Northumbria

[Fuffedoff]

Tell me about Northumbria, places to go, things to see, areas to explore?

We are looking to go away for my 30th and someone mentioned here.

Thanks!

FWIW - we stayed in Berwick u T last August for a week, and I swam in the sea every day. Not that bleak!

@darlingdodo I am also an atheist who finds Lindisfarne incredibly atmospheric.

😂at Northumberland including newcastle! Newcastle is part of Tyne and Wear not Northumberland.

To be fair, half the people on this post are calling it "Northumbria" too, god help us.

My faves (as a local)

• Alnmouth
• Barter Books
• Embleton beach
• Alnwick Gardens (can do same day as Barter Books)

Oh and Holy Island
Bloody love it!

I would say that Newcastle is part of Northumbria, and indeed Northumbria Uni is in Newcastle. Northumberland is another part of Northumbria. Similar to the NW, where Cumberland is just part of Cumbria? But I also know that opinions vary on this!

They couldn't call themselves University of Northumberland - they are in Newcastle. Northumbria doesn't exist. It's like Edward choosing Earl of Wessex as a title- Wessex doesn't exist; it's ancient region that is nowhere now. He us Earl of a place that doesn't exist. You can't visit Northumbria- it doesn't exist.

Living up here is like living in somewhere many people know nothing about. A couple of weeks ago our lying, hopeless PM was saying he was enjoying Teeside and had done a lot of levelling up here - he was in Whitley Bay in North Tyneside where he has done no levelling up at all, just removed 80+million from the council budget.

North of Durham feels like another planet at times.

If you go to Holy Island, make sure you time it right for the tides ... I do remember driving across the causeway at least once with water lapping round the car wheels when I was a child, but my Dad liked to cut things fine!🙂 Oh, and only to Farne Islands on a calm day, or else take sea sickness pills! But it's definitely worth the trip!

And of course you in Northumberland, and I in Newcastle, are both served by Northumbria Police! The OP asked about Northumbria, so even if she is staying in Northumberland, she's very welcome to visit Toon, aye? 😀

@LuluBlakey1 I tried my very best to sort all this out when I moved up here and I still get things very wrong sometimes, so apologies! One day I'll settle on the correct pronunciation of "Humshaugh."

Hums hoff

If you’re sneering at my comment then I was referring to places you can visit whilst staying in Northumberland. And if we’re going to play at pedantry than anywhere north of the Humber is strictly speaking, in ancient terms, Northumberland… clue is in the name…

We regularly drive for an hour from where we live to visit beaches in Northumberland. We’re totally spoilt for choice. Druridge Bay is huge and I’ve never seen it be very busy. Sea Houses and Bamburgh are worth a visit but Beadnell is also lovely and not as busy. It’s a huge county and Kielder is much further inland but if you fancy a change from the coast (although it’s so fabulous, I doubt you will) there is loads to do round Kielder - loads of walks and things via the waterside parks and the observatory is also meant to be amazing.

Cambois
Bellingham
Ovingham
Alnwick
Alnmouth
Ulgham
Berwick
Cowpen
Coquet
Howick
Butteryhaugh
Wark
Bamburgh

Northumbria doesn't exist any more. It used to cover the whole North (East and west). Now its just a name for one of the unis (outside of Northumberland), the police force (which covers vast areas well beyond Northumbria /tyne and wear, and the water board.

Well beyond Northumberland/tyne and wear

God dammit

Have a look at what's on at Kielder Observatory. It's in the dark skies area and they do special events. On a clear night it's magical.

I love Northumberland and feel very lucky to live in the North East with it just on my doorstep

Northumberland is gorgeous. Im from Tyneside and we visit every year.

Basically agree with all the suggestions on here.

Bit further south (in Consett) is Beamish Museum, a brilliant day out.

Also, if you are a gin drinker try Holy Island Gin. Bloody gorgeous. So is Alnwick Gin, Morpeth Gin and Hotspur Gin. Basically they make bloody good booze in the area. There is a fab booze shop in Morpeth which has tons of local beers and gins.

Northumberland is cold. Newcastle is cold. People who live there say it isn’t but of course they are well known for not wearing coats in the snow. They have their babies in little romper suits when it hits 16 degrees so it’s inculcated from birth.

But it’s definitely not barren. Everywhere is green and farmed and full of history.

Can I just echo the earlier comment - DO NOT IGNORE TIDE TIMES when crossing the causeway at holy island. Every single year people need rescued and everyone thinks they're bellends.

Northumbria is a university in Newcastle.
The county of Northumberland is beautiful and has many attractions. DH is from Northumberland so we have visited a lot over the years. When I get on my laptop tomorrow I will post a list of things to do and places to visit.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned it but you could nip across the border to see Jedburgh. It's a beautiful drive and a beautiful town.

Kielder water is very nice and the birds of prey centre is pretty cool..

Its stunning - and on such a big scale it reminded me of New England. Glorious beaches, castles and Hadrian’s Wall.

Weather is a gamble, but that’s true of anywhere in the Uk.

Alnwick is beautiful