We've booked a holiday in Morpeth at Easter 2022 and I wondered if anyone can recommend "stuff to see and do" nearby.
On previous trips between Yorkshire and the Scottish Borders I've already visited all the "big" castles in Northumberland but now, rather than travelling through the area, we're staying for a week in Morpeth. I'm mostly interested in smaller ruined castles (and not stately homes and such like).
Can any of you guys recommend any castle ruins to visit? That way I can research specific castles before the visit, to make sure they are "worth the trip".
Rather than just me, or me and my wife, I will now have to make sure there's something for everyone (12 of us, plus our two Jack Russell's). I'm sure we can take turns entertaining the dogs where necessary. We'll have 3+ cars anyway.
Other interests - books and food. I'm already intending an extended browse at Barter Books in Alnwick. And they have a lovely in-house cafe too. 😋
I'm pretty sure there'll be plenty of trips to decent restaurants, ice cream parlours etc.
Anyhow, if you have any recommendations - whether it's small/ruined castles, bookshops or eateries - please let me know. Sadly, the days of there being such a thing as "Wargames shops" seem to be very much a thing of the past but, again, I'd be delighted to discover otherwise.
Many thanks,
Geoff
Less than 30 miles to Sunderland.
Bamburgh Castle is a must. Visit Hadrians Wall and then Vindolanda, remains of a Roman fort. Also the Roman army museum not far from Vindolanda, where you can walk up to the wall itself. Alnwick castle and gardens are well worth a visit.
I've already been to Bamburgh (in 2019). I will try the Roman wall and fort, but it's mostly medieval castles that I'm after.
I've checked Wikipedia and see I have already visited all the big/impressive castles and a fair few of the smaller ones (mostly ignoring those that morphed into stately homes), especially those near the A1 road.
So far, I have earmarked Mitford Castle and Prudhoe Castle.
I'd also like to see Thirlwall Castle, but it does seem a fair distance away from Morpeth where we're staying and the map doesn't seem to suggest much else to make the journey worthwhile. Well, worthwhile to those who have no interest in ruined castles anyway... they would probably prefer the seaside, fish & chips and ice cream.
I'm always open to bookshop recommendations too, but suspect there's unlikely to be anything to top Barter Books at Alnwick. I'd love you guys to prove me wrong. 😉
A couple of NT properties worth visiting
Cragside, A Victorian country house. It was the home of William Armstrong, founder of the Armstrong Whitworth armaments company.
Wallington, a country house and gardens.
I recommend English Heritage as your "go to" source for ideas. As well as "the big castles" (which we have to guess - e.g., Alnwick, Wark, Bamburgh &, although a fortress town, Berwick?), there's loads of smaller ones. For example, Norham and Etal from the Flodden campaign (the latter having a small museum with arms and standards). If Early Medieval is also an interest, there's Lindisfarne on Holy Island, scene of the infamous viking raid in 793, where there is a tiny castle (just be wary of the tides or you could end up being stranded for longer than you planned). Lanercost Priory where the terminally ill Edward I spent his last days before dying at Burgh by Sands on his last campaign against the Scots is somewhere along The Wall (which, as has been suggested, along with its forts, is a great visit).
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk (https://www.english-heritage.org.uk)
Have you seen Dunstanburgh?
Edward
Quote from: Westmarcher on 18 July 2021, 08:05:44 PM
I recommend English Heritage as your "go to" source for ideas. As well as "the big castles" (which we have to guess - e.g., Alnwick, Wark, Bamburgh &, although a fortress town, Berwick?), there's loads of smaller ones. For example, Norham and Etal from the Flodden campaign (the latter having a small museum with arms and standards). If Early Medieval is also an interest, there's Lindisfarne on Holy Island, scene of the infamous viking raid in 793, where there is a tiny castle (just be wary of the tides or you could end up being stranded for longer than you planned). Lanercost Priory where the terminally ill Edward I spent his last days before dying at Burgh by Sands on his last campaign against the Scots is somewhere along The Wall (which, as has been suggested, along with its forts, is a great visit).
