Early trip planning Northumberland and fitting in York

Try to fly to Newcastle. You’d probably have to change at Heathrow, CDG or Amsterdam but it would be worth it. The cross pennine trains are absolutely terrible and I would not want to waste time on them.

Stay overnight in the Newcastle area or even head to the coast (Tynemouth is particularly charming) then pick up or have you hire car dropped to you and start your tour the next day. You can drive or train to York very easily from Newcastle. Just make sure you book somewhere with parking.

I’d start by heading up the coast on the A1 and stay in Bamburgh (lovely, good pubs). See all the castles and lovely towns and coastline. Then head down to Hexham or Corbridge (also good pubs) to explore Hadrians Wall. Then drive or train to York. Return to Newcastle airport. I’d skip Kielder for time reasons. It’s scenic but I prefer places with more culture and history. That’s personal preference though.

I agree with most of what Helen says (it’s also really convenient to pick up your car at Newcastle station), but I disagree about Kielder. The area is very beautiful and if you’re into stars then viewing them in a really dark sky would be so exciting. However, the drive to the reservoir and the Observatory is quite lengthy through the wildish countryside, so it would be good to be able to stay nearby for your stargazing night.
I visited Northumberland a few years ago and had a wonderful time, I plan to go back some time and hope you have a great trip.

You could also fly into Leeds/Bradford airport via Amsterdam. From LBA there are air link buses to Leeds Station (trains from there to York are run by 3 different companies- Northern, Transpennine and Cross Country) or to Harrogate (for Northern trains to York every 30 minutes- the Rail station is across the street from the Bus Station).

Then to avoid one way car rental charges you could train to Newcastle (again a choice of rail companies), rent from the Enterprise office right outside the station, and away you go.

At the end of your trip fly back to AMS from Newcastle for your transatlantic flight. Drop the car back at NCL station then Tyne and Wear Metro to the airport, although I doubt Enterprise would charge extra to drop the car at the airport- it's the same city after all!!

As you have a car there is no reason why you need to confine yourself to Hexham or Corbridge to stay- Bellingham or even Otterburn would do- even one of the smaller villages in the Tyne Valley like Wark would be a nice base.

On the coast Seahouses or Bamburgh would be nice bases. Possibly Craster or Belford- the latter was on the A1 but there is now a new bypass so it is back to being quiet.

I would be looking to fly via Dublin rather than Amsterdam or Paris purely for the advantage of pre-clearance at DUB on the way home.
If you want to go to York on the way then flying into Manchester makes most sense. LBA is nearer but the connection at MAN by train is easier.
If you end up deciding on missing York then Newcastle makes most sense to fly into as it puts you right into Northumberland which is the area your trip is concentrating on. I would add Rothbury to your shortlist of bases, mainly to visit wonderful Cragside.

Lots of things to consider and these suggestions are very helpful! I will need also need to compare the prices/ lengths of the various airport options, too. I’m not sure if flying into which, MAN or NCL or Leeds, is preferable from DC. The mention of the transpennine trains being subpar is not a great thought. I wouldn’t mind taking a short, on time, train ride after our flight, but if it’s unpredictable or delayed, after that overnighter, ugh.

Thanks for the advice so far!

There are connecting flights from Dublin to.both LBA and NCL.

I thought LBA because the bus to Leeds is frequent and fast, then you have multiple trains per hour to York, so a cancellation will barely impact you. It is a walk up and go service.
So you gain time over the hourly MAN to York train then the one hour journey from MAN to Leeds.
It's also a far smaller airport than MAN which is a good thing.

In normal times the Leeds bus calls at the station front. Current!y that is in a nearby street due to construction work, but this trip is in 18 months time!!

We also have to cope on this forum with the transpennine haters. When they run the Nova trains are very nice, and they are tackling the reliability issues regarding cancellations. There was a pretty bad spell, but they are a lot better now. Some people just won't let it go, and exaggerate.

But LBA takes you out of the whole transpennine issue, as there are other train operators from Leeds. And if you use the Harrogate bus connection that is entirely Northern.

Here's another suggestion.

Keep it simple and fly into and out of Newcastle. On the first day explore Newcastle, collect your car from either the airport or the Central train station and head off into Northumberland. My only tip about Bellingham, it's pronounced Bellinjum

When you're at your base somewhere up the coast, and you fancy a day trip to York, drive to Alnmouth, park the car at the station and take the train down to York for the day.

Isn31c, I was doing a bit of google flight searching last night and saw those DUB connections to Leeds. A bit higher price wise than into LHR- NCL or NCL proper RT, but it’s doable if we wanted to do that.

