A National Trust Beauty – Seaton Delaval Hall

Posted on July 4, 2026 by - Uncategorised

Seaton Delaval Hall is one of the wonderful National Trust properties within easy reach of St Oswald’s Farm and makes a fascinating day out during your stay in Northumberland. If you enjoy history, architecture and beautiful grounds then you will find plenty to discover here, from the hall’s dramatic Baroque design to its colourful past and extensive gardens. With so many excellent National Trust properties to choose from in the region, these historic and beautiful visitor sites are definitely worth adding to your North East itinerary.

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Inside Seaton Delaval Hall

The striking Central Hall is undoubtedly the highlight of a visit to this striking National Trust property. Designed by the renowned architect Sir John Vanbrugh, its soaring interior creates a dramatic first impression and showcases the grandeur of this English Baroque masterpiece. As you explore the hall, you’ll discover beautifully restored rooms, fascinating exhibitions and displays that tell the story of the Delaval family, the devastating fire of 1822 and the efforts to conserve this remarkable building. Unlike many grand country houses, Seaton Delaval Hall has a slightly atmospheric and unfinished feel, allowing visitors to appreciate both its architectural splendour and its eventful history.

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Inside the Grand Hall
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Fabulous spirals

Explore the Grounds

The grounds at Seaton Delaval Hall are just as enjoyable as the house itself. Enjoy wandering through the formal gardens, enjoy lovely peaceful woodland walks and explore the restored walled garden, which bursts into colour during the growing season. There are sweeping views of the hall from various points around the estate, making it a wonderful place for photography as well as a leisurely stroll. The grounds are also home to a variety of wildlife, and there are plenty of benches and quiet corners where you can simply pause and just enjoy the surroundings.

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The Church of our Lady
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Formal Cardens

The Delaval Family’s Notorious Antics

Part of what makes Seaton Delaval Hall so memorable is the colourful story of the Delaval family themselves. Far from being a conventional aristocratic household, the Delavals became famous for their extravagant parties, theatrical entertainments and practical jokes. Guests never quite knew what to expect when they visited. Stories tell of elaborate tricks, mischievous pranks and practical jokes played on unsuspecting visitors, all designed to amuse the family and their guests. While some of the tales have undoubtedly grown with retelling, they add a fascinating layer to the history of the hall and help bring to life the larger-than-life characters who once called Seaton Delaval Hall their home.

If you’re keen to make the most of your day out then a short 5 minute drive takes you to nearby Seaton Sluice which sits on the shoreline and provides the ideal opportunity to explore this part of the beautiful North East coast, where miles of sandy beaches and coastal paths provide the perfect opportunity for a scenic walk, and perhaps a well earned ice-cream, before heading back home to relax at Heavenfield Cottage.

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Coastline at Seaton Sluice
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The Harbour Seaton Sluice

Whether you’re a National Trust member making the most of your membership, a history enthusiast keen to uncover the stories of the past, or simply looking for an enjoyable day out combining a little history, a walk around some nice gardens and a walk at the coast then Seaton Delaval Hall is well worth a visit during your stay.

Discovering our Museums – The Old Gaol

Posted on May 1, 2026 by - North East Attractions, Northumberland, Visitor Attractions

Northumberland is home to some truly fantastic museums, each offering a window into the county’s rich history, culture and character – from Roman heritage and grand country houses to mining stories and medieval treasures. If you’re planning to add a little history to your stay and days out there’s no shortage of fascinating places to explore. If a trip to the nearby market town of Hexham is on your to-do list then don’t miss visiting The Old Gaol, the earliest recorded purpose-built prison in England, where centuries of crime, punishment and Border history come to life within its thick stone walls.

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Descend into History at Hexham’s Old Gaol

Behind the heavy door of this unique museum the everyday life of those historical days comes vividly into focus through real artefacts with visitors able to get up close to collections of arms and armour, shackles, historic documents, textiles and archaeological finds. One of the most striking display pieces is that of the plague doctor, whose haunting beaked mask and dark robes immediately capture the imagination, offering a powerful visual link to the fear and mystery surrounding disease in the early modern world. A particularly atmospheric moment comes as you take the glass lift down to the dungeon level of The Old Gaol where the doors stay closed and you look directly into the stone cell below while a short audio commentary brings its grim past to life.

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Hexham Moot Hall – A Historic Landmark

Once your back outside, the old stocks are the perfect opportunity for a photograph before a slow wander to the Market Place takes you past the Moot Hall. This striking medieval building dates back to the late 14th or early 15th century and was originally built as both a gatehouse into the Hallgate precinct and a courthouse where justice was administered for the Liberty of Hexhamshire. Its imposing four‑storey tower and three‑storey annex, complete with vaulted passageway through to Hallgate, make it one of the best surviving examples of medieval civic architecture in northern England.

