Wild romance in Northumberland

Wild romance in Northumberland

Pack your thermals and have a windswept moment or two on Northumberland’s vast stretch of coastline. With crumbling castles, unspoilt islands and locally-owned pubs and restaurants spilling over with fresh seafood, it’s a hidden gem that’s just the place for creating spontaneous romantic memories…

Bamburgh Castle

Fondle
With heart-shaped decorations on the walls, fluffy cushions and your very own slippers and dressing gowns to wrap up in, The Old Stone’s cottage-breaks-in-bamburgh bedrooms are more like love nests. Perched between rolling fields dotted with sheep and heritage coastline, this B&B serves a cracking breakfast that includes award-winning sausages from Rothbury Family Butchers and Craster Kippers.

Frolic
Hop on a boat to the Farne Islands and experience a close encounter with a seal colony and nesting seabirds, including around 37,000 pairs of loved-up puffins during the summer months. Or simply go on a hand-in-hand stroll along Northumberland’s sleepy coastline. Start in Craster and head towards Seahouses. You’ll stumble upon the bewitching ruins ofDunstanburgh Castle – the perfect place to get down on one knee – and then come face-to-face with the sweeping bays of Embleton and Beadnell. There’ll be plenty of chances for a cheeky kiss while the sea breeze dances in your hair and waves embrace the shoreline.

Loved-up puffins on Farne Islands ©Steenbergs

Feast

Wrap up warm and head to Bamburgh Beach with a picnic of Seahouses smoked salmon, Lindisfarne Oysters and Craster kipper pâté. As the oysters’ aphrodisiac qualities kick in, soak up the undisturbed nature that simmers all around you and that view of Bamburgh Castle looming in the distance.

Bank Holiday fun for all ages

Bank Holiday fun for all ages

Two for tea in Hackney ©Land of Kids

May Bank Holiday already? Here are a few ideas to help you make the most of it come rain or shine…

London

This Bank Holiday sees the welcome return of Land of Kings to the streets of Dalston, bringing all kinds of music, culture and street food to East London’s Hipster haven. Spreading out across a variety of venues the area will become even more rowdy with the likes of Chrome Hoof, Bugged Out, Faze Action, Five Easy Pieces playing live or hosting live sets. In addition, this year will see Land of Kids – a junior complement to all of the above, taking place on the 6th. The line-up is just as eclectic featuring the likes of Punchdrunk, Lost Picture Show, Disco Disco and Moma Loves. Activities will include reggae nursery rhymes, flower seed bombing, head mask-making, a video dance party as well as family friendly raves. Glow sticks at the ready!

Leeds

This city knows how to celebrate a Bank Holiday weekend. There’s something for everyone with music from over 100 bands like The Pigeon Detectives and Everything Everything atLive at Leeds between the 3^rd and 6^th May.  Get Sunday started at The Faversham on the 5^th with DJ sets from Bicep, Futureboogie and Tale Of Us from 2pm. And for the kids (young and old), Leeds Royal Armouries are putting on a very special display between May 4^th and 6^th. Learn all about the weaponry that superheroes use and draw with professional artists. Keep your eyes peeled for Stormtroopers and Iron Man.

If you get peckish, head to the Kirkgate Farmer’s Market in the city centre for a tantalising array of artisan food stalls.

Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway steam locomotive, Northern Rock ©Ray Forster

Cumbria

All kinds of family-based fun will be kicking off in Cumbria. You can jump on board the classic vintage engine Bonnie Dundee at Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway and ride the rails between here and Dalegarth. Trains run roughly every 20 minutes, taking in some of the finest countryside scenery in the country. Over the course of the weekend you’ll be able to experience a huge range of activities at either station including storytelling, circus skills, mask making, nature trails, electric biking, owls from the Muncaster Owl Sanctuary, huskies, pony and trap riding and more. A morning waterfall themed guided walk takes place on the Sunday and Monday from Ravenglass with a ‘Horrible History Roman Walk’ leaving Dalegarth in the afternoons.

