You must watch The Last Kingdom it will be a lot easier for Ian than Vera! It's about the birth of England and Alfred the Greats battle to unite the Kingdom and ward off the Vikings but the central character is from Northumberland but has his ancestral home stolen from him as a child (Bamburgh castle) and his lifelong quest is to retake it from his wicked uncle. Great storylines and amazing characters and at the end is a feature length film to finish the story at the end of which you get to see Bamburgh castle from then to what it is today. The series has increased the visitors to Bamburgh castle quite significantly apparently. Destiny is all!
Northumberland is one of our favourite places. My wife and I spent a week there a couple of years ago and went to Dunstanburgh castle, Craster, Bamberg castle, and a number of other places and it was our most perfect and chilled holiday ever. We also visited Alnwick castle (Harry Potter) and a ghost walk at Chillingham Castle. We're going back in September of this year to introduce friends of ours to this region.
That is so funny... we just did the same thing! We have now been to Northumberland three times. And the last visit was taking our friends from North Carolina there because we knew they would love it! We took them to Alnwick because they are Harry Potter mega fans. And we had a visit to Craster to relive the walk in this video. We also ate some seafood by the water and we even tried Craster Kippers! We have visited at least 8 different castles in this area. Everything is so interesting there... and like you say, chill. Have fun on your next trip! Please check out my Northumberland playlist if you want to see any other ideas on places to take your friends. ruclips.net/p/PLOedWVhYewAUqvRDVs5VqbfCr3TJgfB_w
Excellent video. If you are ever in the area you may like Lancaster Castle which until 2011 was still a prison. The Lune Valley really is a beautiful part of the country.
Thank you so much for watching and leaving a comment. I have not heard of the Lune Valley, but we always love exploring beautiful countryside in Britain, so hopefully we will make it there eventually! We are headed to the Yorkshire Dales this summer 👍 Lancaster Castle looks stunning! Would love to visit it. Stay tuned ... I'm currently editing a video of Arundel Castle! Cheers! Dara
Your enthusiasm for the 'discoveries'you make is compelling, Dara. And when you are visiting parts of the UK that are new to me too, your observations and insights are doubly welcome.
I think the one thing (so hard to choose) that is my most favorite part of the UK, is a field of sheep and the peaceful baas of the ewes and lambies. I find that so comforting. Thanks for this lovely video!❤
Your comment about slow tourism reminded me of meeting an American coach party in Glasgow -they were doing the whole of the UK in a week (!). One of the party was a young teacher from Indianapolis who was disappointed that they were not visiting Newcastle as she was an avid Catherine Cookson fan. Then my colleague volunteered that he'd been taught maths by Catherine Cookson's husband. That turned into a very strange evening....
What an awesome story! Yes, I felt the same way when we went on our anniversary trip to Tuscany. We met people all the time who were doing all of Italy in a week. Going from Milan to Venice to Florence to Rome. You spend all your time in transit and not getting to stop and relax and immerse yourself in the culture!
Thank you for these lovely videos, Magenta Otter! I am Anglo-Welsh but have never been to Northumberland! You have taught me so much about my own country and to appreciate it more than I did. I now enjoy the summer cool and greenery of our small island in summer thanks to you. I hope the weather gets better for you. My wife and I must visit Lindisfarne and Banborough Castle soon- you've convinced me!
@@garyevans1820 yes, I really do hope that you and your wife go visit Northumberland! There really are so many treasures to see there! I think you will love it. We are headed to Wales later this week! Doing some visits both in North and South Wales. Thank you so much for your support! Cheers! Dara
Your emotional reactions to this lovely area are truly understandable, Dara. It is indeed gorgeous and peaceful. I am so glad you made this wonderful video, so your MOT fans can enjoy it with you!!
Why thank you so much! That means a lot! ❤️ We love travelling, but filming and editing all the time can be draining. I appreciate your kind words as they help keep me motivated to carry on vlogging!😉 Cheers! Dara
I love how you binge watched Vera due to the love you have for this area of the UK. I did that after having been to Portmeirion and watched all 17 episodes of The Prisoner with Patrick McGoohan. I so loved that series when it first aired. Some places just touch a special place in our hearts don't they? We've not roamed around enough in the Uk (yet) so I just keep adding places to our list. Thanks Dara and Ian. Just magical and mysterious. 💖👌🇳🇱🙋♀🇳🇿😎
Yes, I have really got into binge watching things lately! So many good British shows to devour! We recently watched an entertaining sitcom called Ghosts. And every Sunday night we watch Lark Rise to Candleford. That show is delightful, so we are SLOWLY bingeing it! Yes, you need to get back to the UK for more visits. But next time we must coordinate calendars so we can see you! Next summer we plan to spend a month in Germany. Hopefully we can see you when we are there! Cheers XX Dara
@@IamaDutch-Kiwi nope, we will be in England packing up 😉. I don't know when in 2024 we will be in Germany, I just know it will be sometime in the summer...
I live in Northumberland and it is a fantastic place to be - so much history, so few people! I love going to the coast and also walking in the hills and seeing ancient rock art.
What a superb tour, with some excellent photography and brilliant drone footage. Yes, Dara, it's not difficult to become emotional about England's beautiful and varied countryside - we do, every time we're walking or cycling in it! Ian - I have to admire your skill in word economy - a man of few words! Yet, with great wisdom and panache, you make every word and expression work for you. A great double-act! More please!
Thanks for letting me get emotional. I just couldn't help it! And a big thank you for making me laugh out loud when I read your comment about Ian! haha ;-)
As a Kiwi living in the UK i find I'm always drawn to ruined castles, much more so than complete castles that are still in use. I think ruins allow my imagination to run a bit wild thinking about what went on there and how it met its end. Thanks for taking us along.
I could feel your enthusiasm for the area as well, Dara. There's something so hallowed about this part of the world. It's not the terrain nor the ancientness of the area alone which stirs such emotion but it's the very tranquility and the lack of feelings of fragmentation which is often experienced in bustling cities. It creates for me integration and cohesiveness with all things peaceful and beautiful. Thank you both for the spectacular footage including the magnificent drone footage. Am off to your other Northumberland vlogs!!
Thanks so much, Elizabeth! I think Northumberland is particularly full of places like this because it is less populated. Although, I have found idyllic places in so many other parts of the country as well. Like right now we are having dinner in Kent, and just visited the most bucolic peaceful village right before coming here! 💚
@@MrAckers75 it truly is rather magical! I went back this year with Ian and our friends. Please check out my Craster vlog if you want to see more of the village ❤️. Cheers! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravelsMy wife is from Whitley Bay but now live down South. We were in Hexham a few weeks ago when they were filming the latest series in the market place. Traffic chaos
What I really loved about this video, Dara is that we could really feel your passion and love of the area of Great Britain. I must admit, I haven't explored Northumberland before, but now it is most definitely on my bucket list. I loved seeing the castles and hearing about their history. It was wonderful to see that the place wasn't bustling with loads of tourists. Very beautiful and relaxing. Thank you for showing us around ❤
You need to take your grandchildren there to explore those castle ruins one day ;-) Yes, it was truly a spontaneous moment of emotion. I wasn't planning to talk to the camera at all... it was late, I didn't bring my mic, I just wanted to shoot a little B roll of the castle ruin while Ian flew the drone. But then it was so PERFECT! I just had to turn on the camera and document the moment.
awe you got to me when you got emotional,saying that when i do go home to the northeast to visit i too sit on or near the beach and weep i just feel such an inner peach and calmness and a feeling of yes im home,great video guys
Awwww that's amazing! I'm getting choked up reading your comment! 🥺 Isn't it a treat to escape the hustle and stress of life occasionally? Northumbria is a great place for that. ❤️🏴🥰 Cheers, my friend!
My quintessential British experience is very much the 'chocolate box image' variety. It's exploring the small towns and villages in Devon, seeing the thatched roofed cottages with climbing roses, the flower boxes and the colours of the gardens. Oh and add a good tea shop for scones, jam and cream!
Hi Dara, This film is brilliant! As I see your passion in England, especially castles and history, this film makes it a whole from my perspective. Yes, the most of the YTber are working around the clock and the most of the time, it is challenging to make enough time for ourselves but for our audience. This is a great opportunity for you. I feel for you when you got emotional. Well done, Dara. You present this precious castle from the bottom of your heart. Love it. Thank YOU very much for making my day. Apologies for my comment being short due to my injury. Happy weekend!
Oh wow. What a wonderful place. I'm so glad you found an area that isn't so crassly commercial... and the look of all those traps brought me back to my childhood! Thanks so much for this wonderful journey Dara!
Fresh crab and lobster are wonderful, aren't they?! What coastal area did you grow up in? Yes, finding places like this that are steeped in culture and history but not commercialised tourist traps is a wonderful surprise! Thanks for watching Susan! XX
How wonderful that you can appreciate a place that has little in the way of tourist attractions. It's fantastic appreciation. I personally would like to camp out in such places. The natural rocky beaches keep the usual tourists away. That's not so bad.
