17 Best Things to Do in Northumberland - Discovering Northern England
Northumberland is a region rich with nature, history, and vast amounts of land waiting to be explored. The historic county is home to beautiful castles, old towns, beaches, flowing rivers, and scenic islands.
My favourite part about Northumberland is that it blends all aspects of travel so perfectly. In this post, I'll introduce you to everything Northumberland has to offer and help you find the perfect sites to visit.
Alnwick
The town of Alnwick is widely known for its castle, which was used to film two Harry Potter movies and is the town's most famous attraction. Alnwick Castle is incredible, and it's easy to see why they used it for the Harry Potter movies. It's a huge fortress with a ton of history that can be explored through interactive tours, and for Harry Potter fans, they can even book a broomstick training experience.
The Market Square in Alnwick, Northumberland
Although Alnwick does offer much more than just a medieval fortress, it also has a beautiful town centre, the Alnwick Garden, and an amazing scenic countryside with the River Aln running through it.
The Alnwick Garden is easily one of the most unique gardens in England. It's home to the Alnwick Poison Garden and lots of amazing plants and nature. Overall, I would say Alnwick is a great town to explore, and if you're planning to visit Northumberland, then you should definitely stop by here.
Alnmouth
Just a few miles from Alnwick along the Northumberland Coast lies the charming little town of Alnmouth. This coastal village sits at the edge of the mouth of the River Aln, which directly leads upstream to the town of Alnwick.
Alnmouth is known for its diverse wildlife, which has become popular with birdwatchers, and a tranquil landscape for visitors looking for a remote beach in Northumberland. The village also has its own special sites, like St. Cuthbert’s Cross, located on Church Hill. This is easily the most beautiful viewpoint and most famous landmark in the town.
The beaches in Alnmouth are peaceful, with no facilities or tourist attractions, although I see this as a good thing and find it to be a true getaway when compared to the busy vibe of a regular British seaside town.
Alnmouth is a great addition if you are already visiting Alnwick; it is only 4 miles away and offers such unique wildlife and beautiful, tranquil beaches.
Holy Island
The Holy Island of Lindisfarne is a tidal island located off the Northumberland coast. It is famous for being a religious site for pilgramage during the Middle Ages and is known as the place where St. Aidan and St. Cuthbert once resided. The Holy Island gained its name for its influence on Christianity in the Northumberland region. It has survived Viking invasions, and its religious sites have withstood the test of centuries.
Today, on the Holy Island, you can find ruins of the resselient sites, such as the Linidisfarne Priory and Lindisfarne Castle. You can reach the Holy Island by crossing a causeway, a road in the ocean that floods twice per day. Because of this unique road, you will need to plan your journey to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne carefully. If you would like to find out more about the Holy Island, you can find my full guide through this link.
Seahouses Village
Seashouses Village is a cute little town on the coast that is known for its tranquil and charming atmosphere. The town has a laid-back vibe and is full of friendly locals. It is a popular destination for maritime tourism, and many visitors flock here to take tours around the North Sea waters.
A popular tour is Seahouses to Holy Island, which is a great way to reach Holy Island if you don't want to drive through the causeway. There are also various other tours on offer, like spotting dolphins in the ocean and trips to the Farne Islands, which are thriving with wildlife.
Seahouses is not just a hub for tours; it also has some nice beaches nearby and generally a great atmosphere, so you might want to spend a few hours walking the town and surrounding area too. This village is a great place to embark on some awesome tours and get a feel for the local life in Northumberland.
Farne Islands
Northumberland, being so diverse in nature, is home to a group of rocky islands known as the Farne Islands. These beautiful coastal gems are a haven for wildlife, encompassing a variety of species of birds such as guillemots, shags, eiders, razorbills, and gulls. For this reason, the National Nature Reserve has become a hotspot for birdwatchers to visit.
As well as birds, a large colony of gray seals also calls these rocky islands home. These seals have become associated with the rough, rocky scenery of these islands, and they are often the first species visitors think of when visiting the Northumberland Islands.
