I'm planning a trip to UK in May of this year. Would like some suggestions for home base (hotel or BnB) to stay in the NorthUmberland area of UK for daytrips to castles and sights in the area. Planning 4-5 days for length of stay. Looking at seeing Alnwick, Bamburgh, Warkworth, Scarbourgh Castles and Durham Cathedral. Anyone have any suggestions on best place to unpack for a couple of days? Will be using rail to travel between sights.
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1446 posts
Hexham is a nice town to stay in if you want to walk Hadrians Wall. Durham is college town ...so it's great if you are also a student. Otherwise just get off the train when you feel like it. They usually have accomodation listings in or near the station. Are you doing a H.P. Tour? Looks like fun!
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1819 posts
We stayed at Greycroft in Alnwick, June, 2010. It was a pleasant B and B with friendly hosts. Alnwick is conveniently located for seeing the sites you have listed and has several restaurants and a really great used bookstore, 2nd biggest in England. Don't forget to add Lindisfarne Abbey to your list of "to sees." You will be able to see a lot more and use your time much more efficiently if you have a car. Driving on the left side of the road really isn't that difficult.
Posted by
Vienna, VA
30 posts
I can second the recommendation of the Greycroft. Stayed there last summer; it is quite nice and the owners are very friendly, and good cooks too. Alnwick is close to Bamburgh, and we went to Dunstanburgh as well. Just be advised that Alnwick does not have a train station. The station at Alnmouth was not too far away, and we took the bus to get Alnwick from there. There is generally good bus service in the area - check out this website - http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=4194 I went to Durham on the same trip, but we stayed there separately.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
I liked Hexham. It's a nice sized town in a good location. Pam
Posted by
Vienna, VA
30 posts
Another idea I considered for a base when planning my own trip was Newcastle. Good location for Hadrian's wall and Durham. And not bad for Alnwick either. Large train station hub. Ultimately I decided I wanted a more traditional b&B in the countryside type experience. But it could be interesting to do days in the country and nights in the city.