Northumberland Wins National Park of the Year Award

Northumberland National Park has won the prestigious accolade of National Park of The Year in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2015/16.

Northumberland National Park’s win follows its nomination by BBC presenter Ellie Harrison. Ellie’s nomination highlighted the National Park’s “meadows, moorland, peat bogs and ancient woodlands” and its “vivid history, solitude, dark skies and superb wildlife such as stoats, black grouse and red squirrels.”

Last year 1.69 million people visited the park and surrounding areas. The most popular reasons for visiting were a long walk (48%), and a short walk (45%). Next is eating out (27%), visiting a historic site (26%), visiting an attraction (21%), photography (15%), car touring (8%), and cycling/mountain biking (7%).

With fewer than 2,000 inhabitants, Northumberland National Park is the most sparsely populated UK National Park at 0.02 people per hectare. Open access land accounts for 72% of the Park and there are 1,140km of public rights of way, and a further 90km of permissive routes.

Our cottages in Bamburgh are the perfect b

ase to explore Northumberland National Park.

Stay at Bamburgh and see the most beautiful marathon in the country

Bamburgh holiday at its best Back for its 5th year, join us on the shores of Northumberland’s beautiful Kielder Water for a weekend of exciting events for all the family! Take on ‘Britain’s Most Beautiful’ marathon or one of the popular 10K and Run Bike Run events. Entries still open at kieldermarathon.com, don’t miss out!

Early Return of Puffins to the Farne Islands

The mild weather is thought to be behind an unusually early return of Puffins to the Farne Islands Puffins have been spotted on the Farne Islands this week in what is possibly the earliest ever sighting of the birds in the region. It is believed they have arrived at their Northumberland coast habitat weeks before they are normally seen because of the mild weather the region has been enjoying. Already there have been sightings of over 500 puffins on the Farne Islands It marks an amazing turnaround in fortunes for the birds on the Farne Islands. Last year was a horror story, as hundreds of dead birds washed ashore along the east coast from Northumberland up to Aberdeenshire in Scotland. Scientists feared thousands of puffins may have died of starvation, due to severe weather conditions in the North Sea. It is thought the birds were unable to feed due to storms at sea. The death of such large numbers of seabirds in a single incident is known as a “wreck”. Experts at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology said it was more than 60 years since such a large puffin wreck was recorded. It is hoped this mild spell of weather will be a sign of things to come and the Puffins and other seabirds of the Farne islands - which are open to the public from April 1 - have a successful year. The islands are home to 40,000 pairs of Puffins during spring and summer

Puffin Count on Farne Islands

A puffin "census" has started on the Farne Islands in Northumberland, with National Trust rangers surveying how many breeding pairs of the birds live there.


The count, which takes three months, takes place every five years. The last survey indicated numbers had fallen by a third.

Deal Sealed to See Farne Islands Seal Colony

For the first time visitors will be able to visit the Farne Islands during the breeding season. This autumn boat trips will continue out to The Farnes from Seahouses to see the 4,000 Atlantic Grey Seals that give birth to 1,500 seal pups at this time of year. The National Trust has decided to allow visitors the privilige of seeing the seal pups for the first time in its 87 year history.

Every day until the 31st Octber two boats will set sail from Seahouses Harbour and land on Staple Island. They will be met by a team of trust rangers who will share their first hand knowledge of the islands seal colony.

The tours cost £10 for adults and £5 for children and will take place at noon and 1pm each day. Spaces are limited and bookings are advisable with The Gald Tidings boat company on 01665 720038.

If you're feeling a little chilly in Northumberland this December and January. English Heritage has plenty to warm your spirit with seven stunning historic properties open every weekend in the county. Enjoy a season of festive events, blow away the cobwebs with bracing winter walks, stock up on Christmas gifts and goodies and marvel at gorgeous winter gardens.

Fun for all the family in Northumberland

Northumberland has some of the most iconic historic sites in England, including internationally famous sites such as Hadrian’s Wall and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Whilst you stay at one of our cottages in Bamburgh, English Heritage has some of the most beautiful and captivating historic sites here, as well as an action packed programme of living history events.

There’s something for everyone at English Heritage properties, from the tranquil settings of Lindisfarne Priory and sweeping views at Warkworth Castle and dramatic coastal views at Dunstanburgh Castle to a fantastic family day out exploring Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens. Discover exciting Roman history at some of the best preserved sites on Hadrian’s Wall at Chesters Roman Fort, Housesteads Roman Fort and Corbridge Roman Town.

So whether you want to be king or queen of the castle, find a knight in shining armour or just simply enjoy a picnic in a secluded spot, there are enough historical happenings on tap at many English Heritage locations across the county. Remember to take a visit to Berwick-upon-Tweed Barracks and Main Guard which was one of the first in England to be purpose built.

Events run all year long, with trails for children, Roman soldier training, gallant gladiators and noble knights battling against each other, as well as dramatic open air theatre there’s never a dull moment!

The Farne Islands

Rocky islands once home to saints, soldiers and lighthouse keepers, now a sanctuary for seabirds and seals.

Our cotages in Bamburgh are the ideal place to stay to visit The Farne Islands. We would recommend going to The Farnes with Billy Shiel from Seahouses, only 3 miles away from Bamburgh and Bamburgh Holiday Cottages.

