Weekend break in the North of England

[monty0703]

Anyone any recommendations for a weekend break in the North of England? Preferably no further than York (driving down from Glasgow). Is Beamish worth a visit? We like castles etc.. so not bothered about pubs and clubs. Any suggestions welcome.

[jno]

Durham castle and cathedral. York minster and museum. Bowes castle is very good. Years since I was at Beamish - I liked it but don't know if it has changed since.

[LoftyLottie]

We had a lovely break in Northumberland. Stayed in a large village called Belford. Perfect location for visiting all the magnificent castles in that area.

Whitby and the North York moors are one of our favourite locations.

[coccinelle]

Alnwick castle is nice too but my favourite place of all has to be the island of Lindisfarne; it's so mysterious and with it being cut off from the mainland at high tide just adds to the mystery. There's a castle to visit there but just walking around is lovely.

[LoftyLottie]

Belford is very close to Lindisfarne. I agree with you its lovely. The whole area is lovely.

[Booldawg]

Another vote for Northumberland. Alnwick gardens are lovely as well. There's also another castle just up the coast, the name escapes me but its still resided in so its all up together.

[craft1948]

Well as I'm from York I suppose I'd say weekend in York..........medieval streets, the viking centre, the castle museum, national railway museum., the bar walls etc. If you wander out for the day you can visit Castle Howard (of Brideshead fame) but gardens only in winter. There's Bolton Abbey, Fountains Abbey, Rievaulx Abbey (my favourite) and book a meal at the fantastic Star Inn at Harome near Helmsley (where there is also Helmsley Castle)

[China Doll]

Keswick is absolutely beautiful. I have a friend who lives there and I went to see her. I'm afraid I don't know if it's futher than York but in my head it's just below Scotland, (my 'ooop north' geography is terrible).

[monty0703]

Thanks for all the suggestions folks, lots to investigate there. We're only able to go for a long weekend but looking forward to exploring.

[Bobbisox]

Beamish is very near me monty, it is lovely but it also reflects the way we NE lived over the years?
http://www.youtube.co...-6Z7k&feature=related
there is also a beautiful hotel nearby called The Beamish Hotel, funnily enough,
if you like heritage and stuff, it is great, and if you are NT member, it is very cheap to get in too
Bobbi ♥

[Booldawg]

The castle I was trying to remember is Bamburgh.

[ludof10a]

Beamish is really excellent. I live quite close (in Durham). Certainly in Summer it is a full day visit (and I mean FULL!!). However, if you are planning to go before Easter it is not fully open. Only the entrance. tramway and town area are open 'out of season'. Still quite good, but most areas closed and inaccessible.