Things to Do in Northumberland

Arts & Culture

Art lovers will be able to clearly see why world renowned arst JMW Turner loved Northumberland’s skies so much. And it wasn’t just Turner who fell in love with Northumberland’s beauty, LS Lowry brought Berwick upon Tweed to life in his paintings.

Northumberland has many galleries and artists studios available for visitors including the Allendale Forge Studios which exhibits local artists. You can even take the Northumberland Art Tour in June, July and December that gives visitors the opportunity to visit the lives and homes of artists in the area.

Museums

Northumberland is also home to plenty of museums where you can discover and learn about the county’s interesting past. Hadrian’s Wall is perhaps the most famous Roman wall in the UK and you can visit a whole host of museums along its route. These museums showcase Roman artefacts and treasures.

Along with the stately homes and historic buildings on offer in Northumberland, many have their own museums such as The Fusiliers Museum of Northumberland at Alnwick Castle.

Nature and Wildlife

Northumberland is home to such a diverse and stunning landscape with an abundance of wildlife on offer. With ancient woodland, moorland and coastlines there is so much to explore when visiting the region.

There are two areas of outstanding natural beauty in the county, the Northumberland Coast and the North Pennines, as well as the Northumberland National Park which is one of the quietest national parks in England. The Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is home to wildlife such as waders, geese and ducks.

If you need to get away from it all, come to Northumberland’s countryside. We’ve got not one but two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and our own national park which offers some fantastic examples of rare and endangered species.

Northumberland Gardens

The Alnwick Garden is a great day out for all the family and is home to one of the largest treehouses in Europe! There’s so many garden’s and parks on offer in Northumberland.

Take a trip to Cragside House, Gardens and Estate, near Rothbury which was the first house in the whole world to be lit by hydro electro power. Craigside’s gardens and landscape is full of miles of footpaths and cycle paths. There is also Wallington House which is surrounded by parkland and an ornamental lake. Wallington House is also home to dolls houses and classical paintings. Northumberland is home to the mighty and unique Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, that has a rock garden inspired by the quarry gardens of Sicily.

Adventure Activities

Northumberland’s wild outdoor spaces are ideal for indulging in adventure activities of all kinds. Clay pigeon shooting, flying and gliding, water sports, paintballing, ballooning and quad biking can all be found within our boundaries, along with the latest craze, coasteering.

Another great way to enjoy and explore Northumberland’s majestic countryside is by cycling. With hundreds of paths, coastline and woodland, Northumberland is meant to be discovered on two wheels.

Fishing

Fishing is popular in Northumberland, and there are plenty of places you can go fishing. As well as the coast, there’s an abundance of rivers and streams and freshwater lakes packed full of salmon and seatrout. Fishing also gives visitors the opportunity to see the county from a different view; experience the grand scale of Bamburgh Castle for example.

Horse Riding

Northumberland is a great place to try out horse riding. There are many bridleways and country lanes to explore and are suitable for riders of all abilities.

However, the beaches in Northumberland make the for best experience as you really let yourself go across the magnificent terrain, whilst soaking in the coastal views and scenery. Or if you want to explore the countryside and fields, head to Northumberland National Park and the North Pennines.

Watersports

With great watersport terrains and instructors on hand, Northumberland is a great destination if you are interested in watersports. There’s the perfect opportunity to go canoeing or kayaking or even kitesurfing along the beaches!

You can dive in Northumberland at Farne Islands which is home to grey seals or at Kielder Water and Forest Park there is Northern Europe’s largest man made lake which is perfect to waterskiing and sailing.

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