Northumberland
Northumberland is England’s most northerly county, with an abundance of ancient castles, golden sandy beaches, rolling hills, rugged moorland and gorgeous little Northumberland towns and villages, Northumberland truly is a holiday destination for everyone.
Here are some of our favourite attractions found in Northumberland to get you started but believe us when we say there really is something out there for everybody.
ALNWICK GARDENS
The Alnwick Garden is an inspiring landscape with beautiful gardens, unique features – including a Treehouse and the Poison Garden – and magnificent architecture, all brought to life with water.
BEAMISH OPEN AIR MUSEUM
Beamish – The Living Museum of the North
Beamish is a world famous museum telling the story of the people of North East England during the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian periods.
THE WONDERFUL VALLEYS OF THE CHEVIOT HILLS
Northumberland was recently named by the Campaign for Rural England as the country’s most tranquil spot and if you spend any time here you’ll begin to realise why. With the Cheviot Hills right on our doorstep we can offer some of the most exciting walking country around.
For more information take a look at the Northumberland National Park website.
www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/visiting/placestovisit/cheviothills
CRAGSIDE – NATIONAL TRUST
Discover the first house in the world to be lit by hydro-electricity. It is crammed full of ingenious gadgets with most of them still working. The gardens are incredible. One of the largest rock gardens in Europe leads down to the Iron Bridge, which in turn leads to the formal garden. Children will love the adventure play area and exploring Nelly’s Labyrinth, a networks of paths and tunnels cut out of a vast area of rhododendron forest.
WALLINGTON – NATIONAL TRUST
Discover Wallington, much-loved home to generations of the unconventional Trevelyan family. Visit the impressive, yet friendly house, and explore the history of Northumberland in the huge pre-Raphaelite paintings around the remarkable Central Hall. Be inspired by the beautiful furniture, family paintings and treasured collections.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wallington
HOLY ISLAND
Still a place of pilgrimage even in these more secular times, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne is the very fountain head of England’s Christian heritage. It was on Holy Island that the early Christian message was honed and distributed to a largely pagan Northumberland. Lindisfarne Priory was the home of St Cuthbert and the birthplace of a true national treasure – the Lindisfarne Gospels, a unique illuminated Latin manuscript of the gospels of Mark, Luke and John.
FARNE ISLANDS – NATIONAL TRUST
The Farne Islands are possibly the most exciting seabird colony in England with unrivalled views of 23 species, including around 37,000 pairs of puffin. It’s also home to a large grey seal colony, with more than 1,000 pups born every autumn.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/farne-islands
HADRIANS WALL
Northumberland is home to the majority of the remaining sections of Hadrians Wall and five of the eight excavated forts, including the iconic fort of Housesteads and Vindolanda. The county is also home to many miles of tracks along unbroken parts of the wall that dip and swerve over high ground. These paths often provide spectacular views over a landscape largely unchanged since the days of the Roman legions.
www.visitnorthumberland.com/hadrians-wall
FORD & ETAL
A large agricultural estate with numerous different attractions and activities. Centred on the two villages of Ford and Etal, which lie in the valley of the River Till. The highlights have to be Heatherslaw Light Railway and the Flodden Battlefield.
CASTLES IN NORTHUMBERLAND
Northumberland is an area bursting with history, gorgeous countryside and stunning stretches of coastline all waiting to be discovered.
There are so many fantastic places to visit and here’s a list of the beautiful castles in our fabulous county.
ALNWICK CASTLE
One of the largest inhabited castles in Europe and proudly known as ‘the Windsor of the North’. It also played a starring role in the Harry Potter film.
BAMBURGH CASTLE
Spanning nine acres of land on its rocky plateau high above the Northumberland coastline, Bamburgh Castle is one of the largest inhabited castles in the country. Its location is stunning.
DUNSTANBURGH CASTLE
Dunstanburgh Castle is a 14th Century ruined fortress that can be accessed from Craster by foot or from Embleton/Newton by the sea. The castle dominates one of the most beautiful stretches of Northumberland coastline.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/dunstanburgh-castle
CHILLINGHAM CASTLE
Promoted as ‘Britain’s Most Haunted Castle’, this 12th Century garrison castle takes you back to a time when its business was killing. All the rooms are filled with remarkable artefacts: guns, arctic sledges, armour and more.
