Southwell Ramblers visited Alnmouth in Northumberland for their Spring walking holiday. The weekend was organised by Christine and Keith with a full programme of walks and sightseeing visits planned. On arrival Christine led a short familiarisation walk around the ancient village of Alnmouth, that had featured on one of the BBC’s ‘Villages by the sea’ programme.
On the Saturday Sandy and Christine led a walk from Alnmouth south along the coast to Warkworth with its castle crowning the hilltop over the River Coquet After lunch by the river a group continued to Amble with its port and nature reserve. Meanwhile a group visited Cragside near Rothbury, the home of William Armstrong the Victorian inventor, pioneer of hydroelectric power.
On Sunday we all invaded Holy Island (Lindisfarne) where there was opportunity to visit the castle, step inside the limekilns and visit the ancient priory and church. The walks were led by Allen, Ian and Christine.
After lunch we all visited Bamburgh, with its imposing castle sitting on top of Great Whin Sill standing guard above the magnificent beach.
We were fortunate that the weather was kind to us, that the Northumberland countryside is spectacular and steeped in history and that Allen, who was born and grew up in Northumberland, was able to provide a wealth of ‘insider’ information.
