The Stables at Beal
The Surrounding Area
This is just a quick snap shot of some of the places surrounding Beal.
Alnwick 21 miles Bamburgh 11 miles
Seahouses 14 miles
Closer villages are the Ford & Etal estate
Duddo Stones. A stone circle north of the village of Duddo.
Hay farm -the home of Clydes Dale Heavy Horses
Norham
Paxton
Eyemouth (in the Scottish Borders) a pretty fishing port and delicious Giacopazzis fish & chips
ALNWICK
BAMBURGH
The Taihaku Cherry Blossom...The Cherry Orchard at Alnwick Gardens has the largest collection of Taihaku in the world. Comprising of 329 trees that bloom together at the end of April/beginning of May.
Alnwick is famous for its Castle and its connection to Harry Potter. Have your photo taken flying on a broomstick (magic). There is also the beautiful Alnwick Gardens with its famous Grand Cascade and water jets which the children love. Its new venture this year (2023) is Lilidorei 'a magical kingdom for children'. Alnwick is also famous for Barter Books a second hand book shop refurbished from an old Victorian railway station; quirky with open fires and armchairs and a small cafe. There are also shops and cafes in the town centre.
Bamburgh is of course famous for its Castle, home to the Anglo Saxon Kings of Northumbria. The Castle has stood for thousands of years guarding the Northumbria coast. The new venture for the Castle this year (2023) is the exhibition of costumes and props from 'The Last Kingdom' TV programme.
The Castle is a beautiful sight when it is lit up on a winters night. There is an amazing beach and atmosphere which is good for the soul. Its an ideal place to fly kites on a windy day. There are a few shops in the village including a good butchers shop and icecream shop as well as good eating places.
SEAHOUSES
Seahouses is a popular village with a long history of fishing. There are several boats that will take you out to the Farne Islands to see the Puffins and to the Longstone Lighthouse, the scene of Grace Darling's famous rescue. You will often see the seals and it is such a wonderful experience, especially in October time when the baby seals are born 'the white furry pups'.There are several fish restaurants and the Old Ship Inn which is a historic pub,as well as a variety of cusine among other eateries. The Farne Gift shop is an emporium, delighting both young an old. For Coffee, Cake and Icecream there is no better place than Coxons Coffee bar. A bustle of activity Seahouses has a variety of shops and an amusement centre to take care of those 'pennys'. The mini Golf is also another favourite with the children.
FORD & ETAL ESTATE
The Heatherslaw Light Railway heads out from Heatherslaw to Etal Castle. Hop off and visit the Castle and partake of refreshments at The
Lavender Tearooms or the Black Bull Inn, the only thatched pub in Northumberland. On your return to Heatherslaw visit the Mill and independent shops.
Ford Village is proud of The Lady Waterford Hall which was once the village school but now houses a unique collection of 19th century water colour murals.The village also boasts a quirky cottage with a door in the shape of a Horse shoe, which is now run as an antique/book shop. It was in use as a blacksmiths forge until the 1970s.
NORHAM
​
Norham (known locally as Norrum) stands beside the River Tweed, famous for salmon fishing. It is a typical Northumberland village with old stone houses around a village green, which has a market cross on a celtic base.
There is also a general store, a butchers shop, a bakers shop and a public house/former Coaching House (one of the oldest pubs in Northumberland).
St Cuthberts Church is set in a large churchyard and dates from 1165. It is partly of Norman origin and its 17century pulpit came from Durham Cathedral.
Ladykirk and Norham Bridge runs between the Scottish village of Ladykirk and the English parish of Norham.
Norham Castle is on the border between England and Scotland. It is a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. For 450 years Norham Castle was one of the greatest English strongholds, along the River Tweed, against the Scots. It was also one of the most frequently attacked. It was besieged 13 times, once for nearly a year by Robert the Bruce.
In 1513 James IV of Scotland invaded and took the castle but was later killed at the Battle of Flodden so Norham fell into English hands again.
PAXTON
Paxton is unusual in that its post town is Berwick upon Tweed, yet its council area is the Scottish Borders and it is in the Lieutenancy area of Berwickshire.
Paxton House is a Country House with a riverside setting, built between 1758 and 1795, for Patrick Home & Ninian Home. The house is famous for its nationally recognised collections of furniture, paintings and historical costumes, on loan from National Galleries Scotland . There are some beautiful grounds to walk around and different activities and events for both adults and children during the year.
It is also an ideal place to partake in Coffee/tea and cake etc in The Stables Tearoom.
Linking Scotland and England is the nearby Union Chain Bridge, opened in 1820 which was the longest wrought iron suspension bridge in the world. It was also the first of its kind in Britain.In October 2020 the timber deck and main suspension chains were removed to be refurbished. It is hoped that it will reopen in 2023.
Another gem to be found at Chainbridge is the Honey Farm. A family business since 1948. There is a visitor centre and shop selling all things made with honey. After a stroll outside among the 'old machinery' (tractors etc) and and memorabilia housed in a large building its a treat to have refreshments sat on a converted double decker bus ....now a cafe.
