Ninebanks is a great place to step off the treadmill of everyday life and enjoy peace, tranquillity and relaxation.
Whether you are socialising and catching up with friends, spending time with the family or taking time for yourself, Ninebanks and the surrounding area have plenty to offer.
The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) where Ninebanks is situated is one of England’s most special and unspoilt places. We have open heather moors and peatlands, rolling dales, tumbling upland rivers, leafy woods and a wealth of bird, animal and plant life for our visitors to enjoy. You can find out more about the AONB here.
The Ninebanks site itself is the perfect place to switch off and relax. From a peaceful morning cuppa watching the sun rise to seeing the sun set colours light up the hills, gathered round the chimenea or firepit outside with friends, or round the table indoors with a relaxing meal, a glass of the local ale and perhaps a board game or two, there is so much to enjoy without venturing any further. And before you head up to bed, remember the North Pennines is renowned for its Dark Skies, so look out and up for some of the starriest skies you will ever see – clouds permitting!
For those of a more adventurous mind there are plenty of tracks and trails straight from the property into the surrounding valley and moorlands. You can set out on foot or bike and spend as much time as you like exploring and enjoying the beautiful countryside all around. You can find your way along some of Isaac’s Tea Trail, a 36 mile circular walk inspired by an itinerant tea seller who walked these fells in the distant past.
Find out more about Isaac’s Tea Trail here and for one woman’s entertaining tales of the Trail read Walking Isaac’s Tea Trail
Just a short car ride away you can find pubs, cafes and shops in interesting villages and towns, such as:
Allendale with The Forge art gallery and studios and, for those who like their Daleks, there’s the Classic Museum of Sci-Fi. Nearby Allen Mills has the Allendale Brewery’s shop and a cafe and gift shop. Discover more about Allendale here.
Alston is the highest town in England and is home to both the South Tyne Railway with the opportunity to ride on a steam train and the Epiacum Roman Fort to visit. Read more about Alston’s attractions here.
If you like a larger market town then head to Hexham. There’s the Abbey, a town trail, small shops, the Old Gaol and sometimes a market all packed into one place.
Ninebanks is also not far from the world heritage site of Hadrian’s Wall, with its many forts, museums and opportunities to walk in breath-taking countryside. Visit their website to find out more about the many opportunities to enjoy this world-famous site.
Beyond Hadrian’s Wall country is Kielder Forest which has a wonderful sculpture trail, observatory and much more.
If you’re staying with us a while and have time to venture further, why not explore the wild Northumberland coast? There’s the sandy beach and dunes at Druridge Bay and coastal towns, villages and castles galore. Discover the coastal area here.
A couple of miles inland is the impressive market town of Alnwick with its castle, the famous outdoor attraction Alnwick Gardens, and our favourite, Barter Books, one of the largest secondhand book shops in the UK.
Heading east brings you to Beamish, the hugely popular open air museum, in County Durham. To the south is Cumbria and the Lake District with it many attractions – it is just an hour’s drive to Ullswater, the northern fells and Keswick.
