The Tour of Britain – cycling in the Scottish Borders in previous years

Saturday, September 14, will see a celebration of cycling in the Scottish Borders with The Tour Ride Scotland sportive getting amateur cyclists onto the road just 24 hours before the professional teams get underway.

Ahead of the event, professional cyclists Rob Partridge and Marcin Bialoblocki from Team UK Youth joined local riders at Drumlanrig Castle ahead of the ‘Grand Depart Weekend’ of the 2013 Tour of Britain.

Stage One of the 10th Tour of Britain will depart from Peebles towards Drumlanrig Castle on Sunday 15 September featuring some of the world’s top riders. The 2012 Scottish stage from Jedburgh to Drumfries was won by the Manx-Missile Mark Cavendish, with the newly crowned Tour de France and Olympic Champion Sir Bradley Wiggins part of the Team Sky lead out.

Riders from Team UK Youth joined Race Director Mick Bennett and representatives from event partners EventScotland, Dumfries & Galloway Council and Scottish Borders Council to launch The Tour Ride Scotland route, with the help of The Scottish Cycle Museum based at the castle.

The Tour Ride Scotland sportive will kick off the weekend with up to 1,000 riders tackling two exciting routes in Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders. The 100-mile Pro Ride will run from Peebles in the Scottish Borders to Drumlanrig Castle along some of the roads the professionals will race on 24-hours later.

Cyclists also have the choice of a 50-mile ride, which starts and finishes at Drumlanrig Castle, where riders will experience the exciting build up to The Tour Grand Depart.

The 100-mile route features the beautiful Tweed and Ettrick Valley’s with some testing climbs on peaceful roads during the route through to Dumfries & Galloway.

The shorter Challenge Ride gives amateur cyclists the chance to experience the closing kilometres of the opening stage of The Tour of Britain, and be a part of the weekend’s activities in and around Drumlanrig Castle.

Riders on both routes can look forward to support from Tour partners Maxifuel, Specialized, Costa Express, Highland Spring and Soreen plus many others on the day.

“The Tour of Britain celebrates its tenth anniversary this September, so we are working to ensure a Grand Depart to remember in Scotland”, said Race Director Mick Bennett.

“We look forward to as many people as possible joining us to ride The Tour Ride route on the Saturday and get the weekend off to a spectacular start.”

The UCI Continental team, Team UK Youth, is owned and underwritten by Nigel Mansell CBE, and raises awareness, and the profile, of the charities projects across the UK, at no cost to the charity whatsoever. You can see, and support the team at all of the major cycling events in the UK, including The Pearl Izumi Tour Series and The Tour of Britain.

David Povall, Team Manager of Team UK Youth said: “The Tour Rides are a fantastic opportunity for the cycling community and the wider general public to experience, some or all, of a Tour of Britain stage.

“If any motivation is needed to undertake these well-organised, challenging, sportive events – raising money for the 102 year old National Charity – UK Youth – would be much appreciated.”

To find out more and to enter The Tour Ride Scotland, please visit www.thetour.co.uk/tourride

‘Life in Geordieland’ blogger Rachel Kershaw getting to grips with the ‘Geordieland’ Twitter map

NewcastleGateshead Initiative, one of the UKs most successful destination marketing organisations, is at the at the forefront of visitor information provision in the digital era with the launch of a Twitter-powered online map called ‘Geordieland’ (www.geordielandmap.com).

‘Geordieland’ plots Twitter content from venues, attractions, shops, bars, restaurants and individuals on an illustrated map of NewcastleGateshead. It is designed to inspire visitors and locals alike and is available online from Monday (20 May) via mobile platforms like smartphones and tablets, as well as desktop computers.

Sarah Stewart, chief executive at the destination management and marketing organisation, said: “Geordieland is a unique website that really allows visitors and residents to immerse themselves in the vibrant personality of the place and make the most of the time they spend in NewcastleGateshead. The map allows us to harness the power of social media, and brings together all the fascinating information already shared on Twitter across the destination in one easy to use platform.”

‘Geordieland’ was designed by Newcastle-based creative agency, Drummond Central. It allows users to search for inspiration by filtering content by themes covering food & drink, accommodation, nightlife, shopping and things to see & do.

The platform also pulls through live Tweets from users who have their Twitter location services switched-on, Sarah added: “We’re encouraging Twitter fans to use #Geordieland in their posts. By incorporating live Tweets from members of the public, as well as venues and businesses in the city, we can ensure content is always dynamic and recommendations are available to Geordieland users from the people who know the place best, our local residents.”

