Dog Home Boarding in Northumberland Local News
Hello and welcome to all the latest news from Barking Mad Northumberland. We are a 5* dog home boarding service in Northumberland, run by dog-loving owners Barbara and Caroline.
In this article (Quick Links)-
Northumberland Dogs that “Care” for Northumberland’s Beaches
Northumberland’s Finest Dog Walks
Halcyon Days of Summer and the Ghosts of Christmas Past
Who are your hosts? A wonderful community of dog lovers
Northumberland Dogs that “Care” for Northumberland’s Beaches
Here at Barking Mad Northumberland, we love to help out. In fact, it’s one of the things that attracted us to the Barking Mad lifestyle in the first place. Barbara and Caroline love being a part of the community that is built up around our home from home dog holiday hosts, our customers and all our fabulous dogs.
Dapper dachshunds, Bruno & Oscar, and hosts Joyce and Conrad, taking part in the Coastcare beach survey
Several of our Barking Mad Northumberland hosts are actively involved in the protection and maintenance of our beautiful AONB Northumberland coastline. They regularly volunteer with the Coastcare, the National Lottery-funded program. Taking part in local beach surveys and beach cleans. They act as site wardens for local beaches and stretches of coastline, observing local butterfly and wildflower species.
To monitor changes in population numbers and protecting the ecosystems along the coastline. From invasive plant species such as perri-perri, is all in a days work for hosts Joyce and Conrad, and host Steph.
On a recent Barking Mad dog holiday, our canine friends were able to get involved. Miniature dachshunds, Bruno and Oscar, love their Barking Mad Northumberland dog holidays. They regularly enjoy walks along the beach and through the dunes at Embleton and Low Newton.
Local ecowarriors; Bruno & Oscar
Having Bruno and Oscar along to support the socially distanced beach survey gave the team an extra spring in their step. Plus the boys enjoyed lots of tummy tickles as well as sniffing in the seaweed and feeling the sand between their toes. Fortunately, it was sunny and dry, and Bruno and Oscar love to wrap themselves up in their towel or blanket to dry off.
If like us, you want to get involved in caring for our wonderful Northumberland coastline with the Coastcare initiative and would like to find out more about volunteering opportunities, the details are on the Coastcare website www.coast-care.co.uk
Sniff out some of Northumberland’s finest dog walks
As we head into another extended period of restrictions to prevent the further spread of Covid 19. It’s a worthy reminder that exercise and exploring the great outdoors has a huge impact on not only our health and wellbeing, but also that of our dogs and their stimulation and general health. In Northumberland, we are blessed to have so many beautiful areas to explore with our dogs. So whether it’s the miles of coastline, or rambles in the hills. Our Barking Mad Northumberland hosts have been out exploring with their doggy guests. We have some great tried and tested locations for you to get out to. Your dog may have already been to some of these fabulous locations on a home from home dog holiday, so let them show you the way.
Moors and Hills near Rothbury; Thrunton Woods, Simonside Hills or Cragside National Trust House & Gardens.
Coco and host Barbara at one of the viewing points at Cragside
Coco the cockapoo has recently had a wonderful dog holiday with hosts, Barbara and Steve. Whilst his owners were away, he enjoyed many a sniff around the tracks and walks at both Cragside and Thurnton Woods. Cragside is a National Trust property, and dogs are permitted in the extensive grounds and the outside seating area at the lovely café, but not into the house itself.
The grounds are famous for their innovation in delivering hydroelectric power to House. There are lakes, gullies and sloping paths to explore. Nearby, Thrunton Woods are maintained by Forestry England, the tracks are fabulous for exploring the crags and slopes that lead to the summit at Long Crag.
The views are spectacular across the Northumberland National Park, which includes the Simonside Hills. Another fabulous walk, starting at the Lawdenshaw car park to the south of Rithbury, and winding uphill to the flat, exposed summit, take a flask and enjoy the views. These walks are a doggy paradise and well worth the effort.
Jack and host Nick looking out over the stunning Northumbrian country at Thrunton Woods
Along the AONB Northumberland Coastline; Whitley Bay, Druridge Bay & Embleton Bay
The beach is such a fabulous place for everyone to get some air, we haven’t met a dog yet, who does not love the beach and splashing around in the surf. So many of our hosts take their doggy holiday guests to the beach. Providing a wonderful dog boarding experience for all our doggy guests is what we love doing best. Martha, the cocker spaniel has had many dog holidays with host, Allison.
Molly on the causeway at St Mary’s Lighthouse enjoying a walk at Whitley Bay
On a recent stay, Allison took Martha to the beach at Whitley Bay, she had a great time playing fetch with her ball, but the highlight of the trip was a sausage treat at the café in the spectacular Spanish City. Molly the sprocker spaniel stayed with Gemma and Michael in Blyth. Whilst the beach is on their doorstep, they took Molly for a walk at Whitley Bay and up to St Mary’s Lighthouse. Molly had a wonderful time and made some doggy friends playing on the beach.
Druridge Bay Country Park is a favourite of many of our hosts. With ample parking, the flat pavement around the lake, soid tracks along the dunes and a vast expanse of sand and shore, you can walk for miles all the way back to Amble to the north or down past Cresswell (and the wonderful Drift Café) to Newbiggin by the Sea and Blyth to the South. Buster the cockapoo has had many holidays with hosts Marilyn and Mick.
Allison, Tina and Henry have the beach to themselves at Druridge Bay.