The Farne Islands are a haven for over 100,000 pairs of nesting seabirds such a sthe Puffin and Gulliemot. It also has one of Europe's largest grey seal colonies.

So there is no time to waste - we still have a few weeks left for the peak viewing period

Northumberland - come and stay

Welcome to Northumberland, a magical place filled with ancient castles, rolling hills and fabulous coastline, rugged moorland and friendly little market towns like Alnwick, Berwick, Hexham, Rothbury, Morpeth and Corbridge.

Northumberland is home to England’s most tranquil and inspiring National Park and England's largest resevor at Keilder Water and Forest Park. There are also two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty waiting to be discovered, the Northumberland Coast and the North Pennines AONB.

The vast majority of the remaining sections of Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site can be found in Northumberland, with five of the eight excavated forts and endless stretches of unbroken wall rising and falling over dramatic landscapes.

Our holiday cottages at Bamburgh are ideally placed to take advantage of all Northumberland has to offer.

Easter Eggstravaganza

Things to do in the area over Easter
National Trust Properties - www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Wallington Hall
Enjoy Easter fun at Wallington with a fantastic children's trail, craft activities, games and races. Krafty Kidz will also be here on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 April, giving you the chance to make lovely Easter items - small charge for items made.

Join one of the expert Wallington Gardeners on a guided walk through the beautiful Walled Garden and discover the art of spring planting.

Holy Island
Track down the Easter Bunnies hidden inside Lindisfarne Castle and win a Cadbury's Easter egg

Cragside
Celebrate Easter with with a family trail. Find all the wooden eggs and you'll get your chocolate reward. Suitable for children of all ages.

Hobbies and experiments - discover how the family's time at Cragside was well spent. An illustrated talk by Andrew Sawyer. Enjoy a cup of tea and slice of cake afterwards.

Alnwick Garden
www.alnwickgarden.com
Easter Egg Hunt
Friday 2nd – Monday 5th April
Collect a card from the information desk and follow the clues the Easter bunny has left around The Garden to see how many egg shapes you can find.

Egg decorating workshop
Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd April
Join a workshop to decorate hard boiled eggs or make a traditional Easter card.

Egg-rolling and Easter Stories
Sunday 4th and Monday 5th April
Decorate an egg and then join storyteller Taffy Thomas for egg-rolling and traditional Easter stories.

Roots and Shoots open weekend
Friday April 2nd - Monday 5th April
Visit the Roots and Shoots Garden for a series of practical demonstrations and hands on workshops by the garden team on seed setting, transplanting seedlings, and preparing the ground for the coming season.

Floors Castle - Kelso
www.roxburghe.net
Join them for their annual Easter Eggstravaganza event. Eggs hunts, magic shows, bouncy castles and garden games. Come in fancy dress and join in our competitions. A delicious hog roast and BBQ provided by Iain Collingbourne, Head Chef at Floors Castle.
Family entertainment and fun for all.
Adult £3.50 / Child £3.00 / Family £12.00
11am - 3pm

Warkworth Castle
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/
Can you find Henry VIII and his six wives and uncover the grisly truth behind the untimely deaths of Anne Boleyn and Kathryn Howard. You'll need to keep your head to complete this trail and receive your yummy Easter prize.

Whale washed up on Beadnell Beach

A TEN-metre long sperm whale has died ater becoming stranded on rocks between Beadnell and Seahouses on Monday.
The mammal, which experts think weighed about 20 tonnes, is thought to have suffered dehydration after losing its way. The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) said the whale was alive for a time, but could not be saved as the tide was going out. Sperm whales are the deepest diving mammal and the largest toothed of all whales, feeding on squid and other large deep water fish. They can grow up to 18 metres in length and weigh up to 50 tonnes.

Sea Pups on the Farne Islands

Births of grey seal pups reach their peak at this time of year. The 4,000 strong grey seal colony on the Farne Islands make it the largest colony in England. The first pup arrived on the 4th October and it has been joined by another 400 since then.

Last year over 1,300 pups were born, but there is a high mortality rate of about 55%. Storms can lash the rocky islands washing them off the rocks into the sea. The weather this year has been fairly kind.

Wardens tag some of the pups which can tarvel long distances in their first year of life.

Seal safari on the Farne Islands

Treat the family to a day of seal watching around the Farne Islands and a Wildlife Safari along the Northumberland Coast. Book for 2 adults and up to 3 children and benefit from a generous discount. Price includes collection from wherever you are in Northumberland (within reason), transport, Grey Seal cruise and a picnic lunch.
Northern Experience Wildlife Tours provides exclusive natural history excursions and birdwatching tours with an enthusiastic, experienced and friendly leader with an intimate knowledge of Northern Britain.

Seal Safari (20/10/2009)
Seal Safari (27/10/2009)
Seal Safari (29/10/2009)

Ticket Tariff:
Adult
£75.00 per ticket type
Child (must be with adult)
£50.00 per ticket type
Family ticket
£200.00 per ticket type

Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.

Boat trips depart from

Seahouses Northumberland NE68 7YT
Tel: +44 01670 827465

Geese Flock Back to Holy Island

The first flock of white bellied geese have arrived back at Holy Island.

The rare geese have returned eralier than expected after breeding for the summer on the Arctic Island of Svalbard. Lindisfarne is the only place in the UK where these birds spedn the winter. So far 200 have been recorded. Our holiday cottages in Bamburgh are a perfect spot to base yourself for bird watching.