Northern England 7 night holiday itinerary

Day 1

After packing up the car and driving with excitement to your holiday destination, the first step is to check in to your accommodation at Riverside or Heather View Leisure Park. Head to Reception to pick up your keys – don’t worry if you’re early, you’re welcome to use our on-park facilities while you wait. Similarly, if you arrive late, there will be a poster at Reception instructing you on how to collect your keys.

While you’re at Reception, why not pick up a Discovery Trail booklet for just £3? (This will come in handy later!)

And you’ve arrived. After unpacking the car and popping on the kettle for your first brew of the holiday, you’ll probably want to get out and explore your surroundings. Take a walk around the park, enjoying the gorgeous countryside views and taking note of the facilities you’d like to use during your break. This is a great time to get your bearings.

At this point, there are probably a few rumbling stomachs! Why not head to our on-park bar & restaurant? At Heather View you’ll find the Riverview Bar & Grill, and at Riverside it’s the Riverside Bar & Grill, both serving delicious, freshly prepared food and drink.

Day 2

Following a good night’s sleep, you might wish to travel further afield and head to the supermarket to stock up for your self-catering holiday. Our holiday parks are conveniently located in some of the most picturesque locations in the UK, with plenty to do nearby.

When staying at Riverside – just a short walk from the park, you’ll find the quaint town of Wooler. There are several lovely coffee shops here – we recommend grabbing a tasty ice cream from Doddington Dairy Milk Bar. There’s a small Co-op in the town itself, and the nearest supermarket is the Tesco Superstore in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, just a 25-minute drive away.

When staying at Heather View – the park is located in the small market town of Stanhope, where you’ll find cosy pubs and cafes, as well as a range of attractions in the Durham Dales Centre. There’s a Co-op and bakery in the town, and a Tesco Extra supermarket in Consett, a 25-minute drive from Heather View.

Having taken in the local sights and stocking up on your favourite comfort food, it’s time to return to your comfortable accommodation. We offer fully equipped kitchens in our self-catering accommodation, so should you wish to stay in and cook, you’ll have everything you need.

Then, it’s time to sit back and relax. Maybe you’ll snuggle up on the sofa and watch a film, or if you’re staying in our hot tub accommodation, you can take a dip under the starry sky.

Day 3

Riverside Leisure Park has a spacious indoor heated pool, perfect for swimming laps and playing, or even teaching your tot how to swim. The pool is available at no extra cost for holiday accommodation guests, so don’t forget your goggles!

At Heather View, we have a very special Discovery Trail for you to explore. After picking up your booklet from Reception, set off around the park and see what wildlife you can spot. Our resident foxes, Vinnie and Violet, have created this trail especially for little ones, allowing them to complete questions, games and activities while looking at the local nature.

All that action is sure to work up your appetite, so why not enjoy a spot of lunch outdoors? Many of our accommodation options have outdoor seating areas, and we also have seating in our play areas at both parks.

The exploring doesn’t stop there – did you know that North East England boasts some of the most incredible castles in the world? These ones are a must-visit during your holiday:

• Alnwick Castle
• Chillingham Castle
• Warkworth Castle
• Auckland Castle

Day 4

It’s time to get out there and get active! We offer discounts for our holiday guests and holiday home owners with local businesses, so you can save on a great day out. One of our favourites is Active 4 Seasons, where you can try your hand at some canoeing or kayaking.

A busy morning calls for a chill afternoon. We suggest spending it fly fishing in our lakes (subject to stock and season, contact Reception for permits). If you’re not a fan of fishing, you might wish to simply enjoy a good book by the lake.

In the evening, head over to the park facilities where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy some fantastic live entertainment. Depending on the season, you can expect all sorts of fun including cash prize bingo, live singers, pop parties, and more.

Click here to see the Riverside entertainment guide.

Click here to see the Heather View entertainment guide.

Day 5

Despite being a primarily rural destination, Northumberland is home to some of the most stunning beaches you’ll see. Some beaches even offer views of historic castles. With rockpools to explore, sea to be splashed in, and games to be played, you can easily spend a whole day at the beach, so why not pack a picnic along with some buckets and spades?

For the active ones amongst us, there are plenty of opportunities for water sports at beaches in Northumberland. Bamburgh Beach is one of the best surfing spots on the coast, and Embleton Bay is great for kite surfing.

Many of them are also dog-friendly, perfect for a long walk across the sand with your pooch.

Nearby, there are many coastal paths where you can enjoy a relaxing stroll or a more challenging walk, depending on your preferences.

Day 6

There are many ways to see the glorious sights of North East England, not just on foot or by car. With discounted E-bike hire at GO Electric, you can choose a sustainable way to see the rolling Cheviot Hills, all whilst getting some gentle exercise. Or, for the aspiring equestrians amongst us, you might wish to try a horse-riding lesson with Kimmerston Riding Centre. At both of these companies, you can make the most of a 10% discount with Verdant Leisure.

When you return back to your holiday park, you can get competitive with some retro games in our games room and arcade at Riverside, or enjoy a relaxing drink in our bar at Heather View, soaking up the final night of your holiday.

Day 7

Before your journey home, you’ll want to fuel up (and we don’t just mean the car). Head along to the on park bar & restaurant for a scrumptious, hearty breakfast (this is subject to availability, please check the opening times of your chosen venue). Then, it’s time to pack up the car – make sure you haven’t left anything in the accommodation – before driving home with all your holiday memories.

We’ve made a printable pdf of this itinerary which you can download by clicking here.