Best Family Hotels Northumberland: where to stay in Alnwick, Morpeth, Hexham and beyond

England’s most northerly county is one of Mumsnetters’ favourite destinations for family holidays in the UK, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s full of clean beaches, dramatic scenery and castles - including Alnwick Castle, where the Harry Potter movies were filmed.

If your idea of family holiday heaven is rambling walks, picturesque villages and exploring old ruins, Northumberland is definitely worth a look. When it comes to booking accommodation, we’ve done the legwork for you and gathered together Mumsnetters’ top family-friendly hotels, cottages and self-catering places to stay.

Best Family Hotels Northumberland at a glance

• Best overall: Beadnell Towers, Chathill

• Best for budget breaks: The Commissioners Quay Inn, Blyth

• Best with a pool: Walwick Hall, Hexham

• Best for self-catering: Beacon Hill Farm, Morpeth

• Best cottage: Linkhouse Farm, Chathill

1. Best overall hotel: Beadnell Towers, Chathill

Beadnell Towers | Check availability

What Mumsnet users say

Beadnell Towers in Northumberland. Really good food and beautiful walks. Recommended by Mumsnet user Newtrix

Our verdict

Beadnell Towers is a beautifully decorated five-star hotel which is welcoming to kids and dogs. There are a number of options for family rooms: go for the large Shiel family room or splash out on two adjoining rooms that form a family suite with its own private terrace. Beadnell beach is less than 800 metres from the hotel, offering bracing walks and views across the North Sea. Bamburgh Castle is just up the road, or make a pilgrimage to Holy Island.

Nearest train station: Chathill (3 miles)

2. Best budget hotel: The Commissioners Quay Inn, Blyth

The Commissioners Quay Inn | Check availability

Our verdict

On the banks of the River Blyth in the southeast corner of Northumberland, The Commissioners Quay offers stylish accommodation at a bargain price. Family rooms have a sea view and sleep up to four, there’s an on-site playground and pets are welcome in some rooms - as always it’s best to check ahead if you’re bringing your pooch. Newcastle is 14 miles away if you’re looking for a big city to explore, or you have the lush Northumberland National Park a short drive inland. Blyth has a wide, sandy beach and Tynemouth Castle is perfect for a windswept afternoon excursion.

Nearest train station: Cramlington (6.5 miles)

3. Best spa hotel: Slaley Hall Hotel, Hexham

Slaley Hall Hotel | Check availability

What Mumsnet users say

Slaley Hall in Northumberland is a favourite. Lovely setting, beautiful food, and amazing staff. It's gorgeous without being snooty. It's not mad expensive, but we've visited 3 or 4 times now. I'd really recommend it. Recommended by Mumsnet user HollaHolla

Our verdict

Tested by Mumsnet Senior Content Editor, Rebecca Roberts: Read our full review of Slaley Hall Hotel

In the Northumberland hills, close to Corbridge and Hexham you'll find Slaley Hall, an impressive hotel, spa and golf resort that spreads over 1,000 acres of countryside. With an on-site spa, two championship golf courses, an indoor swimming pool and an activity centre, there's plenty to keep active families busy on site but the location puts you within easy reach of some of the region's best sites including Hadrian's Wall, Corbridge Roman Town, Vindolanda and Chesters Roman Fort & Museum.

The Elemis Spa offers a range of relaxing treatments and the indoor pool is a hit with kids (just ensure you check the pool times as slots are limited for children).

There are three dining venues to choose from and the kids' menu features huge portions for little ones.

Nearest train station: Hexham (8 miles)

4. Best luxury hotel: Eshott Hall, Morpeth

Eshott Hall | Check availability

Our verdict

Festooned with wisteria in the summer months, Eshott Hall is a 17th-century guest house-turned luxury hotel. The Stable East cottage is the best suite for families - it sleeps up to five and has two bedrooms, a fully-equipped kitchen and a private drive down a pretty woodland track. Northumberland Country Zoo is a short drive away, and the coast is 2.5 miles east of the hotel. The hotel’s restaurant is a real treat, with 2 AA Rosettes awarded to its fine dining with kitchen garden-sourced ingredients.

