Northumberland culture

Inspiring culture

Get to the heart of our history, be inspired by our architecture, experience our entertaining events and discover our talented, local artists by delving into Northumberland’s culture. Visit galleries, museums, art tours, exhibitions and more.

History and Architecture

Northumberland has a rich and varied history, from iron age rock art, to Viking battle sites, dramatic medieval castles and Roman forts. The region has so much history and culture to offer visitors as they explore our wide variety of destinations, attractions and historic sites.

From discovering fascinating artefacts in our museums, exploring stately homes, gardens and Capability Brown landscapes, to walking the vast walking route along Hadrian’s Wall, and enjoying scenic views from some of the most iconic historic sites captured in film and television, there is so much history and culture to explore in Northumberland.

Castles

The only time you want your holiday to end in ruins is when you visit Northumberland. Home to more castles than any other county in England so why not explore magnificent fortresses, stay in a haunted castle with ghostly grounds, or explore a ruined medieval castle in the array of enchanting castles in Northumberland.

Stately Homes

From grand, baroque houses to ancient Greece-inspired Halls, Northumberland’s stately homes range from traditional to unconventional and everything in between, and stories of innovators, industrialists and naturists are waiting to be discovered.

Galleries

Shop for unique mementos, browse luxury art pieces and embrace the treasure trove of art that Northumberland has to offer. You’ll find galleries and studios in quirky places, showcasing talented local artists from around the county.

Museums

Enter our museums and step back in time. A visit to one of Northumberland's many museums makes for an interactive and immersive experience. From the smallest museum in the country, to outdoor marvels such as Hadrian's Wall, there's something for everyone.

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Art and galleries

Admire our extensive galleries, intriguing architectural pieces at Kielder’s open-air art exhibition, follow in the footsteps of our artists and take a piece of Northumberland art and cultural scene home with you after browsing independent art, craft and gift shops.

Galleries

Art and culture tours

Getting to know Kielder Art & Architecture

Music and festivals

Traditional Northumbrian pipes concerts, a festival on a tidal island, magical, market town music festivals and live music in rural village halls are just some of the musical delights to experience in Northumberland.

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Sycamore Gap which featured in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves

Film and TV

Magical castles, barely-trodden beaches and staggering landscapes; no wonder Northumberland has a starring role in world-famous films and TV series. From broomstick lessons to murder mysteries, it has been the backdrop for all kinds of storylines.

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What's nearby?

Hadrian's Wall

A trip to see our culture wouldn’t be the same without a visit to Hadrian’s Wall, one of the county’s first signs of history dating back to ancient Rome. Still standing strong today, the wall showcases an incredible feat of engineering, a number of Roman Forts and staggering views along the way.

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