Places to visit

North Pennines ANOB

The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is also a UNESCO Geopark. It is a beautiful upland area with wild moors, remote fells, green dales and scattered settlements... As a result there are limitless opportunities for hiking and cycling including designated Geotrails. The North Pennines National Landscape website contains a wealth of information. For those guests who are motoring enthusiasts the North Pennines provides miles of empty moorland roads with great driving and fantastic scenery.

The North Pennines is world-famous for its mineral veins which cut through the hills. Centuries of mining for lead ore and other minerals have left a legacy of settlements, shafts and spoil heaps, and an interesting ‘miner-farmer’ landscape to explore. Check Facebook for details of mine tours at the Nenthead Mine, which give you a chance to go underground and is well recommended.

The North Pennines is also an interesting geological area including the Whin Sill. Once molten rock underground, it now stands out as ‘whinstone’ cliffs and waterfalls. The waterfalls include High Force which is the largest waterfall in England. The riverside walk from Bowlees Visitor Centre to High Force is a recommended walk particularly for families.

The North Pennines is also a Dark Sky area for those whose interests lie with astronomy.  Check Facebook for details of local meetings arranged by local astronomers such as at Allendheads Observatory and The Hive in Nenthead.  Keilder Observatory is also less than one and a half hours away.

Hadrian’s Wall & Northumberland National Park

Leazes Garth is within 30 minutes drive of Housesteads Roman Fort and one of the best walking areas on Hadrian’s wall.  Other sites along Hadrian’s wall certainly worth a visit include Vindolanda and Chesters Roman Fort and Museum.

For a pit stop near Hadrian’s Wall the Twice Brewed Inn is recommended. The Inn also holds stargazing evenings.

Hadrians Wall is the Gateway to the Northumberland National Park which is one of the few remaining wilderness areas in England. It is therefore an area for hiking with opportunities for wildlife and bird watching.

Towns & Cities

Leazes Garth is within 30 minutes drive of the historic towns of Hexham and Corbridge which provide a wide selection of amenities with an array of culture, a good range of supermarkets, local shops and restaurants and recreational options. A visit to Corbridge Roman Town and Hexham Abbey is recommended.

Durham, Newcastle and Carlisle with their cultural, entertainment, culinary and retail therapy options are about an hour away. A day out in Durham is highly recommended including a visit to Durham Cathedral, Durham Castle and a walk along the river calling it at Crook Hall Gardens.

Further Afield

The stunning Lake District needs no introduction and with Ullswater being just over an hour from Leazes Garth a day’s sightseeing or hiking makes for a great day out.

Less well known is the Northumberland Heritage Coast and the area inland. There are miles of unspoilt beaches and picturesque seaside villages including Alnmouth and Craster which can be reached in under 90 minutes. Northumberland has the most castles of any county in England with Alnwick, Warkworth, Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh castles being a must. The walk along the coast from Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle is highly recommended. A day out in Bamburgh has it all - a lovely village, beach, the Grace Darling Museum and Bamburgh Castle.