4 Night Northumberland Walking with Sightseeing Holiday
These holidays offer a perfect mix of short, guided walks (4-5 miles), combined with time spent sightseeing. Visit a selection of standout highlights in Northumberland with hassle-free coach travel and the help of an HF Holidays Leader.
What you’ll love
- Exploring some of Northumberland’s finest beaches
- Discovering a land of coast and castles
- Taking a boat trip to the wildlife-rich Farne Islands
- Learning about the history of Northumberland
- Staying at a former 18th century granary in the heart of Alnmouth
What’s included
- 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
- Guided walks and sightseeing visits with an experienced HF Holidays Leader
- All transport to and from walks and sites of interest
- Easy-to-follow routes, maps, and information in our Discovery Point if you want to explore independently
Please note - Entrance fees are not included. See Essential Info tab for details.
Trip Notes
Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date.
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.
You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea on arrival.
Option 1 - Thropton to Cragside
Distance: 4 miles (6.5 km)
Ascent: 750 feet (230 m)
In summary: From the village of Thropton the walk ascends Physic Lane to the Rothbury Terraces and then wends across moorland with views of the Coquet Valley before entering into the Cragside Estate.
Highlight: Views along the Coquet Valley of the Cheviots and Simonside and the unique creation which is the Cragside Estate and house.
Option 2 - Rothbury Carriageway and Terraces
Distance: 5.5 miles (8.5km)
Ascent: 800 feet (250m)
In summary: Beginning in traditional market town of Rothbury our route climbs gently through woodland before circuiting the Rothbury Terraces with panoramic views of the Coquet Valley. We then descend back to Rothbury via Physic Lane with fine views continuing all around. There should be time to explore the town prior to our journey back to the house.
Highlight: Views along the Coquet Valley of the Cheviots and Simonside Hills.
Option 3 - The Coquet Valley
Distance: 7 miles (11.5km)
Ascent: 1,100 feet (350m)
In summary: From Rothbury main car park the walk ascends to reach the Hamlet of Whitton and then continues below the Simonside hills to visit the hamlet of Great Tosson. After descending and crossing the Coquet Valley there is an ascent up to Rothbury Terraces before returning to Rothbury.
Highlight: Views of the Coquet Valley from both sides and the hamlet of Great Tosson with its mediaeval remains and nearby Lime Kiln.
Option 1 - Budle Bay to Bamburgh
Distance: 3.5 miles (5.5km)
Ascent: 130 feet (40m)
In summary: We head out to the coast along gently sloping paths with views of Budle Bay appearing and reappearing through the frames of huge dunes. Eventually reaching Bamburgh.
Highlight: If the tide is waning, keep your eyes peeled for a myriad of wading birds in Budle Bay, including oystercatcher, curlew and turnstone sifting through the sand and silt and rocks for their next meal.
Option 2 - Seahouses to Bamburgh
Distance: 3½ miles (5.5km)
Ascent: Minimal
In summary: Explore Seahouses, or take a morning boat trip around the Farne Islands.* This is a fantastic wildlife-watching trip - from March/April until mid-August up to 37,000 puffins nest on these islands! Beyond August there’s still plenty to see too – the islands are home to over 3000 seals and plenty of birdlife. We've a superb beach walk in store for you, from Seahouses to Bamburgh. Our entrance to Bamburgh shows the Castle in its full glory and offers its most photographed view. If there's the time, there's a plentiful supply of pubs and tea shops, the opportunity to visit the castle, and museum or sit back and relax on the beach and enjoy this stunning setting. *fair weather permitting.
Highlight: If the weather’s good, a trip to the Farnes shouldn’t be missed.
Option 3 - On the way to Bamburgh
Distance: 6 miles (9.5km)
Total ascent: 300 feet (100m)
In summary: Enjoy an iconic beach walk from Beadnell to Seahouses with time to look at the harbour then it’s on to Bamburgh and its castle.
Highlight: Look out for seabirds and seals flying and bobbing about amongst the waves on this excellent coastal walk.
Option 1 - Amble to Warkworth
Distance: 3.5 miles (6 km)
Ascent: 200 feet (60m)
In summary: Explore Amble and admire the views out to Coquet island, before we begin our walk today. There’s a fabulous range of craft shops in the pastel-painted beach huts on the front, or discover the range of fish caught locally at the Northumberland Seafood Centre. We pass through the marina and along the estuary, a great place for spotting birdlife, and follow the River Coquet to the historic village of Warkworth with its castle, hermitage, riverside walks, coffee shops, and far too tasty – chocolate shop!
Highlight: The Amble harbour boardwalk gives spectacular views of Coquet Island seabird sanctuary.
Option 2 - Low Hauxley to Warkworth
Distance: 6 miles (10km)
Total ascent: 560 feet (170m)
In summary: From Northumberland Wildlife Trust's nature reserve at Hauxley, a varied walk all the way back to Alnmouth via the harbour at Amble and historic Warkwarth.
