Tree care specialists Stan Timmins & Sons Ltd are the people to call this winter to deal with storm damage and insurance work offering a 24-hour emergency call out service. They also provide a full range of domestic and commercial tree surgery services – including dismantling of diseased and dead trees, tree pruning, crown reductions, hedge maintenance and planting.This family run business is led by Stan, a Fellow of the Arboricultural Association with over 50 years experience in the industry. Readers of The Northumbrian magazine are being offered a 15% discount by quoting ‘promo code North1216’. www.stantimmins.co.uk
Beacon Hill Hideaways are offering self-catering accommodation in ‘Bluegrass’, a luxurious Shepherd’s Hut, beautifully located in a south-facing wildflower meadow on a 360-acre estate near Longhorsley, where guests can enjoy walks through an ancient beech wood and around a peaceful wildlife lake. This perfect hideaway is 30 feet long with a fully equipped kitchen, shower room, a bedroom with Smart TV and Wi-Fi, with a westerly-facing terrace. Radiators and a log burning stove guarantee a cosy stay all-year-round and guests can spend time in Beacon Hill Farm’s spa, swimming pool, gym and beauty salon. Bluegrass sleeps two and is available for weekend and midweek breaks, or can be booked for a full week. Book online at www.beaconhillhideaways.co.uk
The award-winning Lindisfarne Inn is conveniently close to Holy Island and also stands on the new Sandstone Way and Coast and Castles cycle route and is the closest bed and breakfast option for walkers reaching the Fenwick leg of the St Oswald’s Way and St Cuthbert’s Way.
It is geared up with a raft of facilities for cyclists and walkers, including secure bike storage, cycle repair equipment and washdown areas for muddy gear.
Newly refurbished en-suite bedrooms are adjacent to the main inn, and handy if you’ve an early start birdwatching on the nearby Lindisfarne Nature Reserve, or staying with dogs. Friendly staff are happy to collect walkers with their courtesy vehicle, advise on tide tables, or help dry wet clothing.
The inn serves a wide choice of homemade food including much praised Sunday lunches.
www.lindisfarneinn.co.uk
The Robin Hood Inn sits in the heart of Hadrian’s Wall country on the Military Road at East Wallhouses, close to both Corbridge and Hexham. It has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment and with comfortable en-suite B&B accommodation it is a perfect stop off for walkers. Landlords Billy and Kathy offer a range of home cooked meals from seasonal menus using fresh local produce in both a comfortable public and a private restaurant for group bookings. Food is served every day from 12 until 9pm. www.robinhoodinn-militaryroad.co.uk
A popular outing over any holiday period is a boat trip to the Farne Islands with Seahouses-based Billy Shiel. His fleet of seagoing motor vessels are licensed by the National Trust to land on the Farne Islands, the most famous bird sanctuary in the British Isles. Cruises go to Inner Farne, Staple Island and Holy Island. Book online, www.farne-islands.com
