Olympic torch in Northumberland
This June the Olympic torch will arrive in Northumberland. It will stay in the County for three days and offer a literally once in a lifetime opportunity to see this icon.
It all starts on Thursday June 14th when the torch will cross the border from Scotland and arrive at Berwick.
It will have travelled down from Edinburgh stopping at 20 other towns before Berwick.
We have two holiday cottages in Berwick itself.
Endar is a small bungalow on the south side of the town. It sits in a quiet residential area, sleeps three and will cost you £395 for the week when the torch arrives.
Riverdene is a little closer to the centre of the town.Although it is on the south bank of the Tweed you can walk across the river via the local bridge and be in the centre of Berwick in good time to see the torch arrive. The house will sleep 4 people and you can bring your dog as well ( there is also a small enclosed garden). The price for the week is a very affordable £370.
After Berwick the torch heads off to Bamburgh which has to be one of the most photogenic spots to see it.
We have a new large holiday house on our books. It is right in the centre of Bamburgh and ideal for viewing the torch.
Greystead. This is a large family house which can sleep twelve. It overlooks the cricket ground just below the castle and offers a high standard of accommodation. You can bring your dog and the price for the week is £2,100.
The final destination for the torch on Thursday is the castle town of Alnwick. Here we have
The Green Batt.A smart second floor apartment right in the centre. It sleeps 4 and the cost for the week is £395.
The Middle ‘In is a first floor apartment literally opposite the Castle. It sleeps two and the week is yours for £405.
This picture shows Alnwick Castle.
On Friday June 15th the torch sets off for Amble,Morpeth and Blyth as well as villages in between.
Lesbury and Alnmouth
It’s first stop is at Hipsburn which is just outside Lesbury and Alnmouth
Jasmine cottage in Lesbury sleeps 4, you can bring your dog and the week will cost £485. The lovely port of Alnmouth is also within walking distance.
Close cottage dates back to the 18th century and now offers luxury accommodation in the centre of Lesbury. It will sleep 8 people and costs £730 for the week of the torch.
Warkworth
The torch then travels to the pretty castle town of Warkworth where we have a choice from
Rookery Nook, a detached house sleeping 5 for £525.
Pantiles, a mews house in the centre. It sleeps 6 and costs £525 for the week.
Castle view, a rather special new conversion which sleeps 5 and will cost you £680 for the week.
Amble
After Warkworth the torch will be in Amble with it’s marina and boats.
Here you have Rainbow cottage, just to the south at Low Hauxley. It sleeps 6 , is close to the sandy beach and will cost £635 for the week. Please note that Low Hauxley is approximately 2 miles from Amble.
Ashington
The torch then goes to Ashington. We have Barkers cottage or Skelwith cottage. Both are in Ellington which is nearby.They sleep 4 and will cost £525 each for the week.
Newbiggin by the sea
Newbiggin by the sea is the next stop where you can book a holiday house. Seaside house sleeps 10, is within an easy walk of the beach and will cost £925 for that week.
Bedlington
Bedlington will be the final stop along the coast. Here we have Seabreeze at Cambois. It sleeps 3 and is only £330 for the week. Please note that Cambois is some 4 miles from Bedlington.
Newcastle
The torch will end the day in Newcastle where there will be celebrations through the evening. We have the “Old Stables” and the “Old tack room” The former is just £435 for the week. The latter is already let for the 1st day of that week which means that there will be a 6 day week for the visit of the torch and a reduced rate if you should wish. Both these properties are modern conversions on a farm in Ponteland which has a metro link to the centre of Newcastle.
South Hall cottage at Belsay sits in the grounds of the main country house.It sleeps 6 and is available for £545 only.
This picture shows the marina at Amble.
On Saturday the 16th June the torch heads up the Tyne valley towards Hexham.
Prudhoe
With a stop at Prudhoe you could book Dene cottage at Ovington. It sleeps 6 but because the change over day is the saturday you will either need two weeks or be prepared to leave the house early to see the torch arrive in Prudhoe.Westgarth cottage is also nearby,sleeps for and is £485 for the week. You will have the same decision to either book 2 weeks or arrange to see the torch on the day you leave.Alternatively for both these cottages you could get the train into Newcastle to see the torch arrive on the Friday.
Hexham
The Market town of Hexham is the main destination for the torch.Here we have Sammy’s place. Sleeps 4 and will cost £485. But you have the same challenge of either booking 2 weeks or coordinating the day of arrival to match the arrival of the torch.
One of the good things about Hexham is that it is on the Carlisle to Newcastle railway with regular trains at least every hour. This means that you can easily get into Hexham without worrying over the parking. If this is of interest then give Vicky a call on 016977 46777 and she will find a suitable holiday cottage along the Tyne Valley.
Riding Mill
Riding Mill will be the last place the torch will be seen in Northumberland.
Here we have Hill top barn.It sleeps two, is in a splendid location and is only £395 for the week. However you will have to be organised as the day you arrive is the same day the torch is there. Because the torch will arrive later on the saturday you will have time to see it.
Hexham is a busy and prosperous market town.
Images courtesy of Northumberland Tourism
