Kielder Water and Hexham
Morning drive to Kielder. Home to northern Europe’s largest man-made lake and England's largest forest, Kielder Water and Forest Park is one of Northumberland's best attractions. A haven for wildlife, Kielder is also home to around 50% of England’s native red squirrel population. We return to the attractive of Hexham. Boasting the impressive Hexham Abbey, this town never fails to impress. The monastery-turned-abbey was built in 674 AD and the eerie crypt from the original building still remains today.
Vindolanda and Hadrian’s Wall
We travel along scenic Weardale, breaking for coffee in Stanhope, where you can visit the Durham Dales Centre. On to the attractive town of Alston for a lunch break. In the afternoon we visit Vindolanda. Formerly a key military post on the northern frontier of Britain, Vindolanda is the home of Britain's 'Top Treasure' - the Vindolanda Writing Tablets - and is one Europe's most important Roman archaeological sites, with live excavations taking place every year.
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Explore the unusual architecture of Belsay Hall, inspired by Sir Charles Monck’s honeymoon in Greece and Italy, and admire the imposing Pillar Hall, and elaborate decoration in the reception rooms. Explore the maze of rooms and keep your eye out for rare traces of elaborate medieval wall paintings. In the manor house style wing you can still see the old cooking range and fireplaces. Lose yourself in the vast 30 acre Grade I listed gardens. Follow through ravines cut out of rock to discover the Jurassic-feeling Quarry Garden. Inspired by Sir Charles Monck's travels, the Quarry Garden has its own microclimate which means all sorts of exotic plants grow here.