16 Bucket List Activities in Northumberland and Yorkshire

“I want to do everything and see everything, sense everything and feel everything and taste everything; to know that life is an enormous experience and must be used. To be in the world, and of the world, and never to stand aside and watch.” – Samuel Taylor

For some, the perfect holiday means booking a beautiful property and not leaving until you need to check out. For others, it means exploring everything that could be explored and still wishing you had more time to discover the area. Or, if you want the luxury of staying in a beautiful property and staying in an area full of wonders to be discovered, you will enjoy our latest blog piece of all the places and activities you can add to your bucket list in the areas around our properties. 

Our roster of properties was hand-picked for their charm and beauty, but also because of the surrounding areas that they are nestled in. Northumberland and Yorkshire not only boast some of the most impressive sceneries across the entirety of the UK, but they are also teeming with adventures that will go on to finish the “remember when we…” sentence in years to come.   

So, whether you are looking to add to your already growing bucket list or are looking for inspiration to start a list today, read on to see what Northumberland and Yorkshire have in store. 

Northumberland

First up, The Northumberland Coast, where five of our properties are based. For those who have experienced The Northumberland Coast, you will already be familiar with its charm and beauty. But, for those who have yet to visit, it is full of surprises, history, magic and experiences to make room for on your bucket list. 

Ingram Village Hall – Dark Sky Award

Stargazing could be one of life’s simplest pleasures. Stopping for a moment, looking up at the sky and observing the remarkable beauty that can often go a-miss as we make our way through our nightly routines. It is simple yet fascinating, no preparation needed, no equipment to bring, just yourself and your imagination. 

Located in the remote and beautiful Breamish Valley, this location benefits from amazing dark skies and is an excellent location for local astronomers to organise stargazing events.

Hemscott Hill Farm – Alpaca Walking

Alpaca your bags and head to Hemscott Farm! Hemscott Farm is near to Durridge Bay on the Northumberland Coast and is best known for its alpaca walks. Alpacas are adorable and friendly animals that we do not always get to see in the UK, so why not take this opportunity to spend some time meeting and greeting them? There will be plenty of opportunities to snap some photos with the loveable animals and you can even choose to extend your time there with a spot of afternoon tea.

Seahouses – Puffins

If you are a nature lover but prefer to observe from a distance, add a visit to the Farne Islands to your bucket list and witness the island during puffin season. The Farne Islands sit nicely between the fishing village of Seahouses and Bamburgh Castle and can see up to 55,000 pairs of puffins each year! For the best chance of seeing the puffins, visit between May and June to take in this unmissable sight.

Hadrian’s Wall

For the history and heritage enthusiasts (and Game of Thrones fans, of course), we give you: Hadrian’s Wall.  Now, you might not instantly think of adding a visit to a wall to your bucket list, but what if we tell you that this wall is 73-miles of temples, Roman bath houses and has even inspired scenes in Game of Thrones, you will very quickly change your mind.

Hadrian’s Wall dives and delves across Northern England, with Northumberland holding the longest stretch of it. Bike, hike, wander or tour the roman wall and take in the fantastic history that is on offer.

Howick Hall – Afternoon Tea 

Some think that a great bucket list should be a mixture of adventure, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and once in a lifetime experiences. This one might not be the most adventurous, but it definitely is a one-of-a-kind experience! How about visiting the birthplace of one of the UK’s greatest loves – the Earl Grey tea? Howick Hall is the home of the Earl Grey, specially blended for King Charles II in the Hall. It is one of the lower intensity bucket list activities, sure, but memorable and unique, nonetheless.

Alnwick Castle – Harry Potter

“Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.”

What is a bucket list without a little bit of magic? Why not include a trip to Alnwick Castle, the Castle that starred as the magical Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry during the 2001 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and the 2002 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. As well as visiting the castle, you can see The Outer Bailey which is recognisable as the area where Harry and his friends learned to fly broomsticks with Madam Hooch (Zoe Wanamaker). Harry also learned the rules of Quidditch in this area. 

If visiting Hogwarts and experiencing the magic of the wizarding world of Harry Potter has ever been a longing of yours, this is one experience unmissable.

Coastal Path

One of the simplest ways to reconnect and reflect is to spend time in nature. It is not only great exercise but is also great for your mental health and wellbeing in general. 

The Northumberland Coast has some of the finest walking routes you will ever experience. The Northumberland Coast Path is 100km (62 miles) of flat paths, bridleways, beaches and tracks that are calling out to be explored. Adding the Coastal Path to your bucket list will mean you will be able to tick off some of the most beautiful, immaculate and quietest beaches in the country. From the wide sweeping beach of Budle Bay, to the iconic and dramatic beach at Bamburgh.

