Join us on our van venture through the stunning landscapes of Northumberland (and a delve into Yorkshire). Over the course of seven days, we explored the serene Kielder Forest, drove along scenic forest paths, and discovered hidden waterfalls.
Our journey took us to the enchanting Holy Island, the peaceful Cheswick Sands, and the historic Cragside estate. Along the way, we navigated mazes, admired autumn colours, and enjoyed cozy campsites under starry skies. This travel blog captures the beauty and tranquility of Northumberland, offering a perfect blend of adventure, nature, and relaxation.
Day 1: Kielder Forest and Campsite
We kicked off our adventure by driving up to Northumberland, making a brief detour into Scotland before finally arriving at Kielder Forest. We parked at Kielder Castle Visitor Centre and embarked on the Duke’s Trail and the Deadwater Walking Trail. After checking into Kielder Campsite, we discovered a convenient pedestrian cut-through to the visitor centre, where we had visited earlier. Our evening was filled with fun as we navigated the Minotaur Maze before returning to our van under the pitch-black sky of this dark sky reserve. Sadly, the cloud didn’t break, so we didn’t get to see any stars.
Day 2: Forest Drives and Waterfalls
Our second day began with a scenic drive along the Kielder Forest Drive. The autumn colours were beginning to emerge, making the journey even more beautiful. We stopped at Blakehope Nick, a unique sculpture and stargazing area, which our spaniel, Indy, found quite intriguing. Continuing our drive, we reached the stunning and tranquil Hindhope Linn Waterfall. For lunch, we visited Otterburn Mill Café, where the staff’s friendliness matched the generous portion sizes. We ended the day with a visit to Hareshaw Linn Waterfall, a mesmerising spot reached by crossing numerous little bridges.
Day 3: Art and Nature around Kielder Water
We parked at Tower Knowe Visitor Centre and enjoyed a walk around Kielder Water Dam, leading us to the fascinating Wave Chamber art installation. The day was a perfect blend of nature and art, showcasing the serene beauty of Kielder Water.
Day 4: Holy Island Adventure
Timing the tide perfectly, we drove onto Holy Island and parked at the large carpark on the town’s edge. After enjoying coffee and cake at Pilgrims Coffee, we explored Lindisfarne Castle and Gertrude Jekyll’s Garden. Despite the windy conditions, the garden was thriving. A walk around the North shore rewarded us with a deer sighting. We made it off the island before the tide reclaimed the causeway and checked into our campsite, the Barn at Beal.
Day 5: Cheswick Sands
We spent a day on Cheswick Sands, walking miles along the beach and coastal path. The sun was shining, and we had the place almost to ourselves, making it a peaceful and relaxing day.
Day 6: Cragside and the Labyrinth
Our visit to Cragside, a National Trust property, was highlighted by the breath-taking dahlia collection in the garden. A drive through the forest led us to the Labyrinth, which turned out to be much more challenging than expected. We got thoroughly lost and had to use GPS to find our way out, much to our amusement. Wandering through Cragside’s outer grounds, we explored the pools feeding the hydroelectric power to the main house. That night, we made our way into Yorkshire to stay at Kip & Nook, enjoying a cosy communal space called The Workshop for drinks and pizza, followed by a tasty breakfast the next morning.
Day 7: Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal
Our final day featured a wander around Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden. We stayed at the picturesque Dales and Trails campsite, which offered stunning views of the Yorkshire 3 peaks. The setting sun, starry night, and epic sunrise made for a perfect end to our journey before heading home.
