This guide focuses on mid Northumberland, loosely based on the wider Alnwick area but inclusive of Rothbury and Longframlington and stretching all the way up to Craster.
Encompassing some fantastic coastal spots and some amazing, rural countryside, this area of the county is absolutely staggering and is made up of well-known, popular sites as well as lesser-known and undiscovered secrets.
Towns and Villages
There are many fantastic market towns and quaint villages in mid Northumberland (more than we can fit into one blog!) but here is a basic round up to help you begin your research:
ALNWICK - Alnwick is a magical market town in mid Northumberland which is home to Alnwick Castle (otherwise known as Hogwarts) a beautiful old train station which is now a secondhand bookshop and the amazing Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei at The Alnwick Garden.
ROTHBURY - Head inland to find beautiful Rothbury, the tiny riverside village in Northumberland National Park. An ideal base for exploring the Simonside Hills, The Cheviot Hills, Cragside House and Gardens and more. Not to mention there are pubs a-plenty to enjoy while you’re here.
ALNMOUTH - Alnmouth is a breath-taking fishing village with staggering views of Northumberland’s pristine coastline. Home to a small high-street scattered with delis, cafes and pubs, it’s an ideal base for accessing the Northumberland coast path and many of Northumberland’s attractions.
WARKWORTH - Warkworth is another coastal village with the River Coquet running through its centre and amazing Warkworth Castle standing over it. Think beautiful, stone-front cottages, a beautiful beach and well-known Bertram’s which is a cosy cafe by day and high-end restaurant by night.
AMBLE - Amble is known for having the ‘friendliest port in England’ and is a seafront town with amazing seafood restaurants - and chippies! A lesser known fact about Amble is you can take boat trips from here out to Coquet Island to see puffins, sometimes seals and maybe even dolphins.
LONGFRAMLINGTON - Longframlington is a tiny, inland village nestled away in the sweeping Northumberland countryside. Made up of a cluster of stone cottages, and with Coquetdale and Thrunton Woods on its doorstep, it makes for a beautiful and peaceful base.
CRASTER - The wonderful fishing village of Craster is famous for its delicious Craster kippers and easy access to Dunstanburgh Castle. With the Jolly Fisherman pub teetering over the coastline offering a seafront beer garden, and L Robson’s where you can pick up some kippers and enjoy them at the harbour, this is an unmissable spot.
EMBLETON - Beautiful Embleton is tucked between Low Newton and Craster and Embleton Bay, a staggering stretch of pristine beach, can be viewed from either village. The ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle act as the backdrop for the bay and there are a couple of pubs in the village itself.
FELTON - Felton is a tiny village which sits on the River Coquet. Enjoy picturesque riverside views, ample walking routes, the lovely Northumberland Arms pub and cosy Running Fox, Felton cafe.
Sleep - Hotels
Pick a beautiful hotel in mid Northumberland and enjoy coast, countryside castles and more:
THE TEMPUS - Listed in The Times Top 100 Best Places to Stay in the UK 2024, The Tempus is a staggering, luxur hotel with 33 bedrooms, boutique suites, hot tub rooms and dog friendly accommodation. Located in the Charlton Hall Estate, this opulent hotel sits within easy reach of Alnwick, Beadnell, Bamburgh and more, and has its own elegant bar and restaurant area to be enjoyed throughout your stay.
THE WHITTLING HOUSE - The Whittling House is a stunning hotel based in Alnmouth which offers top-class holiday accommodation with ten, characterful bedrooms. Boasting one of the best restaurants and pubs in Alnmouth, serving a mixture of locally sourced, seasonal dishes, its stunning interiors and roaring open fires make it the perfect spot for snuggling up after a day of exploring the amazing Northumberland coast.
THE COOKIE JAR - The Cookie Jar is a luxury boutique hotel in historic market town of Alnwick, less than a minute’s walk from amazing Alnwick Castle. Formally the Convent of Mercy for over 120 years, the Cookie Jar stands on the cobbled streets of Bailiffgate and was voted "Best Place to stay in the North" by the Sunday Times. Offering 11 beautifully appointed bedrooms, they boast drench showers, heavenly freestanding bathtubs and immaculate decor.
