Top 10 reasons to visit Northumberland

By Bernice Saltzer

Its castles

From the majesty and riches of Alnwick and Bamburgh castles to the ruins of Warkworth and the splendid isolation of Dunstanburgh, each of Northumberland’s 39 castles has a character all of its own. Far more than just fancy homes for the rich in days gone by, these castles go back to Norman times and were very much built to defend the region from invaders.

Its countryside

Wild, unspoilt and sparsely populated, Northumberland is a walker’s paradise, where it is possible to wander for hours and barely see another living soul. The further north you go, the harsher the climate and the craggier the terrain, but to the west, near Kielder, the landscape is softer and ideal for cycling.

Kielder Water and Forest Park

Its wildlife

Northumberland’s varied landscape is home to a vast array of animals, birds and fish. Wander through Kielder and you’re sure to spot a red squirrel or two, while rare osprey fly through the skies above. Or take a boat trip from Amble or Seahouses to the Farne Islands – home to a circus of brightly-beaked puffins. Visitors come from all over the world to take these boat trips so make sure you put it on your to do list.

Its food

Thanks to its diverse landscape Northumberland produces some of the country’s finest meat, fish, dairy and vegetables – and some of the best chefs to cook them. Try our world-famous Craster kippers or give in to pan haggerty, a Northumberland classic made by layering fried onions, thinly sliced potatoes and mature cheddar cheese and baking in the oven.

Its museums

Museums Northumberland operates some of the most important buildings in England, where visitors can discover Northumberland’s role in the world. Berwick Museum and Art Gallery is housed in England’s first Barracks, Hexham Old Gaol is England’s oldest; Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum is situated in a Medieval building and Woodhorn Museum is located in a scheduled ancient monument.

Its Wall

One of the world’s most famous wonders, Hadrian’s Wall, built, ‘to separate the Romans from the barbarians,’ stretches the breadth of the county – and has done for almost 2,000 years. Because it is so precious and so famous, visitors are always amazed at how accessible it is and how remote. On a quiet day you can expect to have great swathes of it virtually to yourself, making it the perfect place for a quiet wander.

Its people

Wherever you go you’ll receive a warm and friendly welcome. We’re proud of our famous Northumbrians, too; shipwreck heroine Grace Darling, industrialist Lord Armstrong and railway pioneer George Stephenson to name but a few.

Its coastline

Whether you want to walk the shoreline of Alnmouth, the county’s prettiest beach, go rock-pooling, or tread in the footsteps of centuries of travellers, between Craster and Dunstanburgh Castle, the rugged coastline is ever changing and ever beautiful.

Druridge Bay

Its sky

The incredibly low levels of light pollution make this the best place in the country to spot stars, particularly if you’re staying in the designated dark sky area around Kielder and its unique observatory. Not only do the stars seem bigger and brighter but, on a clear night, it is perfectly possible, with the naked eye, to identify planets, the Milky Way and even the International Space Station.

Its culture

Northumberland has traditions not found anywhere else in England, such as sword and clog dancing. Perhaps because it borders Scotland, it also has its own, smaller version of the bagpipe; the Northumbrian smallpipe which is a truly beautiful sound compared to the harshness of its Scottish counterpart. Northumberland also boasts its own, checked tartan – black and white, naturally.

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