First on the list is Alnwick. This historic market town boasts a range of cosy things to see this autumn. The X15 bus from Haymarket takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes and takes you right into the centre of the town. The stunning Alnwick castle is steeped in history, and you might recognise it from one of the many films or TV shows filmed there including Harry Potter, Downton Abbey, and Transformers- The Last Knight. Once you’ve explored the castle and its expansive gardens, you can make your way to Barter Books.
This cosy second hand bookshop located in an old train station has all the charms needed on a cold November day from open fires to a lovely café and a model train choo-chooing around. After having a wander around the town centre and picking up a souvenir, it’s time to hop back on the bus to Newcastle.
Next up is another quaint town steeped in history. Corbridge is a 50-minute journey from Eldon Square on the 684/685 bus and makes for a memorable day trip. In Corbridge you’ll find the usual collection of cozy cafes and independent shops as well as the ruins of a roman town located along the infamous Hadrian’s wall. At the site of the roman town there is also a Roman museum containing a collection of roman artefacts. You can finish the day with a walk along the scenic River Tyne before getting a hearty meal in one of the villages pubs.
Our final trip takes us south on the 29/28 bus to Beamish. Here we depart again from Eldon Square for an hour-long journey where we arrive at the Living Museum of the North. Beamish is a completely immersive simulation of life in the Northeast in the 1800s-1900s comprising of actors, recreated towns, and traditional food. Some notable displays include the 1900s colliery, the Beamish tramway, and the 1940s farm. What better way to learn about the history of the North East?
I hope you find at least one of these day trips interesting and if you do end up venturing out on any of them, make sure you check the bus timetable in advance because there’s nothing worse than being stuck in the middle of Northumberland in the freezing rain with no way home.
Click here to check out all of the Nexus bus timetables to plan your trip: Bus timetables | nexus.org.uk