RELATED FEATURES
- Guide to attractions in Northumberland
- A guide to groups and social clubs in north Northumberland

STAGE/FILM

Alnwick Playhouse,
Bondgate Without,
Alnwick
01665 510785

Thursday, July 31: Julian Lloyd Webber with Pam Chowhan (piano) – Julian will present and play a selection of his favourite pieces, interspersed with anecdotes about his musical life and his family. 7.30pm, tickets £16.50, £15.50 conc.

Friday, August 1: The Sounds of Boney M featuring Sheyla Bonnick – a fabulous show featuring vocalist Jamaican-born Sheyla – an original Boney M member from 1975 – with her dynamic eight-piece live band mapping out the musical history of Boney M. 7.30pm, tickets £16.50 £15.50 conc.

Saturday, August 2: The Masters of the House...Sing the Musicals – a full-blooded, spine-tingling and emotive evening with former stars from Les Miserables performing live in concert in this West End spectacular musical feast. 7.30pm, tickets £16.50, £15.50 conc.


The Maltings,
Berwick
01289 330999

Friday, August 1: Edge of Love (15;110min). True life story of brooding poet Dylan Thomas told by the two women closest to him starring Keira Knightly, Matthew Rhys, Sienna Miller. 7.30pm £4.50.

Saturday, August 2: Indiana Jones and the Kingdon of the Crystal Skull (12a;124min). The intrepid archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) takes on Soviet agents in a race for a map and a priceless artefact – a crystal skull – which may lead to the lost city of Eldorado. 2.30pm and 7.30pm, tickets £4.50.

Thursday, August 7: Aesop's Fables by Presto Puppet Theatre – Aesop's old favourites given a modern twist. 2pm, tickets £4.50, £15 family; in the hall.


LIVE MUSIC

Friday, August 1: Acoustic selection of jazz, blues and country-tinged with classic and self penned tunes with Nev Clay (vocal and guitar). Music at intervals 7–10pm, call 01665 511852 to book a table.

Monday, August 4: Live folk music session. At the Blue Bell, Belford. 8pm. Free.

Thursday, August 7: The Tanners Arms Unplugged. Acoustic night. Free. Contact 01665 602553.

Thursday, August 7: Jazz Thursday's in The Treehouse. Noel Dennis (trumpet) and Adam Dennis (keys). Music at intervals 7–10pm, call 01665 511852 to book a table.


EVENTS

Thursday, July 31: Henry V. Shakespeare's classic performed by Heartbreak Productions at Warkworth Castle. Bring chairs and picnics. Gates open at 6.45pm, performance starts 7.30pm. Adults £12, children and conc £10. To book contact 01665 711423.

Friday, August 1 to August 31: Birds of Prey – demonstrations and hands-on action by the Kielder Birds at Alnwick Castle. Contact 01665 510777.

Friday, August 1: Magic Myrtle – magic and spells by the ghost of Harry Potter fame at Alnwick Castle.

Saturday, August 2: Powburn Show. The north Northumberland show calender kicks-off with a day packed full of activities, including pony sports and jumping, industrial and horticultural exhibits, dressed sticks, children's sports, Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, dog show and more. Contact Mary Wilson on 01665 578576.

Saturday, August 2 & Sunday, August 3: The Galloway Consort. Live music composed during the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries at Alnwick Castle. Contact 01665 510777.

Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3: St Oswald's Living History Festival. A major living history event staged in the shadows of King Oswald's royal fortress at Bamburgh Castle. Presented by Regia Anglorum, the premier Anglo-Saxon re-enactment society in the UK. Displays and demonstrations of period crafts, weapons skills and battle re-enactments. Also guided walks along the coast on sections of St Oswald's Way. Contact 01289 330218.

Saturday, August 2 & Sunday, August 3: 1940s Picnic Weekend. Discover the 1940s with live music and fashion together with very useful public information from our Home Guard troop. From 11am, Belsay Hall. Adults £6.50, conc £5.20, children £3.30, family £16.30, EH members free. Contact 01661 881636.

Tuesday, August 5: Hogwart's Characters. Meet some famous faces from the Harry Potter books at Alnwick Castle. Contact 01665 510777.

Wednesday, August 6, & Thursday, August 7: The Wars of the Roses. A cast of six knights and squires demonstrate the conflict of the Wars of the Roses. Sumptuous fashions, entertaining dialogue and fast-paced combat bring the 16th century to life. From 11am. Warkworth Castle. Adults £5, conc £4, children £2.50, family £12.50, EH members free. Contact 01661 881636.

Wednesday, August 6: Cragside Family Activity Day. Storytelling and craft sessions, no booking required. Selection of self-guided trails. Northern Kites display stand. 11am–5pm. Normal admission charge. Contact 01669 620333.


