The Region

The Barn at Beal is located  within the North Northumberland area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Facing the island of Lindisfarne.

The Northumberland coast offers a unique chance to get close to some of the most spectacular wildlife in the UK.  A trip to the RSPB reserve on the Farne Islands, a short boat trip from the Seaside village of Seahouses provides an opportunity to see huge colonies of seabirds and one of the largest breeding colonies of Gray Seals in the UK. Occasional summer visitors include basking sharks, Minke wales and even the odd glimpse of Orca pods!

Northumberland is a country of contrasts - from the isolation of the high Cheviot Hills to the endless sandy beaches of it's coastline - It is a unique place with something for everyone.

Individual towns and villages buzz with character and all have a unique feel which will reward those with the time to explore.

The market town of Alnwick, famous for it's castle (featured as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies as well as a location in Elizabeth and even Blackadder!) and the spectacular Alnwick Garden.

Northumberland boasts more castles and fortified houses than any other English county and as well as Alnwick, the well preserved Warkworth Castle, the romantic cliff-top ruins of Dunstanburgh, Bamburgh Castle with it's Authurian connections and dragon legend and the picture-postcard castle of Lindisfarne.

History is apparent at every turn in this county and as well as plentiful Medieval castles, the history buff can indulge their passion with visits to the World Heritage Site of Hadrian's Wall - site of the most Northerly border of the Roman Empire and more examples of mysterious prehistoric rock art known as' "Cup & Ring" marks than anywhere else in the world!

More recent historical treasures include Cragside House - The first home in the world to be lit by hydro-electric power and Wallington Hall, both of which are National Trust properties and open to the public (Check times etc.)

Just a few miles north lies Berwick Upon Tweed, situated at the mouth of the River Tweed it is a town with a rich, and often turbulent history.

Despite no official records pre-dating 1095, it can be safely assumed that Berwick was already a bustling town before this date as in 1018, King Malcolm of Scotland designated the Tweed as the end of his boundary signifying Berwick's beginning as a frontier town and port.

Changing hands between English and Scottish armies many times, Berwick is now a bustling town with a unique architectural character of which historian Nikolaus Pevsner once said, "Berwick is one of the most exciting towns in the country, with scarcely an irritating building anywhere, and the most intricate changes of level."

As well as Human history, Northumberland provides opportunities for those looking to experience the natural world in all its variety.

For the keen walker and cyclist, a short trip inland to the rolling hills of Simonside and the Cheviot range will be a trip to remember - "The land of the Far Horizon"! Black Grouse, Buzzards, Peregrine Falcons and a multitude of other bird life abounds.

And if all this peace and tranquillity gets to much for you, head to the vibrant city of Newcastle upon Tyne with it's famous nightlife, shopping, restaurants and theatres - enough to satisfy the most devoted shopaholic!