Ilderton Dod Barns
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Activities During Your Stay

Art Workshops

Amwood Art
Due to the copious amount of fantastic scenery in and around the farm, we have formed close links with Anthea who runs various print making workshops throughout the year, allowing customers to take what they see and turn it in to lasting keepsakes.  Linoprint workshops are run from Anthea's studio 5 miles away.  Please see 'Amwood Art' on Facebook or www.amwoodart.co.uk/workshops for further information.
​
Biteabout Arts
Anna runs basketry, willow sculpture and feltmaking workshops from her studio approximately 13 miles away.  Please see www.biteabout.co.uk for further information.

Places to Visit

​Ford and Etal Estate – Approx. 15 miles. Cafes, pub, Flodden battlefield, riverside walks, Heatherslaw light railway, heavy horse centre, 2 castles. www.ford-and-etal.co.uk/
Alnwick Castle and Gardens – Approx. 15 miles.  Home to the Duke of Northumberland and the setting for multiple films including Harry Potter and Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. www.alnwickcastle.com and alnwickgarden.com
Chillingham Castle – Approx. 8 miles.  Home to the famous Chillingham Wild Cattle, a unique breed.  Daily tours available – book in advance. chillinghamwildcattle.com and chillingham-castle.com
Holy Island (Lindisfarne) – Approx. 20 miles.  Cut off from the mainland twice a day (check link below or listen to Radio Newcastle for tide times).  Castle, priory, gift shops, cafes, pubs and beach walks.  But beware, everything shuts at 8pm, or earlier if the tide is in! www.tidetimes.org.uk/holy-island-tide-times
Dunstanburgh Castle – Approx. 20 miles.  English Heritage ruin on the coast with stunning views. www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dunstanburgh-castle
Warkworth Castle – Approx. 20 miles. English Heritage-run in a lovely little town. www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/warkworth-castle-and-hermitage
Bamburgh Castle – Approx. 20 miles.  Large, inhabited castle. www.bamburghcastle.com
Barter Books, Alnwick – Approx. 15 miles.  Oldest second-hand bookshop in the country, in the old station, with a great café. www.barterbooks.co.uk
Amble Market and Pods – Approx. 20 miles.  Best on a Sunday – fruit, veg, fish etc. plus pods selling artisan food and gifts etc. www.visitnorthumberland.com/.../shopping/markets/amble-market-day

Beaches

​The whole Northumberland Coast is stunning and nearly all sandy.  The best places to visit are (from north to south):
Cocklawburn
Holy Island
Ross Sands
Budle Bay
Bamburgh
Seahouses
Beadnell
Low Newton
Dunstanburgh
Sugar Sands (Longhoughton)
Boulmer
Alnmouth
Warkworth
Druridge Bay
There is a tourist route that takes you by road through many of these places.

Other

​Cycling – A section of the Sandstone Way (off road trail) runs past the door of The Barns and National Cycle Network route 68 passes the road end.  Pam can provide more information on routes if required.
Walking / running – The Pennine Way is within 2 miles and there are multiple footpaths and bridleways crossing the farm.  Each property has maps for suggested circular routes.
Astronomy – There is no light pollution as we are within Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, you may even see the Northern Lights.  A Sky Quality Meter reading was taken at the farm on 6th December 2018 measuring 21.024, which makes it one of the darkest locations in Northumberland International Dark Sky Park.  We have provided a set of binoculars for you to look at the stars, plus a torch and flask. 
Archaeology – The Threestoneburn Standing Stones are within 2 miles of the accommodation.  There are at least six ancient monuments on the farm – Roman camps, cup and ring marks and so on.
Wildlife – Birdlife is everywhere – see earlier. 
Horse riding – If you have brought your own horse, there are several bridleways through the farm or close by – Pam can provide maps.  For pony trekking (including on Holy Island) we recommend Kimmerston Riding Centre north of Wooler (01668 216283). www.facebook.com/kimmerstonridingcentre123/
Trail hunting – Newcastle and District Beagles, The West Percy Hunt and the College Valley Hunt sometimes come onto the farm and can be interesting to watch.
 
Please see Northumberland National Park website for more details regarding Dark Skies, wildlife, archaeology etc.

Cafes

Ingram Cafe (Ingram), www.facebook.com/cafeingram/
The Milk Bar (Wooler), www.doddingtonmilkbar.co.uk
Terrace Café (Wooler), www.facebook.com/people/The-Terrace-Cafe-Wooler/100051203692461
Lavender Tearoom (Etal), www.lavendertearooms.org.uk
Heatherslaw Tearoom (Ford / Etal), www.ford-and-etal.co.uk/eateries/heatherslaw-tearoom
Barter Books (Alnwick), www.barterbooks.co.uk
Carnaby’s (North Charlton), www.carnabyscafe.co.uk
Sunnyhill’s (Belford), www.sunnyhills.co.uk
The Running Fox (Longframlington / Felton / Shilbottle / Longhoughton – booking advisable), runningfoxbakery.co.uk
Nelson's in the Park (Swarland - booking advisable). nelsonsswarland.co.uk

Pubs / Restaurants

The Milan (Italian, Wooler, booking essential), www.facebook.com/MilanWooler
The Black Bull (cheap pub food, Wooler), 01668 281309
Tankerville Arms (posher pub food, Eglingham not Wooler, booking advisable), www.tankervillearms.com
The Percy Arms (posher pub food, Chatton, booking essential), percyarmschatton.co.uk
​The Three Wheatheads (cheap but great quality pub food, Thropton). www.threewheatheads.co.uk

Location

A GREAT PLACE

  • for walkers (Pennine Way is 2 miles away)
  • for mountain bikers, along the Sandstone Way
  • for ornithologists and nature lovers
  • for star gazers
  • for groups, families and couples

Contact Us

Ilderton Dod Barns
Powburn
Alnwick
Northumberland
NE66 4JL
Picture
  • Home
  • The Barn
  • Cuckoo Cottage
  • Location
  • Marked Walks
  • Cycle Facilities
  • Booking
  • Gallery
  • Reviews
  • Links
  • Contact
  • Activities
  • FAQ