4-Night Northumberland Guided Walking Holiday

Distance: 7 miles (11.5km)

Ascent: 560 feet (180m)

In summary: After leaving Alnmouth, meander alongside the River Aln and gently ascend to Spy Law with views on all sides of the countryside. The walk continues moving seawards displaying the Northumberland coast in front of you before returning through colourful cereal fields overlooking the Aln estuary and the once port of Alnmouth towards to sea.

Highlight: A chance to appreciate the variety of scenery that Northumberland has to offer.

Distance: 8.5 miles (13.5km)

Ascent: 600 feet (180m)

In summary: Walk around the historic village of Alnmouth and then visit the picturesque village of Lesbury before meandering alongside the River Aln. The walk gives views of countryside and coast, and passes through the Hamlet of High Buston. Learn of the links of the Buston family to King John in 1209 and the traditional “dunking” of the local freemens’ sons. The route returns through undulating countryside culminating in a sight of Alnmouth with colourful houses overlooking the estuary and the sea.

Highlight: An appreciation of how the land and seascape framed local life through the centuries.

Distance: 10.5 miles (17km)

Ascent: 750 feet (240m)

In summary: This walk gives the visitor a chance to see traditional villages and hamlets of Northumberland and learn about life in this area at various times in the past. The trail passes through green countryside with river, inland and coastal views. The Shilbottle miners’ route to the sea also forms part of this walk. The Hamlet of High Buston is visited along with the villages of Alnmouth, Lesbury and the route passes by the village of Shilbottle with substantial medieval and industrial records.

Highlight: Countryside walking steeped in history with inland and coastal views.

Distance: 7 miles (11½km)

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

Distance: 7 miles (11km)

Ascent: 420 feet (120m)

In summary: A repeat from earlier in the week for 7 night guests. We begin following Lovers Walk out of Alnmouth. We walk through Buston Links, this grassland is carefully managed by the National Trust you will see blooming wild flowers. Beyond the dunes, lies the southern section of Alnmouth Bay and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore accompanies you as you walk along this near deserted section of the Northumberland Coast.

Highlight: The estuary is renowned as a nature reserve and particularly for migrating waders and wildfowl that gather as autumn approaches. 

Distance: 9 miles (15km)

Ascent: 500 feet (160m)

In summary: A repeat from earlier in the week for 7 night guests. We follow Lovers Walk out of Alnmouth village to the estuary and renowned nature reserve. There are some fantastic views from the higher path down across the Aln Estuary and the colourful houses of Alnmouth as we make our way towards Warkworth. Look out for fossilised tree stumps on the beach after we turn for Alnmouth.

Highlight: Buston Links is a haven for birds and wildflowers, the latter in Spring and Summer, the former can turn up surprises any time of the year.

Distance: 11 miles (17km)

Ascent: 600 feet (200m)

In summary: A repeat from earlier in the week for 7 night guests. Combining the Northumberland Coast Path, St Oswald's Way and the National Cycleway, our walk heads south to Warkworth Castle. As well as the history, you will be rewarded with attractive coastal scenery, with plenty of wildlife and wild flowers at different times of the year. The ruined buildings alongside the coast path are the old guano sheds, built well away from the village, presumably due to the smell of this imported fertiliser.  

Highlight: Learn the history of Harry Hotspur, a member of the powerful Percy family who built Warkworth Castle.

Distance: 8 miles (12.5km)

Ascent: 600 feet (180m)

In summary: The Lesbury Estate, which is part of the Northumberland Estate, stretches from Lesbury to the eastern edge of Alnwick. The route enters the estate at the hamlet of Bilton and we ascend gently to reach the Aln Valley railway route which once connected Alnwick with the London Edinburgh main line railway at Alnmouth. The railway route takes the walkers past the railway depot before returning along River Aln.

Highlight: An appreciation of the Northumberland Estate and the tranquil riverside path.

Distance: 10.5 miles (16.5km)

Ascent: 880 feet (280m)

In summary: Hugh Percy the 1st Duke of Northumberland wanted to be able to see all his considerable lands easily so he built two follies to give panoramic views of his estate. This route passes along the north bank of the Aln and then ascends towards the first and less well known of his follies built in the late 17th century. Pastureland walking then leads to the eastern end of the Waterside Estate before returning along the tranquil south bank of the Aln and the hamlet of Bilton.

Highlight: The Ratcheugh Observatory creation of the 1st Duke of Northumberland.

Distance: 11.5 miles (18km)

Ascent: 900 feet (280m)

In summary: Leaving Alnmouth and Lesbury and after walking north of the River Aln the route ascends to Ratcheugh Crag, site of the Ratcheugh Observatory built by the 1st Duke of Northumberland. Walking along a green lane we pass through the hamlet of Denwick and onto Denwick Bridge with views of Alnwick Castle. Entering the Waterside Estate, we walk through pastures before returning along the tranquil south bank of the Aln and the Hamlet of Bilton.

Highlight: An iconic view of Alnwick Castle.

Distance: 7 miles (11.5km)

Ascent: 560 feet (180m)

In summary: After leaving Alnmouth, meander alongside the River Aln and gently ascend to Spy Law with views on all sides of the countryside. The walk continues moving seawards displaying the Northumberland coast in front of you before returning through colourful cereal fields overlooking the Aln estuary and the once port of Alnmouth towards to sea.

Highlight: A chance to appreciate the variety of scenery that Northumberland has to offer.

Distance: 8.5 miles (13.5km)

Ascent: 600 feet (180m)

In summary: Walk around the historic village of Alnmouth and then visit the picturesque village of Lesbury before meandering alongside the River Aln. The walk gives views of countryside and coast, and passes through the Hamlet of High Buston. Learn of the links of the Buston family to King John in 1209 and the traditional “dunking” of the local freemens’ sons. The route returns through undulating countryside culminating in a sight of Alnmouth with colourful houses overlooking the estuary and the sea.

