Why Visit Northumberland?
Castles.
With over 70 Castles England’s Border country has more castles than any other county, a legacy to its turbulent history. With the Haunted Chillingham Castle, the fully restored coastal Bamburgh Castle, the beautiful gardens of Alnwick Castle and the romantic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, not to mention Newcastle Keep there are plenty to choose from for a day trip
The Coastline.
The Northumbrian coastline is an area of outstanding beauty with over 30 miles of beautiful beaches and unspoilt coastline and you can walk along the Northumberland coast path for 64 miles from Cresswell to Berwick-upon-Tweed. The Northeast’s Farne Islands have been voted one of the top wildlife experiences in the UK and on a boat trip around the Islands you will see thousands of seabirds including puffins as well as the UK’s largest colony of seals. Of course no trip to Northumberland would be complete without a trip to Lindisfarne or Holy island and its nature reserve, priory and castle, but don’t forget to check the tide times as the Island is only accessible at low tide.
The Wall.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hadrian’s Wall and it’s Roman forts are one of the main draws for visitors to Northumberland with Corstopitum, Housesteads and Chesters within comfortable driving distance from the Cottage and walking tours along the wall available, if you’re up for a challenge you can walk the stretch of the 84 mile Hadrian’s Wall Path which passes less than 3 miles from the cottage.
The Inspiration.
Northumberland’s history and beauty has provided both inspiration and the backdrop for TV shows and films alike. Sycamore Gap (otherwise known as the Robin Hood Tree) on Hadrian’s Wall Path has become the most photographed tree in the UK as a result of it’s role in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, Alnwick Castle was transformed into Hogwarts in the Harry Potter Movies and Hadrian’s Wall and the Border Wars of the 14th to 16th Centuries provided the inspiration for Game of Thrones.