The start point for this beautiful family cycling break is the picturesque market town of Alnwick. With a station on the East Coast Main Line nearby at Alnmouth, Alnwick is easily accessed by train. We will arrange to meet you at the train station and transfer you to your accommodation. Alternatively you can drive to Alnwick and you will be able to leave your car at or near the accommodation for the duration of the trip. Our accommodation is one of the local B&Bs and for those arriving early there are plenty of incredible local attractions to visit. Choose from Alnwick Castle and the famous Alnwick Gardens, or relax and enjoy the town with a riverside walk and your choice of independent shops, cafes and restaurants. Your representative will meet you this evening or the following morning to discuss the route and supply your information pack.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 130 Metres Approx.

Starting slowly and carefully you make your way out of Alnwick this morning to meet the new purpose built cyclepath running alongside the newly restored Aln Valley Railway where you might catch sight of a passing steam engine! It’s a great start to your family cycling adventure and you’ll soon find yourself riding along minor roads and well surfaced cycle tracks to the pretty coastal village of Alnmouth. It’s worth making your first stop of the route to explore the village and its beautiful sandy beach.

Heading northwards the route follows the fabulous Northumberland coast and takes you through the little hamlet of Boulmer. This small fishing village was the haunt of smugglers during the 18th and early 19th centuries with smugglers coming from all over Northumberland and the Scottish borders to deal in illicit goods.

The route goes slightly inland from here and passes by Howick Hall Gardens and Arboretum which is well worth a visit. Howick Hall was the seat of the Prime Minister, Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey after whom the famous tea is named. The original Earl Grey tea was specially blended by a Chinese mandarin to suit the water from the well at Howick using bergamot to offset the taste of lime. The tea was later marketed by Twinings. The gardens and arboretum are simply stunning and have been rated by the BBC Gardener’s World Magazine as one of the top 5 coastal gardens in the country.

Continuing along the coastal route for a short distance you arrive at your accommodation in Howick.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 150 Metres Approx.

After breakfast today’s cycling continues along the coastal route with magnificent views across the sea you will shortly arrive at the bustling fishing village of Craster, famous for its smoke houses where herrings are smoked to produce Craster kippers, a renowned Northumbrian export. If you and the family have been making good progress then why not visit the eerie Dunstanburgh Castle, a ruined 14th century fortress which is only accessible by foot.

The route now takes you further inland through beautiful countryside before arriving at the seaside village of Seahouses. Seahouses is the largest village on this coastal stretch and is home to an abundance of shops, pubs and cafes as well as award winning fish and chip shops. There are arcades, museums, crazy golf… in fact, something for everyone. There has been a harbour here since 1318 and it remains busy today with a number of tour boats taking visitors to the nearby Farne Islands alongside the local fishing boats.

Why not stay an extra night in Seahouses to give you time to enjoy the many attractions within easy reach? If you can, make time for a visit to the Farne Islands which are a haven for seabirds and seals. Spring is a great time to see the thousands of birds that nest on the islands – though you’ll want to take a hat as they are known to come close! The islands are also home to Longstone lighthouse where Grace Darling lived with her father. Her courageous rescue of nine sailors from the wreck of the Forfarshire in 1838 has become one of Northumberland’s most famous historical episodes.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 240 Metres Approx.

Leaving Seahouses behind you will cycle on through Bamburgh passing the mighty Bamburgh Castle perched high on a rocky outcrop (well worth a visit!), along quiet country lanes and roads through the ancient market village of Belford before arriving at your accommodation at Beal. Depending on the tide times you will have the option today of cycling the additional 7 mile round trip to visit Lindisfarne, otherwise known as Holy Island, with its sweeping beaches and dunes, castle and priory and the winery where they still make the world famous Lindisfarne mead. Subject to availability and a small supplement, it may be possible to stay on the island instead of at Beal, just ask at the time of booking.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 140 Metres Approx.

After your final hearty breakfast of the ride, you set off for Berwick-upon-Tweed. If you didn’t visit or stay on Holy Island the previous day, you may want to visit it today, just check the tide times! The remaining journey follows the coast to the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed on the border with Scotland. After taking in the dramatic sight of Berwick-upon-Tweed’s array of bridges and famous fortified walls, you can meet your representative, collect your luggage and hop on the train, or a transfer is available to whisk you back to your car at Alnwick.