Visit Northumberland

Staying in Northumberland

When you visit Northumberland, be prepared to never be short of spectacular sights and some rather memorable days out. And it makes no difference whether you are on a last-minute, self-catering break in the Spring, a full family summer holiday or a romantic Autumn interlude, you simply won’t be lost for something to see and something to do. And the advantage of self-catering is that you can take all day to do it! Choose form large luxury houses, rural barn conversions, beach houses or town holiday homes, Northumberland is superbly located close to the sea yet surrounded by farmland to offer a great choice of accommodation.

There is a fine and proud history that Northumbrians are more than quick to commemorate and celebrate. When talking about Northumberland, the landscape-dominating Hadrian’s Wall comes straight to mind. This feat of Roman engineering is as impressive today as it must have been to those trying to scale it. In fact, the American newspaper USA Today went on record to describe it as "better than Stonehenge".

If you are a fan of fine horticultural husbandry, then the contemporary, yet none the less magnificent Alnwick Garden, with its terrific water sculptures is certainly worth a visit. Similarly, Cragside House (the first in the world to be lit with electricity generated from water), Gardens and Estate in Rothbury and Howick Hall, rated by the Independent Newspaper as one of the best gardens in Spring, are both worthy of a visit. Also worth mentioning are the beautifully landscaped Gardens and Arboretum at Longframlington, and Mindrum and Belsay Hall gardens.

There are also many weather-proof attractions throughout the county, such as the Woodhorn Museum which pays homage to the mining heritage of the county. There are also numerous galleries and museums throughout the county as well as within many of the castles and of course, along Hadrian’s Wall.

The most visited museum is the vast 260 acre, award-winning Beamish Open Air Museum, which takes the visitor back to see life in the 19th and early 20th centuries. There’s plenty to see and even when it’s busy, there is so much space that you are never crowded. The George Stephenson's Birthplace Museum at Wylam and the Darlington Railway Centre and Museum are also well worth visiting. Others include the Berwick Barracks Museums, Chantry Bagpipe, Grace Darling, Armstrong Household and Farming, Bailiffgate, Thomas Bewick's Birthplace, Kirkharle Courtyard and Marine Life Centre museums.

And for the more actively inclined, there is the great outdoors – Northumberland is a great county for a walking holiday and sight-seeing, and there are many opportunities throughout the county for fishing, water sports, cycling, orienteering, bird and wildlife watching. And of course boat trips to the islands off the Heritage Coast are also certainly worthwhile, there are so many visitor attractions for year round tourist interest.

Houses to rent in Northumberland

Big holiday cottage in Northumberland near Otterburn with 5 bedrooms, sleeps 10, Pet friendly, Golf nearby, Cot Available.

View The Byrness

Self-catering accommodation in Northumberland near Wooler with 8 bedrooms, sleeps 15, No pets, Pub within 1 mile, Cot Available.

View Akeld Manor House-mdw