South West

Completing the whole of the beautiful 630 mile South West Coastal Path will take repeated visits – but after one visit the chances are you’ll come back. This bank holiday would make a great time to start. Pick any section and stretch your legs at your own pace along one of the most picturesque coastlines in the world as the scenery explodes with spring colours.

Outdoor art in England

If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise in the form of imposing sculptures popping up all across the English countryside. You’ll find pieces in forests, along beaches and in parks from well-known names such as Henry Moore, Damien Hirst, Antony Gormley and scores of up and coming artists too.

Here Daniel Johnson, of short breaks specialist BreakFree Holidays, lists great places to see outdoor art in England.

Three Piece Reclining Figure No 1, 1961-2 © Jonty Wilde

Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield

This is one of the world’s leading sculpture parks and features art from many famous names, displayed across 500 acres of 18th century parkland. The exhibitions change regularly but the figures can always be seen against amazing backdrops which include valley vistas, lakes and old buildings. Open all year round, except for 24-25 December and 1 March. Admission free, although car parking charges apply. www.ysp.co.uk

Damien Hirst’s Verity ©North Devon Council

Verity, Ilfracombe

This north Devon seaside town became home to a 20m tall sword-wielding, naked pregnant woman in October 2012, and local tongues are still wagging. Verity is a bronze-clad statue which looks at over Ilfracombe Harbour, and was loaned to the town by artist and local resident Damien Hirst. Free to view all year round. www.northdevon.com

Angel of the North ©Martin Brent

Angel of the North, Gateshead

Antony Gormley’s sculpture got the public talking about outdoor art. The Angel of the North is the gateway to Tyneside and stands 20 metres tall, with a massive wingspan of 54 metres. Not universally loved when it was launched, the Angel has now become an icon of the North East. Free to view all year round. www.newcastlegateshead.com

Lady of the Water ©Forestry Commission England

Grizedale Forest Park, Cumbria

There are 80 sculptures spread out over a massive 6,000 acres of woodland so this is not a park for a quick visit and a map is essential. The sculptures are created to blend into the forest environment so it’s essential to explore through the trees to find pieces. Open daily. Admission free, car parking charges apply. www.grizedalesculpture.org

Northumberlandia ©The Land Trust

Northumberlandia, Northumberland

Also known as The Lady of the North, this is a reclining female figure sculpted from the land and made of 1.5 million tonnes of earth. At a massive 34 metres high and 400 metres long, Northumberlandia is thought to be the largest human-form land sculpture in the world. Open daily, car-parking provided Tuesday to Sunday only, 9.30am to 4pm. Admission free, car parking charges apply. www.northumberlandia.com

Flat Man by Giles Penny ©Broomhill Sculpture Garden

Broomhill Sculpture Garden, North Devon

With more than 300 sculptures set in just 10 acres of land there is plenty to see. The garden winds downhill through woods and to a gentle river, with a flat top-terrace featuring a wide variety of figures and larger pieces found on the lower levels. Open daily, 11am-4pm, shut 20 Dec -15 Jan. Admission: adults £4.50, children £1.50, family £10.www.broomhillart.co.uk

©Burghey Sculpture Gardens

Burghley Sculpture Garden, Lincolnshire

This 15-acre sculpture garden has around 20 permanent pieces including Balance – a display of three life-size figures perched on the branch of a tree, and Vertical Face – giant rust-coloured face made from small pieces of steel. The art is set round a beautiful lake, old open-air theatre and pretty flower-filled grounds. Garden open 11am-5pm daily. Admission free in winter. From 20 Mar-31 Oct, £7.40 adults, £5.00 children.www.burghley.co.uk          

Giant Tarantula ©Pride of the Valley Sculpture Park

Pride of the Valley Sculpture Park, Surrey

The park is 10 acres of arboretum and wildlife inhabited water gardens, with over 600 sculptures on display throughout a two mile guided trail. Open daily, 10am to 5pm. Adults £6, children £3, under-5s free. www.thesculpturepark.com

Experience outdoor art for yourself with BreakFree Holidays who have holiday park deals across England.

Are there any others you think should be added to the list?

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