England · City Guide

Northumberland

Northumberland is England's most sparsely populated and dramatically beautiful county, combining a stunning and largely unspoiled North Sea coastline, magnificent medieval castles including Bamburgh and Alnwick, the extraordinary UNESCO listed Hadrian's Wall and some of the finest dark sky viewing in Europe within the Northumberland National Park. For those seeking genuinely remote and beautiful English landscapes, Northumberland is unrivalled.

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Elect's take

"Northumberland is one of my favourite parts of England. The combination of dramatic castles, deserted beaches, ancient Roman heritage and the emptiness of the national park creates a landscape that feels entirely different from the rest of the country."

Bamburgh Castle is one of England's most dramatically situated castles, perched on a volcanic crag above one of the country's finest beaches. Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in England and provides the setting for the Harry Potter films. Holy Island, or Lindisfarne, is one of the most evocative destinations in England, a tidal island of early Christian heritage and extraordinary beauty accessible via a causeway. The Northumberland coast has some of the finest beaches in England, almost completely free of development and crowds. The Northumberland National Park and the Kielder Forest provide outstanding walking and the darkest skies in England.

Best time to visit

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How to get there

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Airports

Newcastle (NCL), Edinburgh (EDI)

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Rail

Alnmouth, Morpeth, Berwick-upon-Tweed

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Cruise ports

Port of Tyne Cruise Terminal

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Northumberland is best explored by car. Newcastle is the nearest major city approximately one hour south. The East Coast Main Line serves Alnmouth and Berwick-upon-Tweed.