Highlight: Wildlife spotting at the nature reserve
Option 3 - Warkworth to Alnmouth via Lesbury
Distance: 7.5 miles (12.5km)
Ascent: 490 feet (150m)
In summary: Starting in historic Warkworth, follow in the footsteps of St Oswald along the coast to Alnmouth.
Highlight: Warkworth's medieval castle and the expansive views out to sea.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
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.
Rooms
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, and comfortable mattresses.
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.
Check in & check out
You are welcome to check in from 4:00pm at the earliest. 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.
On the day of departure, we kindly ask all guests to check out by 10:00am. You’ll be asked to settle your bill prior to leaving. You may, of course, make a charitable donation to our HF Holidays Pathways Fund if you wish. Please note that we only accept card payments.
Room supplements
| Premium single | Premium double/twin | Choose your room |
| £20 pppn | £20 pppn | £30 per room |
About your stay
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, the HF Holidays Big Pub Quiz held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays Leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided walking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.
Walks talks
Our HF Holidays Leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s walking delights (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.
The walking day
Prior to setting off on 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.
Food & drink
Led by experienced chefs, we serve a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. We always aim to source the best produce available and use home-grown herbs and vegetables from our own gardens whenever possible. Additionally, we have a licensed bar with beers, soft drinks, and a superb selection of spirits. Full-board comes as standard and includes a cream tea on arrival and a hearty breakfast on departure day.
HF Holidays understands the importance of managing allergens effectively to ensure food is safe for guests with food allergies. Whilst we are always able to confidently inform guests which allergens are present in our ingredients and dishes, we are unable to guarantee absolute freedom from the 14 main allergens in our kitchens. Vegetarian and vegan menu choices are available. If you have allergies, food intolerances, or any special dietary requirements, please inform our reservation team at the time of booking.
Accessibility
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Nether Grange
Getting to Nether Grange
Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.
More InformationEssential information
Please note
We have a Gentle Guided Walking holiday running alongside your Walking with Sightseeing holiday. This means that each day you will also be able to choose from not only the Walking with Sightseeing itinerary detailed here in your trip notes, but from an addition 1-2 walks options too. Those on the Gentle Guided Walking programme running alongside will have this option as well – of opting for either of their scheduled walks, or choosing the Walking with Sightseeing programme scheduled that day.
Admission fees are payable locally and aren’t included in your holiday price. Many of you have English Heritage (EH) or National Trust (NT) memberships already, which entitle you to free or reduced price entry to some of the attractions visited. Please see below, approximate totals for entrance fees, should you choose to visit all the highlighted attractions during your holiday. If you have National Trust or English Heritage membership – please make sure to bring your membership identification with you.
|
Approx cost of entrance fees |
3 night holiday |
4 night holiday |
7 night holiday |
|
NT & EH members |
£32 |
£37 |
£68 |
|
NT members |
£32 |
£47 |
£78 |
|
EH members |
£32 |
£58 |
£89 |
|
No memberships |
£32 |
£68 |
£99 |
Essential information
The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather that’s sunny one minute and raining the next. To make it easier, here’s a list of items you should consider packing.
Essentials
- Suitable footwear such as waterproof walking boots that provide ankle support and good grip
- Waterproof and windproof jacket, preferably insulated
- Comfortable clothing (jeans & waterproof capes are not suitable)
- Waterproof overtrousers
- Gloves and a warm hat (or sunhat)
- Rucksack
- Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)
- A small torch
- Sunscreen
- Mobile phone and portable charger
- Watch
- UV sunglasses
Recommended
- Several base layers (long-sleeve or short-sleeve)
- Cushioned walking socks to avoid blisters
- First aid kit, including plasters and insect repellent
- Sit mat
- Spare pair of socks
- Energy snacks
- Waterproof pouch for valuables
- Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace)
- Wallet/purse
Optional extras
- Walking poles, useful for descents
- Flask for hot drinks
- Durable lunch box
- Gaiters
- Blister kit
- Waterproof rucksack liner
- Head torch
- GPS device
Nether Grange Calendar
- Guided Walking
- Self-Guided Walking
- Special Interests
- Unavailable to Book
Guest reviews
All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.
Non-member fee: £30 per person.
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take an alternative route, or vary the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Holiday prices
| Date (Start - End) | Itinerary | Double / Twin Room | Single Room | Notes / Offers | Trip Notes | Book | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ||||||||
|
06 May - 10 May 2024 4 nights |
Sightseeing Walk
Single Call to Enquire
Double from £719 £704 pp |
from £719 £704 pp |
Call to Enquire | Save £15 Per Person | Trip Notes | Book Now | ||
|
08 Jul - 12 Jul 2024 4 nights |
Sightseeing Walk Single from £719 £694 Double from £719 £694 pp |
from £719 £694 pp |
from £719 £694 |
Save £25 Per Person | Trip Notes | Book Now | ||
|
28 Oct - 01 Nov 2024 4 nights |
Sightseeing Walk
Single Call to Enquire
Double from £559 £514 pp |
from £559 £514 pp |
Call to Enquire | Save £45 Per Person | Trip Notes | Book Now | ||
4 nights
from
£559pp
£514pp
On offer
or call 020 3974 8865
For group bookings of 10+ guests click here