Excellent point! I go to plenty of touristy places (I went to Canterbury Cathedral yesterday!!! and Windsor Castle in May) ... but I do love going to unspoilt places with absolutely no crowds where I can have a tranquil moment to enjoy :-)
My perfect anglophile moments include the following: Watching the coronation of Elizabeth II in early June 1953, when I was four years old, on our TV with a small screen. Seeing the long skirts, ceremonial coach pulled by horses, confirmed for me that England still looked like the illustrations in the stories my mom read to me at bedtime. This image came to us over about 6 thousand miles, into our TV sets in North Hollywood, CA. When I went to London in 1968, I went to the White Swan Inn in Lavenham Suffolk and walked around this 12fth-13th century town. I also remember the soldiers who stayed there in WWII signing their names on the wall somewhere near the bar, and reading those names. I was twenty years old and traveling alone for the first time from the U.S. The last is anytime I have hot scones with clotted cream, jam and tea.
LOVE LOVE LOVE everything you said! And I know North Hollywood! Spent 5 years living in that part of the world ;-) Thanks for your lovely comment. Cheers! Dara
What nonsense. We can enjoy Britain without the fawning sycophancy of royalists. We should remember that the aristocracy got where they are by murder and repression - hence all the castles.
Of all the castles you have already shown us in your videos...it is really hard to choose the most beautiful one. Unfortunately, every single one has its own little gems. 😍
What an amazing place!! That is going to be on my list. I've been wanting to visit Bamburgh ever since i saw it in Antiques Roadshow. The approach to the castle was so dramatic!
Yes, the beauty of Northumberland is that you can see so many castles in close proximity. You MUST see Alnwick, and Bamburgh, and if you have time I would do this visit to Dunstanburgh as well. The Golden Hour is a pretty magical time to make that walk... so visit another bigger castle early in the day and then visit this one for your unwind time!
Away from the coast is also stunning Rothbury and coquet valley , luckily it's ignored by many so always quiet and the people are smashing as they would say. There is so much to see and enjoy too good to be rushed, enjoy.
Yes yes yes! I could not agree more! Please check out my Rothbury and Cragside videos. We had such a good time there! And it was so fun to speak with people who aren't mobbed by tourists every day... and actually haven't ever even spoken with an American before! haha Thanks for your comment! Cheers! Dara
That was a really magical day for me! A wonderful memory. I can't wait for you to see my videos from Sussex and Kent! Hopefully I can work on publishing them in January. It's going to be a busy next couple months!😉
I am getting emotional just hearing you get emotional. I've had a few of those moments and that's what makes it all worth it. I can see why you are so in love with Northumberland. So so gorgeous.
Sorry for making you emotional with me getting all verklempt! It truly was spontaneus... it was late in the evening and I was just walking over to do a little B roll filming of the castle. Not planning to talk to the camera so I didn't bring my mic. But wow, I just got all the feels! I had to document the moment so I could remember it as vividly as possible.
@@MagentaOtterTravels No apologies necessary! It’s a wonderful feeling and it was nice of you to share it with all of us. And now I’m reminiscing on some of my own special memories ♥️
3:11 nearly perfect, the only thing that's missing is a warm blanket and a basket with some goodies (preferably some scones and clotted cheese) to have a lovely evening picnic with a view of the sea
Thanks for watching! Yes, it's all about perspective. Growing up in suburban USA and living in a very crowded suburban city in Texas most of the year... I really appreciate all the things about Northumberland that are so very different from that! Cheers! Dara
Thank you for your comments on the North East. Having moved from the Cotswolds to County Durham it’s reassuring for visitors to realise that there is more to the UK than the (lovely) southern counties💕
You definitely moved from one more densely populated place to one much less so! Yes, I love the Cotswolds passionately... but adore Northumbria in a different way. Both are wonderful. Speaking of southern counties... I'm currently visiting Kent for the first time!
@@MagentaOtterTravels I have also lived in Hereford for many years. If you haven’t I thoroughly recommend. Amazing history, Cathedral, Mappa Mandi, Chained library and gorgeous countryside
County Durham is one of the places I haven't made it to yet and I cannot wait. I met some people from there and they were lovely so it made me even more determined. I am trying to make a stop there on my next trip. :)
@@mrstoives2444 yes, we have family connections in Herefordshire, so I have visited there frequently over the last 31 years. If you haven't already seen it, please check out my Ledbury video. And watch this space... in the coming weeks I will be sharing an extra special video I filmed of our sons and Ian and his father visiting ancestral villages where their forefathers lived 300 years ago!
Ha ha, it was exhausting! And because I'm a glutton for punishment, we are back doing the same nonsense now but further south! We are in Kent and Sussex, south of London. I'm seeing a couple castles every day, in addition to gardens, manor houses, and super charming picture perfect villages! But every night I'm completely exhausted! This is our 10 day trip celebrating our 31st anniversary 😉💕
If ever you’re in Northumberland again in the summertime, you should visit Belsay castle & gardens just beyond Ponteland. The quarry gardens are amazing! (Plenty of magenta)
Thanks for the recommendation! We have a favourite Pub in Ponteland, but I want to go back there because all we did was eat at the pub and I didn't get to explore the village/town! Now we have to put those other things on our list as well! Cheers! Dara
I really have mixed emotions watching your lovely videos. Part of me is so happy to see my fabulous homeland in film but then the other part desperately wants to cling on to the beautiful and tranquil Northumberland that I have always known and fears this will be spoilt. Dunstanburgh is and has always been my favourite castle walk in the whole world and each time I come home I end up on the long walk from Craster to the castle and then back again which is a slow process as I stop several times to turn back to take in the view. You can not rush Dunstanburgh. Flying back home today and your video makes me twice as happy to be making the jouney.❤
I also hope it won't be spoilt! I'm optimistic that enough people care about preservation and we can make that happen. Do you live outside the UK now? Thanks so much for watching and commenting! XX Dara
Thanks for this. I was born in Alnwick. I have not lived there for many years, but miss it a lot. Next time in Craster try the crab sandwiches and chips cook in beef dripping.
So glad you watched this video! Are you new to my channel? I did a video on Alnwick and other Northumberland villages a while back ;-) I do need to go back to Craster! And next time... have a crab sandwich and kippers! Cheers! Dara
As a Brit, it’s so great that you so enjoy the UK and you take your time to enjoy places other than London, Edinburgh, Stratford & Windsor. It also makes a refreshing change to not hear constant criticism of our food, driving and weather. You genuinely seem to enjoy traveling around much of our country. If you haven’t already, try and visit the Roman city of Chester (Deva) and the magnificent maritime city of Liverpool with its two incredible cathedrals, amazing museums and world famous waterfront (plus it’s the birthplace of the Beatles).
I definitely want to go see Chester! It is on our list! ✅ as for Liverpool, I have done six videos about the city. Including a Beatles tour and the two cathedrals! I hope you check those out if you are interested 😉Cheers! Dara
Almost! We have been to Lynton and Lynmouth... and LOVED them! Definitely plan to head back to that area and explore Woolacombe and Ilfracombe as well. If you want to see our previous adventures with the mountain goats and cliff railway, check these out: Hiking the south west coast paths near Lynton: ruclips.net/video/CUPaBAxiFb0/видео.html Lynmouth/Lynton vlog: ruclips.net/video/75oJEGWvkAs/видео.html Thanks for watching and commenting! Dara
I have been to Warkworth! Here is a link to the video where I show the castle, and there is a separate video where I also show a bit of the village ruclips.net/video/qIHDtP8Yt_8/видео.html
Why does it surprise you? Vera is great stuff! We really enjoyed our visit to Northumberland in 2021 and 2022. Sadly we won't make it there this summer, but we are exploring some other new places. We finally made it to Kent for the first time and that's where we are now...
@@MagentaOtterTravels I'm sorry I assumed you were a tourist, when you might be living in the UK. I thought Vera had been exported abroad somehow and that's how you saw it. I'm not implying it's bad, my parents watch them all too!
@@generaladvance5812 no need to apologise! Our situation is very confusing. We live in England for five months and Texas for seven months. We actually did all the watching of Vera in Texas! It is easy to watch on Amazon. Lots of my American friends watch it there! when I am living in Gloucestershire I don't feel like a tourist there. But at the moment we are "on holiday" in Kent and Sussex. When I'm here, I am a tourist! Lol
It is lovely that you're so passionate about the UK. Unfortunately I don't have perfect British moment yet unless you count the moment some of my ancestors were expelled and transported from there to the penal colony of NSW. We should be eternally grateful for that I suppose. 😂 Another beautiful video Dara. It really is a gorgeous part of the world.
