Coast and Castles – Day 2

By Stephen M on June 17, 2015

Departed: Newbiggin-By-The-Sea
Destination: Ambleton (via Alnwick)
Distance: 62km
Weather: Overcast/Mild
Mood: Happy (and at times not so – hills!)
Highlight: Alnwick Castle

Today we were spoilt for choice of Castles! So we narrowed it down to two, Warkworth and Alnwick. Knowing that you really need a day to do Alnwick Castle justice, we simply did a flying visit of Warkworth to spend as much time as possible at Alnwick.

Unfortunately the roads to and from Alnwick didn’t agree with our trusted steeds and we needed to walk them for stretches along sometimes busy narrow roads due to the undulations of the very picturesque countryside. But we finally made it and spent a solid 2.5hrs and a couple of tours of a very fascinating Castle.

We were blown away to learn that the family (Duke of Northumberland) actually spend (live) the winters every year in the Castle (The summer months allow the Castle to be open to visitors).The Castle has undergone a number of alterations over the centuries, with the staterooms only recently being updated in the 1850’s and gives the Palace of Versailles a run for its money because this is in a Castle!

We then headed straight for our evening destination which included a puncture along the way. We made it with our tanks on empty due to a long day in the saddle and missing lunch to fit everything in!

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