Follow Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes in Northumberland

Robson Green

Follow Robson Green’s journey through Northumberland on series 2 of, ‘Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes.’ From sustainable cycling along Kielder Lakeside Way to cold water swimming at Sweethope Lough, he reveals Northumberland’s secret spots and the key to mindfulness in Northumberland’s staggering coast and countryside landscapes.

If you haven’t seen it, Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes is a must-watch. Across series 1 and 2, he takes viewers to his favourite scenic spots in the North East, showcasing many of Northumberland’s hidden gems. You can catch series 1 and 2 on BBC iPlayer.

Follow in his footsteps with our guide to where Robson Green visited in Northumberland, what activities he did and how you can do them too.

Robson Green's Weekend Escapes: Series 2

Series 2, Episode 1 - Alnmouth

In the first episode, Robson Green meets Kevin Whateley at YOLO bar in Ponteland before they head off to explore Alnmouth. There, they meet Claire from Soul 2 Sand, who offers therapeutic, group sand art experiences in Northumberland. They watch the waves wash away their creations before joining Alnmouth Community Rowing Club and heading out onto the water at Alnmouth Bay. Then, they make their way north to Chathill, where they meet teacher and piper Ian Gelston, before visiting their incredible accommodation for the night, Trees at Tughall. This is a luxurious cabin accommodation hidden amongst the trees just a short distance from Beadnell. Each cabin is named after a tree and Robson stays in Ash, admiring the stunning interiors and floor to ceiling windows that bring a peaceful sense of being connected to nature.

Series 2, Episode 2 - South Northumberland

In episode 2, Robson is joined by Angela Lonsdale as they set off to explore south Northumberland. Their first stop is Sweethope Lough, near the village of Bellingham, for a thrilling outdoor, cold swimming experience. They do this with the guidance of expert Fenwick Ridley from H20 trails, who runs guided cold water swimming activities in Northumberland as well Sauna and Dip and Stand up Paddleboarding. They enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the lough before getting dry and moving onto their next therapeutic experience, perfumery. But first, they take a peek at their accommodation for the night, a stunning refurbished railway carriage at the edge of Northumberland National Park named Wannies Retreat. Here, Michele Riveroll, qualified perfumer and founder of Scentica Studio, meets them to guide them through a perfumery workshop. The following day, they visit Bellingham village to meet Northumbrian musician Ian Brown, for a musical walk along the banks of North Tyne, before enjoying a laughter yoga experience with teacher Katie Williams from Laughter Love.

Trees at Tughall

Three exquisite exclusive cabins set within a small wood on the north Northumbrian coast.

Cottages and self-catering

Stone cottages with crackling log burners, self-catering apartments with beachfront terraces, trendy townhouses beside bustling high streets and rustic, countryside barn conversions. Northumberland has it all, ready for your self-catering holiday.

Alnmouth

With its colourful houses, wildlife aplenty, and tranquil beach, Alnmouth sits within one of Northumberland's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There's always an opportunity to appreciate the coastline here, be it walking, cycling, or horse riding.

Bellingham

Bellingham is a historic market town and with its village charm, riverside setting and spectacular countryside, it will be a retreat to remember. B&Bs, traditional pubs and stone cottages can be found in the village, with waterfalls, trails and cycling routes just waiting to be explored.

Northumberland National Park

Northumberland National Park is one of England’s finest landscapes. Home to England’s darkest skies and most tranquil spaces, it is steeped in culture and heritage spanning thousands of years.

Series 2, Episode 4 - The North Pennines

After exploring Cumbria in episode 3, Robson returns to Northumberland in episode 4 alongside Denise Welch to experience the rugged North Pennines. First, they visit Broadgate Farm to meet up with Sam from Art by Sam Folcarelli for an animal painting workshop in Allendale. They then go on a staggering guided horse ride through the remote moorland of the North Pennines valleys with Sinderhope Pony Trekking Centre. Next, it's time for a sand bathing experience guided by Cumbria-based Gabriel from Healing Sounds, before settling down for the night at beautiful Panoramic Pods. Each luxury glamping pod has its own log fired hot tub, nestled at the centre of a working farm overlooking the Northumberland countryside. The next morning, Robson is joined by Jackie for yarn spinning.