THE AMBLE INN - The Amble Inn is a fantastic inn on the outskirts of Amble, with on-site pub and restaurant, cosy decor and fantastic attractions within easy reach. The inn is extremely dog friendly, and is committed to being fully accessible for all guests. As well as designated disabled parking, a level, no-step first floor including public dining area and bar and a customer lift, they have a number of purpose built bedrooms specially designed for the comfort and ease of guests with restricted mobility.
Sleep - Self Catering
Here are some self catering accommodation highlights in mid Northumberland:
CRAGEND FARM - This fascinating and historical property is a great option for a Northumberland getaway, tucked away in the countryside but close to the bustling village of Rothbury and amazing Cragside House. Offering bed and breakfast rooms as well as self-catering cottages, there is something for everyone here. An attraction in its own right too, Cragend Farm runs Silo tours from May to October.
DOXFORD COTTAGES - Doxford Cottages offer an idyllic retreat for those looking to immerse themselves in nature, history, and tranquility. Choose from ten luxury, self-catering holiday cottages ranging from romantic nooks for two, to larger cottages for groups of eight. Based near Northumberland's coastline, you’ll have easy access to the Northumberland Coast Path, castles, wildlife and more.
VILLAGE FARM COTTAGES - Village Farm Cottages are tucked in the Northumbrian countryside, in the heart of the old village of Shilbottle. Enjoying a rural and tranquil setting, their offering ranges from Scandinavian-style chalets to traditional stone-built cottages and a 17th century farmhouse. A huge bonus of staying here is you get access to the on-site spa facilities for the duration of your trip, perfect for a relaxing break.
BRUNTON HOUSE AND COTTAGES - Brunton House and Cottages are set on an organic farm, just two miles from staggering, sandy Beadnell Bay. Castles, coast and countryside are all within easy reach and the lakeside walks around the farm are enough to tempt you into not leaving! Ranging from one-bedroom cottages to the wonderful eight-bedroom Brunton House, there is something for everyone here.
BEACH AND QUIET - Excellently located Beach and Quiet cottages sit in the coastal villages of Craster, just a stone’s throw from the historic harbour and a short walk from Dunstanburgh Castle, and Embleton, by beautiful Embleton Bay. Ranging from a two person cottage to a huge, 18 person house, any group size can enjoy these fantastic cottages.
EMBLETON COTTAGES - Embleton Cottages are made up of beautiful, cosy farm cottages which are tucked away between the amazing market town of Alnwick and the beautiful seafront village of Embleton. Ideal for beach trips, wildlife watching, coastal hikes and more, expect to snuggle up by the open fire and enjoy beautiful surroundings.
BREAMISH VALLEY COTTAGES - Nestled at the foot of the Cheviot Hills, Breamish Valley Cottages sit on the edge of Northumberland National Park, surrounded by some of the best walks in the county. Find solitude rambling through historic landscapes, cycle along peaceful country lanes and explore incredible attractions when you stay here. Not to mention enjoy their fantastic on-site restaurant and relaxing spa facilities.
HOLLYHOCKS - Hollyhocks is a cosy, Edwardian end terrace, two-bedroomed cottage in the historic and picturesque market town of Alnwick. Just a few minutes’ walk from some amazing attractions such as Alnwick Castle, The Alnwick Garden and Barter Books, plus with a myriad of pubs, cafes and restaurants on the doorstep, this is an excellent option for a Northumberland getaway.
THE GLEBE RETREAT - Glebe Retreat is an unusual, eye-catching timber structure which stands alone on a four and a half acre site in the heart of the Northumberland countryside, and is sure to give you a unique experience. Designed to offer a "close to nature", eco minded experience without any compromise on comfort and luxury, some highlights of this incredible property are an outdoor, stone bath big enough for two, a steel fire pit for staying warm or toasting marshmallows, and a striking lava chair hanging from a tree for relaxing and reading in the heart of nature.
