dunstanburgh castle beach northumberland

Things to do in Northumberland

Search Cottages

Discover the best attractions and activities that Northumberland has to offer

Being one of the top tourist destinations in the UK, Northumberland has an array of attractions to visit and things to do throughout the year. With a great supply of the country’s most historic sites, as well as a varied and beautiful landscape, you and your loved ones will find lots of things to do in Northumberland.

Northumberland Attractions

England’s ancient capital is seemingly endless with historical things to do. You and your loved ones can simply meander the sleeping English town, littered with cobblestone paths and a collection of independent shops. If you are looking for something a bit more sheltered, there are plenty of heritage attractions in Northumberland to discover from historic castles to grand stately homes.

A must thing to do in Northumberland is to visit the 900-year-old castle of Alnwick, which was built to protect England from Scottish invasions! You may recognise this feat of architecture from the Harry Potter films as it doubled up as  Hogwarts! Located within close reach of the castle is Alnwick Gardens, a multi-award-winning Northumberland attraction, which features the world’s largest Tai Haku Cherry Orchard.

Bamburgh Castle is one of the many other great things to do in Northumberland, as is the Kielder Water and Observatory in Kielder Forest and the awe-inspiring Northumberland coastline.

Northumberland Activities

Looking for Northumberland activities that the whole family can enjoy? Take a boat trip around the Farne Islands admiring the abundance of wildlife from a different vantage point, especially birds such as puffins, guillemots and Arctic terns. Disembark at Inner Farne and visit the Church of St. Cuthbert, the Inner Farne Lighthouse and watch the Grey Seal colonies as they bask on the rocks.

A trip to Northumberland would not be complete without viewing the famous Roman fortification Hadrian’s Wall. Hike along the remains of the impressive structure, taking in the impressive views of the surrounding countryside as you go.

Continue reading to find more things to do in Northumberland… 

  • almouth beach

    Alnmouth Beach

    Alnmouth Beach
    Alnmouth
    Alnwick
    NE66 2RU

    The sandy Alnmouth Beach, located at the mouth of the River Aln, is a peaceful bay where visitors can relax in the sun or go for a paddle in the clear waters.

    view more information
  • Alnwick Castle and gardens

    Alnwick Castle

    Alnwick Castle
    Alnwick
    NE66 1NQ

    The castle is one of the UK’s most iconic structures and the family seat of the Duke of Northumberland. The medieval building and its beautiful gardens are open to the public year-round, boasting exhibitions and special events throughout.

    View more information
  • Andy Howey’s Birds of Prey Centre

    Andy Howey’s Birds of Prey Centre
    Haggerston Castle Italian Gardens
    Berwick upon Tweed
    TD15 2NZ

    Andy Howey’s Birds of Prey Centre is located on the grounds of Haggerston Castle in the heart of Northumberland. Discover an instructive, engaging, and hands-on encounter with a variety of birds of prey, reptiles, and creepy crawlies at this excellent wildlife centre!

    view more information
  • bailiffgate museum

    Bailiffgate Museum

    Bailiffgate Museum
    14 Bailiffgate
    Alnwick
    NE66 1LX

    A people’s museum that hosts a variety of activities and unique exhibitions for the entire family, including interactive displays that explain the narrative of Alnwick. With a miner’s kitchen and a Victorian schoolroom, this is a fun and educational day out.

    view more information
  • Bamburgh Beach

    Bamburgh Beach
    Bamburgh
    NE69 7DF

    This large beach is ideal for a walk following a visit to the settlement of Bamburgh. The coastline washes beyond the magnificent ramparts of Bamburgh Castle, one of the most recognisable castles in the UK, and offers views of the Farne Islands to the east.

    view more information
  • Bamburgh Castle

    Bamburgh Castle

    Bamburgh Castle
    Bamburgh
    NE69 7DF

    Once the home of the Anglo-Saxon Kings of Northumberland, Bamburgh Castle is now the family seat of the Armstrong family who open 14 of the rooms to the public and exhibit over 3,000 items of artwork, furniture, china and porcelain.

    view more information
  • belford northumberland

    Belford Museum

    Belford Museum
    11 Market Place
    Belford
    NE70 7NE

    Belford Museum is a local attraction in this stunning Northumberland village. Here, you can explore the rich local history of Belford and how the residents lived their lives.

    view more information
  • close up of boat on the water

    Berwick Boat Trips

    Quayside
    Quay Walls
    Berwick-Upon-Tweed
    TD15 1HE

    07713 170845

    Want to experience this part of Northumberland’s coast in a spectacular way? Come aboard Berwick Boat Trips, where a range of water excursions await.

    view more information
  • berwick castle

    Berwick Castle

    Parade
    Berwick-upon-Tweed
    Northumberland
    United Kingdom
    TD15 1DF

    0370 333 1181

    If you’re a history enthusiast, we recommend venturing to the medieval ruin of Berwick Castle. Enjoy tours, panoramic views and more here.

    view more information
  • berwick town walls

    Berwick Elizabethan Town Walls

    Berwick Town Walls
    9 Palace St
    Berwick-upon-Tweed
    TD15 1HN

    450 years after being built, Berwick’s town walls remain its most renowned architectural structure. There are 1.5 miles and 25 yards of Elizabethan Walls. All four gates leading into the city are located within the ramparts, which enclose the city entirely.

    view more information
activityarrow_downarrow_leftsmall-rightarrow-top-rightbikeguidescamerachild-friendlycircularclockCottagecrossdangerdestinationpindownloaddropdown-arrowemailFamilyfinish-flagflagfloraflowergroupHeartinfo-altdidyouknowInspirationlinearlocationmap-pinmapparkingpawphonerulersearchshare Facebook Google Plus Instagram LinkedIn Pinterest Twitter YouTube ui-24px-glyph-2_grid-45popularsun-cloudtexturef-check-glyph-16toggleVideoWalkingwheelchair