Nearest train station: Alnmouth (13 miles)

4. Best coastal hotel: The Joiners Arms, Alnwick

The Joiners Arms | Check availability

What Mumsnet users say

The joiners arms pub in Newton by the sea is lovely, as is the beach there. Recommended by Mumsnet user fancyfrogs

The joiners arms is also nice and dog friendly. Recommended by Mumsnet user mamawood

Our verdict

A scenic, 12-minute walk from the beach, The Joiners Arms is situated in the seaside village of Newton-by-the-Sea, 10 minutes' from Seahouses and Beadnell. The food at the Joiners Arms is award-winning, and the rooms all look onto its pretty garden. Opt for a rustic family room with exposed stone walls and wooden bunk beds, or a modern, standalone garden room. The Joiners Arms makes a great base for exploring the area’s many castles, the Farne Islands and the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Nearest train station: Chathill (6 miles)

5. Best countryside hotel: Doxford Hall, Chathill

Doxford Hall | Check availability

Our verdict

Set in 10 acres of beautiful grounds, Doxford Hall is a little piece of heaven. The hotel has a spa, a pool and an award-winning restaurant. Rooms are luxuriously decorated with quality fabrics and period features - expect marble bathrooms, carved wood furniture and roll-top baths. Cots and Z-beds can be added to your room on request and there’s a children’s menu and early sittings available at the restaurant.

Nearest train station: Chathill (2 miles)

6. Best hotel with a swimming pool: Walwick Hall, Hexham

Walwick Hall | Check availability

What Mumsnet users say

We stayed at Walwick Hall and it was lovely. Recommended by Mumsnet user hopeishere

Our verdict

Just up the road from Hadrian’s Wall sits Walwick Hall, a country estate turned classy, family-friendly hotel. There’s a spa and a children’s playground, and loads of activities can be booked via the hotel, including horse riding and archery, should the mood take you. More inland than the other hotels on our list, nearby you’ll find Homesteads Roman Fort and Bywell Castle. There’s a family room in the hotel that sleeps four, or check out the modern, self-catering Stable Suites which sleep up to eight.

Nearest train station: Hexham (6 miles)

7. Best self-catering accommodation: Beacon Hill Farm, Morpeth

Beacon Hill Farm | Check availability

What Mumsnet users say

Beacon Hill Farm in Northumberland is a great place to stay. Self catering cottages and a spa close to lots of great beach and countryside walks. Recommended by Mumsnet user Ukholidaysaregreat

Our verdict

Located near Morpeth, Beacon Hill Farm has 15 luxury self-catering cottages and three charming shepherd’s huts. There’s an on-site spa with an indoor pool, 40 acres of private woodland to explore and even a purpose-built observatory with a telescope to take advantage of the dark skies above rural Northumberland. There’s also a lake perfect for wild swimming, fishing and paddle boarding. Most of the cottages sleep 4-6 and have gardens with views across the rolling Northumbrian countryside.

Nearest train station: Morpeth (7 miles)

8. Best cottage for babies and toddlers: Linkhouse Farm Cottage, Chathill

Linkhouse Farm Cottage | Check availability

Our verdict

A hop, skip and jump away from the glorious sandy beach of Newton-by-the-Sea, Linkhouse Farm Cottage is a two-bedroom, two-bathroom stone cottage with a small, grassy garden and amazing views (sadly no dogs are allowed at the property). There’s a children’s play area shared with the other holiday cottages, and it’s the perfect spot for a peaceful rural getaway. The sandy beach is an obvious place to while away your holiday, with rock pools to keep the kids entertained while you get lost in a good book.

Nearest train station: Chathill (6 miles)

Is Northumberland good for a family holiday?

Famous for its castles and coastline, Northumberland is a wonderful destination for a family holiday. With plenty of places to stay, scenic landscape and walks aplenty, Mumsnetters love this northern gem.

What are the best family attractions in Northumberland?

Kids will love playing at being knights at Bamburgh Castle, or wizards at the Alnwick Castle (which moonlights as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter film franchise).

If the sun’s shining, there are miles upon miles of sandy beaches to enjoy. If it’s raining, the area has a wealth of specialist museums - including a bee and honey farm in Berwick, Cragside in Rothbury and the bagpipe museum in Morpeth Chantry.

The mysterious tidal island of Lindisfarne is a must-see, but don’t forget to check crossing times before you set off to avoid getting stranded!

Where’s a good base in Northumberland?

Mumsnetters recommend the village of Seahouses as a base for exploring Northumberland. It’s on the north east coast of the county and has plenty of useful shops, great chippies and much of the county’s most beautiful landmarks are within a short drive or a long walk.

What’s the best family-friendly hotel in Northumberland?

Beadnell Towers is the best family-friendly hotel in Northumberland. The generous rooms have a cosy, luxurious atmosphere and the restaurant serves hearty pub grub - Mumsnetters give it the thumbs up too.

How we chose our recommendations

When choosing the best family hotels in Northumberland to recommend, we first checked what Mumsnetters were recommending themselves on our travel forums. Evaluating all priorities, we searched the hotels, cottages and self-catering properties they rated for family breaks, taking into consideration their feedback on facilities and customer service.

A huge range of options were investigated, and this list is a result of handpicking the best of the bunch, alongside Mumsnetter recommendations. We feel like there’s something here for everyone, and to suit every budget.