Pippa, I have a large country store in Hexham and often visit it on my rounds!

I am there sometime next week and will quiz the staff for you about a B&B near to the town that is reasonable.

My first thoughts are the Beaumont Hotel in the town centre. Great hotel but maybe a little pricey?

http://www.bw-beaumonthotel.co.uk/

Don't go off the price on the website.....ring and tell them your staying for x number of nights and what's the best price.

I recently stayed at a large country hotel normally priced at £150pppn b&b......I got it for £50pppn

Iain

Thank you for that Iain.

Whilst the Best Western looks fine I think Mum would prefer a smaller b&b rather than a hotel - she likes the friendliness of a b&b.

As I say Mum is pretty active - she went to Australia on her own last year! She does like to get out and about which is why we are looking for reasonably good public transport.

The one she likes the look of and is in a pretty good location is:-

http://www.kittyfriskhouse.co.uk

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Pippa

OMG....just down the road from my shop!!!!

If I remember, the bus stops are almost outside the drive. However, it's so close to the town, I would just walk.

There is a good bus service which runs along the wall.

http://www.hadrianswallcountry.org/wall.asp?id=29

I have found a very nice b&b - http://www.oakwoodcottage.com

The owner has said she could drop my Mum in Hexham. It looks like about 1.5 miles from the b&b into town.

If anyone who knws the area can comment then I would be grateful.

There are a lot of lovely b&b's in the area but most of them you need your own transport.

Pippa

Oakwood is quite a way from the town centre. Although as you said, the owner will give your mum a lift. The first b&b you mentioned is a on a major bus route into Hexham and is no more than a good 5-10 minute walk into the town centre.

Oakwood village is also on the side of quite a steep hill.....don't know if that makes a difference?

Thanks Iain - whilst Oakwood looks nice I think that it is probably not quite the right location. Added to that there is only one room so she would be the only guest. A hill is no problem but she would like to be a little nearer to a village/town centre.

I have found a really nice one in Haydon Bridge. The location looks good - shops, pubs etc. and a station all very close. http://www.thereadingroomshaydonbridge.co.uk

I emailed Kitty Frisk a few days ago but have not had a reply. My preference is for the one in Haydon Bridge but will see what Mum wants!!

Thanks,
Pippa

Haydon Bridge is a great location! Right on the main bus routes between Carlisle and Hexham/Newcastle. The B&B is situated just of the main road. The coop is just a few paces away as is the bus stops.

There is an amazing weir at Haydon Bridge, quite mesmerising when a lot of water is going down the Tyne.

Only down side I should mention is that the road through Haydon Bridge (A69) is a very very busy road and they are currently building a by-pass that should be open early part of next year.

Thanks again.

I don't think that the road will bother my Mum - without her hearing aid she is very, very deaf! Only problem might be is if she has to cross it. It maybe that the by-pass will be open before she goes anyway - she is planning to go the end of April.

I will let you know what she decides!

Pippa

Just to update you. Have booked Mum in at the Reading Rooms in Haydon Bridge. Looks ideal for her to get out and about and have everything she might need on the doorstep.

Thanks,
Pippa

Drove through Haydon Bridge late last night and thought of you and your mum as I went passed the road end of the B&B....!!!

Arrrrrrrrrrrrr how nice of you to think of us. I have spoken to the owner of the Reading Rooms and she sounds lovely and even though the station is only 150metres away they will meet her - a nice touch. Mum is looking forward to visiting the area and especially Hadrian's Wall. In the meantime though she is off to Malta next month! She went to Australia (on her own) last year. Not bad for 84!!

Thanks again for your help.

Pippa