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk (https://www.english-heritage.org.uk)
Strangely enough it was a visit to Etal castle that first got me hooked on ruined castles.
I was in a play-by-mail campaign - JimKemeny's "Tweedia", which was advertised in the Solo Wargamers Association magazine Lone Warrior. I played Alencon d'Etal, Grand Master of the Knights Templar.
A number of the castles in the game were based on castles in Northumberland & the Scottish Borders and so I did a research trip. A lovely few days visiting castles. Those were the days...
Geoff
Quote from: kustenjaeger on 18 July 2021, 09:03:12 PM
Have you seen Dunstanburgh?
Edward
Yes. Dunstanburgh was lovely - though my wife was less impressed with the lengthy trek across the sand to get to the castle.
A nice ice cream went some way towards 'improving her mood' when we finally got back to the car park.
Geoff
I think most of the main ones have been mentioned.
I'd throw in North Tynemouth Abby, which has a 3 for 1, with the castle, the abbey and a more modern costal fort all on the same site. And lots of good cafes to hand, and the beach in a cove too.
I'll throw in Housteads Auxilia fort, Chesters fort and Corbridge all on Hadrian's Wall as alternatives or additions. From Houseteads you can follow the wall to the remains of a milecastle while also appreciating the stunning landscape.
I'll second Cragside as worth a visit.
It's just under 40 miles from Morpeth to The National Museum of the Royal Navy in Hartlepool with an authentic 18th century seaport and the spectacular HMS Trincomalee. Which I heartily recommend.
Wherever you wind up going I hope you have fun.
Barnard Castle isn't far away. Good place for a day trip, I hear.
Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum are both excellent and recommended. If you come out of the museum and drive north for 100 yards there's a little car park where you can walk up to Hadrian's Wall and get some nice views right across to Cumbria and the sea.
Warkworth, Bamburgh, Alnwick are all great but obviously more commonly visited. One that we spotted once was Edlingham Castle, halfway between Rothbury and Alnwick. it's free access with parking in the local church: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/edlingham-castle/
Quote from: Raider4 on 19 July 2021, 08:32:37 AM
Barnard Castle isn't far away. Good place for a day trip, I hear.
We've been to Barnard Castle before and I don't recollect much to tempt me to go back.
I'll maybe check the internet and see what's there. The relatives would almost certainly prefer sea, sand, fish & chips and ice cream.
If only BoJo had a friend/acquaintance/advisor to give me some tips...
Geoff
Quote from: Leon on 19 July 2021, 01:05:52 PM
Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum are both excellent and recommended. If you come out of the museum and drive north for 100 yards there's a little car park where you can walk up to Hadrian's Wall and get some nice views right across to Cumbria and the sea.
Warkworth, Bamburgh, Alnwick are all great but obviously more commonly visited. One that we spotted once was Edlingham Castle, halfway between Rothbury and Alnwick. it's free access with parking in the local church: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/edlingham-castle/
We visited Edlingham on the way back from our last trip (buying books in Alnwick was the #1 priority) so that one is ticked off the list.
As much as anything I just wondered if "locals" knew of anything obscure that maybe doesn't get widespread attention.
Geoff
Quote from: Elliesdad on 19 July 2021, 01:13:44 PM
...(buying books in Alnwick was the #1 priority)...
Yeah, we were in Barter Books last week! Then along to Seahouses for fish + chips before I was dragged to Ikea...
Quote from: Leon on 19 July 2021, 01:25:17 PM
Yeah, we were in Barter Books last week! Then along to Seahouses for fish + chips before I was dragged to Ikea...
Did you leave any stock in the book shop Leon?
Quote from: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 19 July 2021, 01:55:52 PM
Did you leave any stock in the book shop Leon?
We were there for Adele's birthday so the crime/detective section took a fair hit!
There used to be a decent Bookshop on a corner of the top on Morpeth high street. As far as reading goes, for the 'Border Reiver' period, G.M Fraser's 'The Steel Bonnets' is a 'Must'. I also had a book, 'Castles And Peles Of The English Border'... but probably long out of print.
