Festive Activities Taking Place Around Our Properties 

Christmas. The time to be surrounded by family and friends, indulge in delicious seasonal food and drink, and watch towns across the country transform into twinkling winter wonderlands.  

If you are staying at one of our beautiful properties in Northumberland or the Yorkshire Dales, you are in luck. From sweeping winter landscapes and Christmas markets to Santa’s Grotto and enchanting castles, the array of festivities on offer are enough to take your breath away. To start preparing for your dream Christmas with Catch the Breeze Retreats, we have collated some of the many wonderful activities that are being held throughout November and December.  

Northumberland 

The warmth and bustle of Christmas markets are often our first taste of the festive season and there is certainly no shortage of Christmas magic in Northumberland this year, home to our beautiful properties Rock Lobster, Middlerigg, Craster Reach, Harbourway and Driftwood. The first on our list are the popular Morpeth Markets.. Start the festive season the right way by journeying down to the Christmas Festive Market on Saturday 18^th November to witness the twinkling transformation of the town through the Christmas lights switch on, accompanied by live music and delicious food and drink. Whether it is a classic Farmer’s Market or Street Food you are looking for, head down to the heart of Morpeth this Christmas to seek out what local delicacies and festivities are on offer throughout the festive season.   

The next market that is an absolute must as you embark Northumberland’s festivities is the all-encompassing Ford and Etal Christmas Market, held on 25^th and 26^th November. Known as one of Northumberland’s best kept secrets, the Ford and Etal Estates are home to beautiful landscapes, fascinating heritage and surrounded by an abundance of local cafes’, and that’s just on a regular day! Christmas truly comes alive through the 75 stalls selling local intricacies, treats and crafted gifts that you can feast your eyes upon as you wander through the sprawling estate. To make a day of it, book yourself onto a trip through the crisp Northumberland countryside on the Heatherslaw Light Railway Santa Special to truly immerse yourself in the beginnings of the festive season. 

To make your Northumberland Christmas truly sparkle, the village of Lilidorei is the perfect place to stop. Along with an opportunity to see Father Christmas, a fusion of light, sound and play makes the night come alive, and the twinkle of Christmas lights does not stop there! Back and extended by very popular demand is the Garden Winter Light Trail at Alnwick Garden. Wander through the gardens as trees glisten with a warm colourful glow that will truly take your breath away. If both these activities take your fancy, take a look at the ultimate Christmas package on offer that combines both tickets.  

When waking up to the crisp Northumberland skies, sometimes you just cannot beat a winter beach walk to start your morning off right. The captivating sands of Bamburgh Beach is a must to immerse yourself in the seaside magic of Northumberland, and what better view than the striking Bamburgh Castle? Whilst you take in the gorgeous views, treat yourself to a visit to Father Christmas at the castle on your travels. With a personalised Bamburgh Castle gift included in the grotto ticket price, this activity is the cherry on the top of the perfect family winter beach day. After walking along the rolling sands and wandering the castle grounds, cosying up in a local pub sounds like the best way to round off your day. Just a 12-minute walk from the castle is The Castle Inn, a spot nestled just beyond the greenery where you can settle down to some traditional pub grub that warms the heart and soul. As the sun begins to set, stare out onto the entrancing views of Bamburgh Castle and then mosey back to your Catch the Breeze Retreats cottage to relish in the day’s joy. 

A truly magical day out no matter your age is the delightful Kielder Winter Wonderland. Whether you would like the exhilarating opportunity to finally meet Santa’s reindeer, accompany Mrs Christmas to her magical forest kitchen or experience the enchantment of the Christmas Theatre, there is something for everyone to indulge in. If that has not been enough excitement at the end of the day, grab your coats and head down to the Snow Tubing Experience where you can tube to your heart’s desire! After a long day of activities, grab a warming bite to eat from the Forest Bar and Kitchen and head to the Food Marquee to relax and reflect on your Christmas fairy tale in Northumberland. 

The Yorkshire Dales 

Now let us move to the Yorkshire Dales where our enchanting Oughtershaw Hall and Reading Rooms are located. The crisp winter sun along the glistening woodland is a fantastic way to begin your stay, and where better to start than the sprawling surroundings of Oughtershaw? If you would like to journey a little further to take in the beautiful scenery, the stunning waterfall that is Cotter Force is just a 20-minute drive from our luxury properties. Cotter Force is one of Yorkshire Dales National Park’s most accessible waterfalls and with a bench close by, you can end your morning walk by settling down to embrace the delightful terrain.  

After a walk along the rolling landscape, you may now be hankering for some festivities! The magic of Christmas is hard not to find in the Yorkshire Dales, and with a variety of fairs and attractions to take your fancy, The Christmas Craft Fair in Hawes is a wonderful first stop to start your festive journey. Held on the 18^th November and with an abundance of high-quality handmade jewellery, paintings, fudge (and much more!), this is the perfect place to get thoughtful Christmas gifts for loved ones. Carry on the festive spirit the next day at Christmas in the Courtyard at Fairhurst’s, holding all the traditional fancies of a beloved Christmas market. With mulled wine, mince pies, music and gifts from the suppliers of the local farm shop, this market is a wonderful way to experience the beginnings of your Christmas in the Yorkshire Dales. 

In the heart of the Yorkshire Dales is Bolton Abbey, a magnificent day out for all the family no matter the season but is an especially beautiful day out during the festive period. Welcome the sights of the breath-taking grounds and wander along the 12 Days of Christmas Trail whilst you embrace the crisp winter air. If you would like to heighten the Christmas delights, book a trip to the twinkling Christmas Village where Father Christmas will be waiting at the end of an enchanting stroll through the woods. 

For all of those who love nothing more than cheese and crackers during the festive season, Christmas at the Creamery is just for you. An extravagance for all cheese-lovers (and not forgetting Wallace and Gromit of course!), immerse yourself in the demonstrative journey of the Yorkshire Wensleydale and get your knowledge tested with the Cheese Trail Quiz. From the Wensleydale Cheese Bar, quirky gift shop and the traditional Cheese Shop, the festive fun is endless at the Creamery. As well as the joys inside, the outside is surrounded by the beautiful Yorkshire landscape that you can enjoy whilst tucking into a seasonal dish at the on-site restaurant and coffee shop. If you would like to extend your day in Wensleydale and truly immerse yourself in Christmas magic, take a theatrical trip on The Polar Express. Bringing the enchantment of the popular Christmas film to life, you are in for a real treat for the whole family and are sure to make unforgettable memories to last a lifetime. What more could you want from an eclectic day out in the Dales? 

A wonderful end to any day is a hearty meal full of festive cheer, and the German Grotto at The George Inn is sure to deliver that wish. With the menu curated by their fabulous chef, Sarah, this dinner with a twist comes with a warming glass of Glühwein, crackers and party hats to get the Christmas party started. If you would rather a more traditional pub meal to end your festivities, The White Lion Inn is the embodiment of traditional Yorkshire charm. With a gorgeous view of the winter landscape whilst you tuck into food for the soul, there is no better way to reminisce on your glorious Christmas adventures. 

The ensemble of wonderful activities on offer across Northumberland and the Yorkshire Dales are just the tip of the iceberg to the joy that awaits you at our beautiful properties. The charm of Christmas magic is inescapable when celebrated within the warmth of Catch the Breeze Retreats, and what better way to stir the excitement than by starting to plan now?  

For further information on our properties and their availability all year round, not just for winter, contact us on 01829 830 388 or email at info@catchthebreeze.co.uk. 

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