Historical sites to take you back through time, vast landscapes to explore, and wildlife to make you go ‘aw’. That’s Northumberland. Countless Northumberland castles jostle for attention - ‘proper’ castles with battlements and portcullises, ghostly ruins guarding endless sandy beaches, and ones that echo with ancient footsteps. There is a plethora of things to do in Northumberland for history fans, hikers, mountain bikers and romantics alike, from ambling along the Northumberland coast to glamping and camping in the county’s endless countryside, but one of the best places to visit in Northumberland of all is the Farne Islands, where dozens of puffins await to melt your hearts. At night, turn your gaze upwards to see millions of stars pinpricking the famed dark skies in Northumberland’s National Park.
Places to visit in Northumberland
Gold winner: Kidlandlee Holiday Cottages
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Go off-grid with a luxury self-catering break in Northumberland National Park – winner of the Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year Award 2023.
Gold winner: Grey Seal and Seabird Cruise, Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours
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Winner of the Experience of the Year Award 2023, jump aboard a boat tour to spot wildlife around the unspoilt Farne Islands.
7 things to do on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne
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Uncover mystical history at Lindisfarne Castle or spot seals on the secluded North Shore Walk during a trip to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne.
Dine like Lords and Ladies at Langley Castle
For those with a taste for the finer things in life, Langley Castle Hotel near the historic market town of Hexham is the ideal gastro getaway.
Location: Langley-on-Tyne, Northumberland
Witness Northumberland’s violent history at its coastal castles
The Northumberland coastline is strewn with castles and time-ravaged ruins, providing great insight into the county's turbulent past.
Location: Craster and Warkworth, Northumberland
Walk alongside Roman history at Hadrian’s Wall
Stretching across the North of England, Hadrian’s Wall is the best-preserved Roman monument in Britain. Get right up beside it in Northumberland.
Location: Tyne Valley, Northumberland
Take a modern day pilgrimage to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne
Skim over the sands and causeway to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and prepare to enter a world where a wealth of history and stunning views await.
Location: Lindisfarne, Northumberland
Get back to nature whilst glamping in a shepherd’s hut
A stone’s throw from Kielder Water and Forest Park, PoSHHuts in Falstone is an oasis of indulgence – a perfect glamping getaway in Northumberland.
Location: Falstone, Northumberland
Sail away with the view at your very own lakeside boathouse
Nestled in the grounds of Middleton Hall near Belford, in Northumberland, the Boathouse is a quirky yet lovely little hideaway for two.
Location: Belford, Northumberland
Travel back to Roman times on a visit to Hadrian's Wall
Explore Roman life along the most magnificent of Rome’s great frontiers set in the dramatic landscape of Hadrian’s Wall Country.
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne / Carlisle / Hexham
Discover history, beaches and fine art at Berwick
One of England’s most dramatic walled towns, handsome Berwick-upon-Tweed sits at the most northerly tip of Northumberland.
Location: Berwick, Northumberland
Uncover Northumberland’s Neolithic rock art
Lace up your hiking boots and discover the mysterious rock art set within the dramatic beauty of Northumberland National Park.
Location: Northumberland National Park, Northumberland
Venture to the water’s edge to the Commissioners Quay Inn
With a waterfront location and a great range of seafood on the menu, the Commissioners Quay Inn has the seaside at its heart.
Location: Blyth, Northumberland