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!

Historic Northumbria = (in England) Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmorland, Yorkshire, Lancashire and (in Scotland) the Borders, Lothian, Dumfriesshire and (perhaps) Galloway. Plenty to explore in that area. 😇

When I moved here, I saw that the police/waterboard/university/various societies used "Northumbria" for the wider region (Northumberland, Tyne and Wear) and so I've been following that. Everyone's been too nice to correct the obvious southerner, but I'll stop saying it! And I know most of the placenames on @LuluBlakey1 's list but by no means all. Never assume you know how to pronounce a placename up here....

Back to the OP's question, there are also lots of great walks/hikes of varying lengths. I'd recommend finding one on a website rather than just heading out! Especially as there's still storm damage to some paths:

www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/things-to-do/get-active-outdoors/walking/walking-routes/

If any of the people asking about Northumberland are interested in wildlife (particularly birdwatching) then I can talk about various nature reserves (there are loads!) but that's a bit niche.

Northumberland Attractions

Towns
Morpeth, Alnwick, Hexham, Corbridge, Berwick upon Tweed, Rothbury, Warkworth

Castles
Alnwick Castle and gardens, Aydon Castle, Bamburgh, Belsay, Chillingham, Dunstanburgh, Lindisfarne, Warkworth

Stately homes
Cragside, Wallington, Seaton Delaval

Other Attractions
Holy Island, Hadrian's Wall - Housesteads, Vindolanda and Chesters, Corbridge Roman Town, Howick gardens, Woodhorn museum, Farne Islands, Grace Darling museum, Brinkburn Priory, Warkworth hermitage, Hauxley nature reserve, Kielder, Ingram Valley, Coquet Island, Coquet Valley, Ford and Etal

Beaches
Druridge bay, Alnmouth, Embleton, Seahouses, Bamburgh, Newbiggin, Cresswell, Holy Island, Cocklawburn, Beadnell, Low Newton, Longhoughton, Boulmer, Warkworth, Seaton Sluice

Children
Whitehouse farm centre, Kirkley hall zoological gardens, Heatherslaw light railway, Eshott Heugh animal park, Northumberlandia

Interestingly, Northumberland is so named because it refers to lands north of the river Humber.

Hexham Abbey
Kielder Water /Forest mom
Corbridge
Housesteads and Vindolanda (Roman remains)

Whereas I’m also in Northumberland and have very much caught the sun today it’s been that lovely!

Beamish Museum is in Beamish, it's not in Consett at all, not even close 😊
We live in Durham and go at least once a month, we were just there yesterday. And ironically in Consett today visiting friends.

We are here now but home today. We have had 2 days in waterproofs, 3 in shorts and 2 in jeans. Not amazing weather all week but ok and we have done loads! Yesterday we needed sun cream.
Alnwick Castle, Alnwick Gardens, crazy golf, Barter Books.
Seaton Delaval Hall, Cragside, Wallington NT
Grace Darling Museum, St Aidan’s Church in Bamburgh.
Farne Islands and Longstone Lighthouse.
Bamburgh beach
On previous visits we have done Lindisfarne, Dunstanburgh Castle, Bamburgh Castle, Housesteads, Vindolanda.
Beamish is on my list for another time.
If you like lovely scenery and beaches, looking around old houses and Castles, wildlife, seafood then it’s a fab break.

Beamish Museum is not in Consett- it's nowhere near Consett- about 11 miles and 6 villages away. Half an hour's drive. It is in Beamish.

There is a fab booze shop in Morpeth which has tons of local beers and gins.

Sounds good. DH and I are having a couple of nights in Morpeth next month. Where is this shop?

@Waffledoggysmother here are some examples of cold and bleak Northumbria! Bamburgh last weekend.

Not for a family holiday but there is a brilliant bootcamp based near Bamburgh which is focused on getting out and exploring the countryside - so coasteering at Craster, paddleboarding at Beadnell, surfing at Bamburgh, kayaking under the railway bridge at Berwick and rock climbing, abseiling and hiking in the Cheviots. A trip there is usually the best week of the year.

Rampantivy, it's in Sanderson Arcade, between the High Street and the bus station.

Thank you @darlingdodo. I haven't been to Morpeth for about 18 months, so it must quite new.

I love Northumberland so much. We go at least twice a year. Even love it in the winter when it's howling a gale and a bit grey.

If you have English Heritage membership you'll get your moneys worth very quickly. Castles in Northumberland are everywhere!

Warkworth, Etal, Norham, Dunstanburgh are great.

Lindisfarne worth a visit. Obviously plan around tide times.

Alnwick and Bamburgh Castle great but expensive and probably v busy (we've only been inside during covid when numbers were limited - definitely a positive to come from covid!)

Bamburgh beach is about as busy as a beach in Northumberland gets but even in 2020 when no one could go abroad, it was still bearable (and I hate crowds)

Low Newton is lovely and the Ship Inn pub is so nice. Ross Sands is beautiful and generally practically deserted. Bit of a walk to get there but worth it.

I wouldn't rush to Beadnell Bay or Seahouses. Too busy for my liking.

Boats out to Farne Island great to see the puffins. But wear a hat in case of diving terns.

Those who think the beaches are busy in Northumberland probably haven’t been to Cornwall, Devon or the south coast recently I love the county, and also the bits of coast just over the border like Eyemouth and Coldingham

Friendliest and, most beautiful County in the UK in my ever so 'umble opinion.

Tynemouth Monday and Ross Sands on Sunday , Whitley Bay rocks swimming pool last Thursday. Absolutely heaving with people!

My children loved this last summer.

Bookmarking this post because I'm staying in Hexham in September. I can't wait!