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Northumberland

Northumberland's Castles | Seven of the best!

Northumberland is undoubtedly castle country...

Due to its position between Scotland and England, Northumberland has seen many conflicts and the huge quantity of stunning historic castles betrays a long and interesting history.

Each of the suites at Lucker Hall has been named after one of the county's many important castles. While you're here you'll want to pay a visit to one of Northumberland's famous locations. But there are so many, how to choose which one to go for?

Here's our list of top 7 Northumberland Castles to help you decide!

1. Lindisfarne Castle

Though not one of the oldest castles in this collection, the Lindisfarne castle is, perhaps, in one of the most iconic locations. It sits on the famous Holy Island of Lindisfarne, where the very first Viking raids took place in 793 CE. The castle was built in the 16th century and was transformed into a family home in the early 20th century. It's now in the care of the National Trust.

Why do we like it?

The location! Here we have great history and amazing views, so take some time to explore. The island and parts of the coastline have been awarded Nature Reserve status, so as you walk around the island (at low tide!) you're likely to spot a great amount of bird life.

How to find it?

Because it's a tidal island, the causeway from the mainland is submerged twice a day. Tide times can be found HERE. Travel north on the A1 from Lucker Hall and at Beal you'll meet the causeway.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lindisfarne-castle

2. Alnwick Castle

This spectacular castle has a history dating back 1,000 years! It is now the home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland. You're welcome to explore inside the impressive building, take a look at the grand rooms and exhibitions. The gardens are beautiful and there is a huge magical treehouse in the grounds.

Why do we like it?

It's great for a day out. There is always something going on at Alnwick with a full programme of events and family fun days to choose from. It's also been used for a lot of TV and film. Harry Potter, Downton Abbey and Robin Hood are just a few of them!

How to find it?

Follow the A1 south from Lucker Hall and join the B6341 into the town of Alnwick.

www.alnwickcastle.com

3. Bamburgh Castle

Overlooking the coastline and Bamburgh beach, the castle is a huge complex that was restored to its current, impressive state over the course of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. But its history dates back much further. In fact, the first written reference to it was back in 547 CE! Having seen many different owners, it is now one of the largest inhabited castles in the country. You can explore inside the beautiful rooms and out in the grounds.

Why do we like it?

Bamburgh is just plain impressive! It's a large, restored castle perched on a rocky plateau overlooking the coastline. No wonder it's featured in films! The Normans built a large fortification on this site and it's this that forms the core of the present structure.

How to find it?

This castle is just a 10 minute drive from Lucker Hall. Follow the Lucker Road to Bamburgh on the coast. You can't miss the castle.

www.bamburghcastle.com

4. Dunstanburgh Castle

Owned by the National Trust, Dunstanburgh Castle consists of an impressive collection of ruins, sat on a low cliff, overlooking the sea. The castle was first built in the 14th century by Earl Thomas of Lancaster, though was later reappropriated as a stronghold during the Wars of the Roses.

Why do we like it?

Its solitary position and ruinous appearance make Dunstanburgh a very atmospheric castle. Even J. M. W. Turner sketched and painted a series of works depicting the ruin, some of which are on display at the Tate Britain Gallery.

How to find it?

About half an hour from Lucker Hall, Dunstanburgh sits on a slight headland just north of the coastal town of Craster.

www.english-heritage.org.uk/dunstanburgh-castle

5. Belsay Castle

This castle sits in the grounds of the Belsay Hall Estate, which has remained in the Middleton family for more than 700 years. An excellent pele tower survives from the 14th century and further additions were built onto the castle in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was the family home until the grand Belsay Hall was built nearby in the 19th century in a Greek-revival style.

Why do we like it?

Both Hall and castle are joined by stunning gardens, which provide absolutely charming walks through a range of themed areas. As well as the two magnificent buildings there is a stable block shop and a café, so at Belsay you can really make a full day of it.

How to find it?

