WE continue our great escape into Northumberland with more ideas for great days out. Combine history and countryside with walks and a picnic – or try one of the great cafes in the towns and villages on the way. Blanchland, in the North Pennines, is one of England’s oldest and prettiest villages and is steeped in history. Visit the centuries old St Mary’s Abbey and the Lord Crewe Arms which boasts several ghost stories, including the Grey Lady of Derwent Water. Blanchland’s unspoilt qualities make it a frequent setting for period films set in the 18th Century such as those based on the novels of Catherine Cookson, making it a perfect place to escape the stresses of modern life. Morpeth is one of Northumberland’s major market towns with the pretty River Wansbeck flowing through the centre of the town and charming historic buildings and gardens. Carlisle Park is a wonderful place for a pleasant stroll, with its formal gardens, aviary and the William Turner Garden. The town bustles with shops, cafes and restaurants. Market day is Wednesday and there is a Farmers’ Market on the first Sunday of every month. Visit the Chantry with the Bagpipe Museum, set in a 13th century church building, and the Northumbrian Craft Centre where you can buy useful and beautiful objects in glass, ceramics and woods along with clothing in silk and leather. www.castlemorpeth.gov.uk The magnificent cross-shaped keep of Warkworth Castle in Northumberland, crowning a hilltop rising steeply above the River Coquet, dominates one of the largest, strongest and most impressive fortresses in northern England. Norman in origin, the castle was taken over by the Percy family (of Alnwick Castle) in 1332. Later that century, Henry Percy, the first Earl of Northumberland, allowed the castle to be the home of his eldest son, Harry Hotspur. In the days of war between the English and Scottish, Berwick was an important military town. It’s now a great place for a day out. Wander the ramparts, browse the shops and have lunch in one of the great cafes or restaurants in the town. Experience military life first hand in the Berwick Barracks – the first purpose built infantry barracks in England. The “By Beat of Drum” exhibition shows what the life of a typical British infantryman was like. Visit the King’s Own Scottish Borderers Museum, the Contemporary Art Gallery and the Berwick Borough Museum which are also on the site. www.english-heritage.org.uk Events Medieval Courtly Combat at Warkworth Castle August 7 and 8 from 11.30am. The magnificent setting of Warkworth Castle resounds to the sound of steel on steel as Knights in armour perform a medieval “Tournament of Foote”. Enjoy this exciting living history spectacle as weapons and skills are displayed. For more information visit: www.english-heritage.org.uk *Find more inspiration for great days out at www.visitnortheastengland.com or visit your local Tourist Information Centre. | 
