Northumberland in the north east of England is a stunning holiday destination. Whether you are looking for a short break, a weekend away or a week’s holiday, Northumberland has so much to offer. From the historic Hadrian’s Wall, to the coast of Alnwick, the seaside town of Seahouses and beautiful city of Durham, Northumberland and the surrounding area is a fantastic place for a UK holiday.

Sykes Cottages have an excellent selection of self catering holiday cottages to rent in Northumberland, providing the perfect base for you to explore the sleepy villages, beautiful beaches and buzzing cities that that north east of England has to offer. Here are some suggestions of places to visit from your Northumberland cottage.

Traditional seaside charm at Seahouses

Seahouses is a charming traditional seaside town situated approximately 20 miles north of Alnwick. A popular holiday destination, Seahouses is a popular place for fishing making it a great place to tuck into a hearty serving of fish and chips on the beach!

The Farme Islands, a cluster of 15-20 small islands depending on the tide, just off the coast of Seahouses provide a fantastic destination for scuba diving enthusiasts.The Seahouses Festival that take place in June each year is a great place to learn more about the local area and its stunning wildlife. However you choose to spend your time in Seahouses, staying in a self catering holiday cottage in Seahouses means that you can explore the best of the area by day and when the evening comes, retreat to your charming holiday cottage.

Fact and fiction at Alnwick

However you choose to spend your holiday in Alnwick, one thing is for sure – you will be spoilt for choice! Alnwick is arguably one of the most picturesque places in Northumbria with character filled cobbled streets and lovely little shops to wander around as well as the Alnwick Garden, one of the best contemporary gardens in the UK. Harry Potter fans will love visiting Alnwick Castle, featured heavily in the Harry Potter films as Hogwarts – a must for all Harry Potter fans!

City charm at Durham

Durham is a truly unique university city, situated within easy reach of your holiday accommodation in Northumberland. The potent blend of the historic cathedral, winding river and bussing shopping scene, Durham is well worth a visit.

Planning a trip to Northumberland? Visit the Official Tourism website for the area for more information about days out and local events.  Why wait? Book your next holiday to Northumberland today! Contact us to rent a holiday cottage in Northumberland!

The city of Durham in the north east of England is a truly delightful place for a holiday. As well as stunning architecture and fascinating museums, Durham has some great places for eating out. Sykes Cottages have some lovely self catering holiday cottages in Durham that will add that really special touch to your trip. So what are you waiting for? Here is my guide of some of the best things to see and do on a trip to Durham and the surrounding area.

Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral dates back as far Norman times – building work began in 1093 and took nearly forty years to complete. The Cathedral’s high up position on the banks of the River Wear means that it stands tall over the rest of the city and, to many people, is one of the most iconic images of Durham. The stunning cathedral is now recognised as a UNECSO world heritage site and no trip to Durham would be complete without a trip to marvel at both its beauty and sheer scale.

Durham Cathedral is open to the public but it is worth bearing in mind that it is still a place of worship and access can be restricted during mass times. Visitors can walk through the beautiful cathedral, climb the 300+ steps to the top of the tower and enjoy a delicious slice of homemade cake in the Undercroft cafe.

The Angel of the North

Situated overlooking the A1 dual carriageway, the Angel of the North is a fantastic feet of engineering and design. It stands tall at twenty metres, with a wingspan of more than 50 metres, built in such a way to create a ‘sense of embrace’. It is well worth a little drive out of the city to see this amazing structure!

Great food in Durham

Foodie lovers will be pleased to hear that the Durham City Food Festival takes place every October on the Palace Green and Market Square in the city centre. If you are taking a trip to Durham outside of this time though, don’t worry, there are plenty of lovely restaurants and cafes to visit in Durham. One of my favourites is Bistro 21. Situated outside of the city centre, it classic food is well worth the drive or taxi ride!

Beamish, County Durham

Beamish, the ‘Outdoor Museum of the North’ makes a great day out, especially if you are on holiday with children. Beamish tells the story of life in the north of England over the last one hundred years, through the Victorian and Edwardian eras and right up to the modern day. A day at Beamish is just like stepping back in time!

Durham – a great shopping destination!

No holiday would be complete without indulging in a little retail therapy! Durham’s large student population means that there are lots of unusual and alternative shops, including vintage shops and a busy indoor market.

Whet your appetite for a holiday to Durham? Durham is easy to get to from many of our cottages in Northumberland. Why not search for and book a self catering cottage near to Durham today?

On a cottage holiday, Embleton and Amble are well worth a visit.

Embleton

On Northumberland’s Heritage Coast, picturesque Embleton is an attractive village with a well-maintained green and village shop. Embleton’s main attraction is beautiful Embleton Bay, located about half a mile from the village centre. A vast sweep of fine sandy beach backed by high dunes, there are wonderful views down the coast to nearby Dunstanburgh castle, which rises majestically at the southerly tip of the bay.

Why not take a look at our self catering cottages in Embleton?
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On a cottage holiday spend time exploring the area around Hadrian’s Wall. The most well-known and spectacular legacy of the Roman Empire in the British Isles, Hadrian’s Wall once spanned the entire width of Britain, some seventy miles east to west along Northumberland’s border with Scotland, from Wallsend (Newcastle Upon Tyne) to Bowness on Solway. It is one of the greatest triumphs of the Roman age; Rome’s northernmost frontier, and remains a spectacular, awe-inspiring sight that draws throngs of visitors today. (more…)

Northumberland National Park

Northumberland National Park is one of 15 national parks throughout the UK and without doubt encompasses one of the wildest and least discovered landscapes in the country. Stretching from Hadrian’s Wall in the south to the magnificent Cheviot Hills hugging the Scottish border, the park is home to some of the most breathtaking displays of Northumberland’s legendary natural beauty.
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