Northumberland

staplejack

Anyone ever been?

poxy

Yes. If you're lucky and it isn't pissing down with rain or blowing a gale it's a beautiful place to spend a week travelling along the coast.

Ali

Alnwick Castle is worth a visit. It is the home of the Duke of Northumberland and some good history in it. There also an amazing garden that has been developed by her ladyship and it is used in Hogworts. Alnwick town has what I think is the largest second hand bookshop in the UK, it is the whole of the old BR Station. It is also the home of Hardy’s which anyone who fly fishes will know about.

steve

I've never been.

staplejack

@ Ali: excellent knowledge. I'll keep an eye out for the Duke <p><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6b/Blackadder_lord_percy.jpg" alt="" title="" /></p>

Thanks.

Four Eyes

Beautiful corner of the country, but then I'm biased as I'm from there.
Must sees: Hadrian's Wall, Bamburgh Castle, Dunstanburgh Castle, Alnwick Castle (there are more castles but these 3 are the most impressive), Lindisfarne (Holy Island) and Cragside Estate if you get time. A boat trip across to the Farne Islands is also worth a trip to see the seal colonies.

http://www.visitnorthumberland.com/

Mujo

My folks live there now; I go up as often as I can. I think it's one of the most beautiful places on the planet, all beaches and castles. And it doesn't rain a disproportionate amount, though I would still go and walk on the beach in the rain- you get wonderful skies with dramatic clouds. The Rothbury hills, Bamburgh, Warkworth, Newton by the Sea, Craster and Dunstanburgh castle, the Farne Island boat trips and fish and chips in Seahouses... Can't beat it! I'm in the States with work at the moment. Miami beach is a boring flat concrete effort in comparison.
Don't tell anyone though, we don't want it getting too crowded!

Giles

Went snorkelling from a boat from Seahouses to the Farne Islands as part of a dive trip and was completely surrounded by very inquisitive seals. Incredible experience.