Willow and Greene

Ah, the seaside… the sandy stretch at Blyth beach (15 minutes’ drive) is more than just a good wildlife zone to spot seals or dolphins. There’s also surfing, jetskiing, angling or walks in the dunes. Another sandy spot, Cresswell Beach (25 minutes) also has surfing, fishing and plenty of space for swimming. And if you’re after a scenic stretch on the coastal path, the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (45 minutes) is also within reach. It’s likely you’ve arrived in Northumberland for more activities in the outdoors. If so, prep a picnic for Plessey Woods Country Park (five minutes). Here, there are riverside wanders, nature trails and plenty of spots popular with birdwatchers. You’ll also want to plan in a stroll around Northumberlandia (10 minutes), a land sculpture in the shape of a woman. Alternatively, for wanders around the local castles, there are ruins at Mitford Castle (10 minutes), the National Trust’s Dunstanburgh Castle (40 minutes) or the well-preserved Alnwick Castle (half an hour). No matter how old you are, Whitehouse Farm Centre (10 minutes) is a fun day out too, with farm animals to feed and tractors to ride. If you want to see more creatures up close, Northumberland Country Zoo (15 minutes) has plenty of big and small animals in its enclosures.