While the interior isn’t generally open as a visitor attraction, you can still admire the building’s wonderfully preserved exterior, take in the craftsmanship of the stonework and imagine the bustle of medieval courts, traders and townsfolk that would have passed through its arches centuries ago. It’s a highlight for anyone who loves history and architectural heritage in English market towns.

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A visit to Hexham’s Old Gaol is a wonderful reminder of how rich and atmospheric this region’s past can be and it sits perfectly within the superb museum offer across Northumberland and the North East of England. Together, these museums offer an engaging and varied journey through time, inviting visitors to move beyond the present and discover the people, places and events that have shaped this beautiful and yet remarkable corner of the country.

Visit Haltwhistle

Posted on March 12, 2026 by - Hadrian's Wall Area Attractions, Northumberland, Visitor Attractions, Walks

Northumberland is dotted with welcoming market towns, each with its own distinctive character and charm, and Haltwhistle is in no way an exception. Ideally placed close to Hadrian’s Wall, Haltwhistle combines a friendly atmosphere with independent shops, cafés, a geographical claim to fame and fantastic local walks, making it an easy and rewarding place to spend time while exploring this part of the county.

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Haltwhistle main street and market square

The Centre of Britain

Haltwhistle is a fascinating little town and at the geographical centre of Britain and as such the town has long been shaped by its location, sitting where ancient routes once crossed the North Pennines and earning its reputation as the “Centre of Britain.” Over the centuries, its position made it an important stopping point for travellers, a role it still plays today for visitors exploring Hadrian’s Wall, the South Tyne Valley and the surrounding countryside.

The town is steeped in history, with the most prominent historic building, The Centre of Britain Hotel, which was originally built as a pele tower in the late 15th century, just as the Border Reivers were starting three centuries marked by conflict and pillage. After the unification of the Crowns the tower and the bastle house next door were merged together and became the Tax Collector’s office. Later on the buildings would go on to be used as a coaching inn and post office. The Centre of Britain Hotel has a long, varied and fascinating history and there is no better place then their website to read all the historical highs and lows of this building.

Centre of Britain Hotel
Remains of the Pele Tower at the Centre of Britain Hotel

Historic Haltwhistle

The area around Haltwhistle’s market place has the largest number of surviving bastles in England, and these are marked by plaques so that visitors can follow a ‘bastle trail‘. An ideal stroll if you’ve arrived without your walking boots.

The town is home to three churches, Haltwhistle Methodist Church, St Wilfred’s Catholic Church and the Church of the Holy Cross which is the oldest building in Haltwhistle and one of only a few early 13th century churches still functioning as a working church in England. The Holy Cross Church features a mix of Norman and later Gothic styles. Its nave and chancel display thick masonry and pointed arches, while the west tower – added later – serves as a local landmark. Inside highlights include medieval grave slabs, 19th-century stained glass, and carved stonework that documents evolving ecclesiastical design over eight centuries. The church is open to visitors on Thursday and Saturday from 2.00 until 4.00 pm from Easter to the end of September.

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Church of the Holy Cross

Haltwhistle on Foot

Each year the town hosts The Haltwhistle Walking Festival inviting walkers of all abilities to explore the stunning Northumberland countryside through a programme of guided walks. Every Festival includes over 20 walks and ensures that the programme offers a variety of walk destinations, a variety of grades and a variety of specialist walks. Set in and around the town and the stunning landscapes around Hadrian’s Wall the festival offers scenic routes along rivers, past historic sites and across open moorland – a great way to enjoy scenic Northumberland, meet fellow walkers, and discover the area at its best. If you’re not visiting during the festival and want to enjoy walks in the area take a look at The Haltwhistle Rings, a choice of 22 circular walks through all the historic parishes of Haltwhistle with pdf guides that include ‘Did you know’ points of interest to enjoy on each route.

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Lambley Viaduct – Haltwhistle Rings Walk 10

Visiting Haltwhistle is a perfect addition to a Northumberland stay, promising a day that brings together history, distinctive landmarks, local charm and scenic walks through beautiful surroundings. Whether you’re exploring the town itself or simply pausing to stand at the very “Centre of Britain,” Haltwhistle offers a relaxed and rewarding day out.

Remarkable Romans – Corstopitum Roman Town

Posted on January 22, 2026 by - Hadrian's Wall Area Attractions, North East Attractions, Northumberland, Visitor Attractions

Just a short drive from St Oswald’s Farm, Corstopitum Roman Town offers an absorbing glimpse into life on the northern edge of the Roman Empire. Set at a key crossroads, the site developed into an important supply base and settlement supporting the nearby garrisons along Hadrian’s Wall. Its wide streets, substantial granaries and workshops reveal a place that was busy, organised and central to frontier life. Today, Corstopitum is a fascinating and rewarding place to explore and just one of the superb local Roman sites that can be enjoyed in the surrounding area.

