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.
4X4 Safari Charity Drive
Kielder Water & Forest Park
27 February
A challenging day out for the 4x4 driver. For drivers of standard or lightly modified road legal 4x4 vehicles with route choices to suit all.
Goshawk Walk
Kielder Water & Forest Park
6th March
Go wildlife watching with guide, Martin Davison,. A spring walk to see the 'sky-dance' display of this magnificent large hawk in one of its strongholds. Booking essential.
Illuminating Hadrian's Wall
13 March
A once-in-a-lifetime event which will illuminate Hadrian's Wall from end to end. There will be viewing points along the Wall. Booking essential.
Kielder Festival of Lanterns
Kielder Water & Forest Park
20 March
A day of events culminating in a parade of lanterns through the forest to the lakeside. Booking essential.
Counties Car Rally
Kielder Water & Forest Park
20 March
The traditional England versus Scotland rally challenge.
Kielder Safari
Kielder Water & Forest Park
24 March
Take in the best of the Forest park by landrover and on foot. Search for roe deer, red squirrels, birds of prey and other wildlife beside the lake before travelling along the stunning Forest Drive.
Coffee Shop Walk
Wallington Hall
24 March
Join Maurice Holliday on a walk through the beautiful Northumberland countryside and experience the natural world through music and verse.
4X4 Safari Charity Drive
Kielder Water & Forest Park
27 March
A challenging day out for the 4x4 driver. For drivers of standard or lightly modified road legal 4x4 vehicles with route choices to suit all.
Easter Egg Hunt
Kielder Water & Forest Park
1 - 18 April
A fun-filled search around Kielder Castle grounds for wooden eggs. Find them all and exchange them for an edible one!
43rd Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering
Morpeth
9 - 11 April
Festival celebrating the best of Northumberland's traditional music, dance, crafts, dialect and heritage. Family events, concerts and exhibitions.
Morning Deer Safari
Kielder Water & Forest Park
10 April
Go wildlife watching with a wildlife ranger to spot elusive roe deer in a secluded deer glade and learn about the management of the deer population.
Kielder Vintage Vehicle Show
Kielder Water & Forest Park
9 May
A great day out for all the family including static displays, BBQ, exhibitions, art gallery and much more.
Owl Night
Kielder Water & Forest Park
12th May
A night-time tour around Kielder Castle to find out more about research into Kielder's owls and a chance to meet some of the vernerable birds.
Nothumberland National Park Voluntary Ranger Walk
Hadrian's Wall
30 May
Join a Voluntary Ranger for a route patrol along Hadrian's Wall.
Northumberland County Show
31st May
Corbridge
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.
Family Wildlife Day
Kielder Water & Forest Park
6 June
Join in a family fun day discovering wildlife. Family focused activities and events including squirrel walks, animal tracking and treasure hunts.
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
2 - 4 July and 9 - 11 July
Brinkburn Priory
Set over two weekends in the lovely setting of Brinkburn Priory, you will find classical music my internationally renowned performers.
Rothbury Traditional Music Festival
16 - 18 July
Rothbury
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
17 and 18 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.
Jools Holland at Alnwick Castle
Alnwick Castle
17 July
Jools Holland entertains with his 17 piece Rhythm and Blues Orchestra with Alison Moyet and Ruby Turner. Gates open at 5.00pm. Tickets available from www.imlconcerts.co.uk
Alnwick International Music Festival
1 - 8 August
Alnwick Market Place
Costumed music and dance from around the world featuring over 300 entertainers.
English National Sheep Dog Trials
Alnwick Castle
19 - 21 August
To be held in the pastures below Alnwick Castle.
www.englishnational-sheepdogtrials.co.uk
Bellingham Show
Bellingham Showground
28 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
30 August
North Middleton
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
19 - 20 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
10 October
Alwinton Village, Upper Coquetdale
The last major agricultural show of the season, with sheep dog trials, fell racing, sheep classes, and horticultural exhibits.
01669 650436
Kielder Marathon 2010
17 October
Kielder Water & Forest Park
Initiated by former Olympic athlete Steve Cram, the marathon will follow the newly completed Lakeside Way, a trail that stretches around the shoreline of Kielder Water. It is expected to attract runners and outdoor adventure enthusiasts from around the world to the dramatic setting of this unique course. Steve Cram said: "Kielder Water & Forest Park is my favourite place to run in the world and with the water's shoreline being 26 miles long, it's an ideal venue for the ultimate running challenge, the marathon. Most of the course is off-road and it offers a wonderful test for trail runners, adventure racers and marathon enthusiasts alike. Add to that the stunning setting with a wonderful new view at every twist and turn, and I think that this is quickly going to establish a reputation as the most beautiful marathon in Britain."
Winter Wonderland
Mid-November - 22 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.