NORTHUMBERLAND COAST AND LINDISFARNE GUIDED WALKING

May 13-17th 2024 (NOW FULL)
October 7-11th 2024

(4 nights, 4.5 walking days).

Grade 2: Easy to Moderate*

Highlights:

Explore the best sections of the Northumberland Coast Path.
Cross to Holy Island and the famous Lindisfarne Priory.
Walk along miles of stunning white-sand beaches and visit picturesque fishing harbours.
Join a friendly group of like-minded walkers and make new hiking friends.
Make the most of our walk leader's experience and take in the best views & lunch spots.
Relax, forget about your car, and let us organise all walking routes and transfers to and from our walks where these are required.

A week of guided coastal walking in the land of glorious sunrises, ancient castles, big, bright skies and miles of pristine beach. This is an invigorating walking holiday along well-made paths which follow St. Oswald's Way and the Northumberland Coast, occasionally dropping down to walk the expanses of solid white sand.

Our route covers the famous stretches from Belford down to Warkworth, passing Dunstanburgh and Bamber Castles and the idyllic Craster harbor. In addition we will have a day when our walking will take us to the historic Holy Island and Lindisfarne Priory. Although some of our walking days cover around 16km (10 miles) there is no significant ascent involved and so it is fairly easy going.

What's Included: 4 nights single occupancy (4 x bed, breakfast and packed lunch) at the harbour-side Old Ship Inn, and the services of our walk leader who will host this holiday and lead all walks. Also included is the cost of any taxi / minibus/ bus transfers to the start or end of our day's walk and to Holy Island.

What's Not Included: For each evening meal we have a table booked at our hotel so that each person can choose what they would like from the menu. The cost of this evening meal is not included in the holiday fee. If you would like to view a sample menu please click here.

The cost for this holiday including single occupancy of a double, en-suite room is £795 (£845 in 2024)

If you are travelling with a friend and wish to share a twin room the cost is £675 per person, subject to twin room availability (£735 in 2024)

*Our walking breaks are graded from 1('Easy) to 5 (Challenging). This is a Grade 2, 'Easy to Moderate’ walking holiday, designed for those who would like to walk for 5-6 hours in a day, and 3-4 hours on a half-day. Routes usually involve only a moderate mount of ascent and descent, and all walking is on good paths with no technical difficulties. Our aim is always to take our walks at a steady pace, stopping for breaks and to admire the views.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Join us by 2.00 pm for a half day local walk to get to know your fellow walkers and the environment close by. Our route takes us along the beach to Bamburgh Castle, an impressive edifice overlooking The Farne Islands.

(3 hours walking, approx. 8 km). For those who are unable to arrive by this time, join us for dinner at 7.00 pm.

DAY 2: We walk from our base at Seahouses to Craster (famous for the kippers!). En route we pass the rocky coast near Beadnell and the picturesque Beadnell Harbour. Heading South again we pass the craggy outcrops of Newton Point before we reach Low Newton by The Sea, a beautiful hamlet assembled around an equally attractive pub. After passing Embleton Bay we reach the National Trust site at Dunstanburgh Castle, a dramatically situated and haunting ruin, then walk the final few kilometres into Craster Harbour where another harbour-side pub offers a resting place before our transport takes us back to our hotel. (7 hours, 16 km)

DAY 3: On this day the tides will be favourable for a visit to Holy Island, to walk its perimeter and to visit the historic ruins that rise on its hill above the waves. For those who wish to do so there is time to enter Lindisfarne Priory (entry fee not included). For 6 hours we will be cut off from the mainland (eek!) so there will be ample time to discover the island's secrets. For more information about the island please see Visit Lindisfarne.

DAY 4: From our Day 2 end-point at Craster we continue our southward journey, passing the intriguingly named Cullernose Point and Sugar Sands, until we reach the extensive beach and the harbour at Boulmer. An hour later we arrive at Alnmouth, a very pretty town with a great location above its bay and beach. The final stretch of hiking then leads us to Warkworth - yet another fascinating castle site and the place where we pick up our transport and head back to our hotel to complete an exhilarating day's walk. (7 hours, 17 km)

DAY 5: On this morning, some may choose to visit Alnwick Castle (self-guided, entry not included), but there will also be a guided walk to complete our week. This will be from Belford to Bamburgh, completing our coastal journey, and keeping to scenic stretches of St Oswald's Way. (4 hours, 8km).

ACCOMMODATION

For our Northumblerland Coast walking break we have chosen as a base the Old Ship Inn in Seahouses, a small but lively harbour close to fantastic beaches.. Accommodation is in very comfortable, single occupancy, en-suite double rooms and meals are provide in the residents' dining room or lounge bar. The hotel has a welcoming, spacious public bar and terrace overlooking the sea.

Hotel postcode: NE68 7RD