Are you planning a stay in Northumberland and looking for great places to explore and some hidden gems? Then please continue reading!
Alnwick
Alnwick is the heart of Northumberland and famously known for Alnwick Castle and it's links to Harry Potter. This historic medieval market town with it's cobbled streets, narrow alleys and stone buildings that are home to independent shops, cafes and restaurants, with a fantastic farmers market on the last Friday of every month, it is a town we all should visit in our life time.
Barter Books is one of the largest second hand bookshops in the country, located in the old Victorian Railway Station in Alnwick, it sure is a magnificent building and is a must visit for all book lovers.
The ancestral home of the Percy Family since 1309, dating back to the Norman Period, and one of the most famous castles in England, home to the current Duke and Duchess of Northumberland and the film set to Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, this castle and it's gardens has something for everyone.
Learn to fly a broomstick in the courtyard, try your hand at some archery in the gardens, explore the magnificent castle, with its 14th century dungeon and grand state rooms, then take a walk in some of the most beautiful gardens on the country. Visit the gardens at the end of April - start of May to see the Japanese Taihaku Cherry Blossom in full bloom and
top it all off with some lunch or dinner/tea at the Treehouse Restaurant.
To find out more and book your tickets to visit then head to Alnwick Castle Website.
Bamburgh
The Royal Capital of the Ancient Kingdom of Northumbria.
Bamburgh is a must on any visit to Northumberland, and personally I prefer Bamburgh Castle over Alnwick (shhh don't tell anyone!)
From every angle you will get a spectacular view of Bamburgh Castle, the real Last Kingdom of Bebbanburg, discover over 3000 years of incredible History, take in the views from the castle walls over to Holy Island, breath in the salty sea air and dream of being a true Viking. And it is one of the Castles in the area that is open all year round! Which is a real winner for me, as I love to visit Castles and historic houses in winter but many are often closed, but not this one!
Make sure you take a long stroll along one of the best beaches in England (in my opinion) to Seahouses. With rolling sand dunes and clear waters it is a great beach for a sea swim all year round (if you are brave enough) take a picnic in the summer, sit back and relax and take in the stunning views. This beach is also dog friendly.
Explore the main street of Bamburgh, with it's shops, cafes and pubs, I can recommend
The Lord Crewe for food, they do (or did) the best sticky ginger pudding I have ever had!
Holy Island
The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, this small island is the home to so much history, 1,400 year old Priory, the home of St Cuthbert, Lindisfarne Castle used as a Military Defence from the 1500's, now owned by The National Trust, and the largest and best preserved Lime Kilns in the country.
With lovely walks around the island, pubs, shops and cafes and a Food shack with delicious Fresh Local Crab Sandwiches! It is another great place to visit, don't forget to check the tide times as twice a day the island gets cut off by the tide, and you may not want to get stranded!
Alnmouth
Alnmouth, where the River Aln meets the sea, is an area of outstanding natural beauty.
This quaint little village is a true Hidden Gem on the Northumberland coastline, and just 4 miles from Alnwick. Spend days out on the beach with the family, explore the pastel coloured village streets, look out for abundant wildlife and head out for a walk along St Oswolds Way or Northumberland Coast Path and walk from Castle to Castle.
Low Newton By The Sea
Low Newton is a small fishing village almost completely owned by The National Trust, with it's curved beach and white washed houses it sure is picturesque. Try windsurfing on the beach or just kick back and relax, explore the tidal pools and take in the view to the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle dating back to the 1300's and King Edward II.
Embleton Bay
Embleton Bay is a long stretch of golden sand overlooked by Dunstanburgh Castle, the beach is backed by low sand dunes and is an area of outstanding natural beauty. You can walk along Embleton Bay to Low Newton by the sea, a fantastic walk to do on a sunny day.
The Cheviot Hills
No trip to Northumberland would be complete without visiting Northumberland's National Park, known for it's Dark Skies, rolling Cheviot Hills and stunning waterfalls! It sure is a walkers paradise!
We headed out on a walk to Linhope Spout Waterfall, nestled in the Cheviot Hills, this easy 3 mile hike is incredibly well sign posted, and parking is in a layby at Hartside, which is a great location to start many hikes in this area.
If you are lucky you will see red squirrels on your route up to the waterfall and when you arrive it is spectacular and a great wild swimming spot!
Please always take care when wild swimming, especially with waterfall plunge pools due to the currents and the power of the water, we did not dip in the main pool as the flow was too strong, we found a quieter pool just below the main one. Never stay in the cold water too long and listen to your body, and ideally go with someone, or if you go alone make sure you tell people where you are going, and always have a hot drink and warm clothes ready to put on afterwards.
For a route to Linhope Spout Waterfall - Click Here
Parking - NE66 4LZ
Hike to the highest point in Northumberland , The Cheviot an extinct Volcano sitting at 815m high. I would recommend hiking this one after a dry spell as it is known to be boggy, for a list of different routes then check out Walking The Highlands.
Northumberland's National Park is on the border of Bonny Scotland, so why not hike part of the Hadrian's Wall and follow in the footsteps of the Romans! There are plenty of walks to choose from (many I need to do myself) and many Roman Forts to explore.
Planning a winter getaway to Northumberland? It is the best time to fully experience the beauty of the Dark Skies, with being one of the best Dark Skies National Parks in the Country. Head away from the towns and villages into the countryside and hills and just look up! Let your eyes adjust and take in the wonder that is the universe. Or why not head to one of the observatories, Kielder or Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory.
To find out more, hints and tips and the best spots to star gaze then click Here
I could go on forever and ever about all the amazing places to explore in Northumberland, I feel like I have barely scratched the surface! But if this has given you inspiration to visit then I will be extremely happy, this county is an absolute stunner!
If you are looking for somewhere to Stay, then please check out Arlington House Hotel in Wooler, at the base of The Cheviot Hills, and only 25-30 minute drive to Bamburgh, Alnwick and Holy Island, it is a great base for all your adventures.
Book directly with the link above and use the code 'freya10' to save 10% off your booking. To find out more about this hotel please check out my blog post on it Here
Thanks so much for reading x
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