Mitford Castle , (+ Pillbox!), looks great. Not sure about access. Morpeth had a castle. I think it was bombarded by Montrose. Never visited and haven't' looked it up... but there might be some interest there. (Somewhere on the hill to the left as you drive down to the town from South).
Maybe as a 'pub meal' stop, 'The Blackbird Inn', Ponteland, used to be my local. Part was originally a 'pele' or Tower burnt by Scots, (The 'square bit with later chimney'.). Much modified since, but a 'barrel vaulted' (but rendered!) 'Tunnel Room', now an eating area, has fireplace which once concealed a tunnel to the Old Church across the road. There is also the ruins of a 'Vicar's pele' off the Main Street.
For trips to Tyne valley, 'The Lord Crewe' at Blanchland very similar.
Already mentioned, but Warkworth has always been a fave ruin. Tynemouth castle and Priory on the seaside 'Fish & Chips' run.
Afraid I'm not all that clued up on castles... Alnham, or Norham, a long drive North to Flodden, may be worth looking up. LOADS of peles... or remains of!
Roman... well, there is a reconstructed stone Gate Tower and short wall stretch at South Shields Fort. Wallsend... not much apart from a visitor centre... but you can 'imagine' The Tyne' as it used to be in my childhood... Shipyards, Cranes... Supertankers, or the KG V, or Mauretania... on that little river.
I used to like Morpeth as an occasional 'shopping' jaunt... or 'pub trip with The Lads'... 20+ yrs ago. Much of the Parking has been developed or pedestrianised... so have not visited for a long while. There may be a cardboard disc system still in use? Earlier, Ma could be persuaded to take me to the LONG GONE Model shop and the Bookshop if she could get into the'ornament' shops on the high street. LOL! A small 'Raiway Modelling' shop opened up near to the bookshop... (!) but no idea whether still there.
Anyway, hope you all have fun.
Some other thoughts. Hexham has the old 'Town Gaol' which had a small but interesting 'Border Reiver' museum... armour, mannequins, etc. ... and shops/ eateries.
Depending on month, the heather moors , Otterburn / Rothbury way can be pretty. 'Elsdon Gibbet'...'just that.. a fake head on a gibbet, lol. Be warned, though If you go on a Pele / Castle hunt... some of the drives can be very long, on twisty roads... passengers may get a bit 'testy'! lol.
If there are those of a 'horsey' inclination, there USED to be small stables which could provide 'Hacks'. One near Elsdon and another for 'Beach Hack' under Bamburgh Castle. NOTE... these were hacks, not pony trekking... I managed to fall off on the beach ride! lol. There may be pony trekking stables around. Long time since I looked.
Not castles, but there are some 'ancient' sites that may interest. Lordenshaws nr. Rothbury, had a couple of ring marked stones and remains of 'iron age' foundations. More further north... but would need a 'hike'.
If one could be bothered, there is an 'attraction' Nr. Keilder which, due to absence of lighting, is being pushed for 'Stargazers'... IF not our usual clouds! LOL.
On 'looking up' Morpeth Castle... only a 'Gatehouse' done up as Holiday Accommodation left. Oh Well.
Still, sometimes people's interests can surprise!
On a 'Horse Holiday' in Allendale in 90s, a group of 'Girlies' went off 'to see Hadrian's Wall. Came back 'Full Of Themselves'! Couldn't have cared less about the Roman Wall... THEY HAD SEEN 'THE TREE' upon which Kevin Costner had parked his b*m in Robin Hood P o T! Yes, That 'iconic' Tree! LOL! ;D ;D ;D
Apparently, Harrison Ford has been rootling around Nothumberland... maybe Alnwick Castle... for an upcoming 'Indiana Jones' Film. Might be worthwhile following up any locations?
Quote from: Heedless Horseman on 20 July 2021, 06:38:28 AM
Apparently, Harrison Ford has been rootling around Nothumberland... maybe Alnwick Castle... for an upcoming 'Indiana Jones' Film.
