Late October Top Ten Places To Visit (1 Viewer)

Hi Northumberlanders,

I'm making my first ever foray to Northumberland at the end of October and would be grateful for some tips for maximising my limited birding time.

Where are the 'must visit' places, both on the coast and up on moors?

Any recommendations for pubs, restaurants, cafe's, campsites (we'll be campervan based) and hotels (if we get too wet and miserable in the van).

Any other recommendations, birding or otherwise to help me an my (non-birding) wife get the most out of our trip?

What can we expect weather-wise?

Thanks in advance.

https://www.facebook.com/oldshipnewbiggin?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/sea456 (lunchtime deal of 3 courses for £4)

gi birding at the church point/golf course.....chk birdguides for all info.

go to druridge bay from cresswell upwards. (avoid hauxley unless theres news of migrants)

Holy island is worth a visit.....

for good views take the rothbury to alnwick road..... moors better in summer for birds.

Where are you staying, and will you have a car?

Holy Island is a great place to visit (for birding or otherwise) at any time of year, but make sure you check the tides and don't get marooned, or worse...

Birding is good all the way up the coast from, but Cresswell to Amble offers lots of off-shore birding in Druridge Bay, and several nature reserves and lakes with hides (heading north: Cresswell Pond, Druridge Pools, East Chevington, Hauxley). Further north, there's Low Newton, Long Nanny, Beadnell, and Budle Bay before you reach Holy Island causeway.

All along the coast, as well as birding, there are castles galore (mostly NT and English Heritage, but some privately owned) and wild coastline you won't find in many places in England! Other NT places well worth a visit include Cragside and Wallington (excellent chance of seeing red squirrels, too), and privately owned Alnwick Castle is also a good day out, with the castle and grounds, water-garden, and giant tree-house to see.

If you're a hill-walker, there are plenty of excellent half-day or full-day treks, during which you might hardly meet anyone else. Some places to start include Harthope Valley, Upper Coquet Valley, Breamish Valley (up to Linhope Spout)