VISIT NORTHUMBERLAND
Places to visit and things to do in Northumberland including visitor attraction websites for opening times and links to our unique pages exploring localities in the North East.
Always check opening times before visiting
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AD GEFRIN MUSEUM AND DISTILLERY
Distillery and museum situated at the town of Wooler, featuring a recreation of a grand Anglo-Saxon Hall celebrating the Golden Age of Northumbria. It is four miles from the Ad Gefrin palace site.
Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1NQ
Visit the Ad Gefrin Museum and Distillery website
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AD GEFRIN PALACE SITE
Atmospheric site of Ad Gefrin, palace of King Edwin of Northumbria, set beneath the Iron Age hill fort site of Yeavering Bell in Glendale within the Northumberland National Park.
Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1NQ
Visit the National Park website
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ALLENHEADS HERITAGE CENTRE
Lead mining exhibition and water-powered engine developed by Northumberland engineer William Armstrong.
Allenheads, Northumberland NE47 9HN
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ALLEN BANKS AND STAWARD GORGE
(NATIONAL TRUST)
National Trust woodland plus remains of Steward Pele Tower.
Bardon Mill, Northumberland NE47 7BP
Visit the National Trust website
Explore the Allendales | Explore South Tynedale
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ALNMOUTH : OLD SCHOOL GALLERY
Gallery in a former village school of 1872 within the picturesque seaside town of Alnmouth.
Alnmouth, Northumberland NE66 3NH
Visit the Old School Gallery website for opening times
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ALNWICK CASTLE
A grand castle set in the valley of the River Aln on the edge of the historic town of Alnwick. It is the seat of the Duke of Northumberland and was the film setting for the Quidditch matches in Harry Potter.
Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1NQ
Visit Alnwick Castle website for opening times
Explore Alnwick and the River Aln
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ALNWICK : FUSILIERS MUSEUM
Museum situated at Alnwick Castle. It features the 300 year history of the Northumberland Fusiliers, that later merged with other regiments to become the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
Abbot’s Tower, Alnwick Castle, Alnwick NE66 1NG
Visit the museum website for opening times
Explore Alnwick and the River Aln
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ALNWICK GARDEN
Marvellous stately garden near Alnwick Castle featuring an impressive cascading fountain. Garden originated in the 1750s then redeveloped 1997-2006. One of the region’s major tourist attractions. Also features ‘The Poison Garden’ of extremely dangerous plants.
Denwick Lane, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1YU
Visit the Alnwick Garden website for opening times
Explore Alnwick and the River Aln
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ALNWICK MUSEUM AND GALLERY
Bailiffgate Museum and Gallery. Family friendly local history museum and gallery, exploring Alnwick and its surrounds with interactive displays.
14, Bailiffgate, Alnwick, Northumberland NE661LX
Visit the museum website for opening times
Explore Alnwick and the River Aln
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ALNWICK PLAYHOUSE
Arts centre for live performances, plus a gallery and cinema.
Bondgate Without, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1PQ
Visit Alnwick Playhouse website for opening times
Explore Alnwick and the River Aln
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AMBLE HARBOUR VILLAGE
Fifteen independent businesses trading from retail pod ‘beach huts’ at Amble Harbour.
Leazes Street, Amble, NE65 0FD
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AYDON CASTLE
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Beautiful, impressive fortified thirteenth century manor.
CURRENTLY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
Corbridge, Northumberland NE45 5PJ
English Heritage website for opening times
Explore Corbridge and the Tyne Valley
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BAMBURGH CASTLE
This formidable castle overlooks the North Sea and features in some wonderfully dramatic coastal scenes. Situated in the picturesque village of Bamburgh, it is one of the must-see coastal views of the region. A medieval castle much restored in the nineteenth century by the Victorian industrialist, Lord Armstrong, the castle stands at the site of the ancient capital of Northumbria.
Bamburgh, Northumberland NE69 7DF
Visit the Bamburgh Castle website for opening times
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BAMBURGH : GRACE DARLING MUSEUM (RNLI)
RNLI Museum dedicated to the Northumbrian lighthouse keeper’s daughter, Grace Darling and her heroic sea rescue of 1838.
Radcliffe Road, Bamburgh, NE69 7AE
Visit the Grace Darling Museum Facebook page
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BARTER BOOKS, ALNWICK
Superb second-hand bookshop set in the former Alnwick station. Relax in a comfy seat with a good book for a potential purchase. An overhead working model train passes overhead, high above the books.
