Well, not all of the North West. This year’s holiday is in Rothbury in the Northumberland National Park. (https://www.visitnorthumberland.com/explore/destinations/towns-villages/Rothbury).

Rothbury is a small town, far enough from other centres of population to have a range of shops and other facilities. Cragside estate, home of Lord Armstrong and the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity, is just outside. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cragside). Armstrong was a great engineer whose companies built ships, cars, aeroplanes, tanks and guns. The house and wider estate used hydraulics to run many of the functions and the house was heated by steam generated to heat the Turkish Bath. It now belongs to the National Trust. (https:://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside).

Incidentally, talking about Armstrongs, Alexander of Pointless fame also comes from here. For those who may not know who he is, he presents a popular game show on UK tv, does voiceovers, acts, sings, presents a classical music radio show and used to be a stand up comedian. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Armstrong).

This is some sort of a nostalgic trip along with the realisation that holidays are not what they were…..

Wallington. Another National Trust house, built in Georgian times by Sir William Blackett, a wealthy mine owner and shipping magnate. His ancestors had bought the site (complete with mediaeval house and pele tower) from the Fenwick family. (https://en-wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallington_Hall). It was given to the National Trust in 1942 by Sir Charles Trevelyan, Labour MP.

Alnwick. Slightly larger town with a stupendous castle and garden, famously used in the Harry Potter films. Still not allowed to take dogs, even in the gardens, so still haven’t visited.