Northumberland is England’s northernmost county and has more castles than any other county in England
Northumberland is so big on beauty that it doesn’t have a city — just small villages and hamlets scattered across the sparsely populated landscape like historic jewels. It’s also home to one of the UK's most spectacular national parks, Northumberland National Park. Along with untamed natural beauty, the landscape is filled with Roman ruins and crumbling forts. When you’re exploring the many walking trails in Northumberland, it’s not hard to imagine what it must have been like living here all those years ago. Northumberland is the ideal spot for an active English adventure with plenty of history along the way.
Northumberland highlights
Hike in Northumberland National Park
If you like having one of Britain’s most stunning National Parks all to yourself, you’ve come to the right place. Northumberland National Park is the least populated National Park in the United Kingdom and covers more than 1,050 square kilometres. Plenty of room exists to spread out and immerse yourself in the sublime scenery without the crowds. You’ll also find a third of North East England’s 1,389 scheduled monuments here, plus four of the five cleanest rivers in Britain.
Stay in historic accommodation
Northumberland has superb historic accommodation to suit every taste and budget. Check into your room at an old inn dating back over 300 years in Northumberland National Park. Stay in a Victorian townhouse-turned-hotel with views of the 6th-century Abbey in Hexham. You could also sleep in a castle built in the 1300s or one of Haltwhistle’s most historic buildings. Atmospheric pubs like the Barrasford Arms are another popular landmark option.
Visit a Dark Sky Park
Explore the beautiful Kielder Forest on the border of England and Scotland, where the North Tyne River rises, and the dark skies make for a perfect spot for stargazing. The Northumberland International Dark Sky Park is the biggest and best place to stargaze in the United Kingdom thanks to its remote location, small population and lack of major towns. Visit one of the Dark Sky Park observatories for a guided star gazing experience, or head to one of the many Dark Sky Discovery Sites for free to see the twinkling stars.
Visit Alnwick Castle
Widely regarded as one of Britain’s most iconic castles, Alnwick Castle will look familiar to Harry Potter fans as it stands in for Hogwarts in the films. The castle has been around since the early 1300s and has been home to the Percy family for over 700 years. Along with admiring the castle and its grounds, you can tour the Duke of Northumberland art collection, which includes works by significant painters from the Old Masters of the Venetian School dating back to the 16th Century.
Cycle through the countryside
Northumberland is the ideal spot for a holiday on two wheels (or two legs). Join Intrepid’s Northumberland: Hike, Bike & Kayak tour and cycle from Alston, the highest market town in England, down through the Tyne Gap valley, then take to the water in a canoe or kayak and explore the point where the North and South Tyne meets. If you would prefer to stick to cycling, plenty of cycle trails will take you to the best places in Northumberland.
Visit Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland
It’s not a trip to Northern England without seeing the ancient Roman ruins of Hadrian’s Wall, Britain’s largest archaeological feature, which stretches for 117 km. Northumberland is home to the longest section of the wall in the country. Along the way, you’ll discover ancient Roman forts, temples and bathhouses where Roman soldiers once came to soak their battle-weary limbs. Don’t be surprised if you come across a live excavation site.
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