Ramblin, Helen and Amanda, keeping it simple is appealing by going into NCL. The idea of another day trip to York by train is worth pondering. From a brief search it’s about 2 hours, is that right? We got sooo lucky with train travel last time. Other than one unplanned change - added about 20 minutes- going to York last time, we had no interruptions. In our day trip from London, we saw a lot, but we missed seeing the National Rail Museum, the conservation tour of the Minster, the Jorvik Viking Centre (my family is Scandinavian so that would be fun), Tea at Betty’s.

I think when I drill down the places we want to see in Northumberland (can’t wait to hear mardee’s impressions!) , it will become more apparent how much time we may need there. I’m curious about Newcastle Upon Tyne. If we didn’t include York initially, what are your suggestions to see in NCL if we flew in there and spent the night before picking up a car?

Lots to think about here! Thanks for sharing such great insight!

A good introduction to Newcastle, in season, would be the Toon Tour- it runs every 30 minutes, so if you did the round trip first, then used it as transport it is quite useable- Newcastle doesn't have the same traffic issues as blight HoHo's in other cities. Any time I've seen it it seems to be very reliable- https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/toontour/

One place it doesn't serve is Anthony Gormley's Angel of the North- that is reachable on the suitably numbered #Angel 21 bus..

Your Toon Tour ticket covers all other Go North East buses like the Angel 21.

Another place I think you should visit, if you have time, is the Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum- use the Tyne and Wear Metro to Wallsend.

See also this page about the Vikings in Northumbria- https://englandsnortheast.co.uk/viking-age-northumbria/

Thanks so much isn31c. So many possibilities! I would love to the Angel of the North sculpture after seeing it on the intro to Vera! I had to look up what is was a few weeks ago when I started watching. It would be really cool to see it in person. My kids are both interested in sculpture and contemporary art, so that’ll be a hit with them.

Newcastle is an interesting city to visit. It has an industrial past (coal and shipbuilding) and suffered with the closing of traditional industries but it’s a place with a very proud and distinctive local culture.

There’s been a revival of the city in recent decades and the Quayside is regenerated and worth visiting. There is a modern art gallery, a concert hall and most famously a range of bridges. Grey Street is example of impressive Georgian architecture which runs from the city centre down to the river.

The city is known for its passionate football fans, lively nightlife and friendly locals. Geordies (as locals are called) are known for their ability to chat! I recommend anyone go for a drink in a few Quayside pubs. The fun starts early so you don’t need to be night owls to get a taste of the atmosphere and you’ll be guaranteed some interesting conversations.

Mustlovedogs, I am still working on Northumberland. I did book a place for 3 nights near Hadrian's Wall (The Old School House in Haltwhistle), which several people recommended. I think I might wind up staying in or near Bamburgh or Alnwick. I know I want to be near the coast. I will have 3 nights in Northumberland prior to visiting Hadrian's Wall.

I do want to visit Newcastle as well as Tynemouth, and will probably stop in Durham on my way up there. Holy Island is a must for me (if I can get across) and I want to walk at least part of the coastal walk between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Bamburgh. But keep in mind I do not know this area, so I'm going off what I read here and in books, etc. I also want to visit Dunstanburgh Castle, which was owned by John of Gaunt. I think the ruin looks amazing! https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dunstanburgh-castle/

We have similar places that are “must sees” mardee. The Holy Island of Lindesfarne🤞 , the coastal walk. My problem is fitting it all in with two kids who are working and using their accrued vacation time! If that weren’t the case, I wouldn’t be as concerned with logistics and just poke around everywhere there! I envy your freedom!

You said "we would be flying out of a DC airport most likely".
That would be Dulles; IAD.
We always fly out of Dulles, as we enjoy the drive up through Virginia from where we live.

With great respect for everyone and everything that's been posted here (above) about flying in and out for your trip...
My suggestion would be to think about flying round trip, in and out of Edinburgh.
United has a non-stop from Dulles to Edinburgh; and Edinburgh back to Dulles.

If it were my trip (and it's not) I would rent the car in Edinburgh, do a loop through Northumberland, encompassing the places of interest named, and then return to Edinburgh.
If you did that, no trains would be involved, so you would be unaffected by any train strikes, etc.
You would also have no plane changes, simplifying the plan.

For me, it would be a good plan. Cannot say whether it would be someone else's preference.

To assist everyone's planning (Mardee, mustlovedogs and anyone else) these are the safe crossing times for Lindisfarne until the end of 2026- https://holyislandcrossingtimes.northumberland.gov.uk/

Stuart, an excellent link! Lindesfarne is your time sensitive location. Plan everything else around that.

