Holiday 2021 in Northumberland
Twenty five people gathered in Berwick-upon-Tweed at the start of this year’s Morley College holiday. Most people managed to walk around the 16th century ramparts with fabulous views of the River Tweed, the magnificent Royal Border Bridge and the surrounding areas. Some of us visited a Food & Drink Festival near the Barracks and Art Gallery. And a few of us ventured across the river to visit Spital and Tweedmouth – for fantastic views of Berwick, an English market town devoid of high rise buildings!
On a bright and sunny Sunday morning we took the coach to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne for a chance to explore this unique place. Highlights included the Priory, the Castle, the Gertrude Jekyll Garden the disused lime kilns, and the archaeological sites. Some of us even reached Emmanuel Head on the far side of the island.
On Monday we headed to Seahouses for a 3 mile walk on the beach until Bamburgh Castle rose in the mist and we gathered beneath it on the cricket green. From there we drove to Low-Newton-by-the-Sea for an alfresco lunch surrounded by 18th century fishermen’s cottages, followed by another walk to Craster past the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. Our final stop was Howick Hall, Gardens & Arboretum, where we enjoyed tea (Earl Grey, of course) and cakes, plus a look around the beautiful grounds.
Our base for the rest of the week was at HF Holidays at Nether Grange in Alnmouth, where we arrived on Monday evening. Over the next 3 days, in mostly warm and sunny weather, we enjoyed walks in Rothbury & the Simonside Hills, Alnmouth and the Northumberland heritage coast. Our final day was spent in the town of Alnwick with its famous Garden, Castle and Barter Books. In the evening we boarded the train back to London.
I would like to express my thanks to everyone who helped to make this holiday so memorable – especially Sue Howard & Sue Charteris. Thanks to Sally and Giorgio for photos.