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Corstopitum Roman Town

As you begin to explore the site, the scale and detail of what remains quickly becomes apparent. The outlines of streets guide you through the town, while the towering granaries hint at the vast quantities of supplies that were once stored here. Fragments of everyday Roman life emerge along the way, from workshops and store buildings to carved stonework and inscriptions, inviting visitors to imagine the people who lived, worked and passed through Corstopitum nearly two thousand years ago.

Meeting the Corbridge Lion At Corstopitum

One of the most iconic artefacts at Corstopitum is the Corbridge Lion, a Roman sandstone sculpture believed to date back to the 2nd-3rd century AD. The lifelike carving shows a male lion poised over its prey, perhaps a deer, sheep or similar animal and was most likely originally created as decorative ornament, possibly intended for a tomb. The statue was very obviously later repurposed as a fountainhead as the mouth on the carving now shows, perhaps the Romans showing us then, how to re-use and re-purpose. Today the Corbridge Lion is one of the standout exhibits in the Corbridge Roman Site museum, offering a striking glimpse of Roman craftsmanship and the symbolic art of the period.

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The Corbridge Lion

The Corbridge Hoard – An Extraordinary Roman Discovery

Another fascinating display within the museum is the Corbridge Hoard which was discovered just a few miles of Corstopitum and is one of the most remarkable Roman finds in Britain. Buried in the early 2nd century AD, the hoard was found packed inside a wooden chest and contained a carefully arranged collection of armour, weapons, tools, and personal items – including beautifully decorated metalwork and parts of a lorica segmentata (body armour). The way the objects were meticulously stored suggests they were deliberately hidden for safekeeping, perhaps during a time of unrest and then never recovered. Today, the hoard helps bring Corstopitum vividly to life, revealing not just the military presence at Corbridge, but the craftsmanship, organisation and everyday realities of Roman soldiers stationed far from home.

The Corbridge Hoard

Beyond its most famous finds, Corstopitum has yielded a rich collection of artefacts that bring everyday Roman life into focus. Stone altars and inscribed building stones reveal the beliefs, regiments and individuals connected with the town, while coins trace its long period of occupation and change. Alongside these are practical objects such as tools, fittings and fragments of architectural stonework, offering insight into how the settlement functioned on a daily basis. Together, these quieter finds help build a fuller picture of Corstopitum as a working town – organised, lived in and closely tied to the demands of the northern frontier.

Corstopitum Roman Town

A visit to Corstopitum makes for a rewarding and unhurried day out, combining open-air exploration with some of the most fascinating Roman history in the region. After exploring the site and its museum, the nearby village of Corbridge is well worth time of its own, a great place to wander, with fantastic independent shops, cafés and welcoming places to eat as well as a lovely riverside walk.

A Day in Durham City

Posted on December 1, 2025 by - North East Attractions, Visitor Attractions

A visit to Durham City is a great way to spend a day out while staying with us at St Oswald’s Farm. From its dramatic skyline crowned by the wonderful cathedral and castle to the inviting indie shops and riverside walks, the city blends history, charm and atmosphere and is only an hour’s drive away.

Durham Cathedral is one of the most breathtaking landmarks in the UK, rising dramatically above the city with its towering Norman architecture. As you step inside, the soaring columns, intricate stonework, and peaceful cloisters create an atmosphere that’s both awe-inspiring and calming. Whether you’re admiring its world-famous vaulted ceiling, exploring the centuries of history woven into its walls, or simply soaking in the ambience, the cathedral is a must-see highlight for any visitor to Durham.

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Sitting alongside the Cathedral is Durham Castle, a striking Norman fortress that is perched high above the River Wear, forming one half of Durham’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 11th century, it was originally a defensive stronghold but today feels more like a living museum, full of grand halls, winding staircases and centuries of stories. Visitors can explore its impressive Great Hall, beautifully preserved chapels, and historic courtyard that are all still in use today as part of Durham University. With its blend of medieval architecture and modern student life, the castle offers a uniquely atmospheric glimpse into Durham’s past and present.

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Chapel – Discover Durham (c)
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Durham Cathedral – (c) Alan Mc

You couldn’t really visit the city without exploring the charming mix of retail where well known high-street brands sit alongside a rich variety of independents. Wander through the cobbled streets and you’ll find unique gift shops, artisan makers, bookstores and galleries all tucked into and around the historic buildings. The ‘Market Hall’ and it’s traders add real local flavour with about 40 varied stalls all under one roof, plus with regular outdoor and special markets, it’s a lively place to browse.

