EZTrip.com International Destination Guide and Hotel Listings

ROTHBURY , straddling the River Coquet some eighteen miles northeast of Otterburn, prospered as a late Victorian resort because it gave ready access to the forests, burns and ridges of the Simonside Hills. Rothbury remains a popular spot for walkers, and the Tourist Information and National Park Visitor Centre , near the Cross on Church Street (April-Oct daily 10am-5pm; Nov-March Sat & Sun 10am-5pm; tel 01669/620887) offers advice on local trails, several of which begin in the Simonside Hills car park, a couple of miles southwest of town.

Buses from Morpeth (with connections from Newcastle) stop on Rothbury's High Street, outside the Queen's Head . There are several convenient B&Bs - including the well-equipped Katerina's Guest House on the High Street (tel 01669/620691, ; £40-50), where all the en-suite rooms boast four-poster beds and TVs; and the comfortable, Georgian Orchard Guest House , at the top of the same street (tel 01669/620684, ; £40-50), which also serves dinner. Most of the places to eat and drink are strung out along the High Street: the Elmtree Coffee Shop serves decent light lunches and afternoon teas, and the Newcastle Hotel does well-prepared bar meals, high teas and real ales.