Coastline
Belford is around 5 miles from Budle Bay Bird Sanctuary which is part of one of Britain's Area's of Outstanding Beauty. There are over twenty miles of Heritage Coastline just waiting to be explored in North Northumberland.
Walking Northumberland
The market town of Wooler and the rolling Cheviot Hills are a short drive away from Belford, around nine miles. Surrounding the village is excellent walking territory, both countryside and coastal. Visit the Northumberland National Park site for details of walks and activities or One North East. Also There many local walks are featured in new book "Walks on the Northumberland Coast" by David Haffey.
Cycling Northumberland
The North section of National Cycle Route 1 (Newcastle to Edinburgh) goes through Belford, it is the Coast and Castle route and passes through some stunning scenery.
A free leaflet "Northumbria's Cycling Kingdom" can be obtained from Sustran's information line - 0845 113 0065 or access Sustran's website www.sustrans.org.uk for interactive cycle maps and lots more information.
Cycles can be hired from Black
Sheep Bike Hire who can deliver to Lily Cottage and collect for a reasonable
fee.
Holy Island of Lindisfarne
The Island is only accessible at low tide and is 13 miles from Belford, 3 miles of this is causeway with tide markers and huts on stilts for the unwise who have not followed the tide tables to shelter. The Pilgrims Crossing can be viewed from here as St Cuthbert's Way ends at Lindisfarne.
Berwick upon Tweed
Hugging the Scottish Borders with it's dramatic blend of country and rugged coastline is the market town of Berwick upon Tweed, a seventeen mile drive from Belford.
Castles in the North-East
Some of the castles in Northumbria include:
Warkworth, Alnwick, Keilder, Etal, Lindisfarne, Prudhoe, Norham, Chillingham, ,
Tynemouth, Bowes,
Barnard Castle and the Castle Keep at Newcastle upon Tyne.
Dunstanburgh Castle
was home to John of Gaunt in the 13 Century, you can walk along the windswept
coast to the Castle from the village of Craster, world famous for kippers.
Six miles from Belford is awe inspiring Bamburgh
Castle and picturesque village which houses the Grace Darling museum.
English Heritage have many properties in the North East, their site also provides information on the many roman sites at Hadrian's Wall.
Seahouses
Lots of fish and chips shops, seaside rock, a working harbour and amusements to keep the kids entertained. You can take boat trips to the Farne Islands (National Trust) to see Puffins, Guillemots, Terns and Cormorants as well as grey seals. Cruises to Holy Island are available too.
Alnwick
Around a ten mile drive away is the market town of Alnwick. As well as a wonderful castle, which was used during the filming of Harry Potter. The latest exciting development is the Alnwick Garden which includes the largest tree house in the world.
Newcastle
The hour drive to the capital of the North-East is well worth the trip to see the splendor of the Graingertown architecture and world famous bridges. As well as being home to Newcastle United there are excellent shopping facilities at Eldon Square. Newcastle is known internationally as a party city, so you could get along to the Bigg Market and join the throngs of drinkers or head off to one of the dozens of restaurants serving every imaginable cuisine. Unmissable is the Quayside with Newcastle's land mark bridges, Tyne Bridge, the historic Swing Bridge and Gateshead Millennium Bridge which tilts like a blinking eye to let ships pass underneath. A new award winning addition to the riverside is the Sage Gateshead, also visit the Baltic art gallery with breathtaking views of the riverside.
Metro Centre
If you're in need of some heavy duty shopping, approximately an hour's drive from Belford is Gateshead Metro Centre. Shops include High Street favorites Marks and Spencer, House of Fraser as well as a blend of smaller shops selling designer labels.