Why we love Northumberland
It’s always a great time to visit Northumberland. In spring, thousands of puffins flock to its islands, resulting in one of Britain’s greatest wildlife spectacles. In summer, its beaches are glorious: much of the coast is a nature reserve, with grass-topped dunes and wide golden sands. Autumn brings leaf-crunching walks through Northumberland National Park, plus festivals and fireworks galore. As for winter, simple pleasures abound: long pub lunches, frost-nipped trails and some of the best stargazing on Earth.
Northumberland is England’s northernmost county, and it sits right on the border with Scotland. It’s historical hot property, a land long fought over by kingdoms and invaders – as shown by its many landmarks, including the 2,000-year-old Hadrian’s Wall.
From Roman fortresses to enchanting isles, here’s where to go on your Northumberland holiday.
Photo by: VisitBritain
Location: Alnwick, England

Travel back in time
Northumberland’s fortresses bring its rich history to life – whether you’re dressing up as a medieval monarch at Bamburgh Castle, being entertained by jesters at Alnwick Castle, or watching knight battles and falconry at Warkworth Castle. Throughout summer, they host outdoor cinema and theatre shows in their atmospheric grounds too.
Photo by: VisitBritain/Yin Sun Photography
Location: Bamburgh Castle, England

Walk the wild coast
While Northumberland is famous for its wide sandy beaches, the shore is also dotted with castles and nature reserves. The 62-mile (100km) Northumberland Coast Path encompasses pretty seaside towns, wildlife-rich dunes and bracing clifftops alike, with welcoming bed and breakfasts along the way. It takes three to seven days in total, though the shorter sections are rewarding too.
Photo by: VisitBritain/Thomas Heaton/English Heritage
Location: Wallsend, England

Explore an ancient wonder
Built by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago, Hadrian’s Wall is one of the world’s greatest feats of ancient engineering – and Northumberland is home to the biggest section. Hop on the AD122 Hadrian’s Wall Country Bus to tour its spine-tingling Roman relics, or try a long-distance challenge: the Hadrian’s Cycleway serves up 170 miles (278km) of glorious countryside and historic gems. Or discover the history of Hadrian’s Wall on a full-day Hadrian’s Wall guided tour with a local guide dressed in authentic costume of the era.
Photo by: VisitBritain
Location: Holy Island (Northumberland), England

Make a feathered friend
Puffins ahoy! The Farne Islands, just off the coast, are famous for their year-round wildlife show: from newborn grey seal pups in October, to the springtime spectacle of 35,000 breeding puffins. Meanwhile Lindisfarne, or ‘Holy Island’, is rich in Christian history – with a 12th-century priory and crumbling Lindisfarne Castle. It’s connected to the mainland at low tide, so you can even walk there.
Photo by: VisitBritain/Georgie Sowman
Location: Bamburgh Castle, England

Find your next adventure
Want to try something new? How about horse riding on the beach, scuba diving with seals, or paddleboarding on the England-Scotland border? Maybe you’ll dive into wild waters on a coasteering trip, explore the North Pennines moors, or try Viking-style axe throwing at an outdoor activity centre? There are heaps of adventure activities in Northumberland.
Things to do in Northumberland
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Featured things to do
Photo by: Andrew Douglas/Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours
Location: Seahouses, England

Island escape
They look serene from a distance, but the Farne Islands are a colourful cacophony of seals, puffins, eider ducks and razorbills. Spring is a great time for wildlife cruises.
Learn more about the Farne Islands (opens in a new tab)Photo by: SolStock/Getty Images
Location: Beadnell, England

Make waves
When the sun is out, hit the beach: Northumberland’s coast is famous for its wide, sugar-soft sands. It’s also a windsurfing hotspot, so why not give it a go?
Learn more about Northumberland’s beaches (opens in a new tab)Photo by: Visit Northumberland/Kevin Gibson
Location: Kielder, England

Stars in your eyes
The award-winning Kielder Observatory hosts Britain’s biggest stargazing programme. Whether you’re a stargazing novice or an expert astronomer, you’ll feel right at home. Join a Late Night Discovery session, held during the darkest hours of the night, for your best chance to glimpse the night sky’s treasures.
Go stargazing at Kielder Observatory (opens in a new tab)Photo by: VisitBritain/Pinzutu
Location: Wooler, England

Winter warmer
Treat yourself to a dram of Northumberland’s first English single malt whisky at Ad Gefrin. Escape the cold with a tour and tasting at the modern distillery – and make time to discover the fascinating Anglo-Saxon Museum, too.
Raise a glass to winter at Ad Gefrin (opens in a new tab)Places to stay in Northumberland
Holiday cottages
Make yourself at home: you’ll find self-catering cottages throughout the countryside, beside the sea and in Northumberland’s market towns.
Glamping getaways
For the joy of the great outdoors with a few little luxuries, take your pick from woodland cabins, shepherd’s huts, yurt tents – and more.
Pubs with rooms
Pubs aren’t just for drinking and dining: many of them offer accommodation too, with cosy bedrooms, hearty breakfasts and a warm local welcome.
Explore nearby
Getting to Northumberland
Northumberland is located on the boundary between Scotland and England – but you won’t need to show your passport if you’re crossing the border by land. If you’re travelling by public transport, Newcastle provides excellent train links via the East Coast Main Line, with the fastest train from London taking around two hours 40 minutes, and Edinburgh 40 minutes. The closest international airport is in Newcastle.
Getting around
Taking the bus is cheap, easy and convenient – with local Northumberland bus services running all over the region, and even to Lindisfarne (Holy Island) when the tide allows. By train, the Tyne Valley Line connects Newcastle with Carlisle, and runs along the south of Northumberland National Park; check the Tyne Valley Community Rail partnership website for local walks and attractions accessible from its stations.
By bike
From short trails to long-distance routes, there are countless cycling trails in Northumberland to explore – and bike hire is available all over the region. Contact Carrylite for luggage transfers.
By car
For the ultimate flexibility, hire a car and follow a scenic road trip like the Northumberland 250. Electric charging points in Northumberland are plentiful too.
By bus
Northumberland is served by multiple bus operators, such as Go North East, which offers a 25% discount for two people travelling together. Traveline provides real-time bus info.
Want to know more?
Delve deeper into Northumberland’s best things to do and beautiful places to stay, by visiting its official website.
Northumberland is a county in the north-east of England and borders with the North Sea, County Durham, Scotland, and Cumbria.
Northumberland is known for its many castles and has more than 70 castle sites in total, more than any other county in England. Though, some castles are better preserved than others, including Bamburgh Castle and Alnwick Castle, there’s plenty to see, learn, and do. The county is also home to Northumberland National Park, which features numerous striking natural landscapes.
Holy Island in Northumberland is a small island that hosts the majestic Lindisfarne Castle and the historic Lindisfarne Priory. The picturesque castle dates to the 16th-century and sits atop a hill looking out to the sea. Due to its incredible backdrop and surroundings, it’s often said to be one of the most photographed castles in England. The tidal island is accessible via a causeway at low tide, so always check the tide times for when it is safe to access.
Blyth is located in the south-east of Northumberland and is a scenic seaside town. It is known for its golden beaches and maritime history. It also has a range of restaurants and cafes offering the kind of dishes you’d expect to enjoy by the sea – from award-winning gelatos to fish and chips!




