For something more relaxing the River Wear is great for a stroll, as you follow the curves of the river along the waterside path you’re in for a beautifully peaceful walk that winds beneath historic stone bridges and passes the dramatic skyline of the city’s cathedral and castle. From the water’s edge you get lovely reflections of old the architecture, glimpses of swans gliding by, and you will find it a calming, slower-paced contrast to the busy city centre. It’s a perfect way to soak up the charm of Durham.

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If you find you still have time for more exploring then County Durham offers plenty, and the lovely Ushaw Chapel, House & Gardens are just 4 miles from the city centre. Expect the unexpected at Ushaw as you lose yourself in the lovely grounds, where you’ll find playful surprises, inspirational art, wildlife carvings amongst the woodland trails, wide-open spaces and vibrant floral gardens. As well as the gardens and parkland you will discover a long and rich history amongst the Victorian Gothic architecture of the house and chapel.

A day out in Durham city is always enjoyed by those guests who visit and we always recommend using the city’s convenient Park & Ride, letting you skip the traffic and arrive stress-free into the heart of this historic North East gem.

Spotlight on Alnwick Castle

Posted on October 23, 2025 by - North East Attractions, Northumberland, Visitor Attractions

One of Northumberland’s most iconic landmarks is the magnificent Alnwick Castle. It’s grand, it’s full of history and it’s just a lovely day out. Whether you’re a lover of historic buildings, a Harry Potter fan, or you simply enjoy exploring somewhere beautiful, Alnwick Castle really does have something for everyone.

From St Oswald’s Farm, it’s around an hours drive, and if you opt to take the scenic route via Kirkharle and Rothbury you will find yourself winding through open countryside and picture-perfect Northumberland villages. It’s an easy and enjoyable route, and before you know it, the sight of the castle’s towers will be rising above the town ahead of you.

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Alnwick Castle – impressive even at first glance

Step into history at Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle is often described as one of the finest castles in England, and once you’re there, it’s easy to see why. It’s still home to the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, and there’s something rather special about walking through a place that’s not only steeped in history, but also very much alive and lived in.

Alnwick Castle dates back to the 11th century, when it was first built by Yves de Vescy, Baron of Alnwick, to defend England’s northern border. Over the centuries, it’s witnessed battles, sieges and royal visits, and today it stands as one of the largest inhabited castles in the country.

In 1309, it became home to the Percy family, one of the most powerful noble families in English history, and as it still remains their residence today, it one of the few castles of this size still lived in by its original lineage. The Percys played major roles in English history – from the medieval wars with Scotland to the Wars of the Roses and beyond.

Alnwick Castle – From fortress to film star

While its medieval walls tell tales of knights and nobles, Alnwick Castle has a lighter side too. In more recent years, it’s become something of a film and TV star – appearing as Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter films, as Brancaster Castle in Downton Abbey and many more film and TV appearances including Transformers and Dungeons & Dragons! The castle embraces this fame beautifully, offering broomstick training sessions in the very courtyard where Harry and his friends first learned to fly! It’s a wonderful mix of fun and nostalgia, and a must-see for Potter fans of any age.

Beyond the magic, there’s plenty more to enjoy, try your hand at archery, meet costumed guides who bring the castle’s past vividly to life, or simply wander through the grounds and soak up the views. Within the castle’s keep, you’ll find beautifully decorated State Rooms which include the Upper and Lower Guard Chambers, the Library, the Drawing Room, the Saloon, the Dining Room, and the China Gallery all of which are stunning, packed full of fine art, antique furniture and centuries of history. Your day ticket includes entrance to all the museums and collections within the castle and to the grounds which include highlights such as the Lion Arch and a replica Napoleonic cannon that sits proudly on the Gun Terrace.

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The Barbican

When it’s time for lunch, there’s the Courtyard Café inside the castle grounds that not only offers a warm Northumbrian welcome but a selection of freshly prepared sandwiches, soups and savoury bites, or you can wander into the town itself, where you’ll find plenty of independent cafés and little shops to explore. For more information on visiting Alnwick Castle please head to their website.

Don’t miss The Alnwick Garden

Right next door is The Alnwick Garden, and it’s absolutely worth a visit while you’re there. The Grand Cascade is breathtaking, the Poison Garden is fascinating (and perhaps a little bit eerie!) in fact all of the gardens within the complex are simply beautiful and with interest throughout the year.

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The Grand Cascade

Extend the day and visit the coast

If you’ve still got some exploring left in you, the coast is only a short drive away. Craster is a lovely little fishing village known for its kippers, its harbour views and its walk along the coastal path to Dunstanburgh Castle. On a sunny day, it’s hard to beat the combination of sea air, castle ruins, wide open skies and the opportunity to enjoy a drink and a crab sandwich at The Jolly Fisherman.

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Craster Harbour – a peaceful end to a perfect Northumberland day

Alnwick Castle really does capture so much of what makes Northumberland so very special, its deep history, its beauty, its creativity and that little bit of magic that stays with you long after you’ve left.