Exploring Northumbria
Our B&B in Yetholm is situated a mile from the Scotland-England border, so you can easily explore Northumberland as well as the Scottish border country. The northerly part of Northumberland is rural with gently rolling hills in the west stretching out to dune-lined beaches in the east. It’s calm and quiet and the roads are very empty indeed.
Berwick-upon-Tweed
The fortified border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed is about 20 miles away from us. The town now sits just south of the border between Scotland and England and was much fought over during the border wars, changing hands repeatedly. You could walk the medieval walls and ramparts, wander round the old town with its sandstone buildings with red tiled roofs, browse the shops and galleries or take a walk on the lovely Spittal beach. There’s also a good range of DIY stores, timber yards and large supermarkets on the edge of town which is useful for us but probably of less interest to you.
On the way to Berwick-upon-Tweed, you could visit the fine Norham castle by the side of the River Tweed and stop off at Chainbridge Honey Farm for tea, honey cake and all things bee-related.
Closer to home, the beautiful Ford and Etal Estates are about 10 miles away with where you can visit Etal Castle, ride a steam train, stroke a heavy horse and visit a working watermill.
Holy Island and the Northumberland Coast
It’s about an hour’s drive from our B&B to the popular Northumberland coast with its miles of sandy, dune-backed beaches. You could visit the Holy Island of Lindisfarne which reached by a tidal causeway so is only accessible at certain times of day.The island’s recorded history dates from the 6th century AD and it was an important centre of celtic christianity and pilgramage. The imposing Bamburgh castle, together with a huge sandy beach, is just a short distance south along the coast from Holy Island. Holy Island and Bamburgh tend to get very busy during the summer holidays but there are several much quieter and little-known beaches on that stretch of course: we’re can suggest places for you to visit if you’re planning a day out there.
Wooler and the Eastern Cheviots
There’s some great walking on the eastern side of the Cheviot Hills, including the hills of Yeavering Bell and the Newton Tors as well as the village of Hethpol and the beautiful, wooded College Valley. You could visit Ad Gefrin, the site of the 7th century palace of King Edwin of Northumberland though there’s not a lot left of it (actually nothing at all but it’s a very scenic spot for a picnic). The market town of Wooler is home to another Ad Gefrin, the Anglo-Saxon Museum and English whisky distillery. It showcases the unique heritage, ancient hospitality, and contemporary crafts, arts and produce of Northumberland.