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Heading to Northern England soon and wondering what are the most beautiful places in Northumberland? I’m here to help!
I recently visited Northumberland and completely fell in love with this area of the UK. It’s so beautiful and preserved! From the stunning landscapes to the quaint villages and wildlife, it simply has it all!
In this article, you’ll discover 12 beautiful places in Northumberland that you should visit as soon as you can!
1. Alnwick Castle
Calling all Harry Potter fans for this one! Located in the small town of the same name, Alnwick Castle is a must-see for any visitor.
It dates back to the 11th century and is by far one of the most beautiful castles in the whole of the UK.
It’s particularly famous for having been used as a filming location in the Harry Potter movies. You may remember the scene where they start learning Quidditch? It was filmed at Alnwick Castle.
But that’s not all, many other movies and series were filmed here as well. So much so that the castle organises filming location walking tours!
You need to pay the entrance fee since it’s privately owned but it’s well worth the price. There are loads of activities organised including broomstick lessons, soap making and more.
You can also try archery here but that’s at an extra cost.
All in all, the castle is absolutely beautiful and even if you don’t do any of the activities, you will still love to discover the different courtyards, the beautiful views and state rooms.
PRO TIP: Make sure you reserve at least half a day to visit Alnwick Castle because there is a lot to see and do! You could easily spend the entire day here.
2. Bamburgh Castle
Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the North Sea, Bamburgh Castle is one of the most impressive castles in England.
This iconic fortress has a rich history and served as the royal seat of the Anglo Saxon Kings of Northumbria. It was also recently used in the Netflix show ‘The Last Kingdom’.
Visiting Bamburgh Castle is a magical experience. From there, you will discover breathtaking views over the beach and dunes. You can even see the Farne Islands!
Inside, the castle is as incredible as you would expect it to be and there are loads of interactive exhibits, making your visit very entertaining.
You will also find a dog-friendly café in the stables as well as a shop with local products.
PRO TIP: After visiting the castle, make sure to go for a walk on the beach. This is by far one of the most beautiful beaches in England and the scenery is just incredible. It’s a very wide and long beach so you can walk there for a while.
3. Holy Island of Lindisfarne
Located between Bamburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed, Holy Island is one of the best tidal islands to visit in the UK.
You can access it at low tide via the causeway (you will need to check in advance the opening times.
The island is known for its early Christian heritage, this island is home to a monastery (in ruins) and the Lindisfarne Castle, which sits atop a craggy hill.
It’s a National Trust site which means that you can visit it for free if you are a member.
There are also a lot of walking options including a coastal walk that goes all around the island.
Of course, if you feel up for a bit of a challenge, you can always walk all the way back to the mainland via the causeway.
Finally, I highly recommend getting a crab sandwich while you’re there since there are loads of seafood trucks and prices are very reasonable.
4. Craster
This charming fishing village is known for its delicious kippers and stunning coastal views. It’s a very picturesque spot that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and maritime heritage.
When you get to the village, you will have to park your vehicle and then walk to the centre (it’s very small so it only takes a couple of minutes).
You will then find the pub, seafood truck and the kippers shop. The shop is very easy to spot since you can follow the smoke smell!
PRO TIP: I highly recommend the smoked salmon and mackerel from the shop as well as of course, the kippers.
You can then head to the harbour where you can see the fishing boats and keep walking all the way to Dunstanburgh Castle.
It’s not a very long walk and it’s well worth it because it’s very scenic. Although the castle is in ruins, there is something very majestic about it and you will love it.
If you are an English Heritage member, you can visit for free, otherwise you will need to pay the entrance fee if you want to see it inside.
5. Hadrian’s Wall
Hadrian’s Wall is one of the most significant historical sites in the UK.
Built by the Romans in AD 122, this ancient fortification stretches across northern England and offers an incredible glimpse into Roman Britain.
As you walk along the wall, you’ll encounter well-preserved sections, forts, and fascinating archaeological sites that bring history to life.
Don’t miss the visitor centres at Housesteads and Vindolanda, where you can explore interactive exhibits and artefacts.
Chesters Roman Fort is also very noticeable.
Finally, if you want to do a nice walk, I highly recommend going to the Sycamore Gap. Though sadly the tree is not there anymore, it’s still a beautiful place to see.
6. Warkworth
Warkworth is ideal if you want to get it all at once. Castle, beach, picturesque village houses, river walk… it has it all!
The most noticeable landmark here is Warkworth Castle. It’s a beautiful medieval fortress that you can visit for free if you are an English Heritage member.
You will also enjoy going around the village. It’s full of cosy cafés and pubs.
I highly recommend doing the river walk and then heading to the beach as well.
7. Seahouses & Farne Islands
Seahouses is a lively coastal village that is known to be the gateway to the stunning Farne Islands.
This is one of David Attenborough’s favourite places in the UK! It’s famous for its remarkable wildlife which includes seals and seabirds.
It’s also one of the best places in the UK to see puffins!
There are cruises going to the Farne Islands every day. You can do two types. The first one takes you around the islands so you can see the seals, birds, lighthouses and puffins.
The second allows you to actually explore one of the islands. This is a better option if you have more time available but bear in mind that you will need to pay the National Trust landing fee (unless you are a member).
This was by far one of my favourite things to do in Northumberland and I highly recommend it.
You also get to see the coastline and Bamburgh castle from the boat which is very cool.
8. Cragside
Located a bit more inland, Cragside is a stunning Victorian estate that showcases breathtaking gardens and innovative architecture.
This is by far one of the best National Trust properties in the whole of the UK and I simply can’t recommend it enough.
This unique property was home to Lord Armstrong, a pioneering engineer and inventor. What makes this place special? It was the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity!
But that’s not all, the estate as a whole is huge which means that there are miles and miles of walking paths you can take.
You can easily spend an entire day exploring.
I particularly recommend the gunshot trail but you can also opt for a shorter one.
Since it’s a National Trust, you will also find several cafés and a shop.
9. Berwick-upon-Tweed
Located at the border with Scotland, Berwick-upon-Tweed is one of the best small towns to visit in England.
Known for its impressive town walls and bridges, it has loads to offer!
One of the best things to do is to walk along the town walls, all around the town to the three bridges.
You can park at the Long Stay near B&M and take the path from there. This takes about 1 hour to complete and it’s a very scenic walk with views of the harbour.
The Royal Border Bridge is also particularly impressive and kind of looks like Glenfinnan Viaduct so you will love that one as well.
You can also have a walk in the town centre and do some shopping or enjoy a meal at a local pub.
10. Alnmouth
Alnmouth is a picturesque village near Alnwick that feels like a hidden gem. It’s very small but such a lovely place to visit.
You can park at the beach and go for a walk on the beach. It’s dog-friendly and has such a beautiful beach.
From then, head to the town centre where you’ll discover charming streets.
There are quite a few pubs and cafés here, making it the ideal place for a meal.
If you’re a golf lover, don’t miss the local golf course, renowned for its stunning views of the coastline.
Map of the best places to visit in Northumberland
I hope this article has given you a good idea of what you can do in Northumberland. It’s such a beautiful place, you’ll love it!
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