Saturday 4 December 2010

Winter 2010

Hi all – can’t believe it’s my Xmas message again, seems so short a time since the last snow!! We’re open for business despite it all (except for Xmas and the New Year, which is family time). And don’t forget Maurice and Ruth are offering 4 nights for the price of 3, right through until next Easter. I think they are holding prices generally for next year, apart from the VAT increase. Returning guests can also ask for the same rate they paid in 2010 – not bad!! And what about a gift voucher as a super Xmas present? Contact The Old Vicarage and they will do a gift voucher for any amount towards the cost of a stay in 2011 or beyond. O.K. that’s everything sorted – now for that short dash to the hedge and then back to my cushion beside the radiator. I wonder can you get skis for cats??

Sunday 3 October 2010

Autumn 2010


Lots happening up here in North Northumberland this Autumn and early Winter. Base yourself here at The Old Vicarage and take advantage of the following events and opportunities:-

Alnwick celebrates Harry Potter all October. Visit Alnwick Castle and The Alnwick Gardens in October for a season inspired by the wonderful world of Harry Potter. Hogwarts party – 28th October. Halloween Weekend 30th – 31st October includes a pumpkin parade, spell-book-making workshop or herbology lesson, Muggles tour of the Poison Garden and more!! Check it all out at www.alnwickgarden.com and www.alnwickcastle.com

Meanwhile in Berwick-upon-Tweed on the 22nd October see the wonderful Tornado Steam Train and a trial run of the new lighting system of the magnificent Royal Border Bridge. For the lighting up proper be there on the 27th November for what should be an amazing event with all 28 arches being illuminated in all sorts of ways

Barn at Beal are presenting a ticket only evening of fireworks and music on the 6th November – see www.barnatbeal.com

Looking further ahead – get your skates on for the Dickensian Market in Berwick on the 12th December. This will be bigger and better than ever with an ice-rink as a new attraction, numerous stalls, street entertainers, seasonal food and drinks, afternoon Victorian style teas in the Town Hall by ourselves – The Old Vicarage Guesthouse team!!

The Bridge illumination is the culmination of the Stevenson 150 celebrations. Please note that Ruth and Maurice are offering 4 nights for the price of three from November onwards until further notice.

Saturday 20 March 2010

Easter Weekend is just two weeks away

hi all - holidays are looming and we are waiting to meet your needs here at The Old Vicarage Guesthouse, Berwick-upon-Tweed. I've been getting outside a lot more this week with the increase in temperature and all the nesting going on in the garden. Talking of getting out more, there are so many great days out up here in North Northumberland and The Borders. I would like to tell you about some of them. Base yourself here and have easy access to Holy Island and Lindisfarne Castle. Tide timetables are always available here and your visit is dependent on safe crossing times. You can of course go on and stay over when the tide is in and the Island is cut off - and experience the real atmosphere of Lindisfarne. The Castle opening times are also tide dependent but are usually from 10 to 3 or 12 to 5 - check out the NT website for more details www.nationaltrust.org.uk
For nature lovers - enjoy the relative tranquility of the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve. There are some guided walks available during the season if you want to know more about this wonderful place. Follow the Nature Trail, but from April to July there are a lot of breeding birds so stick to the paths and be careful of the many ground nesting species.
Stop off at The Barn at Beal on your way to or from Holy Island. Good place for lunch or just a coffee/tea break. Great stopover if you have to wait for the tide to fall. For more detail check out www.barnatbeal.com
Some folk do Holy island and Bamburgh in one day. But if you are in no rush, spend an entire day exploring Lindisfarne Island and The National Nature Reserve. For more on the NNR check out www.naturalengland.org.uk

Saturday 13 March 2010

Easter Weekend is just three weeks away


Hi all - with Easter looming the birds are courting, the sun is shining and the bulbs are showing well. What about the lighting up of the entire Hadrian's wall? Isn't that something to be at? With all that publicity people will be enthused about us up here in the North of the Country! Will Cumbria and Northumberland get a rush of tourists? Plenty of room for more visitors up here with our sweeping countryside, long coastal walks, many miles of cycleways, and indoor destinations for the odd bad weather day, wonderful castles and stately houses. We are here for you at The Old Vicarage Guesthouse in Berwick-upon-Tweed. Come up and see us sometime! Or come down and see us if you're in Scotland! Or across if you are Irish! There's a welcome here for you------

Monday 1 March 2010

Mother's Day

Sadly, as I was rescued from a cat refuge many years ago by Scott and Jenny (children of the Old Vicarage Folks) I never really knew my mum! However, living with the McNeelys has made up for that!

So, March 14th is Mothers Day, and I know there will be lots of special treats here at the Old Vic for anyone wishing to spoil their mum on this special day. Chocolates, flowers, fizzy wine at the very least.

Ring directly on 01289 306909 to book a room for your special mum, or ask for a gift voucher so she can visit at a time that suits her----------I will be waiting to add to the special occasion with a quiet miaow, a purr or two, or for those who ask - I will even sit on a knee in front of a lovely fire in our drawing room.