Grand Tour of Northumberland 2008

Whether you’re an armchair explorer more familiar with the TV remote than the really remote or simply stuck with friends & family who won’t sacrifice luxury for adventure, the GToN is your chance to get more from a weekend.

Whatever stage of adventure your life is at, you can nurture your wanderlust in Northumberland.

The GToN is a sixty mile rough road trip. Load your 4x4 with family and friends, we supply you with a luxury hamper and you set off into Northumberland’s interior along some of the most remote and rugged roads. The scenery provides all the necessary entertainment and for good measure we include activities for all to enjoy en-route.

The sole beneficiary of the GToN is Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue. Registered Charity 511313. We make no promise to cure you of your desire to do & see more... After all we want you to come back next year.

Great News! - Our generous partners have enabled us to reduce the cost of your tickets. Check-out the booking pages for pricing.

The Event

There are no tourist guides, there is no tea room and you won’t even find a gift shop at the end... We give you more than 60 miles of the best scenery & driving in Northumberland. We take you through the remote and rugged interior of this border county and, because you’ll want to share this with family and friends, a range of activities for everyone to enjoy can be found along the route. Stopping points will include the opportunity to plant your own tree offsetting CO2 from your journey and helping provide a better future for everyone.

The Route

The exact route of the GToN is not disclosed until the day. The GToN have teamed up with the Forestry Commission and Defence Estates to bring you exclusive access to the private roads that make this journey so special. For 2008 there are two routes and days to choose from. Saturday’s route starts at the village of Stonehaugh and winds its way north through the Kielder Forest over the MoD’s ranges and then finishes at Alwinton. Sunday is the same route reversed. Both starting and finishing points are remote villages which have been chosen for their proximity to the private roads and byways that dominate this journey. In total, the route is approximately 60 miles and constitutes around 3h30m of driving time punctuated by stopping points & activities.

Activities

You will have the opportunity to join in with a number of activities; try falconry, help plant a tree in the GToN reserve and watch the children buildinsect boxes learning about the flora and fauna of the area from Forestry Rangers and local wildlife experts. Bring a camera and take plenty of photographs there’s a photography competition with fun prizes ranging from the opportunity to have your picture published to a voucher to get your next Christmas tree courtesy of the Forestry Commission.

Luxury Hamper

Every vehicle is supplied with a luxury hamper. Filled with the finest of Northumbrian produce, it is designed specifically for your journey and the number you have on board. The Pride of Northumbria GToN hamper is areal treat with the very best of local, organic and gourmet foods all wrapped up in a real wicker basket.

Vehicles

The route of the GToN is not passable by conventional car; the route uses unsurfaced or loose surfaced roads for the majority of its 60 miles. Some rutting, potholing and fording will also be unavoidable. As such, higher ground clearance and four wheel drive found on most SUVs is a necessity. If in any doubt about the suitability of your vehicle, please ask before booking.

Mountain Rescue

The GToN is operated to raise funds for charity. The Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team was established in the 1960s and provide an irreplaceable service that now extends to urban areas supporting the police in the search for missing vulnerable persons.

The service they provide is invaluable to both the hill-walker & climber as well as the wider community. Taking part in the GToN is a great way to support this worthy cause.

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