Things To Do
There is no shortage of things to do if you are staying at Burn View - whatever the weather.
From Burn View you can visit the stunning landscape of the North East, Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Site,
the Northumbrian coastline with its amazing castles at Bamburgh,
and Dunstanburgh. Alnwick Castle
with its amazing water gardens is the place for horticulturalists and those with an interest in history and landscape.
The fascinating, unspoilt tidal island Lindisfarne is a wonderful place to step back in time and relax for the day. A short drive away from Burn View are the gentle valleys of Weardaleand the Weardale Railway and the rugged moors and waterfalls of the North Pennine Area of outstanding Natural Beauty.
The delightful University town of Durham with its majestic Cathedral, imposing castle and famous riverside walks is only 20 minutes away by car.
Beamish Open Air Museum is on our doorstep and is certain to appeal to all ages.
For those who enjoy sport, there are two golf courses less than ten minutes drive away. The Derwent River and a variety of local reservoirs offer excellent fishing. Horse riding is also available at several local stables. You can leave our front door and follow many beautiful, well-marked local walks offering panoramic views, historic ruins and (if you’re quiet) an abundance of wildlife in the Derwent Valley near Rowlands Gill. Thornley Woodland Centre offers badger and bat watches and family events throughout the year. Bird watchers naturally delight in the Red Kites but the bird population in the area is varied and gives rise to several enthusiasts groups. Water birds and waders are plentiful and easily spotted from the observation hides at Far Pastures Pond and the woodlands are home to all manner of birds. Woodpeckers disturb the peace with their hammering and can regularly be seen from our dining room window throughout the year. The riverbank nearby is home to kingfishers.
Durham County Cricket Ground, Gateshead International Stadiumand Metro Radio Arena are venues for national and international sporting events, not forgetting St James Park, home to Newcastle United.
Burn View is also ideally situated for shopping the largest shopping malls and leisure complex in Europe, the MetroCentre or enjoying the delights of Newcastle’s historic Sunday morning Quayside Market
Newcastle and Gateshead are our nearest towns and are a short drive or an easy bus journey. They offer an amazing array of things to do and both the historic architecture of Graingertown and the stunning modern buildings of the Quayside are worth a visit.
Newcastle is well-known for its fantastic nightlife and with our extensive local knowledge we can offer advice on where to go to suit your pocket and your style.
If you enjoy visiting museums you’ll be spoilt for choice in Newcastle! The Centre for Life, brings together science and biotechnology, research and education and entertainment under one incredible roof. Equally fascinating is the Discovery Museum in Blandford Street which is full of interactive displays and brings both history and science and engineering to life. The Hancock Museum offers insight into natural history whilst in Durham the award winning museum of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) is worthy of mention. Numerous other museums, art galleries (including the Laing and Shipley) and historical attractions can be found in both Newcastle and Gateshead and Durham.
The North East is well known for its love of the arts. Newcastle’s Theatre Royal has a both a fascinating history and a varied programme. (We are sometimes able to offer individual tours)The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts and the Sage Gateshead have both made a dramatic impact on the Quayside in more than one way!
A gentle stroll across the Derwent Bridge brings you to the entrance to Gibside Estate National Trust Propertyan 18th century landscape garden with spectacular vistas, winding paths, woods and grassy spaces. See the chapel, stables, banqueting hall, pond, ruined orangery and hall. There are many events including firework displays, outdoor throughout the year.
Tanfield Railway, the oldest existing railway in the world and Causey Arch, the world’s oldest existing railway bridge are about five minutes away by car and Bowes Railway, the world’s only operational preserved standard gauge rope hauled railway is also nearby.
There are lots of activities available very near to Burn View, tennis, swimming, bowling, ten pin bowling, bingo, indoor rock climbing, dry slope skiing and toboganning, gliding, hot air ballooning, to name but a few.
The seaside is very close and the sand on our beaches is fine and almost white. There’s nothing like local fish and chips eaten in sight of the North Sea!
The local history of Rowlands Gill and the immediate vicinity is fascinating and we will happily share stories of long ago, if you ask us.
