Northumberland Attractions

Northumberland offers visitors a choice of local attractions in the county, visitors can choose from a range of interesting and charming places to discover. The county includes a dramatic coastline and beaches, a number of historic houses, museums, parks, gardens, a number of historic buildings, theatre, concerts and events. Northumberland’s location in north east England means the tranquil English countryside, scenic coastline and the great outdoors are all within reach located close to local towns and villages with a range of things to see and do in the county.

We have outlined a number of interesting attractions and places to visit for visitors to Northumberland, these include:

Hadrian’s Wall is thought to be among the most important monuments built by the Romans in the UK. It is the best known frontier in the Roman Empire and today reminds everyone of past glories of a past civilisation. It was designated a world heritage site in 1987, Hadrian's Wall ranks alongside other great historical treasures around the world. It has around 2,000 years of history and goes through some wild and dramatic landscapes as well as a range of towns and villages.

A visit here is regarded as a must do for any visitors both from the UK and overseas. This fascinating monument has great history and heritage behind it and will leave visitors feeling as though they have seen something really special.

Bamburgh Castle is among the finest castles in England. It has a dramatic location perched on a basalt outcrop on the edge of the North Sea at Bamburgh in Northumberland. Bamburgh Castle has some stunning views of the Farne Islands, Holy Island and further landward to the Cheviot Hills. The castle is open to visitors from March to October, for the exact dates it is wise to check in order to avoid disappointment. The castle is licensed for civil weddings, providing great photo opportunities.

The Armstrong Museum and Bamburgh Castle Aviation Artefacts Museum (BCAAM) are housed in a building in the north ward of the castle. The Armstrong museum shows the life of the first Baron Armstrong, who excelled in engineering. There are also relics of aviation from its beginnings to the present day. Exhibits in the BCAAM include those from the two world wars.

Hexham Abbey is located in Hexham on a site that has had a church on it for over 1,300 years. In Norman times Wilfrid’s abbey was replaced by an Augustinian priory, the church that is here currently is mainly that building; it represents the early English style of architecture. The choir, north and south transepts and the cloisters all date back to this period. The east end was rebuilt in 1860 and the nave was built in 1908. More recently in 1996 another chapel was created. Since 1537 the Abbey has been the parish church of Hexham and is still a centre for worship.

Wallington House and Garden dates back to 1688, the house was home to generations of the Blackett and Trevelyan families. There is Palladian exterior with a rococo plasterwork in the interior; the house has some impressive collections of fine ceramics, needleworks, dolls houses and paintings. The Central Hall is influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites. The gardens are influenced by Capability Brown and there are a number of walks that go through the lawns, lakes and woodland.

The beautiful Walled Garden has many collections of plants, while longer walks take in wooded valleys and high moorland. There is a gift shop for souvenirs and a restaurant and farm shop making for an enjoyable day out.

Northumberland National Park is the most northerly of the national parks in England. The northern area of the park is part of the Border Forest Park, with many miles of conifers planted by the Forestry Commission. The southern border of the park is marked by Hadrian's Wall, created by the Romans in the 2nd century AD as a barrier to keep out the tribes to the north. Fans of nature will enjoy the variety of wildlife on show; you can see swans, Roe deer and curlew which are also the symbol of the park.

There are great walking opportunities in the Otterburn Range whilst the river valley offers some of the most unspoilt scenery in the north of England. The Pennine Way long distance trail runs through the park and has long sections running parallel to Hadrian's Wall.

The Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was designated back in 1958, it covers 39 miles of coast from Berwick to the Coquet estuary, it also includes special protection areas for birds and special areas of conservation. The areas is well known for its scenic sandy beaches, castles and inspiring views offering visitors some of the finest natural scenery in the UK. The area in home to rare and endangered wildlife and includes geese, ducks, waders and grey seals.

The Northumberland Coast Path provides a 64 mile coastal walking route from Berwick-upon-Tweed in the north to the village of Cresswell in the south. Visitors can find plenty of deserted beaches to horse ride, run and enjoy a beach walk on, away from the crowds. There are great beaches at Dunstanburgh, Embleton and Beadnell along with a number of scenic local towns and villages.

Kirkharle Courtyard is located 15 miles from Morpeth in the scenic Northumbrian countryside beside a lake. The setting is an 18th century courtyard where visitors can find a range of arts and crafts shops with work from renowned arts and crafts people. Kirkharle is famous for being the birthplace for Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, the renowned landscape artist; there is an exhibition about his life and work. The lake at Kirkharle offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy a leisurely walk around the lake and the wildlife. There is a coffee house and restaurant on site serving cream teas, salads, sandwiches, cakes and more.

Berwick-upon-Tweed Barracks and Main Guard are located in the market town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. The historic site dates back to the early 18th century and is managed by English Heritage; there are a number of attractions at the site for visitors to explore. There are a number of both temporary and permanent exhibitions; the King's Own Scottish Borderers museum, the Berwick Gymnasium Art Gallery and the Berwick Borough museum. The Beat by Drum exhibition gives an insight in to the life of a British infantryman.

Theatre fans can try the Whitley Bay Playhouse that is situated in the picturesque coastal town of Whitely Bay in the North East. The Playhouse first opened back in 1913 and is flanked on all four corners by French Renaissance towers that produce a great effect. In the 1950’s the theatre concentrated mainly on hosting films, and it was in the 1970's when it began to combine this with hosting amateur productions. The theatre has undergone extensive modernisation and renovation and now offers a great facility for visitors.

When visiting Whitley Bay, a great way to spend the evening is to take in a show here, the theatre hosts a range of professional and amateur productions that include dance, music, jazz, drama and comedy. In addition films buffs are well catered for too as the theatre also show a range of the latest films.

It is recommended that prior to visiting Northumberland; visitors do their research and ensure any sights and attractions they plan on visiting are actually open on the days you intend on coming. The transport is also worth checking as maintenance and engineering works can mean a restricted service on public transport and the road network.

Northumberland is a county that has plenty to offer visitors with a charming mix of historic market towns and villages including a number of picturesque locations in the Northumberland National Park and Northumberland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and surrounding countryside to enjoy in addition to the attractions in the urban centres. The county town of Morpeth with its range of historic attractions along with a number of charming market towns and villages ensuring visitors can enjoy both the urban and rural when visiting the county.

The county includes a large number of historic attractions, museums, historic houses, parks, gardens, cathedrals and family attractions. Northumberland’s attractions ensure visitors can enjoy a short break, weekend away or a longer stay here.



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