BEACHES IN NORTHUMBERLAND
The Northumberland Coastline is famous for its beautiful beaches, dramatic views and iconic castles. The Northumberland Coast of Outstanding Natural Beauty is home to thousands of waders, geese and ducks who enjoy rich feeding available on mud flats.
Bamburgh Beach
Magnificent Bamburgh Castle provides a backdrop at this beach, which has been popular since the Victorians first ‘invented’ the seaside. The sands run almost unbroken between Bamburgh and Seahouses, with dunes and just a couple or rocky areas that always prove popular with the kids.
Beadnell Bay
With a gorgeous golden sandy beach, limekilns, small harbour, beautiful coastline, and views to the distant Cheviot Hills Beadnell Bay is a favourite amongst our visitors. Ramblers will delight in the miles of unspoilt footpaths, beach and country walks. The varied terrain is easily accessible by foreshore and footpaths.
Embleton Bay
At the north end of Embleton Bay the road runs down into Low-Newton-By-The-Sea, a small hamlet that is practically on the beach. With a wonderful little pub called ‘The Ship Inn’ with its own micro brewery, Low Newton and Embleton Bay has to be up there as one of the most attractive beaches in Northumberland.
Alnmouth
A picturesque coastal village, Alnmouth was originally founded as a medieval borough or new town in 1150. Alnmouth became established as a grain port and shipbuilding centre between the years of 1207 and 1208. Today Alnmouth remains a beautiful and interesting village and is worth exploring.
For more information check out: www.visitnorthumberland.com/coast/beaches
GOLF IN NORTHUMBERLAND
Northumberland is home to a vast range great golf courses, located in some of the most stunning and dramatic landscapes in Britain.
With courses to suit every level of golfer from beginner to expert. Northumberland’s coastal courses are a delight, true links challenges like Goswick, Warkworth, Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course and Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, nestling just yards from local stunning beaches.
For more information about Golf in Northumberland please visit : –
www.yournorthumberland.co.uk/things-to-do/golf
DARK SKIES
Northumberland International Dark Sky Park was unveiled in December 2013. At 572 square miles it is also Europe’s largest area of protected night sky. Due to its pristine skies it was awarded gold tier designation by the international Dark Sky Association, making it officially the best place in England for people to go to enjoy the heavens.
WATER SPORTS IN NORTHUMBERLAND
ADVENTURE NORTHUMERLAND
For a wide range of water sports from canoeing to surfing and coasteering, Adventure Northumberland has a lot to offer those looking to get out on the water for a thrilling day packed full of activities. Experience the coastline in a completely unique way as you ride the waves or clamber in and out of caves and cliff ridges whilst exploring the shoreline coasteering.
www.adventurenorthumberland.co.uk/
KA KITESURFING
Using the stunning beaches at Budle Bay, Bamburgh, Beadnell Bay, Druridge Bay, and Redcar KA provide kitesurfing courses designed for both groups and individuals.
Tel: 07766 303876
BOAT TRIPS
SERENITY BOATS
Serenity Farne Islands boat tours sail all year round to the Farne Islands, one of Britain’s most spectacular wildlife habitats! We offer different trips throughout the year from landings, photography trips, whale watching to ‘sail arounds’.
Tel: 07984 668093
BILLY SHIEL’S BOAT TRIPS
Providing trips around the Farne Islands, visit one of the most exciting seabird colonies in the United Kingdom, with unrivalled views of 23 species, including around 43,000 pairs of puffins. Also home to an inquisitive colony of Atlantic & Grey Seals with over 2000 seal pups born from the islands each year.
Tel: 01665 720308
MOUNTAIN BIKING CYCLING
With an abundance of road cycling and mountain biking, Northumberland is a perfect destination for a cycling holiday. We have a lockable garage in the village which be used to store bikes in desired, or there is plenty space to store near your cottage. If you are looking to hire bikes, please see some suggestions below.
www.cyclenorthumberland.org.uk
Tel: 01665 713448
Bike Repairs – The Bike Shop Alnwick.
Tel: 07599 350000