Geordieland is the latest in a series of digital advancements by NewacstleGateshead Initiative which have included launching one of the UKs first destination smartphone apps, and website developments that have seen a growth in unique visitors at www.NewcastleGateshead.com to more than a million in 2012, an increase of +71% versus the previous year.

The organisation is also working with VisitEnagland’s ‘Fan in a Van’, Rachel Kershaw (31), who last year spent ten weeks travelling the length and breadth of the country following the Olympic Torch. Now back home in Fenham, Newcastle, Rachelwho works as a creative writer for Bauer Media at Metro Radio, has partnered with NewcastleGateshead Initiative to launch a new destination blog, www.lifeingeordieland.com.

Rachel said: “I had such a fantastic time travelling the length and breadth of the country during the Olympic Torch relay and blogging about my experiences for VisitEngland. Many of my most memorable were right here in the North East, in particular seeing Bear Grylls zip-wire off the Tyne Bridge and I’ve just recently followed in his footsteps!

“Although I’m from Lancashire I feel like a Geordie at heart and love the place I’ve called home for the past 10 years. I am sure ‘Geordieland’ and my blog will help inspire locals and visitors to really explore all the brilliant experiences I’ve truly enjoyed jumping into over the last few weeks.”

Dunstanburgh Golf Club

Northumberland Wildlife Trust is working towards the launch of a scheme to assist golf clubs in managing their courses in ways that will have a positive impact on the natural environment.

It is championing the concept of connected landscapes through a national ‘Living Landscapes’ project to ensure wildlife has room to move about and adapt to change.

Many golf clubs control a considerable amount of wildlife-rich land in Northumberland and the surrounding region. Bamburgh Golf Club has outcrops of rare whin grassland while Dunstanburgh has valuable dune habitats as well and whin grassland. The City of Newcastle Golf Club regularly has otters visiting its course. The Trust is seeking the views of as many golf clubs as possible on a number of conservation issues and would be grateful if either a committee member, grounds man, club secretary or captain could log on at: www.nwt.org.uk/golfclubs and complete the short questionnaire.

The information received will then enable the wildlife charity to validate and refine the scheme, prior to seeking funding for pilot testing and a possible launch in 2014.

Puffins in Northumberland. Credit: Shahram Rezai

As part of the Amble Puffin Festival, Northumberland Wildlife Trust will be hosting two guided walks from Amble to its Hauxley nature reserve on Wednesday 22 May and Wednesday 29 May.

Both walks will start at 1.30pm prompt from the Amble Tourist Information Centre, Northumberland, next to the Town Square, and head across the sands to the wildlife charity’s Hauxley nature reserve where walkers will get the chance to check out the bird life from various hides; an expert will provide interesting commentary on wildlife and landscapes throughout the journey.

The terrain is rough/uneven so appropriate footwear and clothing is advisable. The walk is 4km each way.

Should anybody prefer to walk just to Hauxley, transport back to Amble can be provided if pre-booked. Children are welcome but must be able to manage the distance.

The cost is £5 per person (under 10s free) which includes tea and cake. Booking is essential and places are limited so call Laura Lowther at Northumberland Wildlife Trust now on: 0191 2846884 to secure a place.

Amble Puffin Festival has been inspired by the colony of 36,000 puffins nesting on the nearby seabird sanctuary of Coquet Island, just a mile off Amble.

As part of the Amble Puffin Festival, Northumberland Wildlife Trust is inviting members of public of all ages to join its People & Wildlife Team at a rockpooling event to discover the marine life that exists in the rockpools of Amble.

The free event takes place on Monday 27 May between 10.00am and 2.00pm. Park in the Amble Links car park (opposite Amble Links Primary School) and follow the signs down to the beach. Nets, equipment and identification books will be provided.

Should you tire of the rockpooling, a team of volunteers from the Trust will be carrying out a litter pick on the beach, and would love your support.

If you prefer things a little less watery, join the wildlife charity on Sunday 19 May between 2.00pm and 5.00pm in Amble Town Square for a variety of wildlife-inspired fund and activities. There is a charge of £2.20 to cover materials.

Blyth Battery Northumberland re-enactment event is set for May 18 and 19.

On 18 and 19 May Blyth Battery goes to war. Northumberland’s premier re-enactment or living history event is set for war.

There will be vintage vehicles and displays exhibiting not only the military way of living, but how the public lived and made it through the war years of both WW1 and WW2.  Re-enactors from all over England and Scotland will be taking part to give a full weekend of family fun.