Series 2, Episode 8 - Kielder

After exploring a few other fantastic destinations that the North East has to offer, Robson pops in to see his accommodation for the night, Skylark at Hesleyside Huts, an incredible luxury Treehouse just on the outskirts of Bellingham and a short drive from Kielder. He then visits good friend and astronomer Dan Pye at Kielder Observatory for some summer stargazing, marvelling at the visible stars and planets using the world-class equipment the observatory has to offer. The next day, Robson meets with Tanni-Grey Thompson, one of Britain's greatest Paralympic athletes, in Kielder Forest. Ready to explore all things accessible and wheelchair friendly in Kielder, Tanni and Robson first try out Bike 4 Health's two-person bike and explore K ielder Lakeside Way, a smooth, wide trail that skirts Kielder Reservoir. Then, they meet up with the Calvert Kielder team to try out the thrill-seeking Kielder Zip-Coaster which is wheelchair accessible and has them dipping and diving mid-air above beautiful Kielder. They end their day with a canoeing experience on Kielder Water, also guided by the Calvert Kielder team.

Robson Green's Weekend Escapes

Series 2

Allendale

Shimmering rivers, beautiful waterfalls, and stunning moorlands, with wildlife in abundance, Allendale is a picturesque and unforgettable part of Northumberland. A small village, with a big personality.

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Kielder Forest

Experience nature on a grander scale where the views are super-sized, the night skies brighter, and the activities wilder. Kielder Border Forest is the place to be, no matter what your interests, to truly appreciate indescribable landscapes.

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Glamping

Want the camping experience minus the sleeping bag, creepy crawlies and chilly, night time toilet dash? Then go glamping in Northumberland, where we have everything from vintage shepherd’s huts to upscale bell tents across our coast and countryside.

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North Pennines

Prepare to be blown away by the intense views of the North Pennines, one of the most remote and unspoilt places in England. This landscape of tumbling waterfalls and vast heather moors, where peatlands meld with ancient hay meadows, holds the double accolade of being a designated National Landscape and Britain’s first UNESCO European and Global Geopark.

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Adventure activities

From surfing lessons and coastal kayaking to forest zip-lining and mountain biking, you can get adventurous in every way imaginable in Northumberland.

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Kielder Observatory

Kielder Observatory is an astronomical attraction at Kielder Water & Forest Park run by the Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society. Please visit www.kielderobservatory.org for all event bookings.

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Hesleyside Huts

Hesleyside Huts, luxury glamping in the breathtaking 4,000-acre Hesleyside Estate in the Northumberland National Park. Uniquely designed shepherds huts, treehouses and cabins.

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Series 2, Episode 9

In episode 9, Robson Green and Shola Ameobi head to Beadnell to meet up with KA Adventures for a guided Foiling Experience at Beadnell Bay. With Dunstanburgh Castle in the distance, they try their hand at this exhilarating water sport before moving on to meet Melissa from Melissa Black Method for an outdoor ballet lesson. They then get some well-deserved rest at their amazing accommodation Hillside Huts, the luxury, eco-friendly huts with hot tubs, incredible views, stargazing windows and beautiful interiors.

Series 2, Episode 10

On episode 10 it's back to Beadnell for Robson but, this time, with his sisters. They meet up with Scuba Steve for a fascinating snorkelling experience at Beadnell Bay, before heading to the Northumberland countryside for a unique tour of the landscape with the Sidecar Guys. They head to their accommodation for some much-needed rest, the restored narrowboat Miss Ellie on Middlemoor Farm, a self-catering site offering cosy cottages and quirky longboat stays in beautiful rural Northumberland. Then it was on to meet head gardener Robert at the stunning gardens of Howick Hall. They also head out on a wildlife boat experience from Amble as they sail out to Coquet Island, lesser known than The Farne Islands but home to thousands of puffins and other birdlife. They spot puffins, roseate terns, seals and more.

Hillside Huts & Cabins

Middlemoor Farm Holidays

Beadnell

Dunstanburgh Castle

Water sports

Series 2, Episode 11

Robson Green is joined by Faye Tozer for an active day out in the Breamish Valley. They drive to East Woodburn, 30 minutes north of Hexham, for a thrilling rock climbing session with expert Tom Hopper from Climb GB. They then head to the village of Ingram to meet Anthea Wood from Amwood Art for a relaxing water colour sketching workshop in the great outdoors, looking onto the River Breamish. They then go on and enjoy a laughter-filled, outdoor line-dancing class in Branton, with instructor Mary Allison, before Robson heads to his accommodation. Robson is impressed by Breamish Valley Cottages' amazing Roundhouses, the luxury glamping pods with incredible views of Breamish Valley and outdoor bathtub. The next day, Robson meets up with Dave from Wild Experiences Northumberland who offer bespoke experiences including hikes and stargazing and also run eco-friendly glamping accommodation Laverock Law. They explore the Breamish Valley and Wether Hill, where they tuck into an al-fresco picnic with staggering views.