Thanks for your kind comment! We didn't get to the Tynemouth area when we visited Newcastle. So we simply must go back! I love priory ruins... and we always love a good view! Cheers! Dara
Sorry, I couldn't help it! But on the bright side my channel is not very big, so I doubt too many people will be storming the place 😉. Thanks for watching and commenting! Cheers! Dara
An yes back in Bamburgh, the number one rated seaside resort i the UK. This is going to take an overnight or two but we will get up there! 11 seasons of Vera, well done Ian, to be fair I haven’t seen one, thats going on my to do list along with trying that root beer which my Tescos didn’t even have an American Aisle but they did have an Australian Root Beer which we were very happy to explain to the clerk that our American friends would not appreciate us trying that! Love the sheep’s inquisitiveness! Lovely dose of Northumberland this! Its great that your taking the time to do this. After NY, Niagra, Boston, LV, SF, LA, i was much more charmed by the very unspoilt likes of places like Fort Reyes, Bodega Bay, the very real America that remains unchanged for 70 years! This is even higher on our list now thanks to your wonderful, sincere love and narration! ❤
@@MagentaOtterTravels its a demon kitten, possibly ruining all our plans for the rest of the year. It might be a write off and we have Como fully booked, but there are no takers for looking after a demon cat. Might have to place Ads. And the best places on the PCH? We live in that moment constantly. We will return♥️
@@MagentaOtterTravels yes i've seen it a couple of times. Brings back memories of trips, havn't been on the farnes for about 10 yrs though. Last seal i saw at the coast though was actually near Bamburgh, We were walking along the beach and the seal seemed to be following in the water to look at us.
I adore Vera a brilliant program but watching the whole run would be torture. Brenda Blenthin who plays her is an excellent actor if you ever chance to see Saving Grace a comedy movie you will see another side of her. I think we Brits are a little complacent when it comes to castle's. I live close to a few and pass them without a second thought. Although one isn't a castle as such it was built to spy on his brother who inherited the family seat. He built his castle with a row of trees forming a simular look to the long walk in Windsor. This looked directly on to his brothers front door so he could see who was coming and going and invite them to his new! home. Keep enjoying your visits
Oh yay!!! I'm so excited for you! Have you watched any of my other Northumberland videos? It is such a lovely county full of beautiful countryside and historic castles! Plus Cragside is one of our favorite houses/gardens 😍. Please let me know how your trip goes... I want a report when you get back. 😉
I'll certainly be watching them all before we go to get some more ideas. We recently saw Cragside on TV, 'Secrets of the National Trust', so we will certainly make time to visit there.
@@simonloughnane6683 the Cragside house and gardens are fascinating and impressive any time of year, so I know you will enjoy your visit. But visiting in late May when the rhododendrons are all blooming is particularly magical. If you can't go in person, at least live vicariously through our video 😉
Yes, in 1985 I visited both Conwy and Caernarfon castles and promptly fell in love with Wales! I've since returned with my husband and sons and they love it as well... though this was long before I had a RUclips channel. I'll need to return again ;-)
You may like Norham and Aydon castles too. Having once spent a week or more once studying castle design and visiting a large number around the country during this time you do get castle sick. I'm over it now
I'm not sick of castles, but I'm currently rather exhausted... we are in Kent and Sussex seeing a couple castles and a few villages and a manor house or two every day! It's a lot! Hoping to slow down a bit soon ;-) Cheers! Dara
If you love Northumberland, you should read LJ Ross' DCI Ryan novels. They are wonderful, and I find them more engaging than Vera, although she has some pretty good moments too :). I adore the artwork on the book covers and have visited most of the places that serve as settings for the stories. I now live pretty much right next to one (Marsden Rock) and count myself so lucky to be able to visit Northumberland, the Pennines, the Cheviots, etc. on a regular basis.
Thought I recognised the thumbnail. Just down the road (relatively speaking) in Washington. (Actually thought it was Tynemouth but suspected it was one of ours at least)
Oh yes, the famous Washington! We didn't make it there, but heard lots about it 😉... especially when I visited Durham cathedral . Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. Cheers! Dara
I ADORE Shetland! Just wish it weren't so far to get there, because I so enjoyed the show! And I'm dying to go to Cornwall again and see the Poldark mines this time!!!
There are some castles in the UK which you can stay in a little like a hotel, I think Castle Bolton in North Yorkshire is one such place though I could be mistaken, there is another castle not too far from it which also is available to book a room and stay, though it's not nearly as impressive, you look like the sort of people who would appreciate staying in a castle because of what it is and the importance castles have/had in British history and culture, I think that you would fit in and do justice to a stay in a castle probably more so than many Brits would. I'm sure that you are well aware that Wales is castle cental in Britain with more castles than any other constituent country for its size, you really can't move for the things, a lovely video and a joy to see visitors who genuinely appreciate what you see here :)
We stayed in a castle in Germany once, along the Rhine. It was fun! Would be nice to stay in a British castle also! We just returned from Kent and Sussex where we visited LOADS of castles! Most were not ruins, but lovely restored and preserved buildings. I noticed that many of them (particularly the National Trust owned properties) had B&B accommodations. It would be fun to try sometime. But probably expensive ;-) I am aware of the huge number of castles in Wales... although apparently Germany gets credit for having more castles total. But Wales has more castles per square mile... so there! But in England... Northumberland gets to brag about having the most castles. I guess everyone has something to brag about, LOL!
Wow Dara! I've never seen you so emotional.💘 Northumberland will do that to people though. 😁 There were no gates or any obstacles to getting in to the castle when I went there in 1979 (I think) so you could just walk in at any time. Didn't you see any cormorants? They nest on the cliffs on the left side of the castle, or they used too. The beach between Craster and Dunstanburgh are where I failed to get a kite off the ground. 🪁 We filmed the trip. Don't know what happened to it. I thought it was a VERY LONG walk from Craster to the castle. We did think of coming in from the other side, but that's even further. 😛 I remember something about Dunstanburgh castle being in the wrong place for a defensive fortification so that's why it fell into disrepair, but you know what my memory is like. 😁 If Craster kippers don't alter what your favourite food is, then your taste buds have died. 🐟🦦
Now Dara, Vera is one tv series but what about Yorkshire's own series, yes, Heartbeat. Dozens and dozens of episodes featuring a village "bobby", the local pub and farmers in the North York Moors. A true classic. The 1960s police car is a tiny Ford Anglia which was my first car in 1961, even the same turquoise and white. But a warning: you will never get any work done once you start watching and hearing Gina's scouse accent. But seriously, do give the series a viewing and see what Yorkshire was, and indeed still js.
372 episodes! ITV I think. Just might need subtitles. In our worldwide travels I used to switch on the hotel TV just to see what was on - in Bali it was Heartbeat! In the Xian Airport Lounge it was Mr Bean!
That's a lot of places I can get emotional then!!! I'm currently in Kent... i've seen a few castles today and had a lovely conversation with some woolly sheep. 😉
I don't gamble and I don't drink alcohol, but I love a good chippy and I love some fine pub grub! Next Tuesday's video is me tasting haddock vs. plaice at a chippy in Glastonbury! LOL
Hiya Dara, I live not far from Northumberland, I'm not telling you off, but its when the tide goes out, rather than down when your crossing onto Lindisfarne, I enjoyed this vlog, to tell you the truth Northumberland and Cumberland are much the same with Rolling hills and sheep in the fields, I wish you would come to Carlisle and Whitehaven, and show off our splendor, this is Choppy in Whitehaven, Cumberland, England
I know... I really do need to come to Whitehaven! But my list of places I must go is so long! It's taken me several years, but we are FINALLY in Kent right now on an anniversary trip. Eventually we will make our way around these British Isles... all in good time ;-) Always great to hear from you Choppy! Cheers! Dara
@@paulguise698 31!!! I reminded Ian just now that he has been married to me most of his life, since he has had more years married to me than he had years single 🤣
Awwww so sweet of you to say! It's people like you that keep me going when I just don't want to spend another hour editing videos! Lol Thanks so much! XX Dara
It is well known that the more beautiful the location in Britain (and the overseas territories), the higher the number of murders. Think of the slaughter of the occupants of Oxford in Morse, or the massacre of the inhabitants of Midsommer and it's locality. Then there's all those murders in Jersey solved by detective sergeant Jim Bergerac. Then there's all those murders British Overseas Territory of Saint Marie, a place described as paradise. However, although it's somewhere in the Caribbean, for some reason I can't find it on a map. Northumberland is just another beautiful setting for murders on an industrial scale.
