Lilidorei is a popular destination for family days out in North East England. And as I discovered while strolling between the Christmas lights, Lilidorei is also somewhere that adults can visit together and have fun.
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Beautifully landscaped, The Alnwick Garden was created by the Duchess of Northumberland. Highlights include a cascading fountain, a vast treehouse and the world’s largest orchard of Japanese Taihaku — flowering cherry trees. Typically, the cherry trees in Alnwick blossom in late-April or early-May.
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At Mile Castle 39 we were fortunate enough to see a newborn lamb take its first tottering steps. With the umbilical cord still dangling from its belly, the minutes’ old lamb was led out of the 1,900-year-old historic site by its mother.
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As we walked into the enclosure one of the beasts let out a cry that sounded something between a roar of rage, a moo of deep pain and something the Star Wars character Chewbacca might utter in the heat of battle.
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Birds are chirping and geese are honking on the far side of the fairway as I raise the sash window of my vast guestroom at Maften Hall in rural Northumberland. It’s pleasant to wake with a view overlooking a championship standard golf course.
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Aiming to cycle around the lake inside of four hours while pausing along the way to view the landscape, birdlife and artworks proved a challenge. We underestimated. With the benefit of hindsight — now that I’ve climbed those hills on the northern shore — I’d pack a picnic and make a day of it. Kielder Castle, the various hides and artworks mean there’s plenty to spent time at along the way.
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Alnwick Castle is the modern-day family home of the Dukes of Northumberland. Sculpted stone figures depicting medieval soldiers top the crenallated tower above the castle’s bailey. Many visitors recognise the castle from the films Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. It has been used by filmmakers as sets in numerous movies, as well as Brancaster Castle in special editions of the popular Downton Abbey television series.
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As the location for surprise meal and overnight stay, Langley Castle proved memorable. I enjoyed the experience and would happily visit again.
When it comes to choosing date night locations the gauntlet is down — to use saying derived from issuing the challenge to a duel medieval times. I’m now going to have to raise my game.
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The Cookie Jar is in premises previously occupied by the Convent of Mercy. If you’re looking for a special treat, reserve the Chapel, a suite whose stained glass windows and name provide unmissable hints as to the room’s former use. We popped in for a glance around and were impressed by the sinfully opulent decor.
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Whenever myself my partner are in a place that serves scones we revive our long-running discussion about how ‘scone’ should be pronounced. I’m a firm believer that scone rhymes with ‘cone’.
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