Mardee for Dunstanburgh, park at the Craster Quarry Car park (there is a charge). Follow the signs the couple of blocks to town. We had lunch at The Jolly Fisherman ( very good food) and then walked to Dunstanburgh which you can see from Craster. You can skirt around it on the left to continue up the coast if you wish for a longer walk.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/8RZw3YJAeufsTkBm7

So glad to be part of this online community 😊
Thanks for the link for Holy Island tides and everything else! Rebecca, my daughter actually brought up the Edinburgh option last night as something she had thought about if we didn’t add York. I wasn’t sure of the convenience compared to the other options. The sticking point is going to be including York. We’ve been there, so part of me, even though we LOVE it and want to return, is seeing a completely different area of the UK.

Just based on a rough plug in of dates in May for 2024, the cost of flying into one airport and out of another is way more expensive- cost prohibitive for us really. So figuring out a plan with one is most likely going to be necessary.

When you are checking your flights, are you looking at your airline’s tab for multi-city or multi-destination? Don’t look at 2 one-way tickets.

Regarding the Edinburgh option.....you could do the round trip flights to and from Edinburgh....cheaper.
Rent the car when you get to Edinburgh, do your Northumberland drive, return to Edinburgh, turn in the car.
Take the train to York, spend 3 nights or more, then train back to Edinburgh.
Spend a couple of days in Edinburgh just to enjoy Edinburgh.
Then fly home.

Pam, I was looking at two one way. I wasn’t aware of the multi city option (you are obviously talking to a real air travel newbie here!)

I’ll check the multi city option later if i can. I’m learning so much! Never knew about the Pre clearance facility if flying through Dublin until ya’ll told me about it. As my grandmother used to say, “when you stop learning, you stop living!” 😊

Oh good!! I hope the fare is lower!

And I’m glad the forum is being helpful to you. I’ve learned so much here through the years.

You’re doing a good job too of letting folks know details on your plans. It’s easier to give advice when the details don’t need to be pulled out, lol.

Hi Mustlovedogs -

A word of warning if planning to use Leeds Bradford Airport. Getting there and away from there is not the easiest. I wouldn’t use the ‘official’ taxis on site unless I absolutely had to, they are incredibly expensive - I assume because they believe they have a captive audience.

Better then to use the airport bus into Leeds - stands in front of the terminal buildings. Make any further connections from Leeds City Centre. I’m happy to go into more detail if, as and when you need it.

Ian

Stuart, that link is invaluable - I was actually wondering what the best way would be to check the tides. Thank you!

Pam, thanks so much for the info (and link) about Dunstanburgh!!! Good to know! I've bookmarked both yours and Stuart's link.

Mustlovedogs, it is nice to have flexibility as a solo traveler, but I know you will make it work! FWIW, I'm bringing 2 of my grandkids to London for a couple of weeks in spring of 2025 and will have to work around their school schedule so I totally get it. But it will be wonderful for you to share your love of the UK with your kids!

I’ve been thinking lately about this future trip (maybe far off trip planning is my self prescribed mental health therapy right now) and have kind of settled on a few things, but would like to see what you all think.

This is a bit different from the original plan, so bear with me. This one allows us to avoid wasting time picking up and returning a rental car, driving on the day we land, driving a lot during our time there and of course the cost of an automatic car for 9 days.

I think the prospect of a round trip, non-stop flight from IAD to EDI would be a great option for us for numerous reasons. Thanks Rebecca for suggesting that. From what I gather, just from looking at Google flights, there is a regular flight out from 10:25 pm arriving next day at 10:35 am. None of us are keen on flying and that route with no layovers, the cost seems better on first glance, plus the return flight times are much more agreeable than doing the other smaller airports.

So that being said, we would arrive, then take the train to York. We just love that place and really just scratched the surface of seeing the city and any of the surrounding area. We just can’t quit York 😊 Now, I have read some of the earlier posts by Carrie that getting to/out of Waverly Edinburgh station is confusing, so I am sure I will hit you all up for help down the line! We’d stay there for that day and the next seeing York and then I thought since we haven’t seen the Yorkshire Dales or North York Moors National Parks, on the third day look into one of the Mountain Goat day tours. Carrie, I read your report on the Dales trip to Whitby, it sounds fun! I’m also going to look into the one into the Dales. I’m a big James Harriet fan and would also love to maybe see Thirsk. Being that we are heading next to the Northumberland coastal area, maybe heading inland for the day trip would make more sense.

Day 4 we’d catch the train from York to Alnmouth as a base to explore the coastal sites of Northumberland. I’ve read using public transportation through these parts is very doable, but I wanted to see if you all think that is still accurate. I wouldn’t be against possibility getting a rental for this three day time if it would help tremendously. I looked to see where the nearest car hire office was and it’s in Ashington. Would they drop off a car to you? But then we’d have to spend time returning, so….hmmm.

