Preston Tower, Northumberland - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Dunstanburgh Castle stands on a remote headland in Northumberland. The castle was built at a time when relations between King Edward II and his most powerful baron, Earl Thomas of Lancaster, had become openly hostile. Lancaster began the fortress in 1313, and the latest archaeological research indicates that he built it on a far grander scale than was originally recognised, perhaps more as a symbol of his opposition to the king than as a military stronghold.

The RNLI Grace Darling Museum tells the incredible story of this fearless young woman who became a reluctant celebrity. Explore Grace's upbringing and life in the lighthouse, the events of the rescue that propelled her into the limelight and her status as a national heroine. During your visit you'll discover personal items of the Darling family, including the famous boat that Grace and her father used during the rescue.

Bamburgh Castle is a castle on the northeast coast of England, by the village of Bamburgh in Northumberland. It is a Grade I listed building. The site was originally the location of a Celtic Brittonic fort known as Din Guarie and may have been the capital of the kingdom of Bernicia from its foundation in c. 420 to 547. After passing between the Britons and the Anglo-Saxons three times, the fort came under Anglo-Saxon control in 590.

Bamburgh Beach is a Sandy beach located near Alnwick in Northumberland. It is the perfect place to go for a walk after a visit to the village of Bamburgh. walk along the beach in a northerly direction brings the visitor to Stags Rocks, so named because of the white stag painted on the rocks. There are some interesting rock pools in this area of the beach and a small lighthouse - the most northerly of its kind in mainland England.

Hulne Priory was founded in 1240 by Carmelite monks, making it perhaps the first Carmelite priory in England. The priory is situated in Hulne Park, a walled park covering several thousand acres which belongs to the Duke of Northumberland and is close to Alnwick Castle. Originally a hunting park, and still used by the Duke for shooting, it now contains woods, moors, stretches of open grassland and Alnwick's home farm.

Howick Hall Gardens & Arboretum is the ancestral seat of the Earls Grey since 1319. Discover the history of the 2nd Earl, after whom the famous tea is named, wander through the beautiful gardens created by the 5th Earl Grey and his family or for the more energetic explore the arboretum a united nations of shrubs and trees covering over 65 acres. Take a rest from exploring in the Earl Grey Tea House for a bite to eat and a cup of Earl Grey Tea.