Northumberland's coast is known for its wild, superlative beauty with long beaches of golden sand, old fashioned little fishing towns, impressive castles perched on rocky headlands and abounding birdlife.Constantly fought over by the English and the Scots, Berwick-upon-Tweed modified hands about 14 times in 300 years - the huge curtain walls and gateways encircling the town are unique in Britain and are amongst the finest ramparts in Europe.
From Berwick the trail meanders along beaches of golden sand to the tidal causeway linking Holy Island with the mainland. From here there is a choice of routes onto the island to explore the town, priory and castle - over the causeway or barefooted across the sands on the Pilgrim's Way, marked by a line of barnacle-encrusted poles. Holy Island has an illustrious history. It was here that St. Aidan founded a priory that changed into a major centre of Christianity, learning and dexterity, as epitomizied by the Lindisfarne Gospels.
The monastery had 16 bishops in all, the most celebrated being St Cuthbert, who travelled widely spreading the Gospel. After his death the island changed into a place of pilgrimage, till the priests deserted the island in fear of marauding Vikings. Lindisfarne Castle was built in the 16th century to defend the island from Scottish raiders. It was restored and converted into a fairytale castle by Sir Edward Lutyens in 1903, with a charming walled garden planned by Gertrude Jekyll.
From Holy Island, the trail follows paths thru field and forest to St Cuthbert's Cavern, found on a low ridge that provides fabulous perspectives of the coast. After exploring the cavern, where the friars of Lindisfarne spent their first night after fleeing the Vikings, the trail descends thru Belford to rejoin the coast at Bamburgh, a pretty village dominated by its gigantic castle significantly balanced on a big crag rising out of the ocean. The castle ramparts provide breathtaking views of the Farne Islands and along the miles of golden sand that lead to the spectacular ruin of Dunstanburgh Castle and the fascinating fishing village of Craster.
From Craster, the trail continues through the quaint hamlet of Alnmouth to the historic city of Warkworth, with its provoking castle and medieval fortified bridge.
Walking the Northumberland Coastal Path, along the 61 mile trail can be broken into an initenerary from 4 to 9 days of walking to make allowance for more traveller stopping time at these rich heritage sites.
From Berwick the trail meanders along beaches of golden sand to the tidal causeway linking Holy Island with the mainland. From here there is a choice of routes onto the island to explore the town, priory and castle - over the causeway or barefooted across the sands on the Pilgrim's Way, marked by a line of barnacle-encrusted poles. Holy Island has an illustrious history. It was here that St. Aidan founded a priory that changed into a major centre of Christianity, learning and dexterity, as epitomizied by the Lindisfarne Gospels.
The monastery had 16 bishops in all, the most celebrated being St Cuthbert, who travelled widely spreading the Gospel. After his death the island changed into a place of pilgrimage, till the priests deserted the island in fear of marauding Vikings. Lindisfarne Castle was built in the 16th century to defend the island from Scottish raiders. It was restored and converted into a fairytale castle by Sir Edward Lutyens in 1903, with a charming walled garden planned by Gertrude Jekyll.
From Holy Island, the trail follows paths thru field and forest to St Cuthbert's Cavern, found on a low ridge that provides fabulous perspectives of the coast. After exploring the cavern, where the friars of Lindisfarne spent their first night after fleeing the Vikings, the trail descends thru Belford to rejoin the coast at Bamburgh, a pretty village dominated by its gigantic castle significantly balanced on a big crag rising out of the ocean. The castle ramparts provide breathtaking views of the Farne Islands and along the miles of golden sand that lead to the spectacular ruin of Dunstanburgh Castle and the fascinating fishing village of Craster.
From Craster, the trail continues through the quaint hamlet of Alnmouth to the historic city of Warkworth, with its provoking castle and medieval fortified bridge.
Walking the Northumberland Coastal Path, along the 61 mile trail can be broken into an initenerary from 4 to 9 days of walking to make allowance for more traveller stopping time at these rich heritage sites.
About the Author:
Contours Walking Vacations are the specialists in self-guided walking vacations in Scotland, England, Wales and Eire. Inside our web site you'll find a peerless range of walking vacations and short breaks along more than 60 trails in Britain starting from famous routes like Hadrian's Wall Trail, West Highland Way, Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk, Cotswold Way, Offa's Dyke Trail, Cumbria Way, Pembrokeshire Coast Path or the Dales Way to little-known gems like Northumberland's Coast of Castles, Isle of Anglesey Coast Trail, Wild Edric's Way, Cotswolds Towns Trail or the 3 Castles Walk.Come and start your journey!
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