dunstanburgh castle beach northumberland

Things to do in Northumberland

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Discover the best attractions and activities that Northumberland has to offer

Being one of the top tourist destinations in the UK, Northumberland has an array of attractions to visit and things to do throughout the year. With a great supply of the country’s most historic sites, as well as a varied and beautiful landscape, you and your loved ones will find lots of things to do in Northumberland.

Northumberland Attractions

England’s ancient capital is seemingly endless with historical things to do. You and your loved ones can simply meander the sleeping English town, littered with cobblestone paths and a collection of independent shops. If you are looking for something a bit more sheltered, there are plenty of heritage attractions in Northumberland to discover from historic castles to grand stately homes.

A must thing to do in Northumberland is to visit the 900-year-old castle of Alnwick, which was built to protect England from Scottish invasions! You may recognise this feat of architecture from the Harry Potter films as it doubled up as  Hogwarts! Located within close reach of the castle is Alnwick Gardens, a multi-award-winning Northumberland attraction, which features the world’s largest Tai Haku Cherry Orchard.

Bamburgh Castle is one of the many other great things to do in Northumberland, as is the Kielder Water and Observatory in Kielder Forest and the awe-inspiring Northumberland coastline.

Northumberland Activities

Looking for Northumberland activities that the whole family can enjoy? Take a boat trip around the Farne Islands admiring the abundance of wildlife from a different vantage point, especially birds such as puffins, guillemots and Arctic terns. Disembark at Inner Farne and visit the Church of St. Cuthbert, the Inner Farne Lighthouse and watch the Grey Seal colonies as they bask on the rocks.

A trip to Northumberland would not be complete without viewing the famous Roman fortification Hadrian’s Wall. Hike along the remains of the impressive structure, taking in the impressive views of the surrounding countryside as you go.

Continue reading to find more things to do in Northumberland… 

  • newbiggin maritime centre

    Newbiggin Maritime Centre

    Newbiggin Maritime Centre
    Church Point
    Newbiggin by the Sea
    Northumberland
    NE64 6DB

    With its rich maritime history, the Newbiggin Maritime Centre offers an exciting and historic experience. Interactive exhibitions offer a fun and educational day out for the whole family.

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  • snow leopard, Northumerland Zoo

    Northumberland Country Zoo

    Northumberland Country Zoo
    Eshottheugh Farm
    Felton
    Morpeth
    NE65 9QH

    South of the border in Northumberland is a rapidly growing family-run animal sanctuary called the Northumberland Country Zoo. Visitors may explore 17 acres of the park, which is home to more than 100 species of animals.

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  • Mountain River in Northumberland National Park

    Northumberland National Park

    Northumberland National park
    Eastburn
    South Park
    Hexham
    Northumberland
    NE46 1BS

    Northumberland National Park is one of the 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites in the UK. It covers over 410 square miles where you’ll discover sights including Hadrian’s Wall, The Cheviots, and Coquetdale alongside rural landscapes.

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  • northumberlandia

    Northumberlandia

    Northumberlandia
    Fisher Lane
    Cramlington
    NE23 8AU

    Northumberlandia, or the Lady of the North, is a fascinating country park that is also a beautiful landscape sculpture. The art installation is located in a 46-acre park open to the public with 4 miles of footpaths surrounding the landform.

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  • paxton house, berwick

    Paxton House

    Paxton House
    Paxton
    Berwick-upon-Tweed
    TD15 1SZ

    Paxton House is an ancient house located in Berwickshire, overlooking the River Tweed. The country house was built as an unsuccessful effort to woo a Prussian heiress by Patrick Home of Billie.

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  • Ring Chesters Round

    3.5 hours

    5 miles

    Moderate

    Experience the allure of Northumberland with the Ring Chesters Round Walk. Offering a wealth of year-round charm, making it a captivating adventure no matter the season, here you can explore ancient hillforts, all while relishing the pristine landscapes of the College Valley.

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  • Royal Border Bridge, Berwick

    Royal Border Bridge

    Royal Border Bridge
    River Tweed
    Berwick-upon-Tweed
    Northumberland

    Ready to unlock a wealth of history in Northumberland? Check out the Royal Border Bridge which spans the River Tweed.

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  • seaton delaval hall

    Seaton Delaval Hall – National Trust

    The Avenue
    Seaton Sluice
    Whitley Bay
    NE26 4QR

    Seaton Delaval Hall is a Grade I listed country house located near the coast north of Newcastle upon Tyne. Sir John Vanbrugh built it in 1718 for Admiral George Delaval and it is now owned by the National Trust.

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  • The Lowry Trail

    Approx 3 hours

    5-6 miles

    Easy

    Embark on a captivating journey through the charming town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, where you’ll walk in the footsteps of the iconic artist, L.S. Lowry. Known worldwide for his paintings depicting industrial landscapes, Lowry’s connection to Berwick unveils a different side to his artistic talent.

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  • The Simonside Hills

    3 hours

    4.5 miles

    Step into the enchanting realm of Northumberland’s Simonside Hills, where a circular walk awaits, promising a thrilling ascent to Simonside’s summit, complete with short, steep gradients. This is more than a walk; it’s an adventure into one of Northumberland’s hidden gems you won’t want to miss!

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