Northumberland Guided Cycling Holiday

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Arrival Alnmouth

   Today is set aside to allow you to arrive into Alnmouth at your convenience. You will meet your leader and the rest of the group, and enjoy a leisurely evening meal at Nether Grange.

   • Nether Grange
   • Dinner
2. Day 2Alnwick and Craster

   After an energising breakfast, we’ll be hopping into the saddle and pedalling north from Alnmouth. We’ll initially head up the coast through Boulmer, inland past Longhoughton then onward to the quaint fishing village of Craster (famed for its kippers). From here we’ll head further north, past Dunstanburgh Castle, built in the 14th century by the powerful Thomas of Lancaster, reputedly second in influence only to the King of England himself.
   
   We soon head inland to the village of Embleton, where we’ll enjoy further views of the castle. Next, we ride south to the attractive market town of Alnwick, dominated by its famous Norman castle and gardens, home to one of the country’s largest collections of European plants.
   
   We then continue for a few more miles heading back to our accommodation at the coast, fresh North Sea air and a well deserved cuppa or pint as you like! The direction of this ride may depend on the prevailing winds.

   • 29.8 miles
   • Nether Grange
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
3. Day 3Holy Island and Bamburgh

   The second ride takes us further north to Holy Island. We’ll transfer you and your bike to Lindisfarne, an important early centre of Christianity in England and home to Northumberland’s patron, Saint Cuthbert.
   
   After a visit to the priory, we head back along the causeway and wind our way along quiet country lanes towards Bamburgh, with its impressive castle perched high above the surrounding area, and bordered by the sea. From here we continue south to Seahouses where our transport awaits to bring us back to Alnmouth.
   
   The direction of this ride may be dependent on tide-times. If the tide does not allow us to cross to Holy Island, you will nevertheless have the chance to cycle North up through Seahouses and Bamburgh, and admire the views across to Lindisfarne Castle, high on an outcrop of the Northumbrian Whin Sill and ready to fend off Scottish or Viking invaders!

   • 22.4 miles
   • Nether Grange
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

   • 

     Bamburgh Castle

     Perched high above, Bamburgh Castle offers incredible views

4. Day 4Warkworth and Druridge Bay

   Today we’ll experience another side of Northumberland. We’ll still get to enjoy some of the rich medieval history, but the landscape on today’s ride is also shaped by more recent activity – coal mining.
   
   Our final ride takes us south on Sustrans Route 1, where we ride through Warkworth (admiring yet another mighty castle!), Amble and along the spectacular and peaceful Druridge Bay. Druridge is a seven mile stretch of beach and sand dunes, and is today part of the national heritage coast. This area consists of land reclaimed from a large opencast mine which once dominated the countryside and the lives of local people. Our route then takes us inland through the villages of Widdrington, Stobswood, Acklington and Guyzance before looping round back to Alnmouth, where we’ll have a final celebratory evening meal together.

   • 31.1 miles
   • Nether Grange
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

   • 

     Warkworth Castle

     Follow a route through North England and Scotland that's dotted by majestic castles

5. Day 5Departure Alnmouth

   Today we’ll have a leisurely breakfast together, and with plenty of miles in our legs and memories made, you’ll set off on your onward journeys home.

   • 55.9 miles
   • Breakfast