They all enjoy the fresh air and open spaces at Druridge Bay, and have had many an adventure here. Tina the puggle and Henry the visla stay with Allison on their dog holidays. They are two great characters. Henry loves playing in rockpools at the northern end of the bay. Whilst Tina follows her nose and likes to sniff around in the dunes, especially if there is the chance of something to eat. Further north along the coast, and we love Dunstanburgh Castle and Embleton beach.
Perfect Pup Walks
This really is Northumberland at its finest. The ruins of the medieval castle, the pretty fishing villages of Craster and Low Newton, rolling links and huge sand dunes and sweeping bay from Embleton around to Beadnell. This is a favourite of most northerns, and a tourist hot spot for very good reasons. Local hosts, Joyce and Conrad live nearby, and their doggy guests are in for a real treat with such epic scenery to enjoy. Recent guests, Jess and Ted, the miniature schnauzers enjoyed plenty of late summers walks on the beach and around the links, whilst Alfie the handsome black Labrador, loves to burn off some energy at full pelt along the beach. He is a salty seadog at heart.
Just off the A1, and on the way to Craster, it’s a short detour via the village of Rock, which is home to the wonderful Rocking Horse Café. Very dog friendly, with plenty of outdoor seating and a wonderful selection of cakes and snacks. They also serve Pilgim’s coffee, roasted and ground at the Holy Island roastery, which everyone around these parts will tell you is the best you can get.
We often walk to Alnmouth and call in at Scotts of Alnmouth, the deli on the main street, for a Pilgim’s coffee and a Portuguese tart, which are simply devine.
Halcyon Days of Summer and the Ghosts of Christmas Past
What a year 2020 has been. This time last year we were booking stalls at local Christmas fayres and crafting dog treat baubles ready to stock our Barking Mad Northumberland stand. Reflecting on how we support local summer and Christmas events, meeting lots of lovely dog owners and, at the outdoor events, their lovely dogs. In summer 2019 we took part in several summer events, including the Warkworth Show, the Newton and Swarland Show and the inaugural North East Dog Festival. As with all outdoor events, the British weather was sometimes friendly and sometimes not.
Summer Shows and Christmas Fayres 2019
At the Warkworth Show, located in the grounds of the magnificent Warkworth Castle, we joined crafters and produce makers in the marquee. We had a lovely stand next to the entrance with a great view of the dog show. We got to talk to lots of visitors to the show about all things dog, including our 5* dog boarding and dog holiday service. Plus prospective new Barking Mad Northumberland hosting opportunities.
The North East Dog Festival, held on the grounds of Kirkley Hall, was a big event with two show rings, working dog displays, and several have-a-go activities, including canicross and flyball. We joined forces with Carrie, from the North Tyne branch, as this event draw a significant crowd from all over the region and beyond. We met so many dogs of all shapes and sizes, and again had a good opportunity to talk to people about our favourite topics, dogs and Barking Mad.
The Newton and Swarland show is a fabulous local event, co-hosted by two neighbouring villages. Barking Mad Northumberland sponsors the dog show, which is a great event. We judge the nine different classes including the best young handler, the treat catch, and amazing oldies. Each class winner received a Barking Mad Northumberland goodie bag and rosettes were handed to the top three in each class.
Winter Shows
The winter shows are a chance to join in the anticipation and excitement of Christmas. We did our research and opted to handcraft Christmas baubles, filled with dog treat. These proved very popular and a great conversation starter for those wanting to find out about our home form home dog boarding and dog holidays. We attended three Christmas fayres on consecutive Saturdays. First up was the Morpeth Mistletoe Fair, held in the Morpeth Town Hall, and a recursor event to the switching on of the Christmas lights.
Next on the schedule was the East Bedlington Christmas Fayre, held in the restored East Bedlington Station. A fantastic building with lots of character, now a community centre and also a very popular venue for live music.
In a brand new collaboration with the North Northumberland Hospice. Barking Mad Northumberland sponsored a new event, the Bark on the Beach dog walk. To be held at Bamburgh over the Easter weekend, and in collaboration with the Bamburgh Castle trustees. This was an exciting new venture to raise funds for the local hospice. But sadly was canceled due to the national lockdown in response to the Covid 19 pandemic.
Who are your hosts? A wonderful community of dog lovers
Being involved with Barking Mad as a host for doggy holidays is a great way to enjoy all the joys that dogs bring into our lives. But with the convenience and flexibility to have some time to yourself. As Barking Mad owners, our hosts are the glue that brings our business into reality. So we like to celebrate with our host community as much as possible. With such a varied list of interests, ages and experience, we find that bringing everyone together to talk about the one thing that we all have in common. Dogs is a great way to get together for a chat, and more often than not, coffee and most definitely, cake.
Happy gatherings of our hosts to celebrate our Barking Mad community
Host events are usually held in a central location that is easily accessible. We have had many a meet up at the Drift Café at Cresswell, for summer and dry weather activities. Often, those with holiday dogs staying with them, bring their doggy guests along too. As many of our hosts are involved in the Coast-Care program. We also do a bit of a beach clean whilst we are at it. In the wetter, winter months, we hold coffee mornings. Giving us a chance to do the baking ourselves and hold a host quiz. We get together for a bit of a chat, coffee and definitely, cake.
Since the grand reopening of the Alnwick Playhouse, we have also taken advantage of this fantastic venue on our doorstep. Prior to the lockdown in March, we attended a viewing of the movie, 1917, with a group of our hosts. After the movie, we enjoyed a fine Italian meal at DiSopra’s in Alnwick. We are hoping for a repeat of this event as soon as we can.