A key feature of the weekend were scenes played out by re-enactment groups including a ‘beach assault’ each day with blank firing weapons which will provide some huge bangs and spectacular scenario.

Groups travelled from the west of Scotland, all over the north of England to take part in the re-creation of events of the time, and also featured are the artillery, mortars and grenades, as well as machine guns, living history displays and military vehicles including an original 1944 American M24 ‘Chaffee’ light tank.

There will be weapon talks and firing displays, and a mine clearance demonstration for the family to enjoy. There will also be a display each day by 1914 Gordon Highlanders, culminating in a short attack scenario in the Amphitheatre.

Mary Allison, Blyth battery volunteers said: “We are all very excited about this year’s event. It will be truly spectacular with what we and the re-enactors have planned. I am especially looking forward to the Beach battles and the Musical entertainment, with Colin Bourdaic and his tribute to George Formby and local girl Chloe Watson keeping everyone entertained throughout the weekend.

“I hope the weather is kind to us and people are able to come along and enjoy a really great weekend.”

Entry and car parking for the event is free, with extra event parking within easy walking distance (5 minutes or under), please look out for the event parking signs. Event parking on the rugby fields just off links road is especially for this event.

Arthur Cranson, Northumberland County Council’s coastal warden for South East Northumberland said: “The event has been run between the Northumberland County Council and Blyth Battery Volunteers. The battle scenes, in particular are going to be spectacular to behold I hope that everyone enjoys.

“The Blyth Battery event has been made possible because of the big success of last year and this year is going to be bigger and better! All the re-enactors and living historians who come along with their weapons and displays do so voluntarily so please respect them and their possessions and be careful whilst going around.”

More details can be found on the Blyth Battery website, or below.

Northumberland National Park

A much-loved village inn is making a comeback thanks to a grant from Northumberland National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) in time for the 10^th Anniversary of the Hadrian’s Wall National Trail.

The Samson Inn at Gilsland, at the far south-west corner of the National Park on the Cumberland border, closed in the summer of 2012 when the former landlord died and it has remained empty ever since. It is one of the last surviving working pubs of three that the village and surrounding agricultural area once kept busy and is situated just 50 metres from the National Trail path.

The new landlords, Mr Liam McNulty and Mrs Lauren Harrison, run Willowford Farm – an organic livestock farm and Bed and Breakfast. They bought the inn with the aim of creating a vibrant village pub for both locals and tourists and of promoting good local food and ales. They also intend to make better use of the upstairs space to create four, high-quality, en-suite bedrooms for holidaymakers. The refurbishment overall will result in at least four full-time equivalent jobs being created once the premises open.

Liam and Lauren Samson of the Samson Inn, Gilsland, Northumberland

Liam and Lauren applied for an SDF grant to help with upgrading the facilities including the exterior, the toilets, and the bar and restaurant areas. The SDF Grants Panel awarded them £11,625 to help towards these costs, since the project would benefit other local residents, accommodation providers and local food producers, and because its position will provide a service to visitors to Hadrian’s Wall and beyond.

Speaking for the SDF Grants Panel, Anna Charlton said: ”The reopening and refurbishment of the Samson Inn will go a long way to help make the village sustainable. After all, the pub is at the heart of any community. It is promising to see a reversal in the recent trend of rural pub closures.”

New landlord, Liam McNulty, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support that we’ve had from the community, the village pub is so important to everyone and we can’t wait to get open!”

Lauren Harrison, landlord and partner, added: “We’re really grateful for the help from Northumberland National Park. It means we’re able to make the pub really warm and inviting and we’ll have a lovely beer garden too.”

Gilsland, close to the village of Greenhead which holds the Hadrian’s Wall Farmer’s Market on the second Sunday of every month, is a centre for visitors touring Hadrian’s Wall and other features of historical interest in this area of rugged Border country, popularised by the Romantic novelist Sir Walter Scott. Situated between Brampton and Haltwhistle, it is famous for the historic Gilsland Spa, Mumps Ha’ (Meg Merrilees), and the Popping Stones in the picturesque Irthing Gorge. The village is on the Hadrian’s Wall National Trail. Around 30,000 visitors walk this section each year. The accommodation would be available for visitors walking the Trail with bar lunches on offer to walkers passing through the village during the day and bar meals to those staying at other Guest Houses in or near the village in the evenings. Gilsland is a couple of miles south of RAF Spadeadam which often has visiting personnel also needing local accommodation and meals.

