Alnwick 5 -7 May 2012

Bank Holiday weekend and another weekend away with the walking club. This time to Alnwick staying in the YHA. This is a new hostel officially opened by the Queen in June 2011 and the chair she sat on is proudly displayed in the hallway. I can now say that I have sat where the Queen has sat!
But first of all a walk from Amble to Alnmouth. Some people went straight to Alnwick to look around the castle or the town

Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle Gardens

but the sun was shining so I opted for the walk. A bit chilly at first but it seemed to warm up as the day went on. Stuart led the walk even though he has never been to Northumberland before, well done Stuart and thank you!

Warkworth Castle

We didn't linger long in Amble and soon arrived at Warkworth Castle where we stopped for a lunch break. After lunch it was riverside, sand dunes and coastal path all the way to the River Aln.

Alnmouth

We had a look at the estuary but it was high tide and too deep for a crossing so we had to divert inland a bit before arriving in Alnmouth. The group soon dispersed to the pub or the tea shops

and even to the beach where Anita and I had a paddle in the cold North Sea.....very refreshing!

The coach picked us up in Alnmouth and delivered us to the YHA in Alnwick. Others were staying in various B&Bs. After choosing my bunk and dumping my luggage I collected Stuart and we went off to find Barter Books. This is a famous secondhand book shop situated in the old railway station and a must visit if you are in the area. We only had time for a quick look round but I'm sure I'll be back another day.

Barter Books

                                                                        SUNDAY

Alnwick Castle

Sir Henry Percy (Harry Hotspur)

As I was doing my own meals in the hostel I was able to get out early into Alnwick to take a few photos of the town and the castle before we set off for the coast. A large party went to Holy Island and then had a shorter walk into Craster. I went with the 'A' party to Bamburgh and walked to Craster and a smaller 'B' party walked from Seahouses to Craster. The weather was mostly fine and sunny apart from a few spots of icy rain at lunch time.

Bamburgh Castle

We set off along the magnificent beach at Bamburgh dominated by the huge castle overlooking the sea. The sand was firm and great to walk on and it wasn't very long before Seahouses came into view. A quick stop there for the loo and then we carried on along the beach as far as Beadnell Bay where we stopped for lunch at the lime kilns. We had a little rain there but there was a very convenient shelter!

Lime Kilns at Beadnell

                       

From here we had views of Dunstanburgh Castle in the distance on the headland.

But before reaching there we had a refreshments stop at the Ship Inn at Low Newton where we saw some of the Holy Island party and an ice cream stop just before we approached the castle from the coastal path. Anybody would think we were on our holidays!

There isn't a lot left of Dunstanburgh castle but what there is can be seen for miles in each direction. From there the path continues along a grassy cliff top all the way to Craster. You can often see seals along this stretch but they weren't playing out today. There was plenty of time in Craster for more refreshments but I sat in the sun on the side of the harbour with Carol watching the world go by.......very relaxing.

Craster Harbour

Actually I was saving myself for fish and chips in Alnwick later on with Sandra and Joan!

                                                                     MONDAY
It was Bank Holiday Monday so of course the weather forecast was for rain later in the day but we were very lucky and it managed to hold off until the last hour or so. Three walks and a trip to the National Trust house and gardens at Cragside to choose from. I chose Cragside and I wasn't disappointed. There was plenty to see in the grounds and the house and of course the NT cafe which had lovely cake as usual!

We had quite a steep climb up from Rothbury to reach Cragside and a good view of the Simonside Hills behind us where two of the walks were headed. By the end of the day having climbed up and down many steep paths in the grounds we had certainly done our fair share of walking.

We went round the grounds first on the Armstrong Trail taking in the pumping station and finding out how the water got pumped up to the house and then through the pinetum and up and up to the house built into the side of the cliff.

After a quick lunch I had a look round the house which was very interesting and full of stuff. You could have spent a long time in there. These are just a few of the best bits.

The marble  fireplace above was made with 10 tons of marble and is resting on the rocky cliff side to carry its weight. It was quite busy in the house and the rain had held off so I took some more time to explore the formal gardens and the bird hide before making my way to the tea room to finish off the day in style.

The smell of lemons in the glass house was lovely.

The weekend had passed really quickly and there were so many other things I would have liked to have done but I'm sure I will return soon to this beautiful part of England. Thanks to all the organizers and walks leaders for making this weekend special and thanks to Sheila for some of the photos. We always have a great time whatever the weather but a bit of sunshine and a walk on the beach are the best thing in the world.