And don't forget Cabot Cove, Maine! That has to be the most murders per capita of any place in the USA! That is a reference to Angela Lansbury's Murder She Wrote 😉
OK, that is adorable! I'm ashamed to say that I finally succumbed to temptation and used the word "emotional" in my title and thumbnail because it seems the RUclips algorithm loves it. I was rationalising that it wasn't Clickbait because I honestly was pretty emotional! This was an interesting video, because I never planned to talk to the camera. I was just going to a Castle late at night to film some quick B roll. That's why I didn't bring my microphone. But then I ended up having this super magical moment so I felt I had to turn the camera on and document it for posterity! Lol
I'm ashamed to report that I did not. BUT we have already planned a trip and booked our lodging for a trip next June and WE WILL EAT KIPPERS there! Stay tuned ;-) To see the lovely meal we ate across the street at the Jolly Fisherman, please check out this vid: ruclips.net/video/lIlfnPuyV44/видео.html
I'm a 42 year old Brit & it has taken watching this video to recognise that I've been pronouncing Northumberland incorrectly. I had always said 'Nor-thumberland', but you said 'North-Umberland'. Thank you. @MagentaOtterTravels 😁
Someone else was teasing me about my pronunciation and I didn't understand what they were talking about... thanks for explaining it! That is a very subtle difference. Not sure when to decide I say something wrong or when I just chalk it up to my American accent. For example, I doubt I'll ever say Tudor or Duke the British way... but I should get credit for trying with Banana and Tomato ;-)
5:05 I think this "tendency to rush around and do everything really fast" is a US thing because US citizens normally don't have that much time to visit, due to the lack of paid vacation days.
With a country the size of the UK it would be difficult to see everything. I think traveling around to different parts of the country to see specific things is best and then going back again to see things that you discovered but did not have time to see is best.
My American friends think it's weird that we come to Britain every year and spend so long here and continually have lots of new places we want to see. There is just so many fascinating places concentrated together on this little island!❤️🏴
@@MagentaOtterTravels Dara, have any of your American friends had their minds changed about what the UK is like after talking to you and watching your videos?
@@MagentaOtterTravels Within walking distance of me, well maybe only one way now., there are if if I recall correctly. Three iron age forts, A Norman castle. Two medieval castles. A Napoleonic fort. two fortified houses plus a few smaller fortifications and WW2 pill boxes. We are a densely populated place that has had stuff being built around it for over five thousand years. Plenty buildings to see even if you ignore the countryside.
Great video, it's good to see that you go to the remote places off the beaten track. A great view of the castle even though it's a ruin, it will need some work doing if Ian's thinking of putting an offer in for it ! lol 😉 Windsor castle (which is one of your favourites) is being visited by your president Joe Biden today (10th July 2023) where he'll be having tea with the King. Windsor castle looks amazing and was valued in 2022 at just under £500 million for the castle and all the grounds, I remember you watching a documentary about Windsor with Fiona Bruce, I think ? Anyway, happy castle hunting, look forward to seeing which one you buy ! lol 😉
We shall NOT be buying a castle... but a decommissioned church or Victorian schoolhouse would be nice.😉 Thanks for telling me about Biden having tea with the King at Windsor today... that's interesting! We are currently driving to Leeds Castle! 👍🏰
@@MagentaOtterTravels Charles & Joe will probably be tucking into tea and hobnobs about now 😉 Enjoy Leeds castle, good job you've got the right Leeds and not the one in West Yorkshire. 😉
I think the whole family should go to the town of Sandilands near Mablethorpe and have a photo by the pop.sign.. Or should Weston have children ,he should name the first child Sandilands after the town..
Watch the video of when we visited seven castles in two days here: ruclips.net/video/qIHDtP8Yt_8/видео.html
You must watch The Last Kingdom it will be a lot easier for Ian than Vera! It's about the birth of England and Alfred the Greats battle to unite the Kingdom and ward off the Vikings but the central character is from Northumberland but has his ancestral home stolen from him as a child (Bamburgh castle) and his lifelong quest is to retake it from his wicked uncle. Great storylines and amazing characters and at the end is a feature length film to finish the story at the end of which you get to see Bamburgh castle from then to what it is today.
The series has increased the visitors to Bamburgh castle quite significantly apparently.
Destiny is all!
@@chipsthedog1 sounds wonderful!
It’s so lovely to know there are people out there who love our country ❤
Yes indeed ❤️🏴. Cheers! Dara
Northumberland is one of our favourite places. My wife and I spent a week there a couple of years ago and went to Dunstanburgh castle, Craster, Bamberg castle, and a number of other places and it was our most perfect and chilled holiday ever. We also visited Alnwick castle (Harry Potter) and a ghost walk at Chillingham Castle. We're going back in September of this year to introduce friends of ours to this region.
That is so funny... we just did the same thing! We have now been to Northumberland three times. And the last visit was taking our friends from North Carolina there because we knew they would love it! We took them to Alnwick because they are Harry Potter mega fans. And we had a visit to Craster to relive the walk in this video. We also ate some seafood by the water and we even tried Craster Kippers! We have visited at least 8 different castles in this area. Everything is so interesting there... and like you say, chill. Have fun on your next trip! Please check out my Northumberland playlist if you want to see any other ideas on places to take your friends. ruclips.net/p/PLOedWVhYewAUqvRDVs5VqbfCr3TJgfB_w
Been here! Our cottage in Craster when we stayed two years ago was the left hand one you see at 10'15".
That is so wonderful! I hope my little video brought back some good memories 💕
@@MagentaOtterTravels It did!!
Excellent video. If you are ever in the area you may like Lancaster Castle which until 2011 was still a prison. The Lune Valley really is a beautiful part of the country.
Thank you so much for watching and leaving a comment. I have not heard of the Lune Valley, but we always love exploring beautiful countryside in Britain, so hopefully we will make it there eventually! We are headed to the Yorkshire Dales this summer 👍
Lancaster Castle looks stunning! Would love to visit it. Stay tuned ... I'm currently editing a video of Arundel Castle! Cheers! Dara
Northumberland is a hidden gem. Most Brits have never visited the county but carry onto Scotland and never stop to visit.
I absolutely agree! American visitors do the same thing. They always go to Edinburgh, without realizing they blew past something amazing ❤️❤️
Your enthusiasm for the 'discoveries'you make is compelling, Dara. And when you are visiting parts of the UK that are new to me too, your observations and insights are doubly welcome.
Awww, so kind of you to say! This little castle visit really did catch me off guard... I was truly emotional!🥹
I think the one thing (so hard to choose) that is my most favorite part of the UK, is a field of sheep and the peaceful baas of the ewes and lambies. I find that so comforting. Thanks for this lovely video!❤
Yes for sure! Give me green rolling hills dotted with white sheep any day! And if you can throw in some frolicking lambs, all the better!❤️🏴
Your comment about slow tourism reminded me of meeting an American coach party in Glasgow -they were doing the whole of the UK in a week (!). One of the party was a young teacher from Indianapolis who was disappointed that they were not visiting Newcastle as she was an avid Catherine Cookson fan. Then my colleague volunteered that he'd been taught maths by Catherine Cookson's husband. That turned into a very strange evening....
What an awesome story! Yes, I felt the same way when we went on our anniversary trip to Tuscany. We met people all the time who were doing all of Italy in a week. Going from Milan to Venice to Florence to Rome. You spend all your time in transit and not getting to stop and relax and immerse yourself in the culture!
Thank you for these lovely videos, Magenta Otter! I am Anglo-Welsh but have never been to Northumberland! You have taught me so much about my own country and to appreciate it more than I did. I now enjoy the summer cool and greenery of our small island in summer thanks to you. I hope the weather gets better for you. My wife and I must visit Lindisfarne and Banborough Castle soon- you've convinced me!
@@garyevans1820 yes, I really do hope that you and your wife go visit Northumberland! There really are so many treasures to see there! I think you will love it.
We are headed to Wales later this week! Doing some visits both in North and South Wales. Thank you so much for your support! Cheers! Dara
Your emotional reactions to this lovely area are truly understandable, Dara. It is indeed gorgeous and peaceful. I am so glad you made this wonderful video, so your MOT fans can enjoy it with you!!
Thanks Bobby! I felt a bit silly, but I couldn't help myself! ❤️🏴
They have otters at Druridge Bay !
Good to know! Where's that?
@@MagentaOtterTravels Its between Amble and Cresswell on the Northumbrian coast, it's part owned by the national trust.
@@panchomcsporran2083 well then, I need to go there! Thanks for the suggestion!
You're such lovely people. It's a pleasure joining you on your adventures.
Why thank you so much! That means a lot! ❤️ We love travelling, but filming and editing all the time can be draining. I appreciate your kind words as they help keep me motivated to carry on vlogging!😉 Cheers! Dara
I love how you binge watched Vera due to the love you have for this area of the UK. I did that after having been to Portmeirion and watched all 17 episodes of The Prisoner with Patrick McGoohan. I so loved that series when it first aired. Some places just touch a special place in our hearts don't they? We've not roamed around enough in the Uk (yet) so I just keep adding places to our list. Thanks Dara and Ian. Just magical and mysterious. 💖👌🇳🇱🙋♀🇳🇿😎
Yes, I have really got into binge watching things lately! So many good British shows to devour! We recently watched an entertaining sitcom called Ghosts. And every Sunday night we watch Lark Rise to Candleford. That show is delightful, so we are SLOWLY bingeing it!