Series 2, Episode 14

Finally, Robson ends his adventures in Northumberland with Sarah Hunter. They pop into Morwick Dairy for some delicious homemade ice cream, then head to the southern end of Warkworth beach, renowned for its beautiful sandy bay. They try their hand at surfing with Northside Surf School, before heading to their stunning Treehouse accommodation at Woodland Chase Glamping. These luxury cabins tucked away in woodland are a cosy haven with log burners and hot tubs and Lorna Watkinson from Rainbow Pottery Painting meets them there for some guided pottery painting. The next day, Robson heads to Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre where he admires the 60 acre wildlife-haven and spots an Oystercatcher from the nature hide.

Ingram and Breamish Valley

The picturesque, stone-built hamlet of Ingram is nestled away in the sweeping Breamish Valley. Home to ancient hill forts, Bronze Age settlements, fauna-covered moorland and rushing waterfalls, you can hike, cycle, picnic and explore in this vast valley.

Breamish Valley Cottages

Breamish Valley Cottages presents award-winning luxury self-catering holiday cottages near Alnwick in Northumberland, where spectacular comfort and elegance is complemented by a superb indoor heated swimming pool, spa, sauna, steam room, tennis court, games room and gym.

Warkworth

A high street framed by a 12th-century church and a magnificent castle, artisan shops, and incredible views, it's no wonder why this ancient village is a must-see. Warkworth is small, but it contains a wealth of history just waiting to be discovered.

Woodland Chase Glamping

Retreat and Reconnect in our bespoke luxurious Treehouse or Cabins set amidst the beautiful Northumberland countryside.

Hauxley Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre

Please visit our other reserves along the bay: www.nwt.org.uk/reserves

Robson Green's Weekend Escapes: Series 1 Recap

Episode 1 - The Northumberland Coast

Robson Green admires Bamburgh Castle before hiring an electric bike from Go Electric Bike Hire. He cycles the stunning Coast and Castles cycle route from Seahouses to Bamburgh. He then settles down for the night at spectacular Bamburgh Under Canvas. The following he pops into Swallow Fish of Seahouses to try some smoked kippers before trying his hand at stand up paddle boarding with KA Adventures at beautiful Beadnell Bay.

Episode 5 - Rothbury and Gliding over The Cheviots

Robson picks up some sausages from family-run Rothbury Butchers, then takes a 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 before a big adventure the following day with Millfield Borders Gliding Club.

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

Robson Green starts his day at Craster’s stunning harbour, before travelling to sweeping Druridge Bay for a kite buggying experience with KA Adventure. Then, it’s time for some coastal foraging with Linus from Northern Wilds before ending the day at Huts in the Hills. He then visits Northumberland National Park and enjoys the fascinating Ingram Valley Safari.

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

Robson enjoys an outdoor painting session with The Allendale Forge Studios then takes things up a notch by trying Go Ape at Matfen Hall. He spends the night at Langley Dam Glamping Pods, nestled away in the Tyne Valley and enjoys a spot of fishing the following morning.

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

Robson heads straight to the Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre for a peaceful horse and carriage ride, 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 an exhilarating afternoon driving Allout Adventures’ Power Turns.

Episode 14 - Holy Island and Budle Bay

Robson admires Lindisfarne Priory, Lindisfarne Castle and the fantastic sea views that Holy Island has to offer, before heading to Budle Bay before joining a Nordic Walking session with Strolls with Poles. He stays at Middlemoor Farm and visits Longframlington the next morning for Athey’s Moor Flying School, where Robson takes flight over Northumberland once again.

Episode 15 - Chillingham and wild swimming at Sugar Sands

Robson meets with Hairy Biker Si King and heading to Chillingham. Famed for haunted Chillingham Castle, the pair pay a visit to Chillingham Wild Cattle then move onto Beadnell Beach for an outdoor drumming lesson. Robson Green heads to Sugar Sands Beach for the ultimate, Scandi-inspired wellbeing activity of an ice dip guided by Ice Dip Socials.

So whether you are a fan of Robson Green, love to explore new places, looking for what to do in Northumberland on a weekend or get inspired to visit Northumberland by watching the first or second series of Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes, make sure to tag us in your adventures, family days out or weekend breaks @visitnorthumberland.

Author: Jenni Meikle

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