Why you need to visit Northumberland
I don’t think I’ve ever been around my home county of Northumberland as much as I have the past year. I’ve always known how beautiful it is, but I find much more excitement by visiting new cultures. However, the past years really put a halt on that. So much so that for however long now, we’ve only been able to walk around our doorsteps. I’m lucky enough to live in Northumberland, so there is a lot on my doorstep. But still so much I want to discover in Northumberland!
Northumberland is home to lots of beautiful green spaces, gardens, English Heritage buildings, mountains and scenery. I feel like it gets forgotten about compared to the likes of Cornwall and the South. Even most people pass off discovering Northumberland, and go straight to Scotland. Not only do we have amazing castles, there is so much more to it!
Hadrians Wall
I don’t think I could tell you the last time I went to Hadrians Wall, I was probably in school when we went to the Roman Fort. It’s somewhere I definitely want to do a walk to when we’re allowed. I’ve wanted to see Sycamore Gap for such a long time. I never seem to get around to it
Castles
From Alnwick Castle down to the likes of Dunstanburgh and Warkworth (plus more), there is so much to see Alnwick has the beautiful Alnwick Gardens attached to it which I love visiting. And it’s always a winner with Harry Potter lovers. The last time I got to go to the castle I got to see Bohemian Rhapsody outside, amazing. Dunstanburgh is also a beautiful place to walk to along Newton by the Sea. More so on a warm sunny day!
Holy Island
This is another place I haven’t been, but I would love to go and see the Puffins! You can only get there when the tide is out, but I’d love to see the old priory. Imagine siting looking out to sea at one of the cafes!
Country Houses
Northumberland has loads of Country Homes and Halls. I remember going to all the pretty gardens in the likes of Belsay Hall and Cragside when I was younger. You need English Heritage cards to gain access now, but they’re worth it if you’re going to be travelling around. I used to love going with my parents when I was young.
Cheviots and outdoors areas
There is so many good hikes here too. Some you have to be better equipped for than trainers, but some like Simonside and Thrunton are quite passible in good weather in trainers. Simonside is one of my favourites but also gets quite busy in normal life.
Kielder
Kielder is home to the observatory, a beautiful lake and woods and the dark sky project. If you hit on a nice clear sky night, the stars here are amazing. We used to quite often just drive down in the evening and have car picnics a few years ago.
Beaches
Northumberland beaches are second to none to me, I’ve been to some down south and Northumberland’s are way clearer and cleaner. Also a lot less people! We have such a stretch of beaches from Blyth, Newbiggin up to Newton and Berwick. Some of the views from the cliffs in Berwick are my favourite!
Have you ever visited Northumberland before? Would it be someone where you would try now? I post about my wanders quite a bit on Instagram too if you wanted to see what’s on my doorstep.