Yes, you need to get back to the UK for more visits. But next time we must coordinate calendars so we can see you!
Next summer we plan to spend a month in Germany. Hopefully we can see you when we are there! Cheers XX Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels is September 2023 in Germany possibly 😂😂😂😂😂?
@@IamaDutch-Kiwi nope, we will be in England packing up 😉. I don't know when in 2024 we will be in Germany, I just know it will be sometime in the summer...
I live in Northumberland and it is a fantastic place to be - so much history, so few people! I love going to the coast and also walking in the hills and seeing ancient rock art.
I agree, it is a special place! So much to see! And really a wonderful vibe...
Wonderful, never thought of going to Northumberland. It looks charming.
@@ellenoneill7853 it's fabulous!!
What a superb tour, with some excellent photography and brilliant drone footage. Yes, Dara, it's not difficult to become emotional about England's beautiful and varied countryside - we do, every time we're walking or cycling in it! Ian - I have to admire your skill in word economy - a man of few words! Yet, with great wisdom and panache, you make every word and expression work for you. A great double-act! More please!
Thanks for letting me get emotional. I just couldn't help it!
And a big thank you for making me laugh out loud when I read your comment about Ian! haha ;-)
As a Kiwi living in the UK i find I'm always drawn to ruined castles, much more so than complete castles that are still in use. I think ruins allow my imagination to run a bit wild thinking about what went on there and how it met its end. Thanks for taking us along.
I totally get what you are saying. I was at Bodiam castle today and wandered through the ruined rooms today saying exactly the same thing! Cheers X
I could feel your enthusiasm for the area as well, Dara. There's something so hallowed about this part of the world. It's not the terrain nor the ancientness of the area alone which stirs such emotion but it's the very tranquility and the lack of feelings of fragmentation which is often experienced in bustling cities. It creates for me integration and cohesiveness with all things peaceful and beautiful. Thank you both for the spectacular footage including the magnificent drone footage. Am off to your other Northumberland vlogs!!
Thanks so much, Elizabeth! I think Northumberland is particularly full of places like this because it is less populated. Although, I have found idyllic places in so many other parts of the country as well. Like right now we are having dinner in Kent, and just visited the most bucolic peaceful village right before coming here! 💚
Aww Dara, l got a bit emotional watching you get emotional! The baby falling over was funny, poor lan!
Lol! I had to add a little comic relief in the midst of all my mushiness!
What a stunning place
@@MrAckers75 it truly is rather magical! I went back this year with Ian and our friends. Please check out my Craster vlog if you want to see more of the village ❤️. Cheers! Dara
Nature is emotional, never apologetic always an experience with the one you love ❤️
Yes it was the perfect combination of natural and manmade beauty on a tranquil summer night... just lovely!🥰
We always watch Vera with Google earth open and play find the location
That is hilarious! Do you live in Northumbria?
@@MagentaOtterTravelsMy wife is from Whitley Bay but now live down South. We were in Hexham a few weeks ago when they were filming the latest series in the market place. Traffic chaos
@@daviddogsbody oh goodness! I would love to be an extra in an episode 😉
What I really loved about this video, Dara is that we could really feel your passion and love of the area of Great Britain. I must admit, I haven't explored Northumberland before, but now it is most definitely on my bucket list. I loved seeing the castles and hearing about their history. It was wonderful to see that the place wasn't bustling with loads of tourists. Very beautiful and relaxing. Thank you for showing us around ❤
You need to take your grandchildren there to explore those castle ruins one day ;-)
Yes, it was truly a spontaneous moment of emotion. I wasn't planning to talk to the camera at all... it was late, I didn't bring my mic, I just wanted to shoot a little B roll of the castle ruin while Ian flew the drone. But then it was so PERFECT! I just had to turn on the camera and document the moment.
awe you got to me when you got emotional,saying that when i do go home to the northeast to visit i too sit on or near the beach and weep i just feel such an inner peach and calmness and a feeling of yes im home,great video guys
Awwww that's amazing! I'm getting choked up reading your comment! 🥺
Isn't it a treat to escape the hustle and stress of life occasionally? Northumbria is a great place for that. ❤️🏴🥰
Cheers, my friend!
My quintessential British experience is very much the 'chocolate box image' variety. It's exploring the small towns and villages in Devon, seeing the thatched roofed cottages with climbing roses, the flower boxes and the colours of the gardens. Oh and add a good tea shop for scones, jam and cream!
Yes yes yes! I adore that too! 💕
Hi Dara,
This film is brilliant!
As I see your passion in England, especially castles and history, this film makes it a whole from my perspective.
Yes, the most of the YTber are working around the clock and the most of the time, it is challenging to make enough time for ourselves but for our audience. This is a great opportunity for you. I feel for you when you got emotional.
Well done, Dara. You present this precious castle from the bottom of your heart. Love it. Thank YOU very much for making my day.
Apologies for my comment being short due to my injury. Happy weekend!
That is not a short comment at all, thank you so much! I'm sorry to hear that you have been injured! Are you OK?
Loved the emotional moment you had , that will stay with you forever I’m sure x
Thank you! I agree. Very memorable!
Oh wow. What a wonderful place. I'm so glad you found an area that isn't so crassly commercial... and the look of all those traps brought me back to my childhood! Thanks so much for this wonderful journey Dara!
Fresh crab and lobster are wonderful, aren't they?! What coastal area did you grow up in?
Yes, finding places like this that are steeped in culture and history but not commercialised tourist traps is a wonderful surprise!
Thanks for watching Susan! XX
We like those crab-ster traps too. Reminds us of Florida!
Yes! I love coastal fishing villages... and eating lobster and crab 🦀!
How wonderful that you can appreciate a place that has little in the way of tourist attractions. It's fantastic appreciation. I personally would like to camp out in such places. The natural rocky beaches keep the usual tourists away. That's not so bad.
Excellent point! I go to plenty of touristy places (I went to Canterbury Cathedral yesterday!!! and Windsor Castle in May) ... but I do love going to unspoilt places with absolutely no crowds where I can have a tranquil moment to enjoy :-)
i drove from west Cumbria all the way across Northumberland 2 days ago - beautiful scenery between Carlisle and Rothbury
Oh yes, I love that area! What a treat!
My perfect anglophile moments include the following: Watching the coronation of Elizabeth II in early June 1953, when I was four years old, on our TV with a small screen. Seeing the long skirts, ceremonial coach pulled by horses, confirmed for me that England still looked like the illustrations in the stories my mom read to me at bedtime. This image came to us over about 6 thousand miles, into our TV sets in North Hollywood, CA. When I went to London in 1968, I went to the White Swan Inn in Lavenham Suffolk and walked around this 12fth-13th century town. I also remember the soldiers who stayed there in WWII signing their names on the wall somewhere near the bar, and reading those names. I was twenty years old and traveling alone for the first time from the U.S. The last is anytime I have hot scones with clotted cream, jam and tea.
LOVE LOVE LOVE everything you said! And I know North Hollywood! Spent 5 years living in that part of the world ;-) Thanks for your lovely comment. Cheers! Dara
What nonsense. We can enjoy Britain without the fawning sycophancy of royalists. We should remember that the aristocracy got where they are by murder and repression - hence all the castles.
Of all the castles you have already shown us in your videos...it is really hard to choose the most beautiful one. Unfortunately, every single one has its own little gems. 😍
I agree!
What an amazing place!! That is going to be on my list. I've been wanting to visit Bamburgh ever since i saw it in Antiques Roadshow. The approach to the castle was so dramatic!
Yes, the beauty of Northumberland is that you can see so many castles in close proximity. You MUST see Alnwick, and Bamburgh, and if you have time I would do this visit to Dunstanburgh as well. The Golden Hour is a pretty magical time to make that walk... so visit another bigger castle early in the day and then visit this one for your unwind time!
Away from the coast is also stunning Rothbury and coquet valley , luckily it's ignored by many so always quiet and the people are smashing as they would say. There is so much to see and enjoy too good to be rushed, enjoy.
Yes yes yes! I could not agree more! Please check out my Rothbury and Cragside videos. We had such a good time there! And it was so fun to speak with people who aren't mobbed by tourists every day... and actually haven't ever even spoken with an American before! haha
Thanks for your comment! Cheers! Dara
Hi Dara, I have only just seen this but you created this about 4 months ago I see! It looks so lovely - thanks for sharing - love from Sussex
That was a really magical day for me! A wonderful memory. I can't wait for you to see my videos from Sussex and Kent! Hopefully I can work on publishing them in January. It's going to be a busy next couple months!😉
I am getting emotional just hearing you get emotional. I've had a few of those moments and that's what makes it all worth it. I can see why you are so in love with Northumberland. So so gorgeous.
