Northumberland has so much to do and enjoy for adults and for children of all ages.
The countryside around Whitelee Holiday Cottages and in Northumberland as a whole is wonderful for walking with the Pennine Way and the Cheviot Hills close by. There are excellent walks direct from the cottages, including two specially created for visitors to Whitelee by Jon Monks of Shepherds Walks. One uses a GPS to take you on a 3.5 mile circular walk with four caches for you to find. The second has written directions which take you on a 5 mile walk through some of the last remaining wilderness in the country in the Whitelee Moor National Nature Reserve which adjoins Whitelee . Both have spectacular views, lots of interest and you're unlikely to see another person! For the less serious walkers, there are more gentle walks which can fill a pleasant hour or so.
The cottages are an ideal centre for sight-seeing, with lovely border towns like Melrose and Kelso nearby as well as historic Northumbrian villages and market towns such as Elsdon, Rothbury and Hexham. Alnwick Castle and The Alnwick Garden, Lindisfarne, Hadrian's Wall, Kielder Water and Forest Park and the beautiful coast are all within easy travelling distance and for city lovers, Newcastle is about fifty minutes away and Edinburgh, about an hour and a quarter.
Whitelee is a haven for bird-watchers with over 60 different species around the farm in the summer and a great variety of winter residents as well. Northumberland as a whole is rich in bird-life and a visit to the Farne Islands, a nationally important breeding site for many seabirds, is an absolute must in the summer.
Many of the country parks and historic properties include activities for children during the school holidays. You can go sailing and rock pooling at the coast, take part in adventure activities at the country parks and discover the local wildlife. There are also a variety of places for letting off steam on rainy days. For information on a few of the favourite places to visit, click on 'The Local Area' above.
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Rowhope - wonderful walking The village of Elsdon The town of Rothbury Tipalt Burn
(Photos courtesy of Northumberland National Park Authority)
There are also many annual festivals, shows and specially organised events throughout the year. Here is a taster of a few of them.
Goshawk Walk
Kielder Water & Forest Park
Join local bird of prey expert Martin Davison on a 4 to 5 mile walk to spot these impressive birds of prey. Booking essential.
Nordic Walk
Kielder Water & Forest Park
6 March
A challenging 10km Nordic Walk. More than just a walk in the park.
Snowdrop Festival
Alnwick Garden
12 February - 6 March
Enjoy snowdrop walks and wander through the drifts planted in the garden.
Fairy Houses
Cragside House, Gardens and Estate, Rothbury
23 February and 22 April
Build a forest home for a magic forest creature. An elf, or a fairy - it's up to you.
Kielder Observatory Night Watch
Kielder Water & Forest Park
26 March
An expert talk followed by a tour of the Observatory and a chance to look through the telescopes at some truly inspiring objects that inhabit our cosmos. Booking essential.
Wallington Woofs
Wallington House, Gardens and Estate, Cambo
13 March
Bring your dog for a day of canine fun with Wallington's own version of Crufts.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-wallington
Kielder Observatory Night Sky
Kielder Water & Forest Park
18 and 25 March
The night sky explained. A talk and practical observing session. Bring your own telescopes/binoculars and use the Observatory' telescopes under supervision. Booking essential.
Brick and Steel Border Counties Car Rally
Kielder Water & Forest Park
19 March
One of the main events in the UK rallying calendar.
4X4 Safari
Kielder Water & Forest Park
2 April
In the comfort of your own vehicle, follow Kielder's guides over some of the forests rougher trails.
The Palace of the Modern Magician
Cragside House, Gardens and Estate, Rothbury
5 April - 3 May
Great Victorian creations. See 10 major 19th century inventions that changed modern life.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-cragside
Falconry Display
Cragside House, Gardens and Estate, Rothbury
20 April
Armstrong's fascination with birds of prey is brought to life in a falconry display. Flying demonstrations by Kielder Birds of Prey Centre.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-cragside
Easter Egg Hunt
Kielder Water & Forest Park
24 April
Cycle around the stunning Lakeside Way in the hunt for Easter eggs.
Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering
29 April - 1 May
Festival celebrating the best of Northumberland's traditional music, dance, crafts, dialect and heritage. Family events, concerts, exhibitions.
Kielder Vintage Vehicle Show
Kielder Water & Forest Park
8 May
Annual vintage and classic vehicle show.
Cars in the Courtyard
Wallington House, Gardens and Estate, Cambo
15 May
Post vintage and classic cars in the beautiful setting of Wallington courtyard.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-wallington
Mindrum House Open Gardens
Mindrum Garden, Mindrum
22 May, 19 June and 8 July
Mrs. Fairfax opens her gardens, a magical combination of rose gardens, lawns, woods and water.
Northumberland County Show
Corebridge
3o May
The region's biggest agricultural show featuring cattle, sheep, horses, goats, alpacas, shearing, dog shows, poultry, stick-dressing, crafts, wrestling, falconry displays, parachute display team and 300 trade stands.
Rothbury and Coquetdale Summer Walking Festival
With 16 walks over the eight days of the Festival there is something for everybody. All the walks are in the spectacular countryside around Rothbury and Coquetdale.
Brinkburn Summer Music Festival
Brinkburn Priory
7 - 10 July
Set over two weekends in the lovely setting of Brinkburn Priory, you will find classical music my internationally renowned performers.
Rothbury Traditional Music Festival
15 - 17 July
A weekend of traditional music, dance and events in the beautiful Coquet Valley, featuring pipes, fiddles, bodrun, guitars and folk singing.
www.rothbury-traditional-music.co.uk
Otterburn Festival
16 and 17 July
Otterburn
A fun family day out, with vintage cars and machinery, craft stalls and children's entertainment - and all proceeds are donated to the Great North Air Ambulance.
Alnwick International Music Festival
Alnwick Market Place
30 July - 6 August
Costumed music and dance from around the world featuring over 300 entertainers.
Bellingham Show
Bellingham Showground
27 August
Come for a family day out. 'Have-a-go' events for all the family. All the favourites of a country show will be there including sheep, horses, terriers and Cumberland wrestling.
Glendale Show
North Middleton, Wooler
29 August
The major agricultural show in north Northumberland celebrating all aspects of farming and rural life. Main attractions are The White Helmets, with classes for sheep, cattle and goats. Dogs are welcome and can be entered into the Companion Dog Show.
Alnwick Food Festival
24 - 25 September
A festival of North East food producers with cookery demonstrations, talks, food and drink trails, special recipes and street entertainment.
Alwinton Border Shepherds Show
Alwinton Village, Upper Coquetdale
8 October
The last major agricultural show of the season, with sheep dog trials, fell racing, sheep classes, and horticultural exhibits.
01669 650436
Winter Wonderland
Mid-November - 21 December
Kielder Water and Forest Park
A truly magical adventure wonderland with everything from ice skating and snow-tubing to an elves workshop and Santa's secret hideaway. This event is ideal for children aged 3 - 10 and booking is essential.