A Visitors' Guide to Northumberland in 2023

Top places to visit

Discover the top places to visit in Northumberland, as told by our visitors themselves.

We have collated our top, most-searched pages of the year to give you a little guidance on planning your next trip to the region with a run down of some of the best places to visit in Northumberland.

Wondering where to start when planning your trip to Northumberland in 2024? Take a look at what people have been searching for over the last year with our roundup of our most popular pages in 2023. Covering everything from some of Northumberland’s best attractions to the most stunning beauty spots, take inspiration from previous visitors.

Places to visit in Northumberland

Life’s about the journey, but the destination can be pretty spectacular too. Here are the most-searched destinations in Northumberland in 2023, so pick one (or many) to explore, including some of the best stretches of pristine beaches on Northumberland’s coastline, historic villages and towns and iconic locations used in film and television.

Top Destinations

Holy Island

This mysterious tidal island off Northumberland’s coast becomes inaccessible when the tide washes over its causeway. When it’s safe to cross the causeway, expect to find charming cafes, an ancient priory, and a castle that teeters on the coastline.

Seahouses

A long history of fishing makes the popular village of Seahouses both fascinating and beautiful. Experience local wildlife and gorgeous beaches, enjoy fresh fish and chips and crazy golf, and take a scenic walk along the harbour.

Amble

Home to a harbour filled with fish shacks, seafood eateries, and pastel-painted beach huts, the waterfront town of Amble hugs the River Coquet estuary at the southern gateway to the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Alnwick

From broomsticks to bookshops, tree houses to cherry blossoms, and jousts to dragons, you can't miss the magic of the cobbled market town of Alnwick when you visit Northumberland.

Hexham

Stunning architecture, picturesque parks, and a bloody history are all waiting to be explored in Hexham. Immerse yourself in stories about the Vikings, historical criminal families or ‘Border Reivers’, and the Anglo-Saxon Abbey.

Bamburgh

A pristine beach, drifting sand dunes, snug eateries tucked away on street corners, and a magnificent castle view everywhere you turn. These are just a few of Bamburgh’s draws, not to mention its coastal setting in the county's AONB.

Alnmouth

With its colourful houses, wildlife aplenty, and tranquil beach, Alnmouth sits within one of Northumberland's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There's always an opportunity to appreciate the coastline here, be it walking, cycling, or horse riding.

Berwick-upon-Tweed

Cobbles, castles, beaches, and boat trips await you in historical Berwick-upon-Tweed. Located on the border of England and Scotland, secrets of a bloody, conflict-filled British history linger in its Elizabethan walls and ruinous castle remains.

Morpeth

Combining history and heritage with hustle and bustle, traditional farmers markets lie around one cobbled corner and trendy bars lie around another; all ready for you to discover when you visit Morpeth.

Craster

The famous smoked kippers popular with the Royal Family, the ruins of what was once a magnificent fortress, local art, a tranquil cove, and bird spotting are just a few of the things that will make your visit to the fishing village of Craster so memorable.

Best places to stay in Northumberland

All of this adventure requires somewhere beautiful, cosy and comfortable to sleep it all off at the end of the day.

Take a look at some of the best places to stay in Northumberland, where our visitors have been staying over the last year, from luxury hotels with spa and golf facilities, cosy pubs that double up as inn’s and B&B’s, self catering cottage stays, to the perfect camping and glamping spots. You can also find plenty of inspiration and helpful advice in our guide to Northumberland accommodation.

Where to stay

Accommodation Favourites

Cottages and self-catering

Stone cottages with crackling log burners, self-catering apartments with beachfront terraces, trendy townhouses beside bustling high streets and rustic, countryside barn conversions. Northumberland has it all, ready for your self-catering holiday.

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Hotels

You’ll find friendly hotels of great quality and amazing customer service in Northumberland. Open your curtains to a magnificent sea view, stay close to the wildlife in the countryside, or live in luxury at a stately home or spa.

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Bed and breakfast

Immerse yourself in local, family-run B&Bs where you can stay by the sea, in the countryside, or in our quaint towns and villages. B&Bs are the perfect place for you to rest your head after a long day exploring our stunning county.

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Glamping

Want the camping experience minus the sleeping bag, creepy crawlies and chilly, night time toilet dash? Then go glamping in Northumberland, where we have everything from vintage shepherd’s huts to upscale bell tents across our coast and countryside.

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Camping sites

Immerse yourself in the great outdoors and get closer to nature by camping in Northumberland. Staying at a campsite while you’re in Northumberland is a great way to experience our vast and tranquil space and enjoy a budget break.

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Fill your life with experiences

Pack your trip full of adventure and experiences with some of the best things to do and places to visit in the county. Puffin-spotting at The Farne Islands, admiring sweeping sea views from a spectacular fortress, and discovering awe-inspiring ancient history are all on the list.

Top Places to Visit

Bamburgh Castle

Hadrian's Wall

Alnwick Castle

The Alnwick Garden

Druridge Bay

The Farne Islands

Hulne Park

Lindisfarne Castle

Cragside

An overview of things to do

Wether you are looking for unusual things to do in Northumberland, things to do in Northumberland for couples or planning your day and looking for things to do in Northumberland for families, the region has so many things to do. Northumberland’s dark skies, attractions, castles and walking and hiking routes are just some of the fantastic experiences to be had in Northumberland. Here are the key categories of “things to do” that people have been searching for.

Things to do

Top Experiences

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.

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Beaches and coastline

Admire blazing sunrises, discover hidden bays, and relish superb seafood on our pristine coastline. Spot our castles standing guard along our dramatic shoreline, and explore more than 30 miles of barely-trodden beaches.

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Woman walking in Northumberland National Park

Walking and hiking

Northumberland is one big bundle of paths and routes just waiting to be explored. There're ample opportunities to amble across the county, miles of stunning coastline to wander along, picturesque National Park trails to follow, and a wealth of fascinating history to discover.

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Dark skies

It's safe to say that Northumberland is the best place to stargaze in the UK. 572 square miles of the county have been awarded Gold Tier status for their pristine dark skies, and our International Dark Sky Park is the largest in the UK. So get ready for a star-studded show.

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Events

Where else can you find a puffin festival, a fire festival, and a cavalcade of 150 horses and riders setting off to ‘ride the bounds’? Whatever you’re looking for, Northumberland holds year-round events for families, foodies, and festival-lovers.

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Make it personal

With endless experiences, it’s impossible to see and do everything Northumberland has to offer. Create a personal profile and we’ll tailor the site to show you the best and most relevant content for you.

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