5 minute read
Walking with Headwater
A good walk is one of life’s great pleasures and at Headwater we work hard to ensure that’s the case. Follow Rick and Nancy Adams as they explore the beautiful Northumberland Coast, and discover the detail and care we put into our self-guided walking itineraries...
WALK THIS WAY
WALKING WITH HEADWATER
THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
CALL OF THE COAST
It was while zipping along the east coast train line that Rick and Nancy Adams first glimpsed the beauty of the Northumberland coast. As experienced travellers, they decided the best way to discover it would be on foot. From the moment they arrived, they were enchanted by its wild nature and rugged shores…
Our route was perfectly planned The length of each day’s walk allowed us to really immerse ourselves in the area and take in the changing landscape. The route began on wide open, almost empty sands with crashing waves under a blue sky. We passed bays with incredible rock formations and then onward to a small estuary. Birdlife popped up like jewels along the way, including wheatears and stonechats!
We read our route notes the night before Headwater recommended places to go and things to see in each location, from Cresswell to Berwick-upon-Tweed. Each evening, we’d highlight the things that interested us most and planned our adventure that way. One recommendation was the Long Nanny nature reserve, south of Beadnell. We spotted so many raptors and moorland birds on our journey, but watching the tern colony at Long Nanny was mesmerising.
Clockwise from left: Lindisfarne, Bamburgh Dunes, Arctic Tern, Puffin, Bamburgh Castle, Rick Adams, Dunstanburgh Castle and Nancy Adams The distances varied each day We chose this trip because it factored in the kind of distances we wanted; between 10-20km a day. Nothing too short! The pacing suited us well. We’d choose spots on clifftops to stop and eat, not because we were pushed for time, but so we could soak in the views and sounds of the sea. Navigation was easy – if the sea is to the right, keep going!
We love being out in the open, close to nature We’re not big on cities and glaze over when someone starts talking history. Our first day’s walking should have been to Alnwick Castle but, the flexibility of Headwater self-guided meant we could walk down the coast instead. Several times we rounded a corner to gasp at a swathe of orchids, and some flowers we didn’t recognise. It was such a joy.
Headwater helped tailor our trip The hotel at High Newton was perfect, we could sit with a drink in the evening sun on our little balcony, relaxing with views over the hills. Our preferred dates meant that the tide would be wrong when it came to crossing the causeway to Holy Island, so Headwater arranged two nights for us at Bamburgh instead. The team was so friendly and made it easy to make changes – we also chose to upgrade our room so we could look straight out at the castle. Anything we needed, they arranged. We got along so well, we kept them updated with photos of our adventure as we went along.
Getting away from it all We would meet with other walkers when we stopped at an ice cream van or when we opened gates for each other along the way, but other than that we revelled in being away from it all. In Hawick we stayed in an old rectory and the couple running it were just brilliant. Good food, a relaxed atmosphere and miles away from anywhere.
Rick and Nancy went on our Walking the Northumberland Coast trip on page 18. Full details at headwater.com/W08NH
WALKING WITH HEADWATER
You explore and we take care of the rest
On our self-guided holidays we look after you every step of the way – and not just the planning and logistics. We seek out the local specialities and perfect picnic spots. Every vineyard and viewpoint is researched and vetted, every detour checked to be certain it's worth the effort. All to ensure you can experience the best of a region.
Go at your own pace Our itineraries allow time to enjoy the moment, to relish the little things that make all the difference. Stop and smell the flowers, dip your feet in the lake, sit down in the meadow or enjoy a freshly-baked treat from the local bakery. There's no great rush – after all, you're on holiday.
Stay on the right track Every one of our routes has been tested by our staff to ensure accuracy – not just the route directions, but the local recommendations along the way too. Many of our routes also offer GPS navigation.
Nothing too difficult Each trip shows an activity level. While it’s not possible to be precise about how easy or difficult a trip will be for you personally, our ratings give a practical idea of what you can expect. See the rating guide on p65. By yourself, with friends or guided On our self-guided holidays, you’re free to do it your way. You take the lead, navigate your route, and decide what you want to see, equipped with detailed route directions. We also offer a small selection of guided walking holidays run by experienced local guides who have a wealth of interesting local information they can divulge along the way.
To discover our range of over 130 European walking holidays just scan the QR code or visit us at headwater.com/walking
