The best way to spend 48 hours in Northumberland.
Whether you are staying with us for a full week in one of our self catering cottages, or booked in for a short break at the B&B, we have put together this itinerary for how to spend 48 hours in Northumberland.
Here are Breamish Valley cottages, we want you to make the most of your Northumberland stay. From knowing where the best walking routes are from the front door, to the popular tourist attractions that are a “must see”. Many people tend to flock to the coast, however there are plenty of adventures to be had inland. This short 48 hour itinerary will guarantee you are making the most of your stay with us. Perfect if this is a flying visit, and adaptable if you are staying for longer than a couple of days.
If you haven’t yet booked your stay with us, we offer a range of self catering options in one of our twelve cottages. Otherwise we have three rooms on a B&B board basis.
Before we dive into your itinerary, it is worth noting that you will need your own transport when exploring Northumberland. It is a vast and rural county with limited public transport in some areas.
The best way to spend 48 hours in Northumberland.
AM.
Wake up to the peace and tranquillity of the Breamish Valley. Soak up the views out of your bedroom window before heading to The Bosk for your hearty Northumbrian breakfast. This will set you up for your busy day of exploring and discovering hidden parts of Northumberland.
Pack up your walking boots and jump in the car, ready to head to your first destination of the day: the picturesque village of Rothbury.
Situated just thirteen miles south of the Breamish Valley, Rothbury is a large village that boasts pubs, independent shops, a Co-op, beautiful river walks and play park. We recommend parking in the riverside car park, which is free all day. Walk over the small bridge to cross onto the side of the river where the footpath heads into Rothbury centre.
Take a moment to soak up the views over towards the Simonside Hills. Turn left at the bottom of the bridge and walk along the path that follows the river Coquet. The path is accessible for pushchairs and bikes, and is a popular route for dog walkers. You can walk along as far as Lady’s Bridge which is around a mile walk from the car park. Extend this walk if you wish, or turn around and head back towards Rothbury. Spend some time browsing the independent shops on the high street, before heading back to the car and taking the short drive to Cragside National Trust.
Cragside is Britain’s “original smart home” and you may enjoy spending some time learning about the history of the house. Make sure you leave time to explore part of the grounds however. Set in 1,000 acres of estate, you won’t have time to explore all the walkways and grounds, but we do recommend a visit to the formal garden and a drive up the Carriage Drive before you leave.
There is a cafe located in the visitor centre, if you need some refreshments.
PM.
Now you have spent some time exploring part of the Coquet Valley, time to head back north, past Breamish Valley cottages and up to Wooler.
Wooler sits on the edge of Northumberland National Park and is your gateway to the Cheviots. This tiny, stone-built market town is home to a bustling high street with a small collection of traditional shops, pubs and cafes. There is also a church as well as buildings that date back to the 17-1800s. Visit the new Ad Gefrin whiskey distillery which has recently opened. (This previous post lets you know about the exciting attractions that are opening in Northumberland in 2023.)
You can either take a drive up into the Cheviots from here, drinking in the stunning scenery, perhaps pulling over to take some photos. Or, head back down the A697 and turn off at Ingram Valley.
Ingram Valley is a beautiful location for walkers (of all abilities) and cyclists. You may decide to book onto the Ingram Safari (this is a three hour tour so may be an option you choose to do instead of visiting Wooler.)
Ingram Safari: “Immerse yourself into 6,000 years of farming history as we take you chapter by chapter through myth, legend and the history of England’s largest scheduled ancient monument at Ingram Valley Farm.”
Once you have had your fill, for today, of the Northumberland countryside, head back to Breamish Valley cottages and The Bosk, where you can enjoy something special off the menu for your supper. Enjoy some local drinks off our bar menu, as you relax and put your feet up after a busy day walking.
AM.
Today you are heading towards Alnwick and then along to the coast. You can’t leave Northumberland without seeing at least one of its unspoilt beaches.
Start the day by driving to the market town of Alnwick. Here you will find the famous Alnwick Castle, Alnwick Gardens, Barter Books and the brand new Lilidorei. If these tourist attractions aren’t your cup of tea, spend some time browsing the shops and sampling local produce in the cafes. If you are looking to do some more walking, head along to Hulne Park. Here you will find three walking routes through this quiet estate belonging to the Duke of Northumberland.
Once you have had your fill of Alnwick, jump back in the car and head towards the Northumberland Coast.
PM.
A drive up the coast is the perfect way to spend an afternoon in Northumberland. With views out towards Coquet Island (south) and the Farne Islands (north), the coastline is dotted with dramatic castles and plenty of birdlife.
Make your way towards Beadnell village and visit Beadnell Towers for a delicious lunch. There is also The Craster Arms and The Landing to choose from if you want to try somewhere different. All serve locally sourced produce in a friendly and relaxed environment.
From here drive through Seahouses and up to Bamburgh. Once in Bamburgh, you can visit the historic Bamburgh Castle and make time to walk along the vast sandy beach towards Stag Rock. From here you will be able to look across towards Holy Island and Lindisfarne Castle.
Bamburgh is a popular tourist spot and this area of the coastline can become very busy during the summer months. For a quieter alternative, you may enjoy exploring the beaches of Embleton or Boulmer.
Before heading back towards Breamish Valley, make one last stop off at Seahouses and visit one of its many fish and chip shops. Grab a takeaway bag of chips and enjoy sitting on one of the benches overlooking the harbour. A trip to the coast wouldn’t be complete without a bag of chips.
Make sure you come back to this 48 hours in Northumberland blog post when you next visit the Breamish Valley.
Any questions in the meantime, we are happy to help. You can get in contact by emailing info@breamishvalley.co.uk