As a county, Northumberland has everything for the perfect holiday - lovely countryside, lakes, hills, beaches, castles and stately homes, a National Park, two areas of outstanding natural beauty - and Hadrian's Wall.
Northumberland National Park.
This most northerly of England's National Parks was designated in 1956 and covers an area of 400sq miles, from Hadrian's Wall in the south, to the Cheviot Hills, which form the border with Scotland in the north. It is one of the great remaining open spaces in Britain, with over 600 miles of way-marked footpaths and bridleways. Here you will find a complete range of scenery; high hills and river valleys, forests and heather clad moorlands and wonderful open skys.
The peaceful river valleys of North Tyne and Redesdale, known as 'Reiver Country', were once terrorised by the warring clans from both north and south of the borders. The Reivers were outlaws who stole cattle, raided and burnt each other's homes. Evidence of the conflicts, which took place between the 14th - 16th centuries still remain in the many ruined Peel Towers (look-out towers) and Bastles (fortified farms), found in this part of the National Park.
Castles
Northumberland as a whole has more castles, both ruined and preserved than any other county in England; a legacy of the Border Wars.
Bamburgh Castle: One of the most imposing castles in England, Bamburgh castle sits on a basalt crag dominating this part of the beautiful Northumberland coast
Dunstanburgh Castle: Craster, Alnwick. This dramatic, massive ruined castle, in an impressive coastal setting, dominates a lonely stretch of Northumberland's coastline. It was once one of the largest and grandest fortifications in northern England and has fine clifftop panoramas.
Warkworth Castle and Hermitage: 7½ miles S of Alnwick, on A1068
The magnificent cross-shaped keep of Warkworth, crowning a hilltop rising steeply above the River Coquet, dominates one of the largest, strongest and most impressive fortresses in northern England. The castle’s most famous owners were the Percy family, whose lion badge can be seen carved on many parts of their stronghold. Still roofed and almost complete, the uniquely-planned keep dates mainly from the end of the 14th century. It presides over the extensive remains of a great hall, chapel, fine gatehouse and a virtually intact circuit of towered walls.
Kielder Castle: Originally built in the 17th century as a hunting lodge for the Dukes of Northumberland, Kielder Castle is now a visitor centre for northern Europe's largest man made forest. Exhibitions in the castle include the history of the forest and area. Also waymarked walks/cycle routes, play area, picnic site and the Minotaur Maze. Kielder village, 30 miles Northwest of Hexham.
Historic Houses and Gardens
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens: In Belsay; 14 miles NW of Newcastle, on A696
Here one will find a spectacular medieval castle, a Greek Revival Villa and thirty acres of stunning Grade I gardens linking the two. Also the Jacobean mansion ruins, the castle and wonderfully presented Belsay Hall. The gardens, unaltered for 200 years, contain thousands of exotic species, famous rhododendrons and the magical Quarry Garden, with ravines, pinnacles and sheer rock faces inspired by the quarries of Sicily.
Cragside, Rothbury, Morpeth, Northumberland NE65 7PX
Telephone: 01669 620333
Home of Lord Armstrong – one of the North East's great Victorians, this was the first house in the world to be lit by hydro-electricity. It has possibly the largest rock garden in Europe, a tricky rhododendron maze and a fantastic woodland estate, one of the red squirrel's last strongholds
Seaton Delaval Hall, Seaton Sluice, Whitley Bay Northumberland NE26 4QR. A splendid English baroque house, regarded by many as Sir John Vanbrugh's masterpiece. The playwright who turned so successfully to Architecture built this great house between 1718 and 1728 for Admiral George Delaval. The house, one of the great feats of architecture of the early 18th century, comprises a centre block between two arcaded and pedimented wings. In 1822 the Centre Block was gutted by fire, but was partially restored in 1862-63 and again in 1959-62 and 1999-2000.The East Wing contains very fine stables and in the grounds are extensive garden and statues. There is also a Coach House with an interesting collection of vehicles, a restored Ice House and a unique Norman Church.
Hadrian's Wall
In the south of Northumberland National Park is Hadrian's Wall, built on an outcrop of hard volcanic rock, the Whin Sill which ran from the east to west coast of England and is now a World Heritage Site. Here on a clear day you can walk and see for miles and enjoy the wonderful views of the surrounding countryside!
The river valleys of North Tyne and Redesdale form a gentle landscape in Northumberland National Park, but this was not always the case. Known as 'Reiver Country', these quiet valleys were once terrorised by the warring clans from both north and south of the borders. The Reivers were outlaws who stole cattle, raided and burnt each other's homes.
Evidence of the conflicts, which took place between the 14th - 16th centuries still remain in the many ruined Peel Towers (look-out towers) and Bastles (fortified farms), found in this part of the National Park.
Historic Otterburn with its famous mill is an ancient battle site on the edge of the Northumberland National Park, one of the finest parts of England for walking and climbing. Otterburn Mill still maintains an age old tradition of selling high quality textiles and craft products from a large Mill Shop which is housed in the original Mill buildings, alongside archive material, tools and machinery associated with a once thriving industry.
Newcastle, Gateshead and Alnwick all offer excellent shopping, along with a good selection of cinemas, theatres and concert venues.