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 Northumberland Region...
 As soon as you enter the Callaly Estate through an avenue of Beech trees you will be captivated by it's charm and beauty. Callaly crag rises from the foot of the garden and is a mix of broadleaf and coniferous woodland, craggy sandstone outcrops and Castle Hill an ancient Briton Hillfort, wonderful to explore... The crag continues into Thrunton Woods, a Forest Enterprise woodland, with miles and miles of waymarked paths and a couple of cycle routes too! Head across the heather clad moorland towards Rothbury and you will come upon the ruins of Cartington Castle before joining Lord Armstrongs' carriage drive leading to Cragside. This whole area is steeped in natural history!
Situated 10 miles west of Alnwick and 7 miles north of Rothbury, Callaly is an excellent base for exploring the many Country Houses and gardens, beautiful countryside and heritage
 Alnwick's fabulous Castle is home to the Duke of Northumberland, and The Alnwick Garden is one of the most exciting and contemporary gardens to be developed in the last century. The many features of the garden include the Grand Cascade - a spectacular mass of tumbling water, the Serpent Garden in which 8 mirror polished water sculptures nestle in the coils of a topiary serpent, the Rose Garden of pergola - lined paths with more than 3,000 roses, honeysuckle and clematis to delight the senses.  The magnificent turreted Tree House with it's rope bridges and walkways in the sky is also a fantastic place to eat with a roaring log fire! Barter Books, one of the largest 2nd hand bookshops in Britain, is a must for bookworms! Housed in the old railway station with log fires in winter, a coffee shop and a model railway it has exceptional charm and character. Alnwick Playhouse is firmly established as one of the leading small venues in the North of England. It is a wonderful and vibrant arts centre, and a remarkably strong and valuable part of the community. It's mission is to enrich the life of the community through diverse, inspiring cultural experiences. The Playhouse offers a rich and balanced mix of professional touring drama, music, dance and film of the highest quality. Close by is the magnificent heritage coastline with it's many castles and deserted beaches, pictued left is Bamburgh.
connected to the mainland by a tidal causeway. It has it's own 16thC castle, a Benedictine monastery and a Gertrude Jekyll garden. The walk around the island is simply beautiful! For nature lovers, one of the most exciting wildlife experiences in the world is only a boat ride away from Seahouses at the Farne islands. It is home to over 16,000 nesting birds and their chicks, and the Islands' renowned colony of Grey Seals. Visit Billy Shiels for Boat Trips. Our closest township is Rothbury 7 miles to the south. A charming little place full of character looking almost as it did 100 years ago. There are antique shops bulging at the seams, gift shops, pubs and tearooms and a lovely collection of stores selling everything from ironmongery and outdoor gear to locally produced food. Cragside House was the Victorian home of Lord Armstrong, inventor and landscape genius. There are forty miles of footpaths to explore in 1,000 acres of wooded estate with lakes and labyrinths, secret hideaways and stunning views.
 Walk the nearby Simonside Hills with their ancient history and stunning vistas, and visit Brinkburn's gothic riverside Priory which also hosts a summer evening programme of classical concerts. Other places of interest include Wallington where you can relax amongst griffins and glorious gardens, and the beautiful thatched villages of Ford and Etal. Begin your journey at Heatherslaw mill in Ford and then take the charming narrow gauge steam railway that runs by the river Till to Etal. A walking and cycling paradise. To the West lie the nearby Cheviot Hills in the beautiful Northumberland National Park with it's varied landscape of over 1000 sq. km of heather moorland, silent forest, tree sheltered valleys and wild ridge walks including a good stretch of the Pennine Way.
 Or simply walk from the cottage to explore the miles of woodland and moorland walks and peaceful cycling routes on your doorstep. We have lots of walking and cycling guides that you are welcome to use during your stay, and secure bike storage. Or if you need to hire bikes, we can arrange that for you too! Ifyou're feeling adventurous, there are several websites you can visit to get some ideas.
Northumberland really does have something for everybody, whether you want to stroll along deserted beaches, roam the hills, visit country houses and castles, or simply stay still and soak up the beauty....
If want a little city culture during your stay, we are only 35 miles and a 45 min drive from Newcastle. Newcastle and Gateshead is packed with free attractions, from ancient monuments to dynamic arts centres and amazing bridges including the iconic Millennium Bridge. Renowned for its excellent shopping and vibrant nightlife, Newcastle Gateshead was recently voted the UK’s friendliest city!
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