They've been filming that on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R8V8QK7ybg), and bits of Glasgow have been standing in for New York (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-57861704).
Quote from: Raider4 on 20 July 2021, 07:26:46 AM
They've been filming that on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R8V8QK7ybg), and bits of Glasgow have been standing in for New York (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-57861704).
Now, there's a Wow! lol!
Funny I forgot this Castle and Hall at Belsay, (about 6 m SW from Morpeth?).. I've never visited, although 'just up the road'. Mother has been round gardens and mentioned a 'quarry' that one year/month was 'full' of Foxgloves. Have intended to visit 'sometime', but just never got round to doing. :(
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens/
Website links to other places of interest.
Quote from: Heedless Horseman on 15 August 2021, 03:44:15 PM
Funny I forgot this Castle and Hall at Belsay, (about 6 m SW from Morpeth?).. I've never visited, although 'just up the road'. Mother has been round gardens and mentioned a 'quarry' that one year/month was 'full' of Foxgloves. Have intended to visit 'sometime', but just never got round to doing. :(
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens/
Website links to other places of interest.
Thanks for the tip HH - I may well have overlooked this. The pele tower looks nice & ticks the "medieval" box. The fact it has a tea room and a second hand bookshop tips the balance in favour of "we need to visit this place" - especially as there will doubtless be things to distract the rest of the family.
Cheers,
Geoff
Quote from: Elliesdad on 15 August 2021, 04:11:44 PM
Thanks for the tip HH - I may well have overlooked this. The pele tower looks nice & ticks the "medieval" box. The fact it has a tea room and a second hand bookshop tips the balance in favour of "we need to visit this place" - especially as there will doubtless be things to distract the rest of the family.
Cheers,
Geoff
Glad to be a help. In some previous years, there were occasionally, 'Jousting', etc. events there... though not 'regular' 'site' happenings. Might be worth a check when things get sorted out?
Hope all enjoy Hol, anyway. Keith.
Have not been to Corbridge for many years... but after a visit by an fb friend, found this place has opened up.
https://www.visitcorbridge.co.uk/pele-tower-pub-opens/
Quote from: Heedless Horseman on 21 September 2021, 05:47:57 AM
Have not been to Corbridge for many years... but after a visit by an fb friend, found this place has opened up.
https://www.visitcorbridge.co.uk/pele-tower-pub-opens/
The pele tower looks nice. I prefer ruins though and the improvements for the pub may rather spoil its appeal for me.
Worthy of consideration though.
Geoff :)
Well, hadn't heard about it before, so thought I'd mention.
Sigh! Maybe someday... I might get to Normandy, Brittany... or Orkney... or the ancient sites in S UK. I DID visit some but was too young! What I 'REMEMBER' about Stonehenge... was a warm can of coke and a soggy cheese sandwich! LOL!!!
Holidays, when I was a teenager, consisted of being packed into the car with my parents and siblings and trundling around Britain, staying with relatives or in guest houses.
Not as exotic as the holidays schoolfriends took in Torremolinos or Ibiza or the French Alps but it did let me experience a huge slice of British history and geography.
Stonehenge, Avebury, West Kennet, Silbury, Kit's Coty House and Little Kit's Coty House, Bryn Celli Ddu and many others were part of the fabric of my late childhood and teen years.
In early adulthood I graduated to the likes of Knossos and Phaestos, Ostia Antiqua and the amphitheatre in Arles.
Then I had kids and was back to packed cars, relatives' houses and British antiquities.
Is that what they mean by The Circle Of Life? :) :) :)
More like the Circus of Life in my experience.
I suppose, sometime soon, I will become one of the "old people" that we always used to gripe about when we were younger.
;)
Quote from: Leman on 05 October 2021, 05:18:35 PM
More like the Circus of Life in my experience.
That would explain why there are so many clowns, right enough! :)
Quote from: Raider4 on 19 July 2021, 08:32:37 AM
Barnard Castle isn't far away. Good place for a day trip, I hear.
Don't you need to require an eye test to visit here?
