Travel in county Northumberland

Landal GreenParks UK, the UK’s fastest growing company offering holiday breaks in nature, has seen a 24% YoY increase in summer bookings driven by longer staycations in the Southwest region.

By now, we’re all well-versed in the physical and mental benefits of being in nature. But that doesn’t mean we all want to become Bear Grylls in the quest for serenity. Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities to explore England’s natural beauty without having to forage for your own food or make a fire out of dry twigs and hope. Getting back to nature is perfect for the spontaneous (and impatient) traveller – there are no booking forms for park walks, no queues for beaches. And if you stay with Hilton, you can go where the wind takes you on your break, safe in the knowledge that you can refuel in a delicious restaurant, sleep in a cozy room and expect quality service no matter which Hilton hotel you choose. So, pack your hiking boots and thermals, and discover Britain at its wintery best, from seaside walks along the north-east coast to exploring historic market towns and walking trails in the heart of England …

Several years ago I was asked to judge the homemade wines at a local agricultural show. I have written to tight deadlines at World Cups and delivered a speech in the Long Room at Lord’s; neither filled me with quite the same feelings of pressure and anxiety. I knew how seriously such competitions are taken, the strength of feelings they evoke. I had nightmares of being strangled with a siphoning tube. Fortunately my co-judge was more experienced and sanguine. She also held the old-fashioned opinion that swirling the wines around your mouth before spitting them in a bucket was uncouth, and so following her lead I drank a small glass of each. There were more than 20 entries, and after half an hour my fears had dematerialised into a fuzzy summer glow.

Early morning on Dartmoor, and as I lie in bed all I can hear is the trill of birdsong, punctuated by a distant cuckoo’s call. I open the campervan door to take in the scene. There’s no one around, no buildings in sight, just fields glittering with dew in the sunlight and sheep grazing nonchalantly on the hillside.

For low-tide loveliness, the coastline between Alnmouth and Cresswell in Northumberland takes some beating. With the tide out the beaches and skies are overwhelming, especially on a sunny day. The coast is vast, so if you like solitude you’ll find it here. You have the bonus of a wander into the beautiful village of Warkworth and the small town of Amble. Access to public transport in this area is pretty good too, considering its remoteness.Barry Peaden

Northumberland has two speeds. It’s just that neither rises much above walking pace, which suits it fine. As a child growing up here, that could be frustrating; as an adult returning after years away, it’s everything I wanted.

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