Newcastle Upon Tyne, commonly known as simply Newcastle, is the jewel of Northern England located on the eastern coast of the British mainland. As you may expect from the name, incredible castles are within easy reach of this historic port town. Here are a few of my suggestions for Port Adventures to explore these ancient estates and other medieval landmarks during your visit to Newcastle…
Alnwick Castle and Garden: A Tree House Brunch and Fairy Tale Trail – Alnwick Castle, which you may recognize from Downton Abbey and several films, is an exquisite estate that combines medieval architecture with Italianate state rooms. This family-oriented Port Adventure enhances your visit to the castle with a two-course luncheon in an enchanting tree house and a stroll through fairytale-like gardens filled with princesses and villains. Other fun adventures at the castle includeKnight’s Quest, where children can dress up in medieval clothing and play games of the period, and Witches and Wizards Broomstick Training, the chance to hone your wizarding skills and master broomstick techniques.
Bamburgh Castle and Lindisfarne – Another spectacular estate to visit is Bamburgh Castle, set on a rocky plateau at the edge of the North Sea. Here you can tour the magnificent principal rooms and explore the beautiful grounds spanning nine acres on a coastline of rolling sand dunes. The other highlight of this Port Adventure is free time on the isolated island of Lindisfarne, also known as the Holy Island. This ancient area is home of the Lindisfarne Priory, a holy site since 365 A.D. and one of the most important early centers of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England. Your journey to Bamburgh Castle and Lindisfarne also includes a scenic, countryside drive in a remote region filled with untouched splendor.
Durham Cathedral and Family Trail – This family-friendly excursion takes you to Durham Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is widely acclaimed as one of the world’s finest church structures. Your behind-the-scenes tour will provide insights into the remarkable history and design of the church, including significant architectural innovations achieved over its 40-year construction. Fun for kids is incorporated with the chance to dress up in monks clothing, join an exciting quest for treasure using clues and marvel at an incredible display-in-progress of the cathedral, which once completed will include more than 300,000 LEGO bricks.
Coming up in the last post of this series, we’ll take a look at Port Adventures in St. Peter Port, Guernsey. Remember, when the ship’s in port, venture ashore!
