Northumberland

Northumberland is the largest county in England, but has the smallest population. Its amazing landscapes make it one of the most beautiful, scenic and interesting areas one could ever wish to visit. Steeped in history, culture and heritage, it offers a vast variation of stuning scenery and activities. One of the most attractive of its assets is the lack of traffic and 21st century pressures. Simply visit Northumberland, travel around at your leisure, and enjoy the relaxation and tranquillity of this wonderful area.

Holy Island

Akeld Manor is perfectly located for holidays in Northumberland. It is 11 miles from the nearest point on the Scottish Border and 15 miles from Holy Island and the coast. Edinburgh is approximately one hour's drive and Newcastle is a similar distance.

Visitors to Akeld Manor are offered a wonderful and endless choice of activities.

Heritage is very much in evidence here in Northumberland. The National Trust and English Heritage have many historic properties under their care, including Bamburgh Castle, Belsay Castle, Brinkburn Priory, Cragside Gardens and Estate, Dunstanburgh Castle, Hadrian's Wall, Housesteads Roman Fort, Lindisfarne Castle, Wallington, Warkworth Castle, and many more. There are others too, such as Floors Castle, the Kelso seat of the Duke of Roxburghe, and Alnwick Castle, recently used as a film set for the Harry Potter series. The Alnwick Garden, too, is fast becoming a must see for visitors to this region. Holy Island is of great interest and can be accessed easily by car - just remember to check the tides before crossing the causeway!

Along with heritage comes culture, evidenced by Northumberland's many museums, the best of which is surely Beamish, an open air museum where visitors can discover how our ancestors lived and worked in the north east of England in the early 1800s and 1900s. No visit to Northumberland is complete without a visit to this unique attraction!

Northumberland is, of course, shaped by its heritage coastline. Visitors can exlore miles of golden beaches punctuated by captivating fishing villages, pretty harbours and specactular views. Many of the coastal areas also offer superb water sports. A visit to the Farne Islands by boat to watch the seals lazing and swimming is a wonderful experience. The islands, owned by the National Trust, are home to thousands of puffins and many other species of sea birds.

If you are looking for an active holiday, you will not be disappointed. There are many excellent golf courses, all of which welcome day guests. Walking, too, is incredibly popular, with Northumberland National Park offering arguably some of the best walking to be found anywhere in England. Horse riding, gliding and fishing are also available.

Visitors seeking retail therapy are not neglected either. Newcastle city centre and the Metro Shopping Centre offer a rich shopping experience, alongside attractions such as the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and the Biscuit Factory original art store.

If you have never visited Northumberland, you must come soon. If you have visited before, we know you will visit again.