Richard’s guidebook; Otterburn and the Surrounding Area
Places to Visit
Here's just a handful of some of the fab local places to visit while you stay;
Kielder water is about a 25 minute drive away from Otterburn and has some great biking and walks. You can hire mountain bikes at Kielder Castle. Parking is £4 for the day so take change.
There’s a café at Kielder Castle and at Tower Knowle, and a pub at Leaplish. A much better option is the Pheasant which is on the left justbefore you arrive at Kielder.
Elfkirk Viewpoint gives a really good view of the water and
the full bike ride around the lake is a great way to spend the afternoon with various artworks and sculptures en route. Please note there’s zero phone reception in Kielder (which is another reason we like it!). If you book ahead you might also get into Kielder
Observatory; one of the best places in the UK for stargazing.
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Forestal y Acuático de Kielder
Kielder water is about a 25 minute drive away from Otterburn and has some great biking and walks. You can hire mountain bikes at Kielder Castle. Parking is £4 for the day so take change.
There’s a café at Kielder Castle and at Tower Knowle, and a pub at Leaplish. A much better option is the Pheasant which is on the left justbefore you arrive at Kielder.
Elfkirk Viewpoint gives a really good view of the water and
the full bike ride around the lake is a great way to spend the afternoon with various artworks and sculptures en route. Please note there’s zero phone reception in Kielder (which is another reason we like it!). If you book ahead you might also get into Kielder
Observatory; one of the best places in the UK for stargazing.
Amazing place to star gaze in one of the best Dark Sky areas in the UK. Book ahead!
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Observatorio Kielder
Amazing place to star gaze in one of the best Dark Sky areas in the UK. Book ahead!
About 30/45 minute drive from Otterburn. Beautiful scenery and old roman remains / forts at various locations. Tip; check in advance for events, especially during school holidays. Fantastic walking as well.
99 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Muro de Adriano
About 30/45 minute drive from Otterburn. Beautiful scenery and old roman remains / forts at various locations. Tip; check in advance for events, especially during school holidays. Fantastic walking as well.
National Trust site with nice walks, plenty of stuff for kids to do, interesting old house.
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
National Trust Wallington
National Trust site with nice walks, plenty of stuff for kids to do, interesting old house.
Otterburn Hall Site;
The grounds are huge and really nice for a stroll. The track to the rear of the lodge (with our lodge on your right) takes you through the woods at the rear where you’ll arrive at a lake; a great spot for a picnic or a morning cuppa. Continuing round to the other side of the lake, a track down to the left will take you to the river itself, with newly restored paths. To the front of the lodge park are more woods and the old (soon to be restored) Otterburn Hall with a large second lake and walking tracks throughout. There’s also the Coachouse restaurant and bar on site for food.
Otterburn Ranges;
Behind the grounds (directly to the rear of the lodge over the farmland) are the Otterburn ranges, used by the MOD with a large army base (with occasional live firing!). The ranges are also used by bikers and walkers and are very peaceful; just check the maps and local info about where you can and can’t go. There are many varied points of interest such as Whiskey Stills and Bastle Houses. The Roman Fortlet at Chew Green and associated marching camps along Dere Street provide visitors with great opportunities to experience the struggles that were once so common in this part of Northumberland. Upland hay meadows at Barrowburn run alongside the River Coquet. They are at their best in July.
If the red flags are flying then don’t go in! The nearest entrance is just straight out the lodge park’s main entrance, turning left and then following the road for about 100 metres until you come to a left turning onto the ranges with a flagpole. Again, check there’s no red flag first and read the guidance on the maps etc. on where you can go. For further information relating to public access and live firing times contact Otterburn Range Control on 01830 520569.
Otterburn Village;
The village of Otterburn is about a 15 minute walk down the main road down the hill, although if it’s dry there is a nicer walk along the river; from the main entrance to the site just cross over the road, go through the sty and follow the sign that points straight ahead to walk across the fields and down to the river. Mind the cows! Just before you hit the village there’s a lovely picnic site by a lake.
In the village itself, there’s a nice church, a picnic ground, the Border Riever general store and café, the Otterburn Mill (& café), the William de Percy Restaurant / Bar (and Wedding venue) and the impressive Otterburn Castle.
Otterburn
Otterburn Hall Site;
The grounds are huge and really nice for a stroll. The track to the rear of the lodge (with our lodge on your right) takes you through the woods at the rear where you’ll arrive at a lake; a great spot for a picnic or a morning cuppa. Continuing round to the other side of the lake, a track down to the left will take you to the river itself, with newly restored paths. To the front of the lodge park are more woods and the old (soon to be restored) Otterburn Hall with a large second lake and walking tracks throughout. There’s also the Coachouse restaurant and bar on site for food.
Otterburn Ranges;
Behind the grounds (directly to the rear of the lodge over the farmland) are the Otterburn ranges, used by the MOD with a large army base (with occasional live firing!). The ranges are also used by bikers and walkers and are very peaceful; just check the maps and local info about where you can and can’t go. There are many varied points of interest such as Whiskey Stills and Bastle Houses. The Roman Fortlet at Chew Green and associated marching camps along Dere Street provide visitors with great opportunities to experience the struggles that were once so common in this part of Northumberland. Upland hay meadows at Barrowburn run alongside the River Coquet. They are at their best in July.
If the red flags are flying then don’t go in! The nearest entrance is just straight out the lodge park’s main entrance, turning left and then following the road for about 100 metres until you come to a left turning onto the ranges with a flagpole. Again, check there’s no red flag first and read the guidance on the maps etc. on where you can go. For further information relating to public access and live firing times contact Otterburn Range Control on 01830 520569.