Alnwick Station, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 2NP
Visit Website for opening times
Explore Alnwick and the River Aln
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BATTLE OF FLODDEN FIELD
Memorial to the battle of Flodden Field at the battlefield site. Site features information boards with maps to set the scene. A former telephone box in the nearby village of Branxton serves as a tiny Flodden Field visitor centre.
Near Branxton, north Northumberland TD12 4SN
Explore the Flodden Field Battle site
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BELLINGHAM HERITAGE CENTRE
Heritage centre and museum for Bellingham and North Tynedale with nearby ‘Tea on the Train’ on board the Bellingham Belle railway carriage serving cakes and light refreshments.
Station Yard, Woodburn Rd, Bellingham, NE48 2DG
Visit the Heritage Centre website for opening times
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BELSAY HALL, CASTLE AND GARDENS
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Lovely nineteenth century stone mansion, stable block and ruins of the medieval castle nearby. Beautiful gardens include the ‘romantic’ Quarry Garden set within a former quarry.
Belsay, Northumberland NE20 0DX
English Heritage website for opening times
Explore Bolam, Belsay and Wallington
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BERWICK BARRACKS
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Former early eighteenth century barracks building of 1717 designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor.
The Parade, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland TD15 1DF
English Heritage website for opening times
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BERWICK CASTLE AND RAMPARTS
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Extensive walkable Elizabethan town walls surround the old town and there are scant remains of a medieval castle.
Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland TD15 1DF
English Heritage website for opening times
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BERWICK MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY
The museum of Berwick and a town gallery situated in the impressive former barracks building.
Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland TD15 1DF
Visit website for opening times
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BERWICK : TOWER HOUSE POTTERY
A local pottery based in Berwick since 1976.
Tower Road, Tweedmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 2BD
Visit the pottery website for opening times
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BLACK MIDDENS BASTLE HOUSE
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Fortified farmhouse of the 1500s. The most impressive of several ruined ‘bastle’ houses that can be found in the neighbouring area.
Bellingham, Northumberland NE48 1NE
English Heritage website for opening times
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BOLAM LAKE COUNTRY PARK
Lovely, serene country park in a lake setting near Morpeth.
Bolam, Northumberland NE20 0HE
Visit Website for opening times
Explore Bolam, Belsay and Wallington
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BRINKBURN PRIORY
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Beautiful twelfth century priory on the banks of the River Coquet alongside castle-like manor house. Restored in the nineteenth century Brinkburn Priory.
Rothbury, Northumberland NE65 8AR
English Heritage website for opening times
Explore Rothbury and the Coquet
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CHERRYBURN
(NATIONAL TRUST)
Museum set in the birthplace of eighteenth century artist, wood engraver and naturalist Thomas Bewick.
Station Bank, Mickley, Stocksfield, Northumberland NE43 7DD
National Trust website for opening times
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CHILLINGHAM CASTLE
Impressive, historic medieval castle noted for its numerous ghosts.
Chillingham, Northumberland NE66 5NJ
Chillingham Castle website for opening times
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COQUET ISLAND (PUFFIN CRUISES)
RSPB Nature Reserve noted for seabirds. Off the coast of Amble.
Amble, Northumberland NE65 0AA
Puffin Cruises website for cruise times
Explore Warkworth, Amble, Druridge Bay
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CORBRIDGE ROMAN TOWN
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Former Roman town and supply base for Hadrian’s Wall.
Corbridge, Northumberland NE45 5NT
English Heritage website for opening times
Explore Corbridge and the Tyne Valley
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CRAGSIDE
(NATIONAL TRUST)
Wonderful Victorian home of the Tyneside industrial genius William Armstrong built in the crags near Rothbury. Superb dramatic landscaped grounds with lakes and forest.
Rothbury, Northumberland NE65 7PX
National Trust (Cragside) website for opening times
Explore Rothbury and Coquetdale
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DRURIDGE BAY COUNTRY PARK
Coastal beach, dunes and freshwater lake inshore.
Druridge Bay, Amble, Northumberland NE61 5BX
Explore Warkworth, Amble, Druridge Bay
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DUDDO STANDING STONES
A small stone circle of five stones on a hill top, reached on foot.
Duddo, Etal, Northumberland TD15 2PT
Explore Duddo, Ford, Etal and Norham
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DUNSTANBURGH CASTLE
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Extensive fourteenth century ruins of a huge castle in a romantic rocky whin sill setting. A one mile walk from the charming picturesque fishing village of Craster that is famed for its kippers.
Near Embleton, Craster, Northumberland NE66 3TT
English Heritage website for opening times
Explore Dunstanburgh and Craster
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EDLINGHAM CASTLE
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Fourteenth century ruins and eleventh century church set in the beautiful Northumbrian countryside.
