The Northumberland necessities...

We asked Wifey what she thought everyone who comes to Northumberland should do, and here's what she said.

Buy a bird book

If you own a pair of binoculars you are halfway there. You don't really need a bird, just raise the binoculars to your eyes and stand there. Pretty soon, you will be surrounded by other people using their binoculars and muttering about lesser spotted, red-capped wotsits.This is the point where you get out a camera with a really long lens and start snapping away. Warning - this may cause panic. Alternatively, buy a bird book, take a walk and listen to the "fluted, chiming symphony of half-familiar notes".

Enjoy a beach walk

It is difficult to overstate the beauty of the Northumberland coastline. Imagine an empty stretch of sand. Double it. Now make it bigger. Build a castle on it. Maybe knock it down. Stretch the sky across and up to infinity; add a rainbow. Find someone you love and go for a walk. (Maybe steal a dog to go with you.)

Visit a castle

You would have to be very picky not to find a castle you liked in Northumberland. They come in all shapes and sizes, with or without ghosts. My favorite is Bamburgh, but then Warkworth is nice too, and Alnwick, well Alnwick is good and then there's Chillingham and ....

Take time to meet the locals

I defy you to find a place where local people are more welcoming and generous. Expect a chat in the shops as you pay or as you order lunch. People are rightly proud of Northumberland and keen to share its beauty with you. If you made it this far - you should know that you are welcome.

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