The estate, which is cared for by the English Heritage, lies just outside the village of Belsay, just off the A696.

www.english-heritage.org.uk/belsay-castle

6. Chillingham Castle

For something a little different, Chillingham Castle may have originally been built in the 12th century, but it still looks every bit as stunning as it did in its heyday. With grounds designed by Capability Brown in the 18th century, this is now a popular wedding venue. There are woodland walks and a pretty lake plus a herd of rare breed wild cattle.

Why do we like it?

The ghostly goings on... We do love a little bit of mystery, and that's exactly what Chillingham offers! There are a number of ghost stories and reported sightings circulating these innocent looking walls.

How to find it?

Slightly further inland than some of our other castles, Chillingham can be reached from the B6348 and is close to the town of Chatton.

www.chillingham-castle.com

7. Prudhoe Castle

As the only Northumberland castle to resist the Scots, Prudhoe is a pretty special one. Though originally built in the 11th century, it was restored much later by the Percy family and much of the castle ruins are still in good condition today. It makes for a stunning sight, perched up on its hill on the banks of the Tyne. You can learn about the history in the exhibition or visit the little shop and café.

Why do we like it?

We think this little gem is underappreciated. It is a really well preserved ruin and its size, along with its surroundings mean you can enjoy a good walk as you explore. There are trees and even a little mill pond.

How to find it?

Slightly inland, Prudhoe was one of a number of castles built along the River Tyne after 1066. The town is located just west of Newcastle and can be reached off the A1 and A695.

www.english-heritage.org.uk/prudhoe-castle

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Take out a Holiday Property Bond before 31st October 2024, and not only will you be giving yourself, your friends and your family a lifetime of top-quality holidays. You, and the family, could also be spending a day in a winter wonderland; and meeting Father Christmas himself

For a party of up to six (a mix of adults and children), this day-trip to Lapland includes snowmobiling, husky sledding, and a reindeer sleigh ride – plus the highlight: a private family meeting with Father Christmas, where you can tell him of your Christmas wish list!

After an overnight stay at Birmingham airport’s Novotel (parking included), your flight to Finland’s northernmost region departs early in the morning of 16th December – to give you and the family as much time as possible enjoying Lapland’s Christmas magic. And after your day playing in the snow you’ll return tired but happy, to another night in a comfortable hotel bed before heading home with a boot-full of happy memories (and perhaps a gift or two).

Meals are provided on the outbound and inbound flights, plus a hearty lunch in Lapland, thermal snow suits, winter boots – everything you need to keep warm and get the most out of your day.

Invest before the end of October for your chance to win this fantastic prize. And don’t forget to keep 16th December free. Good luck!

Prize Draw rules
1. Invest by 31st October 2024 and you will be entered into the draw. 2. The winner will be drawn by a solicitor. 3. The winner will receive the prize of a day trip to Lapland for a party of six (mix of adults and children) on 16th December 2024 from Birmingham Airport. Return flights with hot meals, a range of activities and overnight accommodation and parking at Birmingham Airport at the start and end of the break is included. The trip is not suitable for infants under 2 years old. 4. The winner will be drawn from those who invest by 31st October 2024 and existing Bondholders who top up their Bond or refer friends. 5. The prize can only be claimed by those who are 18 or over and is not available to HPB employees, associates or those in their households. 6. No cash alternative available. 7. The winners will be notified by 22nd November 2024.

User Charge

The no-profit user charge is all you pay when you book your holiday. It covers the actual costs of servicing the properties, including housekeeping, laundry and maintenance of the many free-to-use-onsite facilities. It is charged per property - NOT per person. And it does not vary with the season: instead, the user-charge remains constant all year round.

For example:
A week for two in the Scottish Highlands could cost around £324 user charge, including VAT*, even at the height of the season.

A week for a party of eight in a four bedroom villa at Physkos, Turkey in August could cost around £577 in user charge

We're so confident you'll be delighted with HPB that we offer you a 'Money Back Promise'!