Edlingham, Northumberland NE66 2BW
English Heritage website for opening times
Explore Alnwick and the River Aln
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ETAL CASTLE
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Fourteenth century castle near the River Till and the charming village of Etal in north Northumberland.
Etal, Northumberland TD12 4TN
English Heritage website for opening times
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FARNE ISLANDS
(NATIONAL TRUST)
Nature Reserve for seabirds including famous Puffins. Famed too for its links to St Cuthbert.
c/o National Trust, Seahouses, NE68 7RQ
National Trust website for more details
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FARNES : BILLY SHIEL’S BOAT TRIPS
Half day and full day trips to the Farnes and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne.
Seahouses, Northumberland NE68 7YT
Billy Shiel’s Boat Trip website for trip times
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FARNES : SERENITY BOAT TOURS
Boat trips around the islands or landings on Inner Farne or Staple Island.
Seahouses, Northumberland NE68 7UQ
Serenity Boat Tour website for trip times
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FORD AND ETAL ESTATES
Lovely villages of Etal and Ford, both with a neighbouring castle. The two villages are brimming with character.
Etal, Northumberland TD12
Ford and Etal estate website for more details
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GEORGE STEPHENSON’S BIRTHPLACE
(NATIONAL TRUST)
Birthplace of the famed railway engineer George Stephenson can still be seen alongside a pleasant walk following the course of an old railway line.
The house is CLOSED except for special events.
Wylam, Northumberland NE41 8BP
Explore Corbridge and the Tyne Valley
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HADRIAN’S WALL : CARVORAN
Roman army museum, depicting life in a Roman fort.
Carvoran, Greenhead, Northumberland CA8 7HF
Visit the Carvoran website for opening times
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HADRIAN’S WALL : CAWFIELDS
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Good views of the wall and the Great Whin Sill which has been extensively quarried for its stone here. Roman wall turrets and an impressive Roman milecastle.
Cawfields, Haltwhistle, Northumberland NE46 4EJ
English Heritage website for details
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HADRIAN’S WALL : CHESTERS FORT
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Extensive remains of a Roman fort and bath house in a lovely North Tyne riverside setting with the remains of a Roman bridge nearby. One of the most extensive Roman fort sites. Nearby is the former house of the Newcastle Town Clerk and Roman archaeologist, John Clayton.
Chesters, Chollerford, Northumberland NE46 4EU
English Heritage (Chesters) website for opening times
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HADRIAN’S WALL : HOUSESTEADS FORT
(ENGLISH HERITAGE AND NATIONAL TRUST)
Major remains of a Roman fort on Hadrian’s Wall plus an excellent museum displaying numerous artefacts. Easily the best-known and most impressive of the Roman forts on the Roman Wall itself with some excellent remaining sections of the wall to its west.
Housesteads, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland NE47 6NN
English Heritage (Housesteads) website for opening times
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HADRIAN’S WALL : SEWINGSHIELDS
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Roman wall on Great Whin Sill with nearby lakes of Broomlee Lough and Greenlee Lough. Sewingshields has a legendary association with King Arthur.
Sewingshields, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland NE47 6NW
English Heritage website for details
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HADRIAN’S WALL: TEMPLE OF MITHRAS
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Situated near the site of the Roman fort of Carrawburgh. It is the remains of a Roman temple dedicated to the Persian god Mithras.
Carrawburgh, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland NE46 4DB
English Heritage (Carrawburgh) website for details
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HADRIAN’S WALL : WALLTOWN CRAGS
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
The rocky crag of the Great Whin Sill creates an impressive stretch of Hadrian’s Wall here.
Walltown, Greenhead, Northumberland CA8 7HY
English Heritage website for details
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HARESHAW LINN WATERFALL
Waterfall reached via lovely Woodland Trust woodland walk along the dene of the Hareshaw Burn from the North Tynedale town of Bellingham.
Bellingham, Northumberland NE48 2JR
Woodland Trust (Hareshaw) website for details
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HAUXLEY WILDLIFE DISCOVERY CENTRE
Northumberland Wildlife Trust discovery centre near Druridge Bay.
Low Hauxley, Northumberland NE65 0JR
Hauxley Nature Reserve website
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HAY FARM HEAVY HORSE CENTRE
A farm with heavy horses. Includes a visitor centre.
Ford & Etal Estate, Northumberland TD12 4TR
Visit Hay Farm website for opening times
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HEATHERSLAW CORN MILL
Situated on the banks of the River Till, this is Northumbnerland’s only working water mill. Visitor Centre.