Sorry for making you emotional with me getting all verklempt! It truly was spontaneus... it was late in the evening and I was just walking over to do a little B roll filming of the castle. Not planning to talk to the camera so I didn't bring my mic. But wow, I just got all the feels! I had to document the moment so I could remember it as vividly as possible.
@@MagentaOtterTravels No apologies necessary! It’s a wonderful feeling and it was nice of you to share it with all of us. And now I’m reminiscing on some of my own special memories ♥️
@@britainonabudget 😍😍😍
3:11 nearly perfect, the only thing that's missing is a warm blanket and a basket with some goodies (preferably some scones and clotted cheese) to have a lovely evening picnic with a view of the sea
Oh yes I think warm scones with clotted cream and jam or cheese scones with butter would be great! Or a mug of hot cocoa.😉
Love your program what’s amazing to you is ordinary things to Northumberland people
Thanks for watching! Yes, it's all about perspective. Growing up in suburban USA and living in a very crowded suburban city in Texas most of the year... I really appreciate all the things about Northumberland that are so very different from that! Cheers! Dara
Thank you for your comments on the North East. Having moved from the Cotswolds to County Durham it’s reassuring for visitors to realise that there is more to the UK than the (lovely) southern counties💕
You definitely moved from one more densely populated place to one much less so! Yes, I love the Cotswolds passionately... but adore Northumbria in a different way. Both are wonderful. Speaking of southern counties... I'm currently visiting Kent for the first time!
@@MagentaOtterTravels I have also lived in Hereford for many years. If you haven’t I thoroughly recommend. Amazing history, Cathedral, Mappa Mandi, Chained library and gorgeous countryside
County Durham is one of the places I haven't made it to yet and I cannot wait. I met some people from there and they were lovely so it made me even more determined. I am trying to make a stop there on my next trip. :)
@@britainonabudget you are going to need a long trip...😉
@@mrstoives2444 yes, we have family connections in Herefordshire, so I have visited there frequently over the last 31 years. If you haven't already seen it, please check out my Ledbury video. And watch this space... in the coming weeks I will be sharing an extra special video I filmed of our sons and Ian and his father visiting ancestral villages where their forefathers lived 300 years ago!
I hace never been to Northumberland - it looks beautiful sea, castles, villAges, fields , sheep, do idyllic!! Really lovely video!
Lots of castles, but not a lot of people. Kind of the opposite of Cornwall in that respect ;-) It's a lovely place to discover!
So happy you were able to do something that was so important for you!!
It's a blessing ❤️
I love the castles!!! I can’t imagine getting to see 7 in two days?!?!?
Ha ha, it was exhausting! And because I'm a glutton for punishment, we are back doing the same nonsense now but further south! We are in Kent and Sussex, south of London. I'm seeing a couple castles every day, in addition to gardens, manor houses, and super charming picture perfect villages! But every night I'm completely exhausted! This is our 10 day trip celebrating our 31st anniversary 😉💕
@@MagentaOtterTravels love that!!!!
Love the sheep!
Me too!
If ever you’re in Northumberland again in the summertime, you should visit Belsay castle & gardens just beyond Ponteland. The quarry gardens are amazing! (Plenty of magenta)
Thanks for the recommendation! We have a favourite Pub in Ponteland, but I want to go back there because all we did was eat at the pub and I didn't get to explore the village/town! Now we have to put those other things on our list as well! Cheers! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels The Blackbird ? Yes, mine too
@@kathchandler4919 yes! Delicious! I showed their sticky toffee pudding in my Summer of STP video 😉
@@MagentaOtterTravels Crikey, one I missed , I'll catch up xx
I really have mixed emotions watching your lovely videos. Part of me is so happy to see my fabulous homeland in film but then the other part desperately wants to cling on to the beautiful and tranquil Northumberland that I have always known and fears this will be spoilt. Dunstanburgh is and has always been my favourite castle walk in the whole world and each time I come home I end up on the long walk from Craster to the castle and then back again which is a slow process as I stop several times to turn back to take in the view. You can not rush Dunstanburgh. Flying back home today and your video makes me twice as happy to be making the jouney.❤
I also hope it won't be spoilt! I'm optimistic that enough people care about preservation and we can make that happen. Do you live outside the UK now?
Thanks so much for watching and commenting! XX Dara
Thanks for this. I was born in Alnwick. I have not lived there for many years, but miss it a lot.
Next time in Craster try the crab sandwiches and chips cook in beef dripping.
So glad you watched this video! Are you new to my channel? I did a video on Alnwick and other Northumberland villages a while back ;-)
I do need to go back to Craster! And next time... have a crab sandwich and kippers! Cheers! Dara
I was told that castles were the disc’s that made up our backbone. Sounds plausible ❤
I like that!
As a Brit, it’s so great that you so enjoy the UK and you take your time to enjoy places other than London, Edinburgh, Stratford & Windsor.
It also makes a refreshing change to not hear constant criticism of our food, driving and weather. You genuinely seem to enjoy traveling around much of our country. If you haven’t already, try and visit the Roman city of Chester (Deva) and the magnificent maritime city of Liverpool with its two incredible cathedrals, amazing museums and world famous waterfront (plus it’s the birthplace of the Beatles).
I definitely want to go see Chester! It is on our list! ✅ as for Liverpool, I have done six videos about the city. Including a Beatles tour and the two cathedrals! I hope you check those out if you are interested 😉Cheers! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels Apologies, I will go look for them now.
@@steveroberts728 no need to apologise! 👍 Thanks for watching ☺️
It was a special beautiful place to just be! Loved the drone shots and history. Great video Dara! ~Cara 🌺
Awww thanks my friend! 🤗
Have you been to the North Devon coast Woolacombe, Ilfracombe etc ???
It is truly stunning and my favourite part of Devon !
Almost! We have been to Lynton and Lynmouth... and LOVED them! Definitely plan to head back to that area and explore Woolacombe and Ilfracombe as well. If you want to see our previous adventures with the mountain goats and cliff railway, check these out:
Hiking the south west coast paths near Lynton: ruclips.net/video/CUPaBAxiFb0/видео.html
Lynmouth/Lynton vlog: ruclips.net/video/75oJEGWvkAs/видео.html
Thanks for watching and commenting! Dara
Next time come up to Warkworth an see the castle in Northumberland and the beautiful village thanks
I have been to Warkworth! Here is a link to the video where I show the castle, and there is a separate video where I also show a bit of the village ruclips.net/video/qIHDtP8Yt_8/видео.html
This video is looking pretty popular. Let's keep growing! ❤❤
Thanks! It's because I succumbed to the *emotional* clickbait temptation... and the algorithm loves that! 🙄🤣
@@MagentaOtterTravels real = ratings
Surprises me anyone from abroad would be watching Vera of all things. Hope you had a nice stay & come back soon!
Why does it surprise you? Vera is great stuff! We really enjoyed our visit to Northumberland in 2021 and 2022. Sadly we won't make it there this summer, but we are exploring some other new places. We finally made it to Kent for the first time and that's where we are now...
@@MagentaOtterTravels I'm sorry I assumed you were a tourist, when you might be living in the UK. I thought Vera had been exported abroad somehow and that's how you saw it. I'm not implying it's bad, my parents watch them all too!
@@generaladvance5812 no need to apologise! Our situation is very confusing. We live in England for five months and Texas for seven months. We actually did all the watching of Vera in Texas! It is easy to watch on Amazon. Lots of my American friends watch it there!
when I am living in Gloucestershire I don't feel like a tourist there. But at the moment we are "on holiday" in Kent and Sussex. When I'm here, I am a tourist! Lol
It is lovely that you're so passionate about the UK. Unfortunately I don't have perfect British moment yet unless you count the moment some of my ancestors were expelled and transported from there to the penal colony of NSW. We should be eternally grateful for that I suppose. 😂
Another beautiful video Dara. It really is a gorgeous part of the world.
Despite your criminal ancestors, I hope you will come have your own perfect British moment on an upcoming visit, Shane!
Hi love your channel, I live on Tyneside and if you ever visit the area try Tynemouth castle and priory ruins worth it for the views alone.
Thanks for your kind comment! We didn't get to the Tynemouth area when we visited Newcastle. So we simply must go back! I love priory ruins... and we always love a good view! Cheers! Dara
Love a good castle
Yes, a castle ruin has its own special charm :-)
have you been in The UK when its lambing season? A sight that never gets old.
No, but my friend in County Durham has the BEST photos from lambing season. I would love to experience it.
