  Exclusive occupancy: 48 guests minimum  •  Check in from 4:00pm • For members check in from 2:00pm •  Free Wi-Fi  •  Boot room and drying room  •  Discovery Point offering a wide range of local area maps, route guides, and information for self-guided walks  •  Books and games to borrow  •  Licensed bar  •  Lounge  •  Garden  •  Outdoor chess set Visit England - Guest Accommodation

Seasonal dining, tailored for you

Our team of skilled chefs design our dinner menus to showcase the best of each season, from warming winter comfort food to vibrant summer dishes, including vegetarian, vegan  and high-protein options. We also source fruit and vegetables within a  40-mile radius of each house, open every break with a Chef’s Special menu inspired by dishes and flavours of the local area, and are able to adapt dishes to suit special dietary requirements.

Welcome Cream Tea

What better way to start your stay than with a cream tea, served fresh on arrival to make you feel instantly at home.  A quintessentially English tradition, our scones are baked in-house and served with preserves and clotted cream, providing the perfect opportunity to meet fellow walkers.

A hearty breakfast to start the day

Start the day with a freshly-prepared cooked breakfast  and a wide choice from our continental buffet, including  hot drinks, juices and fresh fruit. Our team offer a quick  and friendly service, leaving you fuelled and ready for your day’s adventures.

Our famous picnic lunch

Our personalised picnic lunches are perfect for a day out walking, ready to enjoy when hunger strikes. Choose from a large selection of fresh sandwiches and salads, freshly baked cakes and snacks, including the ever-popular Freddos chocolate bar! Everything is designed to fit neatly into your rucksack, and all of the packaging we provide is recyclable or compostable.

3-course evening meals

Our à la carte evening menus feature a wide choice of starters, mains, and desserts, made with seasonal ingredients and, wherever possible, herbs and vegetables from our own gardens. Shared around sociable tables, dinners are relaxed occasions, with drinks available to order at the table or from the bar, and a traditional Sunday roast to round off the week.

Designed with your comfort in mind, Nether Grange has 36 well-appointed guest rooms available in two categories: Classic and Premium. 

Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV. 

Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers.

We love: The sea-facing rooms are especially lovely. 

The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply. 

Room supplements

Premium single Premium double/twin Choose your room
£20 pppn £20 pppn £30 per room

 

*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location 

For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Nether Grange

Getting here

Address 

Nether Grange
Alnmouth
Alnwick
Northumberland NE66 2RZ

Tel: +44 (0)1665 830431

By train

The nearest station is Alnmouth, on the main east coast line between Newcastle and Edinburgh.  

The station is 1.3miles from Nether Grange. Approximately 30minutes walk, with footpath all the way.

Check National Rail for train times and routes. 

By taxi

The 1.5-mile journey from Alnmouth railway station to Nether Grange is about five minutes by taxi. Taxis are in limited supply in Alnmouth, so we recommend pre-booking as early as possible.

For pricing, please contact the taxi company directly.

Taxi companies in the area include:

Sovereign Taxis*
Tel: +44 (0)7553 360662

Wizard Taxis*
Tel: +44 (0)1665 663709

AA Taxis*
Tel: +44 (0)1665 606060

Some taxi companies have school runs so taxis may be in short supply between 9:00am and 10:00am. It is advisable to book your return taxi when you book your arrival taxi.

*HF Holidays does not own or manage any of the above taxi companies.

By car

Before travelling by car, note that there is no car park at Nether Grange and there’s very limited on-street parking.

Exit the A1 onto the A1068 towards Alnwick. At the roundabout turn right (it’s not well signposted), following the A1068 towards Alnmouth. Go straight ahead at the first roundabout then left at the second roundabout onto the B1338.

As you approach Alnmouth, turn right at the next roundabout, then left into The Wynd. Follow to Marine Road, turn right onto Riverside Rd which joins to Northumberland Street. After 100 yards on Northumberland St, turn right into Pease’s Lane. You’ll find Nether Grange on the left.

By air

The nearest airport is Newcastle International Airport. Take the metro to Newcastle Central station, then the train to Alnmouth - a straightforward journey taking just over an hour. 

More Information

Packing list - Introduction to Watercolours Holiday in Northumberland

For introductory art holidays, all guests will require the following materials and tools, to be purchased before the start of your holiday. The listed items should be available from all good art supply shops, and we recommend that you try to purchase the best quality that you can afford. Well-known brands, such as Daler Rowney or Winsor & Newton have ‘student’ quality ranges which are ideal for our exercises. 

 

Paints & Pencils 

Watercolour paints in tubes or dry pan sets, in the following colours:  

  • Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Blue & Cerulean Blue
  •  Cadmium Red & Alizarin Crimson 
  • Lemon Yellow, Yellow Ochre & Cadmium Yellow 
  • Sap Green 
  • Burnt Umber & Burnt Sienna
  •  Payne’s Grey 

Plus, Designers Permanent White Gouache in a tube 

Surfaces 

  • 10” x 14” 300gm watercolour book or pre-glued pad (cold pressed/not, surfaced), 10-12 sheets 
  • A4 Cartridge Sketch Pad 

 

Tools 

  • Watercolour brushes: No. 10, No. 6 & No. 3 
  • Small Rigger brush 
  • 2B & 4B pencils 
  • Pencil eraser 

 

Other 

  • Black/Sepia-coloured fibre-tipped drawing pens (waterproof ink, in fine and medium thickness) 
  • Mixing palette (can be a white dinner plate!)
  • Small craft knife or pencil sharpener
  • Water pot 
  • Kitchen roll x 1 
  • Bulldog clips x 6 

 

Carbon Footprint

We see it as our responsibility to minimise our emissions, not just for this year but every year to come. Our work with sustainability experts, ecollective, has enabled us to measure our carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of our product by 5% each year. Our ambition is to be net zero by 2040 – earlier if we can.

Learn more

Reviews

Carl March

A qualified art teacher with over 25 years of experience, Carl enjoys experimenting with different mediums and helping people explore their creative side. He’s worked as a guest art lecturer on premium cruises worldwide and his many travels have inspired his work. Whether you’re a regular at the easel or have never picked up a paintbrush before, Carl’s patience as an expert tutor will help you create a piece of art of which you can be proud. 

Code: ALN04-PBA05

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Dates & availability

4 Night Introduction to Watercolours in Northumberland

Members save an additional £30 on this booking and get a range of other exclusive benefits. You can join during booking process. Read more about membership

2027

1 Mar - 5 Mar 2027

4 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£649

pp

Members

£619

pp
Single rooms
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If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

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