Tony Gates, Chief Executive of Northumberland National Park, who sits on the board of Northumberland Tourism, was pleased to see more provision for visitors, he said: “The National Park Authority is delighted to see a new outlet for local food and provision for tourism at a gateway to the National Park. We have seen so many rural inns and businesses closed in recent years that this is a refreshing change. We have set a pretty stretching target to grow the visitor economy in Northumberland by 6% over the next few years, and its small businesses like the Samson Inn which will help to get us there. The Samson Inn is sure to become a valuable local amenity and we wish the new landlords every success.”

Northumberland bluebells at dawn. Credit: Kevin O’Hara

Well let’s hope this is spring because my old bones are becoming very weary of the cold!

It was an astonishing turnaround in temperature shift too – one minute I was in my long-johns (there’s a picture for the ladies!) and the next minute I was defrocking myself down at the allotment under beautiful sunshine, singing birds, buzzing bees and a warm southerly breeze. Literally, over- night the temperatures leapt 10 degrees and what a change it made all round.

Things have still been a slow as everything is about two or three weeks behind, but still it is here and there is a host of summer migrants and visitors flocking in.

The change happened so quickly that whilst I was watching my son and his rugby team demolish Percy Park RFC in the beautiful spring sunshine, I heard my first chiff chaff and left the park watching about 20 waxwings high up a poplar, next to the main stand … quite bizarre!

It must be my age getting to me now, but I was ready for it in so many ways, most worthy was the ability to actually get a load of outstanding work projects completed – some, because of the weather and ground conditions, have been outstanding since the autumn.

A rabbit makes an appearance near Kevin’s home

I have been wielding my chainsaw and planting trees with some of our fine volunteers – searching for newts and playing in the river creating habitats for fish and foes alike, as we completed some bank stabilisation and flow deflection works plus an artificial log pile otter holt. It’s all been a bit of a rush, but again, at least the weather is with us and works can progress without interruption.

Recapping, spring came along overnight about three weeks late in mid to late April, I planted out my broad beans and new potatoes, sowed many brassicas and hardened my tomatoes off. Ooh err, but best of all if anyone is as techno- sad as me, I got my latest iPhone app into real use for the first time, allowing me to record with ease ‘on the hoof’, the first views and calls of returning willow warblers and sand martins. It is exceedingly useful and you can then compare records with previous years on-line. This, along with my gardening records, go back quite a way, and it has been useful to compare the similarities between sowing success and the arrival times of certain migrants as they are all tied into the overall temperature range.

Surprisingly, do you know what? Apart from last year as we had a heat wave in March, there is actually, up here, in my life circle anyway, not a lot of difference over the past ten years or so; everything seems to be more or less even as everything stays within a roughly two to three week range. Some years it’s early, some it’s late, that’s just the way it is.

Walking my border terrorists at this time of the year has it additional worries; as Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail have usually been quite busy and the abundance of juvenile bunnies is of little solace to the unfortunate few who fall foul of the beasts.

However, this year we have had more mouths to feed as it would appear foxes are denning nearby and their eventide forays continue to amuse me if not my pack of errant hounds. There must be cubs about to surface as there is now a well-worn trail back and forth to the denning area which is littered with bit of creature rabbit feet, chicken drumsticks and pigeon wings.

Generally, the emergence of fox cubs is in ‘sync’ with bluebells but, like everything else, these are way behind schedule, so I am waiting with baited breath to see when they first appear, as they are always entertaining, if not a bit mischievous. At least, where I live there is a fair degree of common sense in the neighbourhood, with realising they are not really going to snatch you from your bed at night and that if you give them an opportunity they will exploit it, so generally people don’t.

My chickens have long gone to a larger farm flock so we have nothing to encourage them other than scraps from the bird table, which is being ‘run down’ anyway now as the birds are breeding and natural foods are becoming more abundant elsewhere.

The same however cannot be said for my local country park; why do people feed ducks so much white bread and other stodge thinking they are helping ‘wildlife’? It drives me mad seeing such useless waste being fed to what essentially is an eclectic mix of farmyard ducks and pest species, such as Canada geese and RATS, not wildlife! The only thing that prospers are the rats, it’s horrible, and duck feeding should be curtailed because even none ‘pest’ species, like mute swan become ‘pests’ and overly reliant on a food source that essentially is very bad for them and, more to the point, something they don’t need. This belief that they are hungry is wrong; at my park they even installed signs saying, ‘duck feeding area’. This was of course quickly replaced by the wit to ‘rat feeding station’ – not by me, I hasten to add, but still to no avail of course, as some people return day after day with buckets of food stuff.