@@MagentaOtterTravels the weather can be a bit unpredictable in the UK early spring but then so can the rest of the year. 🤣
We miss you in the Cotswolds! 😅 please pay a visit to Warwick! Near Cheltenham?! :)
We will definitely be there before too long, as we know some American visitors will want to see the castle!
lovely
Thanks so much 🤗
The par 3 in front of the castle is great hole.
haha I missed that!
Ah. You’re in my home. Don’t tell too many people. We like our solitude. Enjoy. ❤️
Sorry, I couldn't help it! But on the bright side my channel is not very big, so I doubt too many people will be storming the place 😉. Thanks for watching and commenting! Cheers! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels You’re welcome back anytime. Hope my fellow northumbrians were good to you.
@@loopyloo788 so kind and welcoming!!💕
Have you seen the video by Kirsten & Joerg with Herdwick sheep. Well worth a look.
Oh yes! It was adorable! Kirsten is a chum of mine... love her! 💕
An yes back in Bamburgh, the number one rated seaside resort i the UK. This is going to take an overnight or two but we will get up there! 11 seasons of Vera, well done Ian, to be fair I haven’t seen one, thats going on my to do list along with trying that root beer which my Tescos didn’t even have an American Aisle but they did have an Australian Root Beer which we were very happy to explain to the clerk that our American friends would not appreciate us trying that! Love the sheep’s inquisitiveness! Lovely dose of Northumberland this! Its great that your taking the time to do this. After NY, Niagra, Boston, LV, SF, LA, i was much more charmed by the very unspoilt likes of places like Fort Reyes, Bodega Bay, the very real America that remains unchanged for 70 years! This is even higher on our list now thanks to your wonderful, sincere love and narration! ❤
Awwww, thanks friends! So glad you finally found some American root beer! Don't let your cat drink it all :-)
@@MagentaOtterTravels its a demon kitten, possibly ruining all our plans for the rest of the year. It might be a write off and we have Como fully booked, but there are no takers for looking after a demon cat. Might have to place Ads. And the best places on the PCH? We live in that moment constantly. We will return♥️
@@GENerationXplorers yes, the PCH is fabulous! I'm sorry I don't live in your area. I would be happy to watch your demon cat! Lol
@@MagentaOtterTravels yes loved the PCH, we really would like to do it at a more relaxed place. Possibly when we are retired!
@@GENerationXplorers yes retirement is great 👍 😊
you'll sometimes see seals in the waves or on the beach during that walk
Oooooh that would be amazing! Did you see my video of the Farne Islands? We loved seeing seals 🦭 up close that day!
@@MagentaOtterTravels yes i've seen it a couple of times. Brings back memories of trips, havn't been on the farnes for about 10 yrs though. Last seal i saw at the coast though was actually near Bamburgh, We were walking along the beach and the seal seemed to be following in the water to look at us.
@@theotherside8258 awwww great memory! ❤️🦭
I adore Vera a brilliant program but watching the whole run would be torture. Brenda Blenthin who plays her is an excellent actor if you ever chance to see Saving Grace a comedy movie you will see another side of her. I think we Brits are a little complacent when it comes to castle's. I live close to a few and pass them without a second thought. Although one isn't a castle as such it was built to spy on his brother who inherited the family seat. He built his castle with a row of trees forming a simular look to the long walk in Windsor. This looked directly on to his brothers front door so he could see who was coming and going and invite them to his new! home. Keep enjoying your visits
OK, that spying castle story is FUNNY! Thanks for sharing.
Great video , Vera in small doses is good, but it sends me to sleep often too
LOL I know... binging 11 seasons was a mistake! 🤣
We are visiting Northumberland for the first time later this month. Looking forward to it even more having watched your video.
Oh yay!!! I'm so excited for you! Have you watched any of my other Northumberland videos? It is such a lovely county full of beautiful countryside and historic castles! Plus Cragside is one of our favorite houses/gardens 😍. Please let me know how your trip goes... I want a report when you get back. 😉
Cragside is gorgeous. ❤️
I'll certainly be watching them all before we go to get some more ideas. We recently saw Cragside on TV, 'Secrets of the National Trust', so we will certainly make time to visit there.
@@simonloughnane6683 If you want a good meal, The Potted Lobster at Bamburgh is lovely. Freshly caught seafood. Book in advance though.
@@simonloughnane6683 the Cragside house and gardens are fascinating and impressive any time of year, so I know you will enjoy your visit. But visiting in late May when the rhododendrons are all blooming is particularly magical. If you can't go in person, at least live vicariously through our video 😉
Conwy in North Wales has a decent castle you can walk around the ramparts of. It's not far from Caernarfon which also has an impressive one.
Also, never seen Vera but have fond memories of Brenda Blethyn in 'Chance in a Million' the seventies sitcom she was in with Simon Callow.
Yes, in 1985 I visited both Conwy and Caernarfon castles and promptly fell in love with Wales! I've since returned with my husband and sons and they love it as well... though this was long before I had a RUclips channel. I'll need to return again ;-)
You guys should hire a canal barge and experience of the UK from of the barge
Ian has been talking about that... we will see if we make it happen one day!
You may like Norham and Aydon castles too. Having once spent a week or more once studying castle design and visiting a large number around the country during this time you do get castle sick. I'm over it now
I'm not sick of castles, but I'm currently rather exhausted... we are in Kent and Sussex seeing a couple castles and a few villages and a manor house or two every day! It's a lot! Hoping to slow down a bit soon ;-) Cheers! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels They'll all blend into one memory doing too much at once. Kent is an area I've never been to. Hope you enjoy
@@theotherside8258 that is precisely why I have to film video of everything! Because then I can watch it back and know one castle from another! Ha ha
I still haven't watched a single episode of Vera.
Dude! You need to remedy that stat! Watch the Farne Islands episode 😉
@@MagentaOtterTravels I never watched a single episode of Byker Grove either, nor can I stand Ant and Dec.
I'm more of a Supergran and Spender chap. 😁
you say that like you're bragging, these Americans are way ahead of you 😅
If you love Northumberland, you should read LJ Ross' DCI Ryan novels. They are wonderful, and I find them more engaging than Vera, although she has some pretty good moments too :). I adore the artwork on the book covers and have visited most of the places that serve as settings for the stories. I now live pretty much right next to one (Marsden Rock) and count myself so lucky to be able to visit Northumberland, the Pennines, the Cheviots, etc. on a regular basis.
Oh wow, you are lucky! Thanks for the recommendation! Cheers! Dara
Yes, I've read those books because I live in the locality but not from there and it was great to get get some bearings of the county as Vera does
Thought I recognised the thumbnail. Just down the road (relatively speaking) in Washington. (Actually thought it was Tynemouth but suspected it was one of ours at least)
Oh yes, the famous Washington! We didn't make it there, but heard lots about it 😉... especially when I visited Durham cathedral .
Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. Cheers! Dara
If you go beyond the castle you hit embleton beach which is really beautiful
Next time! I clearly must go back to Craster again because I need to try the kippers! 😉
VERA and SHETLAND are great - Poldark is very good too and also Outlander
I ADORE Shetland! Just wish it weren't so far to get there, because I so enjoyed the show! And I'm dying to go to Cornwall again and see the Poldark mines this time!!!
Poor Ian, the things you do for love
He really is quite tolerant and long-suffering... bless his little cotton socks!
There are some castles in the UK which you can stay in a little like a hotel, I think Castle Bolton in North Yorkshire is one such place though I could be mistaken, there is another castle not too far from it which also is available to book a room and stay, though it's not nearly as impressive, you look like the sort of people who would appreciate staying in a castle because of what it is and the importance castles have/had in British history and culture, I think that you would fit in and do justice to a stay in a castle probably more so than many Brits would. I'm sure that you are well aware that Wales is castle cental in Britain with more castles than any other constituent country for its size, you really can't move for the things, a lovely video and a joy to see visitors who genuinely appreciate what you see here :)
We stayed in a castle in Germany once, along the Rhine. It was fun! Would be nice to stay in a British castle also! We just returned from Kent and Sussex where we visited LOADS of castles! Most were not ruins, but lovely restored and preserved buildings. I noticed that many of them (particularly the National Trust owned properties) had B&B accommodations. It would be fun to try sometime. But probably expensive ;-)
I am aware of the huge number of castles in Wales... although apparently Germany gets credit for having more castles total. But Wales has more castles per square mile... so there! But in England... Northumberland gets to brag about having the most castles. I guess everyone has something to brag about, LOL!
2:42 This conversation in the car is very familiar. Me chatting away to John 😂😂~Cara
Yes!!! You get it!
Funny how in Northumberland they didn't build castle next to a car park, yet they managed to build Windsor Castle under a flight path 😉
Oh the irony! haha
Wow Dara! I've never seen you so emotional.💘 Northumberland will do that to people though. 😁
There were no gates or any obstacles to getting in to the castle when I went there in 1979 (I think) so you could just walk in at any time.
Didn't you see any cormorants? They nest on the cliffs on the left side of the castle, or they used too.
