Bus service to beauty spots returns

VISITING three popular Northumberland beauty spots becomes a whole lot easier from today with the launch of a seasonal bus service from Newcastle city centre.

Visitors can now stop off at Belsay Hall, Bolam Lake and Wallington with Go North East’s X75 Belsay and Wallington Express which will run every Saturday until September. The service will see four daily buses running from Haymarket with stops at Bolam Lake and Ponteland too.

Operator Go North East operates several seasonal tourist routes across the North East including the AD122 which serves visitors looking to explore Hadrian’s Wall.

Though not as well known as the Wall outside of the North East, the three sites included on the Belsay and Wallington Express are all popular tourist destinations in their own right.

Belsay Hall’s castle and gardens attract people from across the region and beyond, while it has recently added a new attraction for families in the form of a slide on the outside of the country house. The slide is part of an £8.24m restoration project which will also go towards a new visitor centre cafe and woodland play area, as well as restoration of the gardens.

National Trust property Wallington is another house with extensive grounds, and a circular river walk along the Wansbeck. Bolam Lake offers an easy one-mile walk too, with plenty of places to stop and enjoy the scenery.

The X75 until September 3. A day return from Newcastle to Wallington costs £6, while there is a 20% discount for National Trust members.