The best and easiest way to visit the Farne Islands is by boat tour, many of which are available from Seahouses Village. There are a variety of tours for this area, so be sure to pick one that suits your travels.
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick-upon-Tweed gets my pick for the best town in Northumberland. This beautiful town sits on the English side of the Scottish Border, and it has some amazing historic sites that are very well preserved.
View of Berwick-upon-Tweed riverside in Northumberland
The town is connected to both the River Tweed on one side and the North Sea on the other side of the town. There are historic bridges like the Royal Border Bridges and the Royal Tweed Bridge, which complement its already beautiful riverside. I found this to be one of the most beautiful riverside areas I have seen anywhere in England, with medieval architecture lining the banks of the River Tweed.
Berwick-upon-Tweed is also home to old town walls built by the Romans and a beautiful lighthouse that is located along its shores. If you're interested in visiting a medieval town on the Scottish Border that is well preserved and has plenty of things to do, then Berwick-upon-Tweed is one of the best places to visit in Northumberland.
Overall, this was my favorite Northumberland town, mostly because I love historic bridges and medieval architecture, but also because it was a very unique place, and I haven't seen another old town quite like it.
Bamburgh Castle
Bamburgh Castle is the most impressive fortress in Northumberland. The historic structure has had a foothold on the shores of Northumberland since the 11th century. Being so old, Bamburgh has seen the likes of Viking invasions and many changes throughout the history of the Northumberland region.
Bamburgh Castle withstood multiple Viking invasions and endured significant destruction, but it was ultimately restored to its former glory in the 20th century.
Bamburgh Castle has so much to see behind its strong exterior, and it's a great place to learn about the historic county of Northumberland. In my opinion, Bamburgh Castle is the best historic site in Northumberland and should be at the top of anyone's to-do list.
Bamburgh Beach
Nature lovers will definitely appreciate the vast open space of endless sand that is Bamburgh Beach. This beach spans for miles along the Northumberland Coast, and Bamburgh Castle adds to its scenic beauty and makes it feel like a scene out of a movie.
Bamburgh Beach
The beach is quiet considering how busy Bamburgh Castle is. There is endless space to roam around, the water is clear, and it's a great place to sunbath or walk your dog. Bamburgh Beach is great, and having so much space means it doesn't get overcrowded, unlike many other British beaches.
Budle Bay
Budle Bay is one of the best beaches in Northumberland; it is idyllic, quiet, and has an abundance of wildlife. Its wide variety of coastal ecosystems ranges from beautiful sandy beaches to salt marshes to steep cliffs and hilly terrain. This diverse ecosystem in Budle Bay has made it a place where you can find all kinds of aquatic wildlife, like dolphins, otters, and seals.
Budle Bay provides a variety of walking trails where visitors can have a relaxing walk amongst its beautiful nature. Because of its rich natural habitats, Budle Bay is bustling with wildlife and has become one of the top birdwatching spots in Northumberland.
To make things even more incredible, campers can stay the night at the Budle Bay Camp site and enjoy the dark skies of Northumberland. I believe Budle Bay is one of the most complete nature experiences in Northumberland.
Kielder Water and Forest Park
Beautiful scenic lakes, dark skies, forestry, and a variety of wildlife are all characteristics of Kielder Water and Forest Park. This incredible outdoor space hosts the largest manmade lake in Northern Europe, which makes it a great place for water activities like canoeing, sailing, and water skiing. In addition to water activities, on-land leisure activities include Segways, zip lines, high ropes, archery, crossbows, fencing, Water Walkerz, Sea Scooters, Snorkeling, Body Zorbs, Crazy Carts, and Crazy Trikes.
One unique aspect of the park is that it is home to many osprey, a bird that seems to love this beautiful Northumberland park. The birds flock to Kielder Water and Forest Park, and it is one of the best places to view these amazing birds. They even offer osprey-viewing cruise tours, as it has become such a popular place to see these birds. Birdlife in this area is thriving in general, and it is a prime birdwatching spot, but osprey are perhaps one of the most well-known and unique species you will find at the park.
