Walk This Way

For a stunning coast and countryside Northumberland is an unmissable treat, says Sharon Sweeney

When my daughter went to university in Newcastle, little did I know it would lead to a love affair with the North East.

The trouble with Newcastle is it’s so close to beautiful countryside and a stunning coastline dotted with castles that before long the siren call will lead you north.

Local comfort

St Mary’s Inn (stmarysinn. co.uk) near Morpeth is just a 25-minute drive from Newcastle. The staff are friendly and there’s heaps of info on things to do in the area, including a great map on their website (stmarysinn. co.uk). Its spacious rooms offer the perfect mix of modern comforts with touches of antique styling. There’s modern British dining with a Northumbrian flavour, and a regular and ‘interesting’ wine list, which is a nice touch, plus hearty breakfasts that cater for all tastes. Dogs are welcome – there’s even a designated dining area if you have your pooch in tow.

Castles and gardens