Etal, Northumberland TD12 4TJ
Heatherslaw Mill website for opening times
Explore Heatherslaw, Ford and Etal
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HEATHERSLAW LIGHT RAILWAY
Narrow guage steam railway. Booking required in advance. England’s most northerly steam railway.
Etal, Northumberland TD12 4TJ
Railway website for opening times
Explore Heatherslaw, Ford and Etal
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HEXHAM ABBEY
Medieval border abbey and place of worship. Parts date back to Anglo-Saxon times in the time of St Wilfrid.
Hexham, Northumberland NE46 3NB
Visit the Hexham Abbey website for opening times
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HEXHAM OLD GAOL
Managed by North East Museums, the Hexham Old Gaol museum dates from 1330 and is England’s oldest purpose-built prison. It includes a dungeon.
The Old Gaol, Hallgate, Hexham, Northumberland NE46 1XD
Hexham Old Gaol website for opening times
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HEXHAM RACECOURSE
Steeplechase horseracing.
Hexham NE46 2JP
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HOWICK HALL GARDENS
Ancestral home of the Earls Grey (including Earl Grey tearoom) with extensive beatiful gardens. A must for garden lovers in a landscaped park.
Howick, Northumberland NE66 3LB
Visit Howick Hall Gardens website for opening times
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HULNE PRIORY AND PARK, ALNWICK
Grand parkland alongside River Aln at Alnwick. Features the remains of a medieval priory.
Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 3JE
Visit Northumberland Estates, Hulne trail
Explore Alnwick and the River Aln
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KIELDER CASTLE
Former hunting lodge. A visitor centre for Kielder Forest.
Visitor Centre, Kielder, Northumberland NE48 1ER
Visit Kielder Castle website for opening times
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KIELDER OBSERVATORY
A must for all enthusiastic astronomers. This award-winning observatory is set beneath what are officially the finest dark skies in England.
Black Fell, off Shilling Pot, Kielder, Northumberland NE48 1EJ
Kielder Observatory website for opening times
Explore Kielder | Explore the North Tyne
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KIELDER WATER AND FOREST PARK
Beautiful lake and centre for outdoor activities with a twenty-seven mile shoreline surrounded by extensive forest and moorland.
Falstone, Kielder, Northumberland NE48 1ER
Kielder Waterside website for details
Explore Kielder | Explore the North Tyne
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LADY WATERFORD HALL
Village hall of timber beams and interior containing pre-Raphelite wall paintings. Dates from 1860’s and one of a number of unusually charming buildings in the planned Northumberland estate village of Ford.
Ford Village, Etal, Northumberland TD15 2QG
Lady Waterford website for opening times
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LANGLEY CASTLE
Handsome four corner tower castle in the South Tynedale area, dating from 1350. It is now a hotel.
Hexham, Northumberland NE47 5LU
Visit the Langley Castle website for details
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LINDISFARNE CASTLE
(NATIONAL TRUST)
Romantic castle rises from prominent whin sill rock on the island. Originally of 1550 but converted by Edwin Lutyens in 1903. Neighbouring walled garden oasis by Gertude Jekyll.
Holy Island, Northumberland TD15 2SH
Visit Website for opening times
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THE LINDISFARNE CENTRE
Heritage centre, exhibition and displays focusing on the history and heritage of the island, including interactive displays and a gift shop.
Marygate, Holy Island, Northumberland TD15 2SD
Visit Website for opening times
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LINDISFARNE PRIORY AND MUSEUM
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Beautiful ruins of Norman priory on site of earlier Anglo-Saxon monastery.
Holy Island, Northumberland TD15 2RX
Visit Website for opening times
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LONGFRAMLINGTON GARDENS
Gardens and arboretum near the central Northumberland village of Longframlington.
Longframlington, Morpeth, Northumberland NE65 8BE
Longframlington Gardens website for opening times
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THE MALTINGS, THEATRE BERWICK
Theatre in the town of Berwick. Gallery, live music venue and cinema.
Eastern Lane, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland TD15 1DT
Visit the Maltings website to see what’s on
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MORPETH CASTLE
Restored gatehouse of the castle now a holiday rental home.
Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 1NS
Morpeth Castle (Landmark Trust)
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MORPETH, CARLISLE PARK
Lovely park established in 1916. Includes a garden named from the sixteenth century Morpeth-born botanist, William Turner and a sculpture of local suffragette, Emily Wilding Davison.
Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 1YD
Visit website for opening times
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MORPETH CHANTRY BAGPIPE MUSEUM
Managed by North East Museums. A museum of bagpipes including the Northumbrian bagpipes, Irish bagpipes and Scottish bagpipes.
