Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
one-bedroom suites have a full bedroom and a reasonably spacious living room with
a sofabed—and there are also laundry facilities. The location might seem a little dingy
at first, but the Suites are just a 2-minute walk north of the Quayside with all its eat-
ing and drinking venues, and a 10-minute walk from the shopping heart of the city.
There's also a small lobby grocery that should cover your basic needs. For a chain
offering, the decor is pleasant and even quite luxurious for these prices.
Buxton St., Newcastle NE1 6NL. www.ichotelsgroup.com.
&
0191/238-7000.
128 units. £79-£99 studio
suite for 2; £104-£129 1-bedroom suite for up to 4. Rates include self-serve breakfast. AE, MC, DC, V.
Parking £8. Amenities: Lounge; books/board games; fitness center; laundry facilities. In room: TV/CD/
DVD, kitchen, Wi-Fi (free).
17
NORTHUMBERLAND
Newcastle: 283 miles N of London; 145 miles NE of Manchester; 121 miles S of Edinburgh
One of Britain's best-kept secrets, this northern county unfurling to the English bor-
der with Scotland attracts most visitors to its sections of
Hadrian's Wall
and the
ruined Roman forts that dot its length. Few venture north of that historic line to
experience the mysteries of the
Kielder Forest & Water Park
with its star-gazing
facilities and modern open-air artworks, or to discover the breathtaking castles and
beaches of a miraculously unspoilt and wild coastline.
Essentials
GETTING THERE
Newcastle (p. 662) is your major entry point for Northumber-
land, which is best explored by car (in winter, ideally a 4x4). From Newcastle, regular
trains to Hexham take about a half-hour. At Hexham Station, local taxis take visitors
to the main Hadrian's Wall sites about 15 miles to the northwest. A more economical
option is the
Hadrian's Wall Bus
(AD122), which runs April to September between
Newcastle and Carlisle, stopping at visitor attractions, towns, and villages en route
(see www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk for details).
Kielder Water & Forest Park is 30 miles from Hexham, 52 miles from Newcastle;
the Forest Drive is the most scenic way in but the surface is loose chip, and the route
closes in winter and inclement weather.
Alnwick lies 35 miles (about 40 min.) north of Newcastle via the main A1, and
Bamburgh Castle is another 17 miles (20 min.) north of Alnwick. For local buses, visit
www.traveline.org.uk.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Hexham Tourist Information Centre,
Went-
worth Car Park, Wentworth Place (
&
01434/652220;
www.visitnorthumberland.
com), is open April to October Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 5pm, Sunday 11am to
4pm; November to March Monday to Saturday 11am to 4pm.
Once Brewed
National Park Centre,
Military Road, Bardon Mill
(
&
01434/344396;
www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk), is open April to
October daily 9:30am-5pm.
Tower Knowe Visitor Centre
(Kielder Water & Forest Park), Kielder
(
&
01434/251000;
www.visitkielder.com), is open April to June and September
daily 10am to 5pm; July and August daily 10am to 6pm; October daily 10am to 4pm.
Alnwick Tourist Information Centre,
2 The Shambles (
&
01665/511333;
www.visitnorthumberland.com), is open April to October Monday to Saturday
9:30am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm; November to March Monday to Saturday
9:30am to 4:30pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm.
