As Valentine’s Day looms, romance blooms in Northumberland. With a coastline full of romantically ruinous castles, a star-studded sky where the Milky Way can be seen with the naked eye and awe-inspiring scenic landscapes to explore together, places to stay and relax in as part of a romantic weekend break, there’s something for every type of couple to celebrate their love in Northumberland.
Whether it’s filling your boots at a candle-lit feast at one of the regions finest restaurants or dusting off your hiking boots to set out on adventure together, here is our list of 10 things to do in Northumberland this Valentine’s Day:
The Hopeless Romantics
1) Stargazing
For the dewy eyed duos who like to spend Valentine’s in a traditionally romantic manner, spend the evening hand-in-hand beneath Northumberland’s dazzlingly dark skies. There’s something spectacularly moving about a star-studded sky, and we aren’t just talking about standing on your driveway and looking up. Make sure you are in the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park and spot the almost incomprehensible number of stars that look like diamonds that have been lodged into the sky. Head to one of Northumberland’s Dark Sky Discovery Sites with a flask full of tea and a couple of deck chairs in your boot. Or book an evening at one of Northumberland's observatories - Kielder Observatory offers a range of stargazing sessions and Battlesteads Observatory still has availability for Astronomy for Absolute Beginners events on Valentine’s weekend.
2) Spa day
There’s nothing like taking some time in the spa to relax together by sinking into a hot tub, unwinding in a sauna and sipping on a glass of bubbly to finish it all off. In Northumberland, Georgian stately homes, opulent estates and Edwardian mansions have been renovated into serene spa hotels, offering indulgent couples massages and tranquil spa and fitness centres to while the day away in. Bask in Doxford Hall’s heated pool, Slaley Hall’s bubbling hot tub, or Matfen Hall’s soothing sauna and treat yourselves to an intimate day out or a romantic weekend away.
The Table for Twosomes
3) A Romantic meal for two
For some, Valentine’s Day calls for a feast complete with an overflowing sharing platter and delectable desserts and Northumberland is the perfect place for a foodie love affair. Battlesteads’ restaurant serves exquisite local dishes using vegetables, herbs and fruits that are grown in their own gardens and polytunnels, mushrooms from their on-site old shipping container-style mushroom farm. Along with a Head chef who smokes his own meats, fish and cheeses on-site, you can savour fresh, local flavours with the restaurant’s five-course or eight-course tasting menu, then follow up your meal with a home-made fruit gin and some stargazing at the hotel’s own observatory.
4) Sea-Foodie Festival
How about a fantastic seafood feast at The Lindisfarne Inn. The Inn’s location makes it perfect to pair with a trip to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, where the spiritual priory and a castle that perches on the edge of the coast are there to be explored and you can sip on Lindisfarne Mead (ALWAYS check causeway crossing times before visiting).
The Cosy couples
5) Hide away for the weekend
Sometimes, all you want to do is… well… absolutely nothing. Especially at this time of year when the temperature has dropped and curling up on the sofa with your hands wrapped around a warm mug of frothy hot chocolate is far too tempting. Northumbria Coast and Country Cottages have a selection of self-catering cottages to hide away in your pyjamas and fluffy socks together. Crackling log burners, spectacular sea views and romantically remote locations are common features of their properties, so take your pick, stock the cupboards full and cosy up together for your romantic retreat.
6) Find an open fire
Already got your accommodation sorted? Find an open fire pub in Northumberland and spend the evening warming your toes with a glass of wine in-hand. The Twice Brewed Inn, The Ship Inn, The Boatside Inn and The Lord Crewe Arms are just a few examples of pubs with wood burning fireplaces that set that romantic, glowing ambiance that will make your heart melt.
The Couples that Train Together
7) Mountain Biking
While some couples like to cosy up together, others are itching to get out and have completed an early morning adventure together before some of us have even rolled out of bed. If this sounds like you, spend your Valentine’s weekend scaling Kielder Water & Forest Park’s mountain biking trails. Forestry England’s off road routes are waiting to be explored by thrill-seekers and biking enthusiasts, so tackle the Bloody Bush trail, the Lonesome Pine or the Deadwater red and black cycling trails to take in the plummeting, 1900 ft summit of Deadwater Fell together.
8) Watch the sunrise
Make the most of your ‘morning person’ attributes by packing up a flask and some snacks then heading somewhere beautiful to enjoy a private sunrise breakfast for two. Pull your bobble hat over your ears, step into your walking boots and hike to Hedgehope Hill in the rugged Cheviots in Northumberland National Park, where extensive views across Breamish Valley are paired with the blissful sound of silence.
The Pet Parents
9) Family beach day
If you can’t go anywhere without your (four-legged) baby in tow, take your dog for a windswept beach walk on one of Northumberland’s many dog friendly beaches. Commit to the coastal path walk from Craster, where Dunstanburgh Castle sits on the coast, to Newton-by-the-Sea. Dunstanburgh Castle can still be seen in the distance from this quaint civil parish, and you can warm up with a coffee or a hearty pub lunch bursting with local flavours at The Joiners Arms. Dogs are more than welcome in their beautifully rustic and cosy restaurant (because three is never a crowd when the third wheel has four legs!).
10) Roam along the River Tweed
Take your dog on a cultured day out and head to Berwick-upon-Tweed, the cobbled town that teeters on the border of England and Scotland. Explore its quaint alleyways and independent shops before scaling the Elizabethan Town Walls that hold such significance to the town’s haunting history. Viewpoints over the romantic River Tweed and the three bridges that stand proudly over it can be enjoyed en-route as you wander hand-in-hand (and lead in-hand) along the walls and down to the quayside. Then, stop off at The Lookout Café, a dog-friendly, waterside eatery that sits along The River Tweed. If you can bear the cold, it’s worth sipping on your coffee from their outdoor seating area to watch the sun lowering over the river’s sparkling waters.
For more inspiration for your romantic getaway or day out in Northumberland take a look at our blog, with guides to the best places to stay, the most delicious sunday lunches and much more.