Day 5-7 Based in Alnmouth, check out the sites of that area- Holy Island, Farne Islands, Alnmouth, Alnwick, Craster, Dunstanbraugh Castle, walking the coastline. If we had the option to do a day trip - either by a tour or by hiring a taxi to see Housesteads we could add another day here. Does anyone know if this is an option?

Day 8 take the early morning train back to Edinburgh. Check into hotel and have the rest of that day and Day 9 sightseeing. We’ve never been to Edinburgh. Fly home Day 10 from EDI.

It’s a ways off, so tweaking is very possible! Just really wanted to see if this could work with the questions posed about the transportation and maybe a way to see Hadrian’s Wall if we didn’t rent a car. Thanks everyone for reading through this long post!

I think your new itinerary sounds faboo!!!! That's the joy of independent travel. You can change it up at a moment's notice. 😊

Now, I have read some of the earlier posts by Carrie that getting to/out of Waverly Edinburgh station is confusing, so I am sure I will hit you all up for help down the line!

I agree that Waverly is a little confusing, but nothing that you can't overcome pretty quickly. And there are LOTS of employees walking around that are more than happy to help you find the right track. I got there about 15 minutes early and was fine, even with the train being cancelled at the last minute (evidently someone stepped out onto the track). But someone there directed me to the next train to Glasgow and everything worked well.

With regards to Alnmouth, make sure you book early. I was checking for lodging there for my trip and I could not find anything in my price range, so I wound up finding a place is Seahouses (which I am happy about). Now granted, my price is range is probably lower than yours as I tend to cheap out on housing.🤣 But it wouldn't hurt to start checking now.

Speaking of Waverley, does any else watch Annika on PBS? Season 2, episode 2 was filmed in Edinburgh (the opening scene was an incredible shot of the Forth bridge). The episode was called Waverley after the novel, Waverley by Walter Scott (but also a nod to the station, as it was named after the novel). Great episode and a wonderful series. If you like Scotland, I think you'd enjoy it. The title character is the head of Glasgow’s Marine Homicide Unit, played by the brilliant Nicola Walker.

For Thirsk, although it has a train station it is inconveniently situated over a mile out of town. Better by far to get the Reliance #30 bus from York.

Mardee will tell you that she hit unexpected severe post Covid difficulties in finding somewhere decently priced in Alnmouth, and has ended up in Seahouses. That or Bamburgh would suit you well.

Public transportation is very do-able but there is the proviso that, for Dunstanburgh, the main bus operator closes at the end of 2023. It is unclear yet what is happening to that route. Also for Holy Island/Lindisfarne the bus does not run daily, even in high season. The timetable could best be described as eccentric. Trying to connect into a tidal bus service on the mainland is an art form. Needs patience and a fair amount of planning. You can do a landing boat trip from Seahouses but the Castle is not open at high tide.

With all that in mind you may find a car easier. Get off the train at Newcastle, turn left out of the station and Enterprise are there next to the back entrance of Sainsbury's supermarket.

Then return the car to EDI airport and tram or bus into the City centre.

If you do hire a car then for the wall. drive down the A1 and take the A1 bypass round the west side of the city, then the A69. It's 3 hours for me from West Cumbria to Alnwick (on a good day) so Housesteads should be about 90 minutes each way from Seahouses/Alnmouth. I doubt you'll find a tour, and a taxi will be, well a lot. That day alone would repay the car hire. You could of course do it by train from Morpeth (better service than Alnmouth) to Hexham then the AD122 bus, but the car would be easier.

Do check out safe crossing times for Holy Island . The sea comes in very quickly and the cauesway gets flooded within minutes. Don't try and cross outside these times. Every year some foolish person gets caught out...There is a refuge in the centre of the causeway but salt water won't do your car any good.

Oh, wasleys thank you for the reminder! That picture is kind of sad- poor folks! Along with your link, we were also been gifted another link by isn31c that gives us the timetables for many months out, too. They are now both firmly saved in my computer and will be printed also before our trip! So kind of both of you to do that!

You may find this link useful outlining bus routes on the Northumberland Coast-
https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/NorthumberlandCountyCouncil/media/Roads-streets-and-transport/Norththumberland-Final-Web-Sized.pdf

And this is the link to the nexus bus timetables page noted on the leaflet- https://www.nexus.org.uk/bus/timetables

Travelsure are the company who will cease trading at the end of the year.

Check Aer Lingus prices. they fly usually thru Dublin so need to change planes but we just did that from Philadelphia to Edinburgh and saved some money. Also going thru Dublin as mentioned you have US pre-clearance. We did not find Waverly station confusing but as said there was plenty of staff around to ask for help. I seem to remember you enter on one level and trains are down another level. Glad you are on this forum. We have also learned so much. Oh we did visit the railroad museum.in York last.month and was interesting.and worth spending a few hours there. Had very good soup for afternoon snack. Good luck.with planning.