SOUTH VIEW HOUSE - South View House offers stylish, modern apartments which overlook the beautiful Northumberland Coast. Based just a short walk from the charming fishing village of Alnmouth, each apartment sleeps up to six guests and is dog-friendly. Offering stunning decor and incredible views from private balconies, these spacious apartments are fully equipped with everything you need for a fantastic stay.
MIDWOOD COTTAGES - ALNMOUTH COTTAGES - This cosy cottage with a fabulous private garden with a treehouse and position just five minutes from the beach is perfect for a small family retreat. The cottage sleeps two adults and offers a cot for a toddler with lounge settee that can also be used. Based in amazing Alnmouth, one of the most beautiful villages in Northumberland, there are pubs, cafes, attractions and more nearby.
WALKMILL CAMPING AND CARAVAN SITE - Walkmill Campsite is a quiet and peaceful campsite sitting in close proximity to the picturesque River Coquet, near the wonderful coastal village of Warkworth. The site offers spacious grass touring and tent pitches, and bell tent accommodation for added comfort and additional treats such as wood burning pizza oven and a barbecue. ***The main campsite is open from April - October, bell tents are available until mid November.
Explore
Now you’ve picked your accommodation, here are some attractions to get your teeth into while you’re here.
WARKWORTH CASTLE - Warkworth Castle is an impressive medieval castle that stands over the village of Warkworth.
DUNSTANBURGH CASTLE - Just a short walk from Craster village, Dunstanburgh Castle is a site of charming ruinous remains that teeter over Northumberland’s coast.
CRAGSIDE HOUSE AND GARDENS - Cragside was the first house to be lit by hydro-electricity, with gardens made up of man-made lakes, tumbling waterfalls and swathes of rhododendron to enjoy.
ALNWICK CASTLE - Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in the country and starred as Hogwarts in Harry Potter as the broomstick lesson and other scenes were filmed here.
THE ALNWICK GARDEN - The Alnwick Garden is an incredible garden made up of a peaceful Cherry Orchard, exciting Grand Cascade, mysterious Bamboo Labyrinth and intriguing Poison Garden.
LILIDOREI AT THE ALNWICK GARDEN - Lilidorei is a magical family attraction. The mysterious village full of play and home to 9 clans who worship Christmas is home to the largest play structure in the world.
BOWRING HEPPLE BLACK - While we are on the topic of Alnwick, you must pop into Bowring Hepple Black, a family run gift shop in Alnwick specialising in officially licensed Harry Potted merchandise.
HAUXLEY WILDLIFE DISCOVERY CENTRE - The Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre is one of the best wildlife watching spots in the North East and is a haven for breeding and migrating birds, red squirrels and otters.
ST OSWALD’S WAY - This magnificent route follows the stunning Northumberland coast and countryside from Holy Island to Heavenfield and Hadrian’s Wall. You will find castles, coastline, islands, scenic river valleys and more and can, of course, complete sections of the route for shorter hikes.
Eat
There are many excellent eateries in mid Northumberland, but here are some of our top picks for restaurants, pubs and cafes near the Alnwick area.
THE WHITTLING HOUSE - Not only a hotel, The Whittling House also offers a fantastic restaurant which you can pop into for a delectable menu of local ingredients, and a cosy setting by an open fire.
SCOTS OF ALNMOUTH - This stylish deli is fantastic for a takeout coffee, organic goods and freshly made sandwiches and bakes.
BERTRAM’S CAFE, WARKWORTH - Bertram’s is a beautiful restaurant in Warkworth which is a cosy cafe by day and elegant restaurant by night, with a delicious menu and wine pairing events.
SONNET RESTAURANT, ALNWICK - Sonnet is one of Alnwick’s newest additions that serves a 14-course tasting menu based on the best quality ingredients from Northumberland.
THE BOSK RESTAURANT - At the same home of Breamish Valley Cottages and Bosk B&B, The Bosk Restaurant offers big cosy chairs, rustic yet elegant interiors and panoramic views of the Breamish Valley.
There are so many more fantastic things to do, restaurants and accommodation in mid Northumberland. We can’t possibly fit them all into one blog but we hope this guide helps you plan your next trip! Feel free to browse our other pages for more ideas.