So, not even a week into the new year and I had to take my new car for a test drive. Originally, I wanted to head up north to the Scottish Highlands, but with warnings of heavy snow, I decided to take a trip to the northeast of England instead. It turned out to be a fantastic little adventure. A test drive to remember: castles and the countryside of the North East of England.
Dunstanburgh Castle: Ruins on the Edge of the Sea
On my first day I attempted to visit Cragside but it was so busy the carpark had closed. I decided to just head to Dunstanburgh Castle (which I intended to go the next day!) The walk to the castle from Craster was as much a part of the adventure as the destination itself. The path hugged the coastline, with the waves crashing below and the ruins slowly coming into view in the distance. Walking along the beach with the heavy wind and rain, it was very busy. Lots of families walking to and from the castle. The paths were a little icy and I nearly slipped a few times. I forgot my hat and gloves so I was extra cold. Afterwards I headed to my hotel in Alnwick for the night as I was getting quite tired. I had my dinner and then headed to Aldi for some snacks and juice for the next day.
Cragside: A Victorian Wonder
The next morning I decided to head straight to Cragside for its opening. It was already so busy and the cars were queued up waiting to get in. My first stop was the gift shop to buy myself a hat and some gloves. I walked through the gardens, down the river and across many bridges, unfortunately a large area of the country park was closed off due to the severe weather. Although I still managed to explore quite a bit, I ended up inside Cragside House to enjoy their Christmas story and gain some warmth. The warmth was well needed and it felt like a mini Christmas in January with all the decorations.
Bamburgh Castle: A Coastal Icon
Around lunch time I drove about an hour to Bamburgh Castle. I’ve had this place saved to the ‘castles I want to photograph’ tag on Google maps for a while now. The castle was absolutely fantastic, though I’ll admit my heart still leans toward the castles of Scotland, maybe I’m a little bias. Standing inside the castle walls next to the cannons, I took in the stunning views of the surrounding countryside and The Farne Islands.I visited the shop and cafe and bought myself another hat and a hot chocolate to warm up and spotted a rainbow and I was in awe. The rainbow felt like my perfect reward for my spontaneous winter adventure. I would have liked to take a longer walk along the beach but it was getting late in the day and I had a long drive home.
Return to Scotland
I couldn’t resist taking a rest stop at the border between Scotland and England to snap some photos of the signposts. I sat for a while and ate my chocolate brownie and enjoying the feelings of satisfaction of the journey so far. With my car door open, I enjoyed the fresh air. Though I had a long drive ahead, sitting at the border gave me a comforting sense of ‘Home’.
This trip turned out to be the perfect way to kick off the year. It was a great test for my new car, and it reminded me of how much I enjoy the freedom of a road trip. From the coastal ruins of Dunstanburgh to the Victorian marvels of Cragside and the towering presence of Bamburgh Castle, each stop offered something unique.
I cannot wait for the summer months, when these little trips can become longer and more adventure-filled. This journey has set the tone for what I hope will be a year full of exploration, discovery, and unforgettable moments behind the wheel and through the camera lens. Until then, I’ll keep exploring, one trip at a time.