The beach between Craster and Dunstanburgh are where I failed to get a kite off the ground. 🪁 We filmed the trip. Don't know what happened to it.
I thought it was a VERY LONG walk from Craster to the castle. We did think of coming in from the other side, but that's even further. 😛
I remember something about Dunstanburgh castle being in the wrong place for a defensive fortification so that's why it fell into disrepair, but you know what my memory is like. 😁
If Craster kippers don't alter what your favourite food is, then your taste buds have died. 🐟🦦
I know... a return trip to Craster is a must! Gotta try those kippers!! 🐟
No cormorants that day... but lots of gulls! 🙄
Falling asleep during Vera! Whatever next..?
It's inexcusable!
Now Dara, Vera is one tv series but what about Yorkshire's own series, yes, Heartbeat. Dozens and dozens of episodes featuring a village "bobby", the local pub and farmers in the North York Moors. A true classic. The 1960s police car is a tiny Ford Anglia which was my first car in 1961, even the same turquoise and white. But a warning: you will never get any work done once you start watching and hearing Gina's scouse accent. But seriously, do give the series a viewing and see what Yorkshire was, and indeed still js.
I would love to try watching it! Not sure where I can find it in the states. In the UK, is it on BBC or ITVX?
372 episodes! ITV I think. Just might need subtitles. In our worldwide travels I used to switch on the hotel TV just to see what was on - in Bali it was Heartbeat! In the Xian Airport Lounge it was Mr Bean!
I just googled it and Britain has 4000 castles and many sheep 😀
That's a lot of places I can get emotional then!!! I'm currently in Kent... i've seen a few castles today and had a lovely conversation with some woolly sheep. 😉
@@MagentaOtterTravels I'm in Hampshire so not too far. My father used to live in Dover and they have a castle on top of a hill if I remember right.
@@MousePotato awww cool. Lots of castles on hills! Reminds me of an Ed Sheeran song...
Ashington's worth a visit if you like bookies, chippys and pubs. 😂
I don't gamble and I don't drink alcohol, but I love a good chippy and I love some fine pub grub! Next Tuesday's video is me tasting haddock vs. plaice at a chippy in Glastonbury! LOL
Hiya Dara, I live not far from Northumberland, I'm not telling you off, but its when the tide goes out, rather than down when your crossing onto Lindisfarne, I enjoyed this vlog, to tell you the truth Northumberland and Cumberland are much the same with Rolling hills and sheep in the fields, I wish you would come to Carlisle and Whitehaven, and show off our splendor, this is Choppy in Whitehaven, Cumberland, England
I know... I really do need to come to Whitehaven! But my list of places I must go is so long! It's taken me several years, but we are FINALLY in Kent right now on an anniversary trip. Eventually we will make our way around these British Isles... all in good time ;-)
Always great to hear from you Choppy! Cheers! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels Happy Anniversary to You and Ian, how many years have yall been married?
@@paulguise698 31!!! I reminded Ian just now that he has been married to me most of his life, since he has had more years married to me than he had years single 🤣
@@MagentaOtterTravels I'm in my 40s happy and single and I intend on keeping it that way
Dara, you fell in love with Northumberland, well we have fallen in love with you and Ian ❤
Awwww so sweet of you to say! It's people like you that keep me going when I just don't want to spend another hour editing videos! Lol
Thanks so much! XX Dara
You know where you can find good sheep.....😂😉
Wales! 🏴
It is well known that the more beautiful the location in Britain (and the overseas territories), the higher the number of murders. Think of the slaughter of the occupants of Oxford in Morse, or the massacre of the inhabitants of Midsommer and it's locality. Then there's all those murders in Jersey solved by detective sergeant Jim Bergerac. Then there's all those murders British Overseas Territory of Saint Marie, a place described as paradise. However, although it's somewhere in the Caribbean, for some reason I can't find it on a map.
Northumberland is just another beautiful setting for murders on an industrial scale.
And don't forget Cabot Cove, Maine! That has to be the most murders per capita of any place in the USA!
That is a reference to Angela Lansbury's Murder She Wrote 😉
Dara! 3500 views in one day? This is prime to be your biggest viral hit. I honestly had to Google the definition of an Anglophile 😂😂😂
OK, that is adorable! I'm ashamed to say that I finally succumbed to temptation and used the word "emotional" in my title and thumbnail because it seems the RUclips algorithm loves it. I was rationalising that it wasn't Clickbait because I honestly was pretty emotional! This was an interesting video, because I never planned to talk to the camera. I was just going to a Castle late at night to film some quick B roll. That's why I didn't bring my microphone. But then I ended up having this super magical moment so I felt I had to turn the camera on and document it for posterity! Lol
Hope you bought some Craster Kippers whilst there.
I'm ashamed to report that I did not. BUT we have already planned a trip and booked our lodging for a trip next June and WE WILL EAT KIPPERS there! Stay tuned ;-) To see the lovely meal we ate across the street at the Jolly Fisherman, please check out this vid: ruclips.net/video/lIlfnPuyV44/видео.html
chk map...its between craster and low newton. embleton is south of craster i think.
I'm terrible at geography! I was just reading a description of the castle that I found online 😉
I've never seen Vera. Is it good?
I love it. But I strongly recommend you do NOT attempt binge watching 11 seasons! Lol
I'm a 42 year old Brit & it has taken watching this video to recognise that I've been pronouncing Northumberland incorrectly. I had always said 'Nor-thumberland', but you said 'North-Umberland'. Thank you. @MagentaOtterTravels 😁
Someone else was teasing me about my pronunciation and I didn't understand what they were talking about... thanks for explaining it! That is a very subtle difference. Not sure when to decide I say something wrong or when I just chalk it up to my American accent. For example, I doubt I'll ever say Tudor or Duke the British way... but I should get credit for trying with Banana and Tomato ;-)
Why? How do you say 'Tudor' and 'Duke'? @MagentaOtterTravels
@@Aidan1444 the typical American way 😉
@@Aidan1444 you can watch my Tudors video to hear me say Tudor and my Blenheim Palace video to hear me say Duke 😉
5:05 I think this "tendency to rush around and do everything really fast" is a US thing because US citizens normally don't have that much time to visit, due to the lack of paid vacation days.
That's true. And also some of us are overachievers and want to do EVERYTHING! haha
@@MagentaOtterTravels I think you might belong to the second category 😂
@@MadameMinima for sure!
Glad you didn't find any dead bodies lol😅
ME TOO!!! That would have been a huge buzzkill!
With a country the size of the UK it would be difficult to see everything. I think traveling around to different parts of the country to see specific things is best and then going back again to see things that you discovered but did not have time to see is best.
My American friends think it's weird that we come to Britain every year and spend so long here and continually have lots of new places we want to see. There is just so many fascinating places concentrated together on this little island!❤️🏴
@@MagentaOtterTravels Dara, have any of your American friends had their minds changed about what the UK is like after talking to you and watching your videos?
@@MagentaOtterTravels Within walking distance of me, well maybe only one way now., there are if if I recall correctly.
Three iron age forts, A Norman castle. Two medieval castles. A Napoleonic fort. two fortified houses plus a few smaller fortifications and WW2 pill boxes.
We are a densely populated place that has had stuff being built around it for over five thousand years. Plenty buildings to see even if you ignore the countryside.
@@johnclements6614 that's incredible!!😳
@@Sue474 most of my friends are Anglophiles. They don't need convincing. The ones who aren't refuse to watch my channel! Lol
Great video, it's good to see that you go to the remote places off the beaten track. A great view of the castle even though it's a ruin, it will need some work doing if Ian's thinking of putting an offer in for it ! lol 😉 Windsor castle (which is one of your favourites) is being visited by your president Joe Biden today (10th July 2023) where he'll be having tea with the King. Windsor castle looks amazing and was valued in 2022 at just under £500 million for the castle and all the grounds, I remember you watching a documentary about Windsor with Fiona Bruce, I think ? Anyway, happy castle hunting, look forward to seeing which one you buy ! lol 😉
We shall NOT be buying a castle... but a decommissioned church or Victorian schoolhouse would be nice.😉
Thanks for telling me about Biden having tea with the King at Windsor today... that's interesting! We are currently driving to Leeds Castle! 👍🏰
@@MagentaOtterTravels Charles & Joe will probably be tucking into tea and hobnobs about now 😉 Enjoy Leeds castle, good job you've got the right Leeds and not the one in West Yorkshire. 😉
@@johnmoore2123 I confess I was confused the first time I saw a photo of Leeds castle! I have been to the Leeds in Yorkshire many times 😉
I think the whole family should go to the town of Sandilands near Mablethorpe and have a photo by the pop.sign..
Or should Weston have children ,he should name the first child Sandilands after the town..
We should go to Sandilands or Sunderland!
@@MagentaOtterTravels Sandilands is a great holiday spot…