SOUTH MEADOWS - Interesting Places

South Road, Belford, Northumberland NE70 7DP

Telephone: (01668) 213 326 Fax: (01668) 213 355

Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in England, the first being Windsor Castle, and has been the home of the Percys, Earls and Dukes of Northumberland since 1309. The earliest mention of Alnwick Castle in the history books appears soon after 1096 when Yves de Vescy became baron of Alnwick and erected the earliest parts of the Castle.

The Castle was first restored by the 1st Lord Percy of Alnwick in the early 1300's and portions of this restoration remain today, including the Abbot's Tower, the Middle Gateway and the Constable's Tower.

www.alnwickcastle.com

Bailiffgate Museum presents for the first time the history of Alnwick and District.

The people and places of North Northumberland are brought to life here in lively, interactive style, through an exploration of six engaging themes. A mixture of traditional displays and exciting hands-on activities makes the Museum suitable for all ages.

A diverse range of art and history-based exhibitions are staged in the Museum’s Gallery and a variety of workshops, activities and special events are held throughout the year.

www.bailiffgatemuseum.co.uk

Set in the beautiful Scottish Borders and built in 1758 for a young Scottish Laird Patrick Home of Billie, award winning Paxton House is one of the finest 18th century Palladian country houses in Britain. Built by John Adam on a ridge overlooking the majestic River Tweed, Paxton House features 12 period rooms many boasting interiors by Robert Adam and fine collections of Chippendale and Trotter furniture. The magnificent Picture Gallery houses over 70 paintings from the National Galleries of Scotland.

Paxton House

www.paxtonhouse.com

Flodden Battlefield,

Visit the Historic Flodden Battlefield.

Heatherslaw Corn Mill,

Working water mill on the banks of the River Till.

Heatherslaw Light Railway,

A 15” gauge steam railway running from Heatherslaw, two miles to Etal Village - a return journey of 50 minutes.

Lady Waterford Hall,

Home of the Waterford Gallery. Commissioned in 1860 by Louisa Anne, Marchionness of Waterford.

Bamburgh Castle is probably the finest castle in England. It is perched on a basalt outcrop on the very edge of the North Sea at Bamburgh, Northumberland. It commands stunning views of the Farne Islands, Holy Island and land' ward to the Cheviot hills.

The castle has been extensively restored, first by Lord Crewe in the 1750's and more recently by the first Lord Armstrong at the end of the 19th century.

www.bamburghcastle.com

Ford and Etal is packed with interesting and entertaining visitor attractions.

Maelmin Heritage Trail,

Located at the edge of the village of Milfield, the trail depicts life in the Cheviot Hills from the dawn of time to man’s occupation through the ages.

The Fenton Centre,

New for the 2006 season - Birds of Prey – see and learn about owls, hawks, falcons and eagles and twice a day watch the birds being flown.

Ford Nursery,

The 2 acre Victorian walled garden of Ford Castle provides a magnificent setting for this specialist plant nursery.

Etal Castle,

Discover the bloody history of border warfare with an inclusive exciting personal audio tour.

www.ford-and-etal.co.uk

Interesting places near to South Meadows which are worth a visit.

This remarkable castle with its alarming dungeons and torture chamber has, since the twelve-hundreds, been continuously owned by the family of the Earls Grey and their relations.

You will see active restoration of complex masonry, metalwork and ornamental plaster as the great halls thrive with day to day life. A wide diversity of rooms and style give a refreshing difference to the Castle.

Chillingham Castle

Situated in romantic grounds, the Castle has commanding views of the surrounding countryside with local farmsteads and the scenic grandeur of the Cheviots.