Otterburn Village;
The village of Otterburn is about a 15 minute walk down the main road down the hill, although if it’s dry there is a nicer walk along the river; from the main entrance to the site just cross over the road, go through the sty and follow the sign that points straight ahead to walk across the fields and down to the river. Mind the cows! Just before you hit the village there’s a lovely picnic site by a lake.
In the village itself, there’s a nice church, a picnic ground, the Border Riever general store and café, the Otterburn Mill (& café), the William de Percy Restaurant / Bar (and Wedding venue) and the impressive Otterburn Castle.
Huge National Trust site near Rothbury with beautiful grounds and walks.
106 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
National Trust - Cragside
Huge National Trust site near Rothbury with beautiful grounds and walks.
Nice market town, about 30 min drive away, with butchers, bakers and nice walks along the river. There’s a car park just before you come into the village; you can park here and then take a 15 minute walk into town along the river. The butcher there is also particularly good; stock up on some Northumberland bangers!
47 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rothbury
Nice market town, about 30 min drive away, with butchers, bakers and nice walks along the river. There’s a car park just before you come into the village; you can park here and then take a 15 minute walk into town along the river. The butcher there is also particularly good; stock up on some Northumberland bangers!
A 10 minute drive away from Otterburn and a really pretty village with some lovely walks and a little pop up café for coffee (that’s very cyclist friendly). The “Rangers Walks” booklet in the folder has details of a nice 1 hour circuit. It also has a great local pub.
Elsdon
A 10 minute drive away from Otterburn and a really pretty village with some lovely walks and a little pop up café for coffee (that’s very cyclist friendly). The “Rangers Walks” booklet in the folder has details of a nice 1 hour circuit. It also has a great local pub.
Hexham is about half an hour away and the nearest decent sized town. It’s a pretty town with shops, cafes and restaurants.
Hexham station
Hexham is about half an hour away and the nearest decent sized town. It’s a pretty town with shops, cafes and restaurants.
Heading out of Otterburn towards Scotland (turn right rather than left into the village and then just keep going until you see a big blue and white flag!) the drive is stunning and Jedburgh is a pretty town with a couple of historical sites including a former lodgings of Mary Queen of Scots, impressive abbey and the old jail and castle.
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jedburgh
Heading out of Otterburn towards Scotland (turn right rather than left into the village and then just keep going until you see a big blue and white flag!) the drive is stunning and Jedburgh is a pretty town with a couple of historical sites including a former lodgings of Mary Queen of Scots, impressive abbey and the old jail and castle.
Food & Drink
There's plenty of great places to eat nearby and some fantastic local pubs. These are a few of our favourites;
( https://williamdepercy.com)
The old Percy Arms has just been renovated into a luxury boutique French hotel with adjoining bar / restaurant called the William de Percy and is really nice with a good pub menu. You need to book well in advance for Sunday lunch and they also have a separate menu for the rest of the week.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
William de Percy
Jedburgh Gardens( https://williamdepercy.com)
The old Percy Arms has just been renovated into a luxury boutique French hotel with adjoining bar / restaurant called the William de Percy and is really nice with a good pub menu. You need to book well in advance for Sunday lunch and they also have a separate menu for the rest of the week.
( https://www.coachhouseotterburn.co.uk)
Bar / restaurant and takeawy on site and offers evening meals, afternoon teas, bottomless brunches on a Saturday and Sunday lunches; it specializes in local produce and we’ve had great reviews of their food. They also have a takeaway menu which includes burgers, pastas and stonebaked pizzas for collection. Check their website for opening times and menus.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Coach House
( https://www.coachhouseotterburn.co.uk)
Bar / restaurant and takeawy on site and offers evening meals, afternoon teas, bottomless brunches on a Saturday and Sunday lunches; it specializes in local produce and we’ve had great reviews of their food. They also have a takeaway menu which includes burgers, pastas and stonebaked pizzas for collection. Check their website for opening times and menus.
(https://www.otterburncastle.com)
A stunning building that also offers a whisky room and bar as well as a more formal dining option. Check ahead for opening hours as there are often weddings on.
Otterburn Castle Country House Hotel
(https://www.otterburncastle.com)
A stunning building that also offers a whisky room and bar as well as a more formal dining option. Check ahead for opening hours as there are often weddings on.
(https://www.facebook.com/Elsdonpub/ )
There’s a really nice new community pub in Elsdon (10 minute drive) called the Bird in Bush which is really nice and does good food (but check opening hours). It has it’s own brewery and a very good chef; this would be our recommendation locally. It’s a really nice little community pub in a lovely village. Again, book ahead; it gets really busy especially as it was recently the setting for an episode of “Countryfile.”
Bird in Bush Public House
Village Green(https://www.facebook.com/Elsdonpub/ )
There’s a really nice new community pub in Elsdon (10 minute drive) called the Bird in Bush which is really nice and does good food (but check opening hours). It has it’s own brewery and a very good chef; this would be our recommendation locally. It’s a really nice little community pub in a lovely village. Again, book ahead; it gets really busy especially as it was recently the setting for an episode of “Countryfile.”
(http://www.redesdale-arms.co.uk)
The nearest pub outside of Otterburn is the Redesdale Arms which is about 4 miles away (turn right when you get to the main road) which also does decent food and good Sunday lunches.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Redesdale Arms
(http://www.redesdale-arms.co.uk)
The nearest pub outside of Otterburn is the Redesdale Arms which is about 4 miles away (turn right when you get to the main road) which also does decent food and good Sunday lunches.