Kielder Water and Forest Park has so many thrilling activities and attractions, while also being a very relaxing place to visit. It has pretty much everything an adventurer could want, from wildlife to a beautiful lake and tranquil forest paths.
Dunstanburgh Castle
Situated along the rocky coast of Northumberland is the medieval castle of Dunstanburgh. Built in the 14th century, the castle lies on a headland that is 1.3 miles from the nearest village of Craster. It was once one of the largest castles in Britain; however, it has experienced much deterioration over the years.
However, visitors can still experience the ancient ruins of the seaside fortress and its surrounding views of the beautifully rugged North Sea. It doesn't provide the same museum experience and full day out as Bamburgh or Alnwick, but nonetheless, the castle ruins and the area surrounding them are beautiful and are packed with wildlife and sandy shores.
Dunstanburgh Castle is a great historic site and one of the best locations to enjoy the seamless blend of history and nature in Northumberland, but it's important to remember that this is not an indoor activity, and you will need to dress well to walk the windy shores that this medieval castle is set upon.
Northumberland National Park
Northumberland National Park covers a gigantic amount of land, spanning 410 square miles of beautiful nature. It is home to a diverse landscape, from moorlands and dense forests to hilly terrain and even waterfalls. Northumberland National Park is also known for historic sites like Hadrian's Wall being located there.
Sycamore Gap - ID2481074© Gail Johnson|Dreamstime.com
Some of the most beautiful sites in Northumberland National Park are its dark skies, the Hareshaw Linn Waterfall, and the Sycamore Gap. There are countless walking trails to explore too, some of which, like the Hareshaw Linn Walk, include these sites along the way.
For those looking for something a little more challenging than the scenic nature walks, the Cheviot Hills are the place to go. Cheviot is the highest peak in the park and sits at 815 meters. The terrain is more rugged and might be a bit difficult for some, so go well prepared if you plan to visit the Cheviot Peak.
Hareshaw Linn Waterfall - ID77658676© David Head|Dreamstime.com
With its diverse landscape and wide variety of activities to explore, this scenic national park is definitely the perfect getaway spot for nature lovers visiting Northumberland.
Northumberland International Dark Skies Park
The Northumberland International Dark Skies Park consists of multiple areas throughout Northumberland National Park. Dark skies are the main attraction of these areas, and together, these locations are known as the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park.
The locations have some of the darkest skies in the whole of Northumberland and have attracted many astro photographers and campers. These areas are quite remote and considered some of the best places in the United Kingdom for viewing astronomy. For visitors looking for a special stargazing experience, the Northumberland International Dark Skies Park is definitely worth visiting.
Hadrian's wall
Hadrian's Wall is an old Roman wall that is part of the famous Tyne Valley area. The wall spans for miles across the English countryside, winding and weaving through the grasslands of Northumberland National Park. It sounds like some kind of mythical structure, but actually it's Hadrian's Wall, a structure built 1900 years ago to protect Roman Britain from invading tribes.
This incredible site has multiple areas of the wall still standing today in the countryside of Northumberland. Visitors can explore some great walking trails in the Northumberland National Park, where they can walk alongside the beautiful Roman Wall. For those who like history and nature combined, I highly recommend a walk alongside this historic wall.
Northumberlandia - Lady of the North
Northumberlandia Park is a cool but small park located near the town of Cramlington. The landscape of this park is particularly special as it has been designed as a landform sculpture depicting in the shape of a woman reclining. This sculpture is known as the Lady of the North; she is 100 feet in height and quarter-miles in length and is comprised of an impressive 1.5 million tons of rock, soil, and clay. Quite an outstanding accomplishment and an awesome experience to walk around as the Lady of the North is designed as a maze-type park.
Northumberlandia Park
Visitors can walk the winding paths up to the top of each hill and view the landform sculptures from above. The hills provide great views of Northumberlandia park and are a nice leisurely walk. Northumberlandia has nice lakes too, which make it a nice relaxing experience to walk the park.
