7 Night Northumberland Gentle Guided Walking Holiday

Distance : 3 miles (5 km)

Total Ascent: 285 feet (85 m)

In Summary: This walk begins at Alnwick Gardens with the unique Treehouse
Restaurant visible through the trees. We’ll descend to the Denwick Bridge and walk
over pastures, accompanied by iconic views of Alnwick Castle. We visit the entrance
to Hulne Park and then pass through Pottergate, past the statue of Harry Hotspur to
reach Alnwick Market place. We’ll finish the walk by heading through Bondgate back
to Alnwick Gardens.

Highlight: Fabulous views of Alnwick Castle and the chance to enter and leave the
town through the old town gates.

Distance: 6 miles (9.5km) 

Ascent: 540 feet (165m)

In summary: Starting from Denwick this walk passes through the Northumberland Estates belonging to the Dukes of Northumberland.  There are varying landscapes from the Pastures below the Castle, the Deer Park to moorland west of the town.

Highlight: This walk shows the different aspects of Alnwick including views of the Castle from the Pastures, Alnwick Abbey in Hulne Park, Alnwick Moor and the town itself.

Distance: 8 miles (13km) 

Ascent: 600 feet (185m)

In summary: Starting from Nether Grange House this walk skirts the River Aln salt marsh teeming with wildlife, then passes through historic Lesbury to follow the Aln through the Northumberland Estates to reach Alnwick.

Highlight: The spectacular view of Alnwick Castle from The Pastures in the Northumberland Estate before reaching the iconic Lion Bridge

Distance : 3 miles (4.5 km)

Total Ascent: 130 feet (40m)

In Summary: Explore the picturesque village of Craster, before enjoying an out and
back walk to the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, perched on a remote
headland. The route was recently voted the most impressive in the UK.
We haven’t included the entrance fees for the castle as many of you are already
English Heritage members – please bring your membership card with you for free
access to the castle. For anyone not an English Heritage member, entrance will be
payable locally. If you don’t wish to visit the castle, bring your binoculars and enjoy
time watching the birdlife as others explore.
We return to Alnmouth where you’re free to spend the afternoon exploring
independently or relaxing at Nether Grange. Alternatively, our coach can drop you at
Howick Hall & Gardens (entrance payable locally) – the ancestral home of Earl Grey, where
there’s beautiful gardens and an arboretum to explore. There’s also a café where
there’s a good chance of spotting red squirrels on their feeders outside. The coach
will then return for you later in the day

Highlight: Snapping shots of Dunstanburgh Castle perched on the headland.

Distance: 5.5 miles (8.5km) 

Ascent: 290 feet (90m) 

In summary: Walk from High Newton via Embleton Bay to the iconic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, then follow the path along the beautiful Northumberland Coast to to the pretty fishing village of Craster

Highlight: Dunstanburgh Castle occupies a glorious cliff-top position. Look out for fulmars, razorbills and kittiwakes nesting nearby.

Distance: 7.5 miles (12km) 

Ascent: 350 feet (120m) 

In summary: Starting further north at Beadnell this grand coastal walk takes in the sweeping arcs of Beadnell and Embleton Bays, the pretty National Trust village Low Newton-by-the-Sea and atmospheric Dunstanburgh Castle before finishing in Craster.   

Highlight: A glorious opportunity to see the best of the Northumberland Coast. With luck you may see seals, as well as the rich array of birdlife.

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. 

Distance: 6 miles (10km)

Total ascent: 560 feet (170m)

In summary: From Northumberland Wildlife Trust's nature reserve at Hauxley, this a varied coastal walk via the harbour at Amble to historic Warkworth and it's medieval castle perched high above the River Coquet.

Highlight: Spend time in Warkworth at the end of the walk, a picturesque coastal village steeped in history.

Distance: 7.5 miles (12.5km) 

Ascent: 490 feet (150m)

In summary: Starting in historic Warkworth with its medieval castle, follow in the footsteps of St Oswald along the coast to Alnmouth.

Highlight: Enjoy a blend of natural beauty, historical landmarks, and coastal charm.

Distance : 3.7 miles (6 km)

Total Ascent: 240 feet (75 m)

In Summary:  We leave the village of Thropton, cross the River Coquet and fields of the Coquet Valley to reach Tosson Lime Kiln. We continue along the valley bottom with views of Simonside above us and the Rothbury Terraces opposite, crossing back over the river to reach the quiet town of Rothbury

Highlight:  Views of the Coquet Valley, the surrounding hills and the peacefulness of the countryside setting.

Distance : 5.5 miles (9 km)

Total Ascent: 550 feet (170 m)

In Summary:  A circular route starting in the pretty market town of Rothbury. We head out past the Iron Age hill fort of West Hills. Little evidence of the fort remains, but the location affords lovely views of the Coquet valley. From there we descend into the village of Thorpton, where we cross the River Coquet to reach Tosson Lime Kiln. We continue along the valley bottom with views of Simonside above us and the Rothbury Terraces opposite, before crossing back over the river to reach Rothbury once more.

Highlight:  the Coquet valley offers a great diversity of birdlife - see what you can spot enroute.

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. 

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.

Distance: 4 miles (6.5km)

Ascent: 195 feet (60m)

In summary: We've a superb beach walk in store for you, from Seahouses to Bamburgh. Our entrance to Bamburgh shows the namesake Castle in its full glory and offers a great photo opportunity. When we reach Bamburgh there’s time to explore independently – spend time on the beach, explore the shops, pubs and cafes, take time to visit one or two of the following – the castle, the walled gardens, the lifeboat museum, or the crypt and find out more about the Bamburgh Bones!

Highlight: Bamburgh Castle appearing ahead of us sat framed by the dunes

Distance: 6.5 miles (10.5m)

Total ascent: 250 feet (80m)

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.