Bridge Street, Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 1PD
Morpeth Chantry website for opening times
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NORHAM CASTLE
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Huge formidable ruins of theformer Norman castle of the Durham Prince Bishops. Looks out cross the River Tweed to Scotland from which it lay in the direct line of cannon shot.
Norham on Tweed, Northumberland TD15 2JY
English Heritage (Norham) website for opening times
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NORTHUMBERLAND ZOO
Family run zoo in the heart of Northumberland.
Eshottheugh Farm, Felton, Morpeth NE65 9QH
Visit the Northumberland Zoo website for opening times
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NORTHUMBERLANDIA
Park encompassing a huge and extraordinary landscape earthwork sculpture of a reclining female.
Fisher Lane, Cramlington, Northumberland NE23 8AU
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ONCE BREWED VISITOR CENTRE
Northumberland National Park visitor centre interpreting the heritage of the area. Situated in Hadrian’s Wall country.
Bardon Mill , Once Brewed, Northumberland NE47 7AN
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PRESTON TOWER
Pele tower of the fourteenth century. Typical of a kind associated with the Border Reivers.
Chathill, Northumberland NE67 5DH
Visit the Preston Tower website for opening times
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PRUDHOE CASTLE
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Situated above the Tyne. Ruins of the Norman castle of the Umfravilles and Percys.
The castle is currently CLOSED to the public.
Prudhoe, Northumberland NE42 6NA
English Heritage website for more details
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THE SILL
NATIONAL LANDSCAPE DISCOVERY CENTRE
The starting point for exploring the Northumberland National Park.
Bardon Mill, Hexham, Northumberland NE47 7AN
Visit the website for opening times
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SEATON DELAVAL HALL
(NATIONAL TRUST)
Surviving shell of a magnificent hall built by Sir John Vanburgh in the early eighteenth century for the eccentric Delaval family. The Delavals were famed for their antics involving visiting guests.
Seaton Delaval, Northumberland NE26 4QR
National Trust (Seaton Delaval) Website for opening times
Explore the Seaton Delaval area
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VINDOLANDA ROMAN FORT
Managed by the Vindolanda Trust, this is one of the best-known and most visited Roman forts in the Hadrian’s Wall Country though not actually situated on the wall itself. Includes an amazing museum depicting the numerous finds from the site including examples of the remarkable Vindolanda Tablets, which are some of the oldest handwritten documents in Britain.
Vindolanda, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland NE47 7JN
Visit the Vindolanda website for opening times
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WALLINGTON
(NATIONAL TRUST)
Lovely country house and grounds. Highlights include the impressive Pre-Raphelite wall paintings depicting scenes from Northumbria’s history.
Wallington, Northumberland NE61 4AR
National Trust (Wallington) website for opening times
Explore Bolam, Belsay and Wallington
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WARKWORTH CASTLE AND HERMITAGE
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Superb remains of medieval castle associated with the Percy family guarding a neck of a peninsula formed by a loop of the River Coquet with the town of Warkworth set within. A nearby hermitage is set within riverside rocks close by (check website for opening times).
Warkworth, Northumberland NE65 0UJ
English Heritage (Warkworth) website for opening times
Explore Warkworth, Amble, Druridge Bay
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WARKWORTH : FENWICK GALLERY
Contemporary art and craft gallery in beautiful Warkworth.
21 Castle Street, Warkworth, Northumberland NE65 0UW
Fenwick Gallery website for opening times
Explore Warkworth, Amble, Druridge Bay
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WHITEHOUSE FARM, MORPETH
An all-weather family attraction situated south of the town of Morpeth.
North Whitehouse Farm, Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 6AW
Visit the Whitehouse Farm website for opening times
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WOODHORN
Northumberland museum and archives. Partly set within genuine former colliery buildings, the museum includes displays relating to mining and mining disasters; the Northumberland coalfield colliery banners and works of the ‘Pitmen Painters’. Woodhorn is also home to the Northumberland County archives.
Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, Ashington NE63 9YF
Visit the Woodhorn website for opening times
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The above map is interactive. Select and click on any region on the map to discover attractions in your chosen area.
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EXPLORE NORTHUMBERLAND
Our Northumberland pages cover the region in depth exploring the towns, villages, rivers and history of the region.
All photos © David Simpson englandsnortheast.co.uk
Northumberland : Border History
Warkworth, Amble, Druridge Bay
Ashington, Newbiggin, Lynemouth
Seaton Sluice, Delaval, Cramlington
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