Philip Stanbury Bursar, Longridge Towers School, Berwick upon Tweed
One of the reasons I love Northumberland, and especially North Northumberland, is the wonderful opportunities for cycling.
It is one of the best places in the world I know for cycling:

• fantastic scenery, including views of the Cheviots and the sea
• miles of quiet roads with hardly a car to be seen
• friendly cafes and teashops every so often
• interesting towns and villages, including Berwick-upon-Tweed
• with the best preserved medieval walls in Europe
• ancient castles and ruins
• opportunities to visit lovely sandy beaches, and even swim in the sea

I love it so much, I do all I can to encourage other cyclists to visit, even organising holidays up here. The details of the latest holiday are at www.cyclefeast.com


Cameron E. Smith, Aged 9
I like to visit the Heatherslaw Light Railway. This is on Ford and Etal Estates, about 5miles from Lowick. There is a 15" steam train called the "Lady Augusta" which takes you from Heatherslaw Station to Etal Castle. Along the track you will follow the river Till which has lots of wildlife and birds. There are usually herons and swans and if you are very lucky you might see a kingfisher. You can get ice-cream at the Post Office. Back at Heatherslaw Station there is a great Railway Room with model trains. You can push a button and make them go round. There is also a little shop and this sells toys - they are not too expensive so if I have some pocket money I can have a little treat.

Just over the river from the Station is Heatherslaw Mill. This makes flour using a waterwheel and mill stones. You can look round and see everything working and there is a brilliant café which has the best milkshakes.

I like to visit Heatherslaw because it is really pretty and peaceful and there are lots of interesting things to see. It is open every day between Easter and the end of October.

Matthew Bell, 19 years
The Outdoor Trust Centre at Belford is brilliant for those of all ages and abilities for activities such as canoeing, climbing and beach sports. For surfers, Northumberland has great waves all along the coast.