After a very successful WOTY to North Wales in 2019, but with 2020 cancelled, we'll try once again to get our 2021 Weekend of the Year to beautiful Northumberland off the ground. I’ve pushed the date as far as possible forward to try reducing the risk of cancellation due to COVID. The dates, Thursday 8th July to Sunday 11th July are just before school holidays. We had 14 confirmed cars pre-COVID cancellation, so this will be popular. Reserve now to avoid disappointment !!!
With grateful assistance from Greg and Deb Harm, our R3 colleagues in the North East, we have a list of fantastic driving roads and some spectacular scenery to experience. Our itinerary will include the following:
Thursday - travel via M1/M6 beyond Kendal, before we head north east for a special 35-mile drive across the fells from Brough to Consett and then on to our hotels (see below). You may of course choose to travel your own shorter independent route.
Friday - today we’ll experience the best driving roads in the area, much of it with little traffic, in a circuit of around 125 miles. We’ll spend most of our time in the hills, heath and forest of the Northumberland National Park, taking in Kielder Forest and Kielder Water, including crossing into Scotland and back again.
Saturday - the Northumberland Coast is famous for its castles of Tynemouth, Warkworth, Alnwick and Bamburgh, and of course Holy (Lindisfarne) Island. Today we’ll drive a coastal route with castle visits and stop-offs, perhaps for fish and chips and a walk on the beach.
Sunday - if we’re still up for more, we can drive a 40-mile stretch of Hadrian’s Wall, and get closer to the history by walking some, and visiting the popular Roman Army Museum, before heading off home. Some however might just want to set straight off home - it’s your choice.
None of these activities are compulsory of course - if you wish to drive to Alnwick and spend all day exploring the castle and gardens, just do it. Or you might just want a relaxing day off!
And what about relaxing? - Well, there’s so much interest in this trip that we may not fit into a single hotel together. You therefore have a choice of 2 recommended hotels, one a little more expensive but with pool and spa facilities.
I am working on room reservations, but it’s a challenge with hotels being closed and only on skeleton staff - see hotel, room type and price on the attached link, and after reading the remainder of this post, make your choice on a first come, first served basis. You will not need to contact the hotel for now.
Battlesteads Hotel (www.battlesteads.com) in the picturesque village of Wark is a Pub, Hotel and Restaurant, with ample parking, offering beautifully appointed accommodation in individually styled rooms. Prices will probably range from £105 - £185 per room per night, depending on facilities, including breakfast. Certain rooms may be ground floor, disabled friendly.
Just 24 minutes away is Matfen Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa (www.matfenhall.com), a stately home, with plenty of parking, and a more expensive option at around £206 - £241 per room per night, including breakfast. Facilities include heated swimming pool, spa areas and fitness suite. It's being refurbished right now, so the pictures on their website may not yet fully reflect the new decoration / styling and room types.
Or you may wish to identify and book your own accommodation, hopefully in the Wark/Matfen area.
What’s next ?
I am putting this post out without final prices available - but I would ask you to be quick, and come back to me even while I work towards finalising things..... I can see that UK hotels will have a bumper summer, because of rollover bookings, a queue for wedding accommodation, and so many people preferring a UK holiday this year!
Dining options will be considered in due course once final numbers are in, and arrangements will be advised to all those joining the event.
I can feel already that we’re in for a cracking WOTY, although I said the same last year!
Cheers.
Mark
Download
With grateful assistance from Greg and Deb Harm, our R3 colleagues in the North East, we have a list of fantastic driving roads and some spectacular scenery to experience. Our itinerary will include the following:
Thursday - travel via M1/M6 beyond Kendal, before we head north east for a special 35-mile drive across the fells from Brough to Consett and then on to our hotels (see below). You may of course choose to travel your own shorter independent route.
Friday - today we’ll experience the best driving roads in the area, much of it with little traffic, in a circuit of around 125 miles. We’ll spend most of our time in the hills, heath and forest of the Northumberland National Park, taking in Kielder Forest and Kielder Water, including crossing into Scotland and back again.
Saturday - the Northumberland Coast is famous for its castles of Tynemouth, Warkworth, Alnwick and Bamburgh, and of course Holy (Lindisfarne) Island. Today we’ll drive a coastal route with castle visits and stop-offs, perhaps for fish and chips and a walk on the beach.
Sunday - if we’re still up for more, we can drive a 40-mile stretch of Hadrian’s Wall, and get closer to the history by walking some, and visiting the popular Roman Army Museum, before heading off home. Some however might just want to set straight off home - it’s your choice.
None of these activities are compulsory of course - if you wish to drive to Alnwick and spend all day exploring the castle and gardens, just do it. Or you might just want a relaxing day off!
And what about relaxing? - Well, there’s so much interest in this trip that we may not fit into a single hotel together. You therefore have a choice of 2 recommended hotels, one a little more expensive but with pool and spa facilities.
I am working on room reservations, but it’s a challenge with hotels being closed and only on skeleton staff - see hotel, room type and price on the attached link, and after reading the remainder of this post, make your choice on a first come, first served basis. You will not need to contact the hotel for now.
Battlesteads Hotel (www.battlesteads.com) in the picturesque village of Wark is a Pub, Hotel and Restaurant, with ample parking, offering beautifully appointed accommodation in individually styled rooms. Prices will probably range from £105 - £185 per room per night, depending on facilities, including breakfast. Certain rooms may be ground floor, disabled friendly.
Just 24 minutes away is Matfen Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa (www.matfenhall.com), a stately home, with plenty of parking, and a more expensive option at around £206 - £241 per room per night, including breakfast. Facilities include heated swimming pool, spa areas and fitness suite. It's being refurbished right now, so the pictures on their website may not yet fully reflect the new decoration / styling and room types.
Or you may wish to identify and book your own accommodation, hopefully in the Wark/Matfen area.
What’s next ?
I am putting this post out without final prices available - but I would ask you to be quick, and come back to me even while I work towards finalising things..... I can see that UK hotels will have a bumper summer, because of rollover bookings, a queue for wedding accommodation, and so many people preferring a UK holiday this year!
- Please confirm your attendance with a reply to this forum post, even if you have already verbally stated you would like to join the event.
- Please reconfirm by email to mark.grimwood1@btinternet.com so that I have your email address and please add your phone number.
- In your email, indicate your choice of hotel and your preferred room type/ price (see linked document). These are estimated prices for now. I will confirm the price asap, and will also advise if your selection has already been taken.
- On receipt of my confirmation of your selection, please send a non-refundable £50 deposit per room. (Deposits may only be refunded if Government restrictions are brought back in - I don’t have a contract to review yet, but I or the hotel will be asking you to sign terms before finalising your booking.)
- After that, the current plan is that I will confirm room occupants with the hotels, for you to pay your due balances when you are there.
Dining options will be considered in due course once final numbers are in, and arrangements will be advised to all those joining the event.
I can feel already that we’re in for a cracking WOTY, although I said the same last year!
Cheers.
Mark
Download
