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If you’re looking for a road trip that has adventure, beautiful coastlines, castles, villages, wildlife and the opportunity to see northern lights, then this is the road trip for you! Northumberland will surprise you with its beauty, magical starry skies and fascinating history.
This ultimate Northumberland road trip itinerary will make it easy to plan your road trip, including the best campsites, places to stay and the best spots you shouldn’t miss!
If you’re looking for more inspiration for your trip to Northumberland, read about the most beautiful villages in the area you must visit.
Road trip summary
Duration: 6 days
Distance: 250 miles
Highlights: Castles, Beaches, Forests, Wildlife, Dark Skies
WHERE IS NORTHUMBERLAND?
Northumberland is one of the least populated areas of England, found in the north east bordering Scotland in the north and Cumbria to the west and County Durham, Tyne and Wear to the south. To drive to Northumberland it will approximately take 5 hours 30 minutes from London.
WHAT IS NORTHUMBERLAND KNOWN FOR?
The county has a legacy of being home to the most castles in England, so you’ll have plenty to choose from! With fewer people living in Northumberland, you’ll find much more space for wildlife to roam and great opportunities to see a clear starry night sky with dedicated dark sky observatories. From important peat bogs which provide an important reserve for combating climate change to a stunning unspoilt coastline, Northumberland has a varied landscape with something for everyone.
WHAT IS THE NORTHUMBERLAND 250 (NLAND 250)?
Also referred to as NLAND250, the Northumberland 250 is a road trip route that takes you on a circular 250 mile route taking in some of the best scenery, highlights and experiences around Northumberland. Currently, an underrated destination in the UK, Northumberland will be sure to impress and is a note-worthy contender for your attention. You can download a digital copy of the Northumberland 250 route. This road trip itinerary follows some of this route.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO Visit NORTHUMBERLAND?
If you’re looking for the best weather in Northumberland this is usually from May to September. We visited in October and we had a mixture of sunny days and a couple of rainy ones, however, to make the most of your trip make sure to bring the right gear most importantly a rain jacket and sturdy footwear so you can get out whatever the weather.
WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU TO NORTHUMBERLAND?
You’ll be exploring a variety of landscapes and it’s important you bring the right gear with you to make the most of your adventure in Northumberland! Make sure to bring your beach gear that’s towels, swimwear, sandals and walking gear so sturdy footwear, waterproof, and layers for warmth as there can be a chilly breeze by the coast. If you plan to watch the clear starry night sky then make sure to bring warm clothing like a hat, gloves etc.
Day one - Allenheads to Alnwick CASTLE
Allenheads
In the remote North Pennines, you’ll find Allenheads, a beautiful village where you can ski in the winter and learn about the heritage of old lead mines. The village also has a coffee shop, a local craft shop and toilets.
Blanchland
As you follow the B6278 road up across the moorland plateau, you’ll reach one of the prettiest villages in Northumberland, Blanchland. Eat a delicious meal at the Lord Crewe Arms and you can stay overnight.
Derwent Reservoir
A scenic spot between Blanchland and Corbridge, Derwent Reservoir has a café, children’s play area and walking routes with a chance to spot wildlife with the possibility to park your campervan overnight for £10.
Corbridge
Make sure to stop in the Roman town of Corbridge, which has a bakery, lovely streets, cafés and pubs. Parking is free and you’ll walk over a beautiful bridge across the River Tyne.
Alnwick
Alnwick has a well-known castle, Alnwick Castle, which has been featured in a number of movies and TV shows including; Harry Potter, Transformers and in Downtown Abbey. The town has many shops, pubs and streets to explore, the famous pub named ‘The Dirty Bottles’ serves delicious food and has a haunted history where it is rumoured that the innkeeper died when moving bottles in the window. The bottles are now sealed in the window so that no one else would follow the same fate as the unfortunate innkeeper.