SIGHTSEEING

Alnwick Sightseeing Tour. Open-top vintage bus tour of Alnwick town and its beautiful surrounding countryside. 35-40 minute tour with detailed live commentary. Tour starts at Greenwell Road (behind the Playhouse) every hour on the hour from 11am-4pm. Saturday, Sunday, Monday. Adults £5, children (5-14) £2, conc and U5s free. Tickets valid all day. Contact 01665 603022.


EXHIBITIONS

Alnwick Playhouse. Until August 9. Annual exhibition – The Bondgate Gallery with Alnwick District Playhouse Trust. 10am-4pm. Free.

The Art House, Bondgate Within, Alnwick. Until August 26. Exhibition, North East's Got Talent. Featuring a wide range of art.

Bailiffgate Museum, 14 Bailiffgate, Alnwick, 01665 605847. New exhibition – Walk this Way, a journey through Northumberland, St Oswald's Way and our extraordinary county. Until August 31. Open daily, 10am-5pm. See Attractions for admission prices.

Belford Craft Gallery. New exhibition by painter and printmaker Chris Mayger. Starts today until August 15. Tuesday to Friday 10am-5pm (closed for lunch). Open all day on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1pm. Closed on Mondays.

Coquetdale Arts Centre, Front Street, Rothbury, 01669 621557. Exhibition by Joe Hush. Display of work by members including Joe Hush, Michael Ewart, Ken Spencer and others. Also Saturday classes. Opening times Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am–4pm and Sunday 1pm–4pm.

The Framehouse and Schoolroom Gallery, Alnmouth. Gallery, picture framing, Fair Trade tea & coffee, 01665 830600. John Fieldhouse: New Works. Annual chance to view John's striking exhibition of atmospheric works depicting the ever-changing Northumberland light. Runs until Sunday, August 17. Contact Mick or Amanda for further details.

The Glendale Gallery, Florin of Wooler, 3 High Street, Wooler, NE71 6LD, 01668 283700. New exhibition – Iain Duncan's photos of Northumberland – starts Saturday, August 2 until Sunday, August 31. Opening hours: Monday–Friday 10am–5pm. Saturday: 9.30am–5pm. Sunday noon–4pm.


WALKS

Friday, August 1: Guided Walk. A moderate walk around Holy Island's sand dune and shore. Everyone welcome, wear suitable footwear. 10am–noon. Meet at main car park at Holy Island at village exit. Safe crossing time: 6.15am–1.30pm. £7, children under 12 free. Contact 01289 389225.

Friday, August 1: Evening Health Walk. A walk around Simonside. Starts 6.30pm. Meet at Forestry Car Park, Simonside, Near Rothbury. Contact Jon Monks 01665 714385.

Saturday, August 2: Guided Walk. Join a four-mile Shepherd's Walk to discover Fontburn Reservoir. From 10am, meet at Fontburn Reservoir, near Rothbury. £8, to book contact Jon Monks on 01830 540453.

Wednesday, August 6: Guided Walk. Nature Walks led by the Northumberland Wildlife Trust. £2pp. 10.30am and 12.30pm starts. Contact The Fenton Centre on 01668 216216 or visit www.fentoncentre.com

Wednesday, August 6: Guided Walk. A moderate walk around Holy Island harbour. Everyone welcome, wear suitable footwear. 11am–noon. Meet at main car park at Holy Island at village exit. Safe crossing time: 9.45am–5pm. £4, children under 12 free. Telephone 01289 389225.

Wednesday, August 6: Walk. 10-mile walk from Craster to Seahouses taking in the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, Low Newton by the sea, Embleton and Beadnell. From 9.20am from Craster, start time coincides with Arriva 501 bus service from Alnwick. Return 501 service at 4.31pm from Seahouses. To book contact 01670 534078.

Alnwick Health Walks (Long). Every Wednesday at 10am from Alnwick Tourist Information Centre, Market Place. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 605030.

Alnwick Health Walks (Intermediate). First and third Wednesday at 10am from Alnwick TIC. One-hour walk. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 605030.

Alnwick Health Walks (Starter). Every Wednesday at 10am from Alnwick TIC. Maximum 30 minutes. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 605030.

Amble Health Walks. Every Tuesday at 1.30pm from Amble Tourist Information Centre. Starter and intermediate. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 605030.

Belford Health Walks. Long walk Monday, 3pm. Meet at Market Cross. Shorter walk Monday, 1.30pm. Meet at Bell View Resource Centre. Contact Marjory Tharne on 01289 31774.

Hadston Health Walks (Starter). Every Wednesday at 1pm from Hadston House. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 605030.

Rothbury Health Walks (Starter). First, third and fifth Friday of every month at 10.30am from Rothbury TIC. Long walks on second and fourth Friday at 10.30am. Contact Jon Monks on 01665 605030.

Seahouses Health Walks. Every Monday at 2pm. Meet at the Resource Centre. Contact Marjory Tharne on 01289 301774.

Wooler Health Walks. Every Thursday, long and shorts walks both 1.30pm. Meet Cheviot Centre.