Highlight: An appreciation of how the land and seascape framed local life through the centuries.

Distance: 10.5 miles (17km)

Ascent: 750 feet (240m)

In summary: This walk gives the visitor a chance to see traditional villages and hamlets of Northumberland and learn about life in this area at various times in the past. The trail passes through green countryside with river, inland and coastal views. The Shilbottle miners’ route to the sea also forms part of this walk. The Hamlet of High Buston is visited along with the villages of Alnmouth, Lesbury and the route passes by the village of Shilbottle with substantial medieval and industrial records.

Highlight: Countryside walking steeped in history with inland and coastal views.

Distance: 6 miles (10 km)

Ascent: 450 feet (140m)

In summary: The 'Bends' are the meanders in the river Aln to the North of the road bridge into the village. Now managed as a nature reserve, on our walk you can explore the local landscape, discover why the most important harbour north of Newcastle completely vanished, and enjoy a walk along the finest sandy beaches in Northumberland.

Highlight: The nature reserve around the River Aln Estuary is an important place for birds, both resident and migrant throughout the year.

Distance: 8 miles (13km)

Ascent: 500 feet (140m)

In summary: A great storm in 1806 divided Alnmouth cutting off the church and arguably hastening the decline of the busy port. Our walk goes around the estuary to the pretty village of Lesbury, around Foxton Bends, down to the coast and the north to Boulmer. The return journey follows the Coast Path where amongst the dunes overlooking Alnmouth Bay, a Victorian artillery battery established by Algernon Percy, 4th Duke of Northumberland, can be seen. 

Highlight: Now a quiet fishing village, Boulmer had the reputation as a smuggler's haven with tea being the mainstay of the illicit trade in contraband.

Distance: 10 miles (16km)

Ascent: 550 feet (180m)

In summary: Alnmouth, Hipsburn, Lesbury and Boulmer, four villages with long histories on the Northumberland Coast that we visit on this coastal and countryside walk. There is Alnmouth, once a great port, Hipsburn, inseparable from Alnmouth, Lesbury with its Norman church dating back to 1147CE and the smuggler's haunt of Boulmer. On leaving Boulmer, our route follows the Northumberland Coast Path along Foxton and Alnmouth beaches back to the country house.

Highlight: Open countryside, pretty villages, the Northumberland Coast and the River Aln Nature Reserve. 

Distance: 7 miles (11km)

Ascent: 420 feet (120m)

In summary: We begin following Lovers Walk out of Alnmouth. We walk through Buston Links. This grassland is carefully managed by the National Trust you will see blooming wild flowers. Beyond the dunes, lies the southern section of Alnmouth Bay and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore accompanies you as you walk along this near deserted section of the Northumberland Coast.

Highlight: The estuary is renowned as a nature reserve and particularly for migrating waders and wildfowl that gather as autumn approaches. 

Distance: 9 miles (15km)

Ascent: 500 feet (160m)

In summary: We follow Lovers Walk out of Alnmouth village to the estuary and renowned nature reserve. There are some fantastic views from the higher path down across the Aln Estuary and the colourful houses of Alnmouth as we make our way towards Warkworth. Look out for fossilised tree stumps on the beach after we turn for Alnmouth.

Highlight: Buston Links is a haven for birds and wildflowers, the latter more so in spring and summer, the former can turn up surprises any time of the year.

Distance: 11 miles (17km)

Ascent: 600 feet (200m)

In summary: Combining the Northumberland Coast Path, St Oswald's Way and the National Cycleway, our walk heads south to Warkworth Castle. As well as the history, you'll be rewarded with attractive coastal scenery, with plenty of wildlife and wild flowers at different times of the year. The ruined buildings alongside the coast path are the old guano sheds, built well away from the village, presumably due to the smell of this imported fertiliser.  

Highlight: Learn the history of Harry Hotspur, a member of the powerful Percy family who built Warkworth Castle.

Distance: 7 miles (11.5km)

Ascent: 560 feet (180m)

In summary: After leaving Alnmouth, meander alongside the River Aln and gently ascend to Spy Law with views on all sides of the countryside. The walk continues moving seawards displaying the Northumberland coast in front of you before returning through colourful cereal fields overlooking the Aln estuary and the once port of Alnmouth towards to sea.

Highlight: A chance to appreciate the variety of scenery that Northumberland has to offer.

Distance: 8.5 miles (13.5km)

Ascent: 600 feet (180m)

In summary: Walk around the historic village of Alnmouth and then visit the picturesque village of Lesbury before meandering alongside the River Aln. The walk gives views of countryside and coast, and passes through the Hamlet of High Buston. Learn of the links of the Buston family to King John in 1209 and the traditional “dunking” of the local freemens’ sons. The route returns through undulating countryside culminating in a sight of Alnmouth with colourful houses overlooking the estuary and the sea.

Highlight: An appreciation of how the land and seascape framed local life through the centuries.

Distance: 10.5 miles (17km)

Ascent: 750 feet (240m)

In summary: This walk gives the visitor a chance to see traditional villages and hamlets of Northumberland and learn about life in this area at various times in the past. The trail passes through green countryside with river, inland and coastal views. The Shilbottle miners’ route to the sea also forms part of this walk. The Hamlet of High Buston is visited along with the villages of Alnmouth, Lesbury and the route passes by the village of Shilbottle with substantial medieval and industrial records.

Highlight: Countryside walking steeped in history with inland and coastal views.

Distance: 7 miles (11½km)

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