Quote from: Orcs on 05 October 2021, 08:39:27 PM
Don't you need to require an eye test to visit here?
No. You just need to SAY you need to test your eyes (whilst maintaining a straight face).
Quote from: Elliesdad on 05 October 2021, 09:38:49 PM
No. You just need to SAY you need to test your eyes (whilst maintaining a straight face).
No, no no. Driving there
is the eye test. Bonus points for doing it on your wife's birthday.
Quote from: Orcs on 05 October 2021, 08:39:27 PM
Don't you need to require an eye test to visit here?
Mrs Westie cracked a similar joke when we were passing the sign to Barnard Castle on the A6 to Penrith yesterday! ;D
Who are we to question the words of our leaders and their acolytes? We are but the plebs/drones at the "bottom of the food pile".
I don't know whether I'm reassured (or not) that they merrily assume we will merely accept whatever nonsense they say.
Curious, Elliesdad...how did it go? :)
Although the holiday cottage (an old hunting/fishing lodge I believe) has a Morpeth postal address it is sufficiently so far away from a decent internet connection to qualify as "the middle of nowhere". We did visit some decent ruined castles so a big 👍👍👍 from me. But organising people to be "up and ready to go" at an agreed time was very difficult. Barter Books was, as ever, excellent and for once I spent less than I thought I would.
On the way home the roads were diverted which - s*ds law, wouldn't you know - sent us past a nice ruined castle barely 10 miles from where we were staying. Un signposted, of course ☹️.
That'll be one for next time...
Cheers,
Geoff
Glad you enjoyed.
As to getting people up and ready to go...
As a teen, a bunch of 'us' went 'camping' in The Lake District... at 'The Quiet Campsite'! :)
We found a 'good' 'wake up motivator' was MOTORHEAD played VERY. LOUD.! LOL! :o ;) ;D
Quote... a 'good' 'wake up motivator' was MOTORHEAD played VERY. LOUD.! LOL! :o ;) ;D
I'd have been quite happy with a cattle-prod to be honest, but in these days of "political correctness" I understand that is frowned upon. 😤🤣
I HAVE used a cattle prod on sheep...Makes the ****ers go up the ramp.
Not a nice thing to do. Really glad we don't have sheep anymore. Far more trouble than they're worth.
Used to really hate 'shearing day'....The 'fluffys' got horribly stressed..as did me and Von.
Ugh! I hate people who have itineraries on holiday.
Go to bed when you are tired, get up when you wake up, go out when everyone is ready and if you aren't half way down the drive before you decide where to go you are trying too hard. Holidays are for relaxation not for ticking off sites like an old style "I spy" book.
"Go away. I'm asleep!" :)
Quote from: Ithoriel on 28 July 2022, 01:19:16 PMUgh! I hate people who have itineraries on holiday.
Best not come on holiday with me then! I have the whole trip planned out with numbered locations on corresponding maps, transport booked in advance, everything scheduled. We only tend to get a city break every now and then (3 in the past 10 years!) so I want to see as much as we can while we're there.
We've done a couple of 'sun' holidays with Adele's folks and those tend to be more sitting around the pool all day, or sit on the beach all day. Not for me I'm afraid, I can do that at home.
Quote from: Leon on 28 July 2022, 03:37:28 PMWe've done a couple of 'sun' holidays with Adele's folks and those tend to be more sitting around the pool all day, or sit on the beach all day. Not for me I'm afraid, I can do that at home.
In Middlesbrough ??????? :D
Quote from: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 28 July 2022, 03:42:30 PMIn Middlesbrough ??????? :D
If I want to, it might not be sunny but I can certainly sit there...
I'm not suggesting lounging round the pool or baking on the sand but get up, have leisurely breakfast, sort out where to go depending on what time it's got to.
If it's been there for five hundred years it's not going to vanish in the 50 minutes we took to have breakfast instead of the "allocated" 5 minutes :)
If there's something you want to see that's miles away and you need to be up at dark o'clock to arrive early because otherwise it's too crowded/ hot/ cold/ bright/ dark/ etc. then fine, I'll see you when you get back.