Ease stresses of life

Apr 8 2009 by Peter Montellier, The Journal

NORTH Northumberland offers the perfect antidote to the stresses of life. In a world of increasing speed, the opportunity to spend a few days in a beautiful, peaceful and relaxed environment, with plenty of fresh air and good local food, has seldom seemed more welcome.

Walk in the hills and valleys, or fish in the renowned rivers of the Tweed or Till. Enjoy cycling the Tweed Valley; visit castles and gardens. Take in the atmosphere of battlefields that have seen some of the bloodiest fighting between the Scottish and English, such as Flodden, near Branxton. Glimpse clues and evidence of ancient civilisations long gone or simply follow footpaths and enjoy nature at its best.

Let the border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed captivate you with its history and heritage. Discover the natural beauty and architectural majesty of the town by taking a stroll along the perfectly preserved Elizabethan fortifications. In just over one mile youll be reminded of Berwicks turbulent and bloody history, changing hands between the English and the Scottish no fewer than 13 times.

Once youve walked the walls, make for the town centre to enjoy its unique shops and cafes.

Head inland and discover the Till Valley, home to the unspoilt villages of Ford and Etal and the spectacular ruins of Etal Castle. Heatherslaw Corn Mill is powered by the River Till and still produces excellent flour.

At Ford you can visit the Lady Waterford Hall with its beautiful 19th Century murals of biblical scenes, and learn more about a bygone age of living and working on the estate.

South lies the pretty town of Wooler, gateway to the Cheviot Hills and the Northumberland National Park, and an ideal base for any type of break. The Cheviot foothills, Milfield Plain and the Kyloe Hills with their quiet backroads, bridleways and footpaths are ideal for family- oriented cycling, horse riding and walking. If its action-packed adventure you require, there are many exciting opportunities in the area for mountain biking, hiking, climbing, canoeing and even gliding.

Dont forget to explore the fabulous coastline too. Begin at the home of Earl Grey Tea, Howick Hall, owned by the Grey family since 1319. BBC Gardeners World magazine rated the magnificent gardens as one of the top five coastal gardens in the country.

One of the most picturesque villages on the Northumberland coast is Low Newton by the Sea.

The small, isolated 18th Century village, owned by the National Trust, consists of an open-ended square of cream-washed cottages set around a green, looking out to sea across a peaceful bay.

Further north is the friendly town of Seahouses, where you can take a boat trip to the Farne Islands or enjoy excellent fish and chips. Beyond Seahouses is the glorious Bamburgh Castle, perched high on rocks above a beach of golden sand.

Cross the causeway at low tide to the holy island of Lindisfarne where nature and history combine to provide refuge for the spirit.

Sense the peace and tranquillity of this beautiful island, especially in the atmospheric remains of the medieval priory. Lindisfarne Castle stands at the northern end of the island, guarding the entrance to the harbour.

• The North Northumberland Tourism Association was created in 1985 and now has more than 100 members. The NNTA publishes a very useful visitor guide to the area, freely available at outlets throughout the county. For more details contact enquiry@nnta.org

:: Click here for more Northumberland attractions

Page 2: Places to visit