Things To Do — The Nook Cottage, Wark

An excellent touring base, The Nook Cottage is near Hadrian's Wall, Roman forts, Hexham Abbey, and Kielder Water and Forest Park.

Riverside walks and meandering paths that loop through farmland are ideal for laidback ramblers. Nature-lovers will enjoy spotting the elusive otters from the bridge overlooking the North Tyne River. Walk along the riverbank to see large salmon and trout jump, and bring a picnic out to Gold Island where you can watch the aerodynamic sand martins overhead. Wark has a post office, a butcher, a convenience mart, a church, and two pubs.

The village of Wark is located within a short drive to the historic market town of Hexham, where tours of the Abbey and The Old Gaol provide a day's entertainment followed by a plethora of shops, cafes, and restaurants to visit. Break in your new hiking boots at Hareshaw Linn with a magical walk through an ancient woodland, crossing six bridges to reach an outstanding nine-metre high waterfall. A ten-minute drive from Wark, Bellingham has a pharmacy, petrol station, plenty of cafes and pubs, and an eighteen-hole golf course.

Wark and The Nook Cottage are on the 250-mile adventure across the land of dark skies in Northumberland. The Nook Cottage is a great base for your Northumberland250 adventure!

Hadrian's Wall & Housesteads

Hadrian's Wall & Housesteads

16 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

Stretching 73 miles from coast to coast, Hadrian's Wall was built to guard the wild north-west frontier of the Roman Empire. Housesteads Roman Fort is certainly worthwhile visit and takes you back to the Roman Empire. Sycamore Gap walk is a moderate 3 hour walk covering 5.2 miles (8.3 km). Download Sycamore Gap Walk Guide. | Download Hadrian's Wall Country Guide | Download Housesteads Guide

Kielder Water & Forest Park

Kielder Water & Forest Park

22 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

With over 600 square kilometres of forest and 27 miles of shoreline to choose from, Kielder Water & Forest Park is perfect for walking, and hiking family days out. Mountain Biking at Kielder offers the experience of some of the best single track trails in the UK with breath taking inspirational views. Download Kielder Water & Forest Park Guide

Hexham Abbey

Hexham Abbey

24 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

Hexham Abbey is a Grade I listed place of Christian worship dedicated to St Andrew, in the town of Hexham, Northumberland, in northeast England. Originally built in AD 674, the Abbey was built up during the 12th century into its current form, with additions around the turn of the 20th century.


Wallington Hall & Grounds

Wallington Hall & Grounds

32 minutes walk from The Nook Cottage

Discover Wallington, where an historical house meets rolling hills, woodlands and walled gardens. Gifted to you by Sir Charles Philips Trevelyan, Socialist MP and 'illogical Englishman', this 13,000 acre estate has something for everyone. Visit the enchanting walled garden and enjoy a refreshing walk along the river.

Hareshaw Linn in Bellingham

Hareshaw Linn in Bellingham

12 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

A wonderful walk towards a spectacular waterfall with rare plant life and wildlife on the way. More than 300 different types of mosses, liverworts and lichen can be found. The 'Linn' is also home to red squirrel, great spotted woodpecker, wood warbler, spotted flycatcher, badger and daubenton's bat.

Cragside Estate

Cragside Estate

53 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

Extraordinary Victorian house, gardens and woodland - the wonder of its age. Cragside, the dream home of Lord and Lady Armstrong - a Victorian house that was light-years ahead of its time. The home of hydroelectricity, Lord and Lady Armstrong used their wealth, art and science in an ingenious way.

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne

1 hour and 40 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, a name often shortened to "Holy Island" or to "Lindisfarne", is a tidal island off the coast of Northumberland some six miles north-west of Bamburgh. Lindisfarne is internationally famous both for its medieval religious heritage and also its more recent picturesque 16th century castle.

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens

35 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

Prepare to be enchanted by Belsay's Grecian architecture, medieval castle, and thirty acres of outstanding gardens. Roam through the unique micro-climate of the Quarry Garden with exotic plants around every twist and turn. Wander up the spiral staircase of the castle to see fantastic views over the Northumbrian countryside.

Chesters Roman Fort and Museum

Chesters Roman Fort and Museum

9 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

Chesters Roman Fort is the most complete Roman cavalry fort in Britain - wander around the unusually well-preserved baths and steam room, and the officers' quarters. Discover an amazing collection of Roman objects and inscriptions in the Clayton Museum.

Corbridge Roman Town

Corbridge Roman Town

21 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

Walk along the main street of this Roman garrison town, flanked by the remains of granaries, a fountain house, markets, workshops and temples. Corbridge was the most northerly town in the Roman Empire and one of only two on Hadrian's Wall, the other being at Carlisle.