Walking paths at Northumberlandia Park in Northumberland
If you are nearby the town of Cramlington or visiting Newcastle, then this park is definitely worth a visit. It's a great place to explore for a couple of hours, but keep in mind that it's not a huge park and will not require a whole day. I still recommend it, though, and people who enjoy a nice park with some artistic expression won't be disappointed.
North Pennines
Mountainous, green, and rich with nature are the North Pennines, and that is why they are so popular amongst hikers and wildlife enthusiasts. The North Pennines span parts of Cumbria, County Durham, and Northumberland. This vast region is home to rolling hills, wide-open moorlands, and deep valleys.
Making up parts of the Northumberland International Dark Skies Park, the North Peninies hosts 16 dark skies discovery sites. It has been designated both as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a UNESCO Global Geopark. With all these attributes, the North Pennines has a lot to live up to, but it delivers with its gigantic 770 square miles of land.
The North Pennines has everything an outdoor adventurer could want, including leisure activities, great wildlife, nature, and some of the darkest skies in England, which are perfect for stargazing and camping. It is certainly one of my top picks for places to go in Northumberland, especially for exploring the great outdoors.
Newcastle
Newcastle is no longer a part of Northumberland, but it is situated right on its border, which makes it within easy reach. This historic city was part of the Northumberland region until 1400; it was then repositioned in Tyne and Wear County.
Newcastle riverside at at sunset
Newcastle is one of the most underrated cities in the UK. It is a beautiful city with old architecture and a modern atmosphere. My favorite part about Newcastle was their incredible bridges that are built over the River Tyne.
The Tyne Bridge and the Swing Bridge are definitely some of the most beautiful bridges in any English city. Newcastle's bustling riverside area adds even more character to the already beautiful bridges, and it is a great place to explore the River Tyne and experience the city's great environment.
The Tyne Bridge evening view in Newcastle
This city has a ton of things to do, ranging from shopping to sightseeing and entertainment venues. It has my vote for one of the best cities in Northern England, and visiting Newcastle is definitely one of the best things to do near Northumberland.
Places to Stay In Northumberland
Thankfully, Northumberland has plenty of options when it comes to accommodation. These range from large countryside hotels to small guesthouses and self-catering cottages. Depending on where you would like to stay in Northumberland,.
In terms of towns, if you are looking for a place to stay with some restaurants and shops nearby, I would choose Alnwick or Berwick-upon-Tweed. Newcastle, which is on the border with Northumberland, is also a great option, as it is a big city and has many amenities.
Countryside hotels in the Northumberland National Park area are a great option if you want to enjoy nature uninterrupted by modern life. There are also many self-catering accommodation options available, so if you are looking for a long stay, this might be a good choice.
Plan Your Trip
You can start your Northumberland adventure by mapping out your trip. Wanderlog is a simple way to map out your trip and discover interesting new landmarks and areas along the way.
What Is Northumberland Best Known For?
Northumberland is recognized for many things, such as UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Hadrian's Wall. Its diverse landscape is another unique quality Northumberland is best known for, ranging from Northumberland National Park to the International Dark Sky Park, making it famous for being one of the best stargazing spots in the UK. The county is likely most famous for its beautiful castles, like Bamburgh Castle and Alnwick Castle.
What Is the Biggest Town in Northumberland?
Blyth is the largest town in Northumberland according to population size. Although Northumberland is a sparsely populated county, its towns are on the smaller side in comparison to the rest of the United Kingdom.
Is Northumberland English or Scottish?
The Romans occupied Northumberland for many years, and later it became a battleground between the English and the Scottish. Berwick-upon-Tweed was one of the main towns that experienced these border skirmishes. However, today, Northumberland remains entirely part of England.
Final Thoughts on Northumberland
Northumberland is one of the most exciting regions in the United Kingdom, especially for nature lovers and history buffs. It has an amazing blend of small medieval towns and nature sites, from the medieval town walls of Berwick-upon-Tweed and the seaside fortress of Bamburgh to the peaks of the Cheviot Hills.
This distinct blend of sites, all within an inviting landscape, makes Northumberland a must-visit. There are great sites in every corner of the region that are all within a journey of each other, which is what makes Northumberland so special.