Northumberland Coast

We received a warm welcome from Paul, Zoe, Harvey & Holly at Newminster Cottage B&B. Paul is ex army. The B&B is his business & he does it very well.

This morning we took the Northumberland Coastal Route towards Holy Island, our destination for the day. En route we stopped at Amble & did just that through the harbour-side market. I bought an oil painting for £2.00 hoping it will be one of those extraordinary finds that sells at Sotheby's Auctions!

Warkworth Castle was perched high above its namesake village. Founded in 1128, it was the stronghold of the Percy Family. Built as part of a motte & bailey castle, the keep presided over the extensive remains of a great hall, chapel, gatehouse & complete towered walls.

Hedgerows made a re-appearance on the lanes to Bamburgh Castle, home to Kings of Northumberland. Built in stages during the 18th & 19th centuries, the fourteen rooms that were open to the public housed more than two thousand artefacts, including arms, furniture, paintings & china.

The Lindisfarne Castle & Priory on Holy Island was reached by crossing a causeway. Today it was safe to do so between 1350 & 2250 hours. On arrival we encountered a problem. We hadn't allowed sufficient time to walk the one mile in order to get to & go through the castle & then return to look at the Priory before 5:00 p.m. Her solution was, he visit the castle, she visit the Priory, then meet to exchange information & photos. No dummy spit required!

Originally the castle was an Elizabethan fort built in 1570 to protect Holy Island Harbour. It has an uneventful military history. However, it was garrisoned for more than 300 years, which suggests it was important to national security. In 1944 the castle was entrusted to the care of The National Trust. The Priory, founded in 635 AD, was an important centre of early Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England. Although now a ruin, it continues to be a place of pilgrimage.

a few of my favourite photos