But this ailment aside, you can probably tell it has all come as some relief – the warm weather and birdsong. Evening strolls have now become a more pleasurable experience for both me and the dogs, out of the breeze and I can ponder with a big smile on my face as perhaps just perhaps summer is just around the corner.

This month I will be mainly looking out for spring flowers, ransoms and blue bells will all feature this month and I might even find time to dangle a fly for a wily trout, we will just have to wait and see where the spring breeze takes us.

Bright lights, big city . . . Sleeperz Hotel, Newcastle upon Tyne

Ready for a city break? Newcasle upon Tyne has it all!

If you are looking for culture, nightlife, fine food, great new and old architecture, art and sheer fun, you will be spoilt for choice in this great Northern city.

We are giving you a chance to experience the culture of Newcastle-Gateshead on the Queyside and visit the Baltic gallery and the Sage, a stunning purpose-built music and arts centre.

On the north side of the Tyne in Newcastle is an array of riverside bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants. There is such such a range of culture and eateries all in one place, visitors are catered for during the day and at night.

We have teamed up with Sleeperz Newcastle, the city’s first and only design-led premium budget hotel, to offer a lucky reader a chance to win a two-night stay for two with breakfast.

One of the rooms at Newcastle’s newest hotel, Sleeperz

This Newcastle accommodation is a budget hotel with a difference, more boutique in style than basic and featuring innovative cutting-edge interior design and bespoke furnishings and fittings.

The building was a actually a derelict parcel works and now it has been transformed into a sleek modern 98-bedroom glass fronted hotel.

Clever space saving furnishings such as a pull out luggage rack, floating shelving and wet rooms with underfloor heating and steam proof mirrors provide comfort and space for guests.

Rooms include beds built bespoke for Sleeperz and the bathroom pods were built by the same welders who once built Bentley cars in Coventry.

The Newcastle accommodation is just two minutes from Newcastle Central Station. It is situated in the heart of the city centre close to the city’s upmarket bars, restaurants, cafe’s and cultural venues.

Sleeperz opened it first UK hotel in Cardiff in 2008 and has plans to open in London, Liverpool and Manchester by 2015. Rates start from £60 with free wi-fi, local calls and breakfast.

It is free to enter this contest. All we ask is that your email address be used by Sleeperz so they can send you their newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time via a link in the email.

Please note if you use an invalid address to enter this contest, you entry may be disqualified.

We respect your privacy and will not give or sell any of your details to a third party.

This contest closes on July 8, 2013.

The breakfast area, Sleeperz, Newcastle, is cool, light and airy. The look is Scandinavian with a touch of Mad Men!

Contest rules: Only one entry per person and entrants must be 18-years-old or over and live in the UK. The draw will be conducted by an independent party and the winner will be the first name selected at random from all entries.

The stay is valid from Sunday to Thursday and is dependant on availability. After the winner has been selected, he/she will receive a confirmation letter with a voucher code so that he/she can contact Sleeperz to arrange collection the prize. The break must be taken before the close of 2014.

This prize is a two-night stay at Sleeperz Newcastle for two people, occupying one room.  Breakfast is included as part of the prize. The prize is not transferable and no cash substitute or alternative will be offered. Please note that you will be responsible for all transport to, from and around Newcastle upon Tyne, as well as extras such as meals, drinks and spending money.

Owners, employees, contractors and family members of Sleeperz Hotels and Northumberland First are prohibited from entering this contest.

ThePrizeFinder – UK Competitions

Cyclists climb to the top of Lyham Bank, Northumberland, in the Wooler Wheel

Making the Wooler area the cycling capital of north Northumberland is behind this year’s extended programme of events organised by Wooler Cycle Hub.

With thousands of riders, supporters and their families expected to visit the area to attend the main events in May and October, the organisers have urged local businesses to take advantage of the increased footfall in the area.

After the hugely successful Wooler Wheel 100km cycle ride last October, the requests from entrants for a ride earlier in the year has prompted the organisers to set up a three new events this May.

On Saturday, May 11 the first Wooler Wheel 160 will take place, extending last year’s 100km route southwards to Coquetdale and into Northumberland National Park. There will also be a 100km and 80km route on offer too.

Beth Mills, chairperson of Wooler Cycle Hub, said: “Last year’s event brought in 350 riders to the area, and all their families, so the events are a great opportunity for local businesses to get on board and generate increased footfall through their doors.