Rothbury & River Coquet Walk

Rothbury & River Coquet Walk

50 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

Rothbury is at the heart of Northumberland's countryside. This traditional market town is a peaceful and picturesque haven. Known as the 'capital of Coquetdale' Rothbury is a scenic market town bustling with welcoming pubs, cafes, shops and galleries. Pleasant walks along the river Coquet.

Beamish, the Living Museum

Beamish, the Living Museum

54 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

Experience living, breathing history at Beamish Museum. The Living Museum of the North and discover what life was like in North East England during Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, war time and fifties Britain. Beamish is a living, working museum, set in a stunning 300-acres of County Durham countryside.

Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh Castle

1 hour 36 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

Travel through centuries of history. Immerse yourself in state rooms brimming with treasures. See the scenes of films such as Transformers The Last Knight and best selling Bernard Cornwell's Last Kingdom series brought to life.

Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle

1 hour 9 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

Alnwick Castle has over 950 years of history to discover, and the origins of the Castle date back to the Norman period. Since 1309, its story has been intertwined with that of the Percy family, a family with a history as illustrious as the castle's own.

The Alnwick Garden

The Alnwick Garden

1 hour 9 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

Alnwick Garden is a complex of formal gardens adjacent to Alnwick Castle in the town of Alnwick, Northumberland, England. The gardens have a long history under the dukes of Northumberland, but fell into disrepair until revived at the turn of the 21st century.

Bamburgh Castle & Craster

Dunstanburgh Castle & Craster

1 hour 20 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

Dunstanburgh Castle is a 14th-century fortification on the coast of Northumberland in northern England, between the villages of Craster and Embleton. The castle was built by Earl Thomas of Lancaster between 1313 and 1322. Enjoy lunch at The Jolly Fisherman Inn, Craster and then a walk along coast to Dunstanburgh Castle.

The Sill

The Sill

20 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre is open, including the cafe and shop, exhibitions and our stunning rooftop walk where you can enjoy spectacular views of the National Park. Let's care for our unique and special surroundings today, so that future generations can continue to enjoy them for years to come.

Spanish Gallery, Bishop Auckland

Spanish Gallery, Bishop Auckland

1 hour 4 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

Immerse yourself in the Spanish Golden Age at the first gallery dedicated to the art, history and culture of Spain. The Gallery tells a story of Golden Age Spanish art during the 16th and 17th centuries, exploring how its artists expressed the tension between yearning for eternity and the self-evident transience of life.

Vindolanda

Vindolanda

22 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

Vindolanda lies just to the south of the curtain wall of Hadrian's Wall and has a very different 'feel' to other sites along the Wall. It lies upon the first Roman frontier in the north - The Stanegate Road and in a stunning landscape which lets your imagination really connect with its past. You will probably visit Vindolanda by driving or walking along this road to reach the fort and museum.

Kirkharle Courtyard

Kirkharle Courtyard

26 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

Something for Everyone - Coffee, Food, Shopping, Country Walks, Historic Buildings, Play Area. Courtyard shops are open every day from 10am. Take a stroll around the serpentine lake and discover for yourself how the vision of English landscaping genius Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, known as 'the Shakespeare of gardening', is coming to life.

Farne Islands

Farne Islands

1 hour 30 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

The Farne Islands lie two to three miles off the Northumberland coast midway between the Seahouses and Bamburgh. There are between 15 and 20 islands depending on the state of the tide. From April until the end of July, these islands are dominated by one of the most exciting seabird colonies in the United Kingdom with unrivalled views of 23 species.

Stonehaugh Stargazing Pavilion

Stonehaugh Stargazing Pavilion

12 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

Stonehaugh Stargazing Pavilion is a free to access stargazing location in Kielder Forest and at the heart of the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park. Designed by students from Newcastle University the pavilion was opened in July 2014.

Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory

Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory

3 minutes walk from The Nook Cottage

The Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, is an accessible, public astronomical observatory offering talks, activities, stargazing and Astro courses to suit anyone from the absolute beginner to the professional.

Kielder Observatory

Kielder Observatory

40 minutes drive from The Nook Cottage

Kielder Observatory is one of the most remarkable places to visit in the whole of the UK. A public astronomical observatory, under some of the darkest skies in the world where you'll find 'infinite inspiration' and wonders you could never have imagined!

Other 'Things To Do' in the nearby region from The Nook Cottage include: Brocolitia Roman Temple, Chillingham Castle, Bamburgh Northumberland, Seahouses Northumberland, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Visit NewcastleGateshead, Angle of the North, Town of Jedburgh, City of Carlise, City of Durham.

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The Nook Cottage, Wark Northumberland is an exclusive self catering holiday accommodation. Please book online today or get in touch to plan your visit and stay in Northumberland.

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