In regular surveys, Bondholders tell us how happy they are with HPB holidays. That's why we feel confident in giving you the extra reassurance of our unprecedented 'Money Back Promise':

If you take your first HPB holiday within three years of investing and are not, for any reason, entirely happy, you can cash in your HPB investment within 14 days of your return.

Whatever the encashment value, the parent company of the issuer of HPB will make up any difference so that you get back the full amount of your original payment, including charges.

This offer applies to a holiday at any HPB owned property which is taken by at least one of the Bondholders themselves.

Full details of the offer will be provided before you invest.

Restrictions

If you do not use our "Money Back Promise" offer explained in "How HPB works", you may cash in after two years at a value linked to that of the properties and securities but you should not expect to get back the full amount you paid because of charges and changes in the value of HPB’s properties and securities. In exceptional circumstances cashing in may be deferred for up to twelve months.

Your inflation-protected Holiday Points

HPB's holiday benefits are provided through a Holiday Points system. Each £1 you invest (including any adviser charge) adds one Holiday Point to the allocation of Holiday Points that you receive every year for as long as you hold your bond. Each time you book a holiday, you exchange Holiday Points for the accommodation you want, with the number of Holiday Points required depending on the location, size of property and season.

Here are some examples of how it works in practice (2022 rates):

For two people, holidaying out of season:
A week in Stigliano, Tuscany from 1,530 points
A week in The Trossachs, Scotland from 2,430 points
A week in St Brides Castle, Pembrokeshire from 2,260 points

And in the height of summer:
A week in Rocha Brava, Portgual from 8,190 points
A week in the Lake District from 9,760 points
A week in Le Mont de St Siméon, France from 14,180 points

If you have a minimum qualifying investment you can also book Short Notice Points Free holidays, subject to availability. Bookings can be made up to 28 days in advance for UK holidays and up to 56 days in advance for overseas. Even if you do not have a qualifying investment, you can still book Short Notice Points Free holidays up to 21 days ahead in the UK and up to 42 days ahead overseas.

Inflation protection: Your Holiday Points allocation is re-valued every year in line with the cost of providing additional holiday accommodation for new investors. This means your holiday accommodation booking power is fixed and protected against inflation. So you can look forward to top quality holidays for life.

A unique way to enjoy exclusive holidays year after year

Q. How does it work?

A. The way the Bond works is simple. Families like yours invest from £5,000 for exclusive access to a portfolio of over 1,500 top quality villas, cottages and apartments in 32 locations across 13 European countries, including over 600 properties in 19 locations in the UK. For each £1 invested you will receive one Holiday Point each year which you can use to book the properties. And when staying in them you do not pay a commercial rent, just a no-profit user charge covering actual running, maintenance and refurbishment costs. This charge is level throughout the year so there are no high season premiums. The average charge for a studio is around £360 and around £540 for a two bedroom property, for a week. Larger properties are also available. This no-profit user charge is only payable when you want to go on holiday. Your only ongoing commitment is a quarterly fee under £38 (that is around £150 a year), linked to RPIX.

Q. Will there be more properties in the future?

A. As we attract more investors the more properties we will add to the portfolio – increasing your holiday choice still further.

Q. How long can I holiday with HPB?

A. For life if you wish – the holiday benefits last as long as you hold the Bond. In due course you can pass it and the holiday benefits to your children and grandchildren, as many of our earlier investors have already done. If, however, at some point you and your family no longer wish to holiday with us you can surrender your Bond back to the company after two years or more (subject to deferral in exceptional circumstances). You will not get back the full amount you invested, although we would hope that you will have had some wonderful holidays. What you do get back will reflect initial charges (25%) taken before your money is invested in the HPB fund of holiday properties and securities. The fund itself also pays annual charges of around 2.5% of its net assets at cost, calculated monthly, as well as overheads. The value of the fund’s properties and securities can also go up or down and so, like most investments, your capital is at risk.

Q. Is the Bond available anywhere else?

A. No. HPB is available exclusively through HPB Management Limited.

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