The Cherry Blossoms at Alnwick Garden 

If you have always fancied visiting Japan for their gorgeous displays of cherry blossoms but perhaps it is a little too far to travel, The Cherry Orchard at The Alnwick Garden has the largest collection of ‘Taihaku’ in the world with over 300 trees! The trees all bloom together for up to two weeks around the end of April/beginning of May.

Minke Whales 

Though the smallest of the fin whales, these migrating mammals can let out a cry as loud as a plane taking off! 

Minke whales appear along The Northumberland Coast from mid to late summer, so why not take a boat tour to spot some of the most incredible animals we have on earth? One of the best places to spot these is from the balcony or garden from our very own Rock Lobster. If you are lucky, you can enjoy a morning coffee or an evening red with a view of these magnificent mammals in their natural habitat – now that’s bucket list worthy!

Walk the Pilgrims Way to Holy Island 

Walking across the Pilgrim’s route onto Holy Island is a completely unique experience and unlike any other walk in Northumberland. Rich with history and full of stories, this path was once walked by pilgrims to reach Holy Island and is a great adventure. Winding its way through farmland and forest, along charming river valleys, up and down hills, past historic castles and alongside a glorious coastline. All of this with outstanding views throughout and has been described as “Northumberland at its best.”

Yorkshire

Yorkshire is home to our magnificent country estate of Oughtershaw Hall and quaint cottage The Reading Rooms. They are both luxurious and memorable enough to earn a spot on your bucket list. However, what makes them even more special is that they are also surrounded by even more adventure and fun so, if you are looking for Yorkshire based bucket list inspiration, look no further.

The Angel at Hetton

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” – Virginia Woolf

No bucket list would be complete without the addition of a delicious restaurant, and The Angel at Hetton is sure to get your tastebuds tingling. Awarded a Michelin Star in the 2023 Michelin Guide, the restaurant is a must-visit for an exceptional tasting experience that is sure to stay with you long after your last bite. After all, good food does more than fill your stomach, it fills your soul.

Hardraw Force Waterfall

England’s largest single drop waterfall, Hardraw Force Waterfall, is sure to make its way onto your catalogue of bucket list experiences to tick off. The waterfall’s 100-foot drop is set within the grounds of the historic Green Dragon Inn, and if simply witnessing this beauty is not enough for you, you can also enjoy wild swimming in the pool at the bottom of the waterfall. 

The waterfall has been known to inspire work from John Mallord, William Turner and William Wordsworth. So, definitely one for both the literature lovers and the explorers.

Wensleydale

This district of the Yorkshire Dales National Park has been made famous thanks to its indulgent creamy cheese. The Wensleydale Creamery is an award-winning artisan cheesemaker steeped in heritage and provenance and “home to the iconic creamy, crumbly classic Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese; a cheese that’s as timeless, traditional and universally loved as the beautiful Dale from which it comes.” Visit Wensleydale to soak up the history, take in the environment and taste the delicious cheese alongside some fun cheese and butter making demonstrations running every day.

White Scar Cave

This cave was discovered by a Cambridge undergraduate in 1923 when he entered the first cave through a crack in the rock. At more than 100 metres long and up to 30 metres high, it is one of the largest caverns in Britain, making it the perfect addition to your growing bucket list. 

With hundreds of nooks and crannies to explore, White Scar Cave is an unmissable underground adventure that will leave you marvelling from its intricacy, depth and unique beauty. The guided tour covers one mile and takes about 80 minutes as you explore some of the most interesting examples of nature’s handiwork.

Malham Cove

Picture a huge, curving amphitheatre shaped cliff formation of limestone rock. So spectacular that it has inspired and featured in many pieces of TV, literature and film, including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and it is easy to see why. The Malham Cove is open all year and has a good footpath from the road to the foot of the Cove, with steps leading up to the Limestone Pavement on top of the Cove. 

Tan Hill Inn

Reach new heights and enjoy delicious cold pints. Once you have ticked off this experience, you can say that you have enjoyed a beer in the highest pub in the UK, at the world-famous Tan Hill Inn. Dating back to the 17^th century, Tan Hill Inn is Britain’s highest public house at 528m above sea level. Definitely not one to miss!

Believe it or not, that is just some of the buck list worthy activities around our properties, but these on our list are certainly a good place to start! For further information on our properties and their availability all year round contact us on 01829 700107 or email at info@catchthebreeze.co.uk. And do not forget to tag us in any pictures you may take and use the #MyCTBR, we love seeing your fabulous pictures and all the fun you have whilst staying with us in our properties.

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