Easter events, experiences, spa days and spectacular walks are just a few of the things Northumberland has to offer for an Easter break. Read through our list of some of the best things to do in Northumberland this Easter for some inspiration (and some terrible puns).
Spring is a fantastic time to discover Northumberland’s wildlife. Boat trips from Seahouses harbour to The Farne Islands resume in April, where you can see hundreds of adorable puffins up close with Serenity or Billy Shiels. Kielder’s ospreys have made a return and you may be lucky enough to spot them when you visit. Chillingham Wild Cattle re-opens on 29th March and Chillingham Castle re-opens on 30th March, so head along to see the rare animals before paying a spooky visit to the castle with the highest levels of parranormal activity in the country. Extend your trip by staying at peaceful and luxurious Chillingham Manor, the beautiful Grade-II listed building which is perfectly located near a number of Northumberland attractions.
Learn a new skill under Northumberland’s dark skies at one of our observatories. Kielder Observatory runs fantastic events that range from Introductions to Astronomy to Aurora Nights, covering every interest and level of expertise. Aiming to encourage everyone to experience moments of inspiration, wonder and hope through observing the cosmos, the team are passionate about offering their guests a magical and informative evening. Battlesteads Observatory also offers excellent stargazing events, and you can make a night of it here by dining in their exquisite, eco-friendly, award-winning restaurant, and stay overnight in their hotel rooms or self-catering accommodation. There are some other fantastic accommodation options in Kielder such as The Pheasant Inn, The Holly Bush Inn, Clear Sky Lodge Park and Kielder Waterside Lodges.
Northumberland has a number of attractions to boast about and many of them are running exciting Easter egg hunts and trails this Easter. National Trust sites such as Cragside House and Gardens, Seaton Delaval Hall and Wallington Hall are running Easter trails within the grounds of their stunning gardens. English Heritage sites Warkworth Castle, Chesters Roman Fort and Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens are running Easter quests, and at The Alnwick Garden, you can join an exciting Easter Egg Hunt, plant your own veg and join a Garden Gang Tea Party. Or head to Ford and Etal, where you pick up a free Easter Trail map from the Lavender Tearooms in Etal village, from the Visitor Centre or Heatherslaw Corn Mill Gift Shop or from Ford Village Shop in Ford. Have a look at our Easter page for full details on this year's Easter Egg Hunts.
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Discover hare-raising history
Following its annual winter closure, Alnwick Castle will reopen just in time for the Easter holidays. Set in the magical town of Alnwick, this staggering castle is the second largest inhabited castle in the country and is known for its starring role as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. Explore the magnificent grounds, have a flying lesson at the very spot where Harry Potter learned to fly, and explore Alnwick’s cobbled streets afterwards where you will find one of the largest secondhand bookshops in Europe, a treehouse restaurant and, of course, magnificent The Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei. If you're looking to stay in Alnwick, The Hogs Head Inn is a fantastic inn just outside of Alnwick, and if you're looking for a cottage break then look no further than Village Farm Cottages which has its own on-site spa.
For those tired teachers or anyone wanting a break, how about a sumptuous spa day one of Northumberland's spa hotels. Stunning Matfen Hall Country Hotel, Spa and Golf Estate is a magnificent country house and offers a luxurious leisure club featuring a swimming pool, gym, aerobics studio and 5 beauty treatment rooms. Near the Northumberland coast, beautiful Doxford Hall Hotel & Spa makes for an idyllic spa day in Northumberland. Set in a peaceful estate it offers a variety of fitness equipment and a spectacular spa with 5 treatment rooms, swimming pool, spa baths, sauna and steam room. Lovely Linden Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa is an 18th century country house hotel, nestled in the beautiful Northumberland countryside and offering a spa and leisure club perfect for a wellness retreat with a relaxation room, ELEMIS treatments and more.
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Eat your way through Easter Sunday
A Sunday roast dinner is an absolute must during the Easter period and what’s better than letting someone else do the cooking and the washing up for you by going out to eat. Northumberland has so many cosy pubs offering fresh, local pub grub, such as The Holly Bush Inn in Bellingham, The Pheasant Inn in Kielder or The Duke of Wellington Inn in Newton, Stocksfield. Or, head to the coast to try The Drift Cafe with seaviews and new Greek restaurant. Or how about heading to the Breamish Valley and enjoying panoramic views of the rugged valley landscape while tucking into a delicious meal at The Bosk Restaurant.
Join a Jurassic adventure at Bamburgh Castle this Easter as they have a brimming events calendar ready for the Easter holidays. Scavenge for dinosaur eggs on an egg hunt, delve into roarsome stories with an interactive storytime and make a Dippy dinosaur hanging mobile to take home. Don’t forget to soak in the scenic sea views, explore Bamburgh village and visit sweeping Bamburgh Beach while you’re there. Stay nearby at Glororum Holiday Park for a coast and castles-filled caravan stay, or enjoy a private cottage retreat at Little Hideaways in Seahouses. Or why not stay in Beadnell at fantastic Cherry Tree and Almond Apartments, just a short drive from Bamburgh.
There’s nothing better than a beautiful spring walk at Easter time. Northumberland offers so many different walking routes that can be enjoyed at this time of year, from family-friendly and short walking routes to longer, more challenging hikes. National Park routes, coastal walks and nature trails are all here in Northumberland waiting to be walked all over.Keep your eyes peeled for Cragside House, Gardens and Estate’s Gorge Walk, complete with trickling streams and picturesque scenery that will make the perfect family walking route. Stay nearby at amazing Cragend Farm, a working farm offering beautiful accommodation.
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One for the history teachers
A fantastic family day out, or maybe one for the history teachers to get stuck into, spend the Easter season enjoying Northumberland's Roman history. Corbridge is a historical market town complete with stunning architecture, fantastic pubs and amazing Corbridge Roman Town. Once a bustling town and supply base, you can wander through the ancient streets and imagine life as a Roman. Or how about heading to Vindolanda and The Roman Army Museum, whose ancient buried forts are some of Europe's most important and richest archaeological resources. There are many hotels, B&Bs and cottages near Hadrian's Wall and Northumberland's other ancient sites and forts, such as Carraw Luxury Holiday Homes, Wydon Farm B&B and Langley Castle.
We hope we have left you with enough inspiration to have a fantastic Easter trip to Northumberland, whatever destination, attraction, activity or event you choose to explore. Tag us in your Easter adventures at @visitnorthumberland or use the hashtag #visitnorthumberland.
Author: Jenni Meikle