“The events in May and October are an opportunity to showcase the region, our businesses and the friendly welcome people receive in north Northumberland. If we can do that successfully then people will come back to Wooler and the surrounding area again and again of their own accord.”

Beth added: “We have already had some support from local businesses, in terms of items and discount vouchers for the riders’ goody bags. The events are the perfect vehicle for local firms to generate increased business around the actual events themselves, and subsequently, and we would love more businesses to get on board.”

A simple 10 per cent voucher off accommodation, a meal or a shopping bill could be just the thing to tempt riders and their families to spend money at local businesses, stay for a weekend later in the year, or recommend a great pub or restaurant to friends.

The events have attracted a high-profile sponsor in the form of Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative, but more are always welcome to join them.

With a website (http://woolerwheel.com), a Facebook page and Twitter, the events also offer online promotional opportunities for businesses actively supporting the rides.

Also in this year’s programme are free on and off-road guided leisure rides, including ones tied in with the Glendale Festival, the exhibition of the Lindisfarne Gospels at Durham Castle and the Flodden 500th anniversary.

The Wooler Wheel 100 and 50 events will again take place in October.

The not-for-profit Wooler Cycle Hub and the Wooler Wheel events have already gained the backing and support of Northumberland National Park, VisitNorthumberland and Northumberland County Council.

For more information on the events programme see http://woolerwheel.com

Climbing tree at the National Trust’s Wallington, Morpeth, Northumberland

A 45-foot-high Nootka Cypress evergreen has been chosen as the best tree to climb in the whole of the National Trust.

The National Trust is following last year’s success, when 40,000 kids signed up to the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ initiative. It has drawn up a new list of outdoor adventures, including fifteen new experiences recommended by children.

Armed with the new list of activities, the National Trust then set about finding the ultimate places where each of the 50 things activities could be enjoyed at their places in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. According to the conservation charity, two of the 50 activities are best experienced right here in the North East including climbing a tree at Wallington and camping out in the wild at Gibside.

The tree came at the top of the list, as its trunk height and branches make it ideal for mini adventurers.

The conservation charity then asked more than 1,700 kids to vote for their top 10 activities from the list of 50, and set about finding the ultimate National Trust places in the North East where they could be enjoyed.

Over half of the children questioned (63 per cent) chose tree climbing, den building and bike riding as the top three activities, with half (51 per cent) agreeing that tree climbing was one of their favourite activities as it is the most challenging.

The top ten activities and best places in the North East to do them include:
1. Go on a really long bike ride – Cragside, Rothbury

2. Build a den – Allen Banks and Staward Gorge, Bardon Mill
3. Climb a tree – Wallington, Cambo
4. Cook on a campfire – Cherryburn, Stocksfield
5. Hunt for fossils and bones – Northumberland Coast
6. Discover what’s in a pond – Washington Old Hall, Washington
7. Track wild animals – Gibside, Rowlands Gill
8. Hold a scary beast – Souter Lighthouse, Whitburn
9. Go bird watching – Farne Islands, Seahouses
10. Go on a walk barefoot – Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island.

Jessica Swales, National Trust Kids Council member and tree climbing ambassador (aged 8), commented: “I have completed every activity from the 50 things to do before you’re 11¾ list and tree climbing is my favourite thing to do outdoors, so I’m really glad other children really like it too. I love playing outside and climbing this big tree at Wallington with my friends was great fun. I can’t wait to get outside and start ticking off the new 50 things list!”

Julie Tucker, Events and Promotions Manager at Wallington said:
“We are passionate about getting children outdoors and we want to encourage kids everywhere to play outside and connect with nature, so we’re thrilled at how many under 12s have been engaging with the 50 things initiative. This inspired the Trust to source the nation’s best place to climb a tree and we’re delighted that Wallington’s Nootka tree has been chosen. To find out what you can do and where, either as part of an event or under your own steam, you can download a planner from www.nationaltrust.org.uk/northeast”

To help kids tick off their list, over the summer the National Trust has over 7,000 50-things-inspired activities taking place around the UK, with hundreds of events happening over this bank holiday weekend. In the North East you can go on a dawn chorus Ramble with a Ranger at Gibside, enjoy kite making at Souter Lighthouse or head over to Wallington for their Spring Outdoors Fayre, as Julie explains:

“Our Spring Outdoors Fayre this bank holiday weekend is a great chance to get started with the new list of 50 things do to before you’re 11 3/4 activities, and to have a go at climbing our Nootka tree of course. We’ve got lots going on for adults as well as children.”