Follow Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes in Northumberland

Episode 5 - Rothbury and Gliding over The Cheviots

After exploring a few other fantastic areas of the North East in episodes two - four, Robson Green returns to Northumberland in episode 5 of Weekend Escapes and visits Rothbury. He first picks up some sausages from family-run Rothbury Butchers, trying a spot of sausage making in the kitchen. He then meets up with Tom Cadwallander, walking and bird-watching guide, who takes him on a stunning birdwatching tour on the serene banks of the River Coquet. After a day of exploring he heads to Abbeyfield, a luxury horsebox glamping site, for the night for a much-needed rest before a big adventure the following day with Millfield Borders Gliding Club. They offer the incredible experience of soaring over The Cheviots in one of their modern gliders, and you can sit back and admire the views of the Northumberland coast, Holy Island and the amazing Cheviots.

Episode 8 - Foraging, kite buggying and the Ingram Valley Safari

On episode 8, Robson Green starts his day at Craster’s stunning harbour, before travelling to sweeping Druridge Bay for a kite buggying experience with KA Adventure. With miles of pristine sand to play with, Robson and friend Steph Mcgovern navigate their way along the beach using the wind behind their kite with the help of expert guides. Then, it’s time for some coastal foraging with Linus from Northern Wilds, an expert forager who also offers forest wild food courses. The group pick their own food straight from the landscape, before cooking it out in the open on Northumberland’s coastline. They end the day at one of Northumberland’s most spectacular glamping sites, Huts in the Hills, where outdoor, copper bathtubs and incredible, panoramic countryside views make staying here an unforgettable experience. Finally, the episode ends with a visit to Northumberland National Park, where they enjoy the fascinating Ingram Valley Safari and admire deer and wild cattle amongst the staggering Ingram Valley.

Episode 11 - Art, adventure and fishing in Allendale and beyond

Robson Green starts his Northumberland adventure in episode 11 by immersing himself in the rural landscape just outside Allendale, where he enjoys an outdoor painting session with The Allendale Forge Studios. After a morning of tranquility and reconnecting with nature, he then takes things up a notch by trying Go Ape at Matfen Hall, an amazing high ropes adventure with some spectacular scenery if you’re brave enough to traverse the treetops! He spends the night at Langley Dam Glamping Pods, which are beautiful ‘Langley Longboat’ cabins positioned on the bank of Langley Dam Reservoir, nestled away in the Tyne Valley. Their location is perfect for a spot of fishing at Langley Dam, which is exactly what Robson does the following morning.

Episode 12 - Ford and Etal, survival skills and adventures at Slaley Hall

In episode 12, Robson Green visits one of Northumberland’s hidden gems and best kept secrets, Ford and Etal Estates. A place that makes you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time, you can enjoy the steam train, the only thatch-roofed pub in Northumberland, the oldest working corn mill in Northumberland and the charming stone cottages. Robson headed straight to the Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre, the only Rare Breed Approved Conservation Centre in the country that is dedicated to the Heavy Horses. He enjoys a peaceful horse and carriage ride while admiring the surrounding landscapes, before travelling to nearby Belford for an overnight cottage stay. The following morning he visits Twizel Estate for a survival skills workshop with Northern Outdoor, before moving onto Slaley Hall for exhilarating afternoon driving Allout Adventures’ Power Turns. These are two man, two-wheel drive buggies that can power slide around corners, do doughnuts and wheelies and make for a hilarious outing.

Episode 14 - Holy Island and Budle Bay

On this weekend escape, Robson Green explores magical Holy Island with LJ Ross. Showing striking shots of Lindisfarne Priory, Lindisfarne Castle and the fantastic sea views that Holy Island has to offer, Robson then moves onto Budle Bay to meet with local guide Julie Barnett from Strolls with Poles. She runs regular Nordic Walking sessions at the incredibly beautiful Budle Bay, the perfect mindfulness activity in Northumberland. Robson and his wife spend the night at Middlemoor Farm, a self-catering site offering cosy cottages & quirky longboat stays in beautiful rural Northumberland. The pair drive to Longframlington the next morning to visit Athey’s Moor Flying School, where Robson takes flight over Northumberland once again, taking a bird’s eye view of Northumberland’s coast, castles and Cheviot Hills.

Episode 15 - Chillingham and wild swimming at Sugar Sands

Finally, Robson Green ends his weekend escapes to Northumberland by meeting up with Hairy Biker Si King and heading to Chillingham. Famed for haunted Chillingham Castle, the pair pay a visit to Chillingham Wild Cattle, a slightly lesser-known but fascinating attraction where wild cattle, of which there are only 150 in the world, reside. They then move onto Beadnell Beach, another highlight of the Northumberland coastline, where they take part in an outdoor drumming lesson. After an overnight campervan stay, Robson Green visits Sugar Sands Beach for the ultimate, Scandi-inspired wellbeing activity of an ice dip. Guided by Ice Dip Socials, he takes a chilly sea dip before warming up in the sauna that Ice Dip Socials set up on the beach.

Use Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes as inspiration for your own Northumberland getaway and make sure to tag us in your adventures @visitnorthumberland.

Author: Jenni Meikle