5 Things To Do in Northumberland

Windswept, rural and filled with picturesque villages set beside beaches which stretch for miles, it is easy to see why the county of Northumberland is a popular domestic holiday destination for Brits. It sits in the same category as the Peak District, Norfolk, Devon and Cornwall.

From the small villages of Alnmouth, Alnwick and Bamburgh, to the larger towns of Morpeth and Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumbria is filled with history and beauty. This county is the setting of the Netflix series, Last Kingdom (albeit much of the filming was carried out in different countries), the county charged with repelling Scots in years gone past.

A trip to Northumbria offers a classic English seaside experience. The region offers countless activities and things to do, and condensing the list down to five places is a hard ask. Nonetheless, here are 5 highlights of the trip, assuming the visitor is travelling out from a base in Newcastle, which offers easy train links up the Northumbrian coast.

Bamburgh

Offering a medieval castle over 1,500 years old, the nearby village of Bamburgh can be reached via a short bus journey from Berwick-upon-Tweed (X18 bus route – £3 journey). A small town situated at the base of the impressive castle itself, one can venture up the castle’s grassy bank-side, up the path, and to the castle’s entrance. Once inside, there’s a stunning view across Bamburgh Cove below from atop the castle walls. Two alternative cafes offer refreshments (Bamburgh Walled Garden Cafe and The Tack café), whilst a multitude of rooms exhibit life in the castle for its inhabitants both past and present, including the ‘Gift Throne’, the traditional ballroom and oil paintings on every wall. Tickets cost £18.75 for adults, £9.40 for children, or £55 for a family ticket for 2 adults and 3 children.

After visiting the castle, the nearby village of Bamburgh offers many attractions, including a 7th-century church, the Copper Kettle tea rooms (brunch, for example, costs between £6.95 and £9.95) and gardens (free entry), and the Victoria Hotel bar.

Berwick-Upon-Tweed

After returning from Bamburgh, take a stroll and have an evening meal in Berwick-upon-Tweed for an evening meal and explorel. With several restaurant options ‘Limoncello: Restaurant Berwick’ is a great option for a fairly cheap Italian very fast service, with dinner dishes between £8.95 and £12.95.

With several bridges — Berwick Bridge, Union Bridge, Royal Border Bridge — extending across the vast estuary heading out to sea, the seafront gardens, and an impressive viaduct leading into the train station, the town is certainly worth a visit.

Craster

A small village with a traditional fishing harbour still visible, Craster offers an excellent afternoon out. Without a multitude of things to do or see, Craster is best fitted into a hike alongside other towns on the route; the Alnmouth to Craster hike along the Northumberland Coast Path. This excellent hike takes in golf courses, sea views and multiple villages along the way The Jolly Fisherman pub offers a nice place for a bite to eat or an afternoon drink (ranges between £10 and £15), whilst fishing trips are often run from the harbour for those interested. If you still have the energy, you can continue the walk from Alnmouth along the coast up past Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle, a once-proud fortification, now ruins overlooking the Northumbrian Coast.

Alnmouth

Slightly further down the coast, and on the same convenient train line from Newcastle, sits the seaside village of Alnmouth. Around five minutes before reaching the station of Alnmouth from the Newcastle approach, the village can be seen over to the right. A classic church spire sticks out from the landscape.

Upon leaving the train, a scenic twenty-five minute walk takes the visitor past rows of neatly-tended front gardens in the village of Hipsburn, past fields stretching into the distance, before crossing a bridge over the River Aln. The main high street offers a variety of shops, pubs and cafés, including the Sun Inn and the Red Lion Inn, which offer a selection of pies amongst other delicious dinner dishes (£14.95 for a pie).
If you are looking for a day-long activity, don’t miss the Alnmouth to Craster walk; starting at the golf course in Alnmouth, the walk is around 7 miles, keeping the coast and sea to the right and often fields or golf courses to the left.

Tynemouth

The town of Tynemouth is a seaside town situated further down the Northumbrian coast, slightly south of the county’s borders. Its beach stretches out for miles, and is popular amongst surfers. As well as the beach, Tynemouth boasts several cafes (including Crusoes, Dil and the Bear, and Lui’s By the Park) where individuals and families can spend a relaxing afternoon, whilst Longsands beach boasts a Fish and Chip shop, an ideal place to eat after a day spent surfing or relaxing on the beach. Tynemouth also holds the annual Mouth of the Tyne Festival for both the local community and visitors in July of each year, offering live music, food stalls and theatre.


Alongside these towns and villages, there are many other places one can visit in Northumberland, one of England’s most historic counties, including the towns of Seahouses and Alnwick (known for Alnwick Castle and Gardens). Situated in the north-east of the country, it is advisable to visit Northumberland during the summer months between June and September, otherwise a trip to the beach may leave the visitor on the cold side. Hopefully the visit will leave you feeling more relaxed and ready to return home after taking in the region’s historic charm and stories, natural beauty, refreshments and easy public transport.

Words by Ross Hyde

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