What’s the craic?: Castles, Great Halls and Hadrian 's Wall

After an amazing sleep in a bed that you sink into and is just like a big warm hug and one if the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in we started the day early so went for a walk around Wall. Such a quaint little village a real Escape to the Country setting. Still looking for the mystery house.

After a full English breakfast we hit the road. First stop was Aydon and Prudhoe Castles but both were closed so only saw the outside. Next we drove up the Northumberland Coast to Warkworth Castlewhich is one of the strongest and most impressive fortresses in Northern England in an AONB. Stunning views from the castle made the trip very worth while. The castle is situated high above the river Coquette and the magnificent keep looks over the village. It was home to the Percy family the most powerful family in the region.

Next stop was Brinkburn Priory. Lucky we saw the caretaker as it was closed as well however he let's in so we coiltwalk around the outside. The beautifully restored 12th century church and adjoining manour house stand next to an picturesque river. The church is still used for blessings and worship.

Next stop Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens. Wow what a stunning location. First the Hall which was esigned by its owner Sorry Charles Mock. It was modern country house inspired by the ancient Classical temples of Greece. At the centre is a two story Pillar Hall. The views from the Hall are incredible.

Found the Mystery House.

The gardens are amazing filled with a wide variety of rare and exotic plants. Much of the planting is original. The walk through the quarry garden is like walking though a tropical rainforest. Complete with and pond fed from a underground water supply which also feeds the bog garden. When you leave this amazing path through the quarry garden to come to the Castle.

The Castle crowned with turrets is one of the best surviving examples of the fortified towers built along the Anglo-Scottish border during the turbulent times of the Middle Ages. You can climb the main spiral stairs to the roof for stunning views of the estate. The family moved from the castle to the Hall in 1817 transferring the estate from an ancient residence to a modern one.

Next stop Chester's Roman Fort and Clayton Museum. Here you find large masses of ruins rising from the field. The site was occupied by the Roman's until they left in the fifth century. The fort which straddles the wall is in the fields of the parkland of Chester once home to John Clayton who excavated the site. Here also the the wall started in AD 122 bridged over the river North Thyne was built. Chester's House can be seen from the strand it is an impressive structure in the landscape.

Last stop just outside the village Wall where we are stayed saw Brunton Turret. Crossing a farmers field we saw the remains of the turret. The reconstruction picture reminded me of the Great Wall of China. Or was that because I was using the walking stick I bought there. 