The start point for this beautiful cycling break is the picturesque village of Warkworth with its stunning 12th Century castle. With a station on the east coast mainline at Alnmouth, Warkworth 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 Warkworth, and you will be able to leave your car at or near your accommodation for the duration of the trip. Our accommodation will be one of the local Coaching Inns or B&B’s and for those who arrive early evening you can stroll along the beach. There are several places to choose to eat, and a choice of pubs.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 300 Metres Approx.

Today you will cycle north from Warkworth along the cycle path to Alnmouth and then following the coast to the village of Bamburgh. Riding along minor roads and cycle tracks, the route follows the fabulous Northumberland coast. As well as the relaxing cycling and great views there are two fabulous castles en-route: the 12th Century Dunstanburgh Castle, followed some 13 miles later by the impressive Bamburgh Castle. There are the wide sandy beaches of Embleton, Newton-by-the-Sea and Bamburgh and as befits this tour, you will have plenty of time to relax and explore the sites along the way.

A small detour off the main route allows a visit to Low Newton-by-the Sea with its beautiful view, beach and The Ship Inn famous for it’s crab sandwiches and an ideal place for lunch. After your explorations your night stop is in Bamburgh, with time to relax and swap stories about today’s ride and sights.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 320 Metres Approx.

After a hearty breakfast you leave Bamburgh and head for the Elizabethan border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. If tide and time allow, it is well worth taking the additional 7 mile detour to visit Holy Island otherwise known as Lindisfarne with its sweeping beaches and dunes, castle and priory and the winery where they still make the world famous Lindisfarne mead. It is also a key site in early Christianity and the place where the Lindisfarne Gospels were created in the 8th century. The island is only accessible by a causeway so your visit is highly dependent on the tide and should only be crossed during the safe crossing times.

The remaining journey follows the picturesque coastline to Berwick-upon-Tweed and its dramatic array of bridges and famous fortified walls, which are certainly well worth a visit before retiring to your accommodation for the evening.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 420 Metres Approx.

Today you leave Berwick-upon-Tweed and the beautiful coastline and head inland, cycling past the 12th century Norham Castle, which is one of the great English strongholds along the river Tweed, before arriving at Ford & Etal Estate with its many fascinating heritage attractions. This working Estate has been in the Joicey family for over 100 years and should you wish, you can ride a steam train, stroke a heavy horse, learn how the power of water is harnessed to produce flour, or discover a Victorian schoolroom with walls covered in huge Pre-Raphaelite paintings. The route then takes you through lush green countryside ending at the small market town of Wooler with it’s collection of small shops and pubs and of course, your accommodation for the evening.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 510 Metres Approx.

Today’s ride starts with a short section of the NCN68 out of Wooler with the majestic Cheviot Hills dominating the surrounding countryside. After the ford crossing at Haugh Head it’s a steady climb up to Lilburn Hill before descending to Chillingham Castle, purported to be the most haunted castle in England! Following quiet country roads you will pass through Old Bewick, Harehope Hall, and Eglingham before reaching the historic town of Alnwick. With it’s famous castle and Gardens, Alnwick is well worth a visit and has many little shops and cafes for any much needed refreshments. Why not try the Potting Shed at the quirky Alnwick Garden Treehouse for hot drinks and artisan treats. On leaving Alnwick you will join the purpose built walking and cycling route which runs alongside the Aln Valley Heritage railway part way to Alnmouth. You will then pick up the NCN 1 back to your accommodation in Warkworth.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 350 Metres Approx.

Today before heading home, you have the choice of an optional loop ride where you will experience another side of Northumberland. You will still get to enjoy some of the rich medieval history, but the landscape on today’s ride is also shaped by more recent activity – coal mining.

Our final ride takes us south, where we ride through Amble and along the spectacular and peaceful Druridge Bay. Druridge is a seven mile stretch of beach and sand dunes, and is today part of the national heritage coast. This area consists of land reclaimed from a large opencast mine which once dominated the countryside and the lives of local people. A number of the former mines have been restored by Northumberland Wildlife Trust into wetland nature reserves and support many rare species of migrating birds alongside the resident red squirrels and otters. After a good stretch of coast and nature reserves our route then takes us inland through the villages of Widdrington, Stobswood, Acklington and Guyzance before looping round back to Warkworth and your departure home.