Day two - Alnwick to Dunstanburgh CASTLE
Howick
The coast along this stretch offers wonderful views from the cliffs overlooking some of the best beaches. Walk along the coast to The Bathing House where former Prime Minister Earl Grey and his children would swim together in the ocean.
Craster
A fishing village located on the Northumberland coastline where you’ll have to try a local delicacy, smoked kippers at the famous L Robson & Sons smokehouse. If you are a wide vehicle, avoid the Craster Tower gateway and follow the Vlg road which is much wider and the road the buses use.
Dunstanburgh castle
A short walk following the coast from Craster village, you’ll find the impressive ruins of Dunstanburgh castle. The walk is around 30 minutes to the castle, you’ll pass the famous smokehouse and Craster harbour along the way. If you have time it’s worth exploring a little further to Embleton Bay, a golden stretch of beach with great views of Dunstanburgh castle ruins. The starting point to walk to Dunstanburgh castle is within Craster Quarry car park, which costs £3.50 for 2 hours, £5 for 3 hours.
Day three - Dunstanburgh to Seahouses
Seahouses
Explore the village of Seahouses, a seaside village with plenty of options for eating out and make sure you try the best fish and chips in the area. Lewis’ Fish restaurant serves some of the best and the queue can get pretty long in the evening! This harbour town is known for boat trips and walk a little further to St Aidan’s dunes where you’ll find great views across to the Farne islands which are home to all sorts of wildlife, seals, birds and even puffins at certain times of the year.
Northumberland Coast Path
The Northumberland Coast Path is a 100km long distance walking route that passes some of the highlights of the Northumberland 250 including castles, beaches and caves. The route starts at Cresswell and follows the coast to Warkworth, Alnmouth, Craster, Seahouses, Bamburgh, Holy Island and finishes in Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Farne Islands
The Farne Islands are a must-visit whilst exploring the Northumberland coast, accessible by boat you’ll have the chance to see a large seal colony and we were lucky enough to spot some baby seals. The islands act as a haven for birds and seals where you can observe them from a distance. Serenity tours leave from Seahouses harbour and for the grey seal and seabird cruise it costs £20 for adults, £15 for children, under 4 is free for the 1 hour 30 minute tour. From the 1st of May till 31st July you might be lucky to see puffins and if you visit outside this season there are thousands of birds on the islands including guillemots and razorbills. You’ll also get close to Longstone Lighthouse and Brownsman Lighthouse where you’ll learn about the brave acts of Grace Darling who inspired the creation of the RNLI we know today.
Day four - Bamburgh to Holy Island
Bamburgh castle
Over 3,000 years of history brought to life at England’s finest coastal castle and the real last kingdom of Bebbanburg. Bamburgh castle is open all year round, weekends only from 14 Jan to 11 February where you can discover the historical importance of this castle. The castle is set on an impressive hill surrounded by extensive sand dunes and a sweeping sandy beach. Entrance to the castle cost £14.10 per adult ticket and £6.95 per child.
Bamburgh lighthouse
Built in 1910, this lighthouse has been operating for over 80 years and provided passing boats guidance along the turbulent coastline. Bamburgh castle when it was fully occupied and operating would have stood as a beacon of guidance for ships, however in the 18th century it had deteriorated and was used as a Charity School. Scramble over the black rocks and you’ll find a picturesque tidal pool for a dip if you’re brave!
Holy Island
As a tidal island, Holy Island is a wildlife spotting paradise, where you can observe grey seals, spot many different birds including curlews and the area is designated as Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve. Make sure to check the tide times as you can only access the island by road and this is covered by water at certain times of the day. There are unique habitats such as sand and mud flats, dunelands, saltmarsh and raised beaches. Don’t miss the Lookout Tower that provides extraordinary views of the tidal marshland and estuary where you can see across to the Farne Islands, a great spot to watch the sunset. Lindisfarne castle sits on a volcanic mount and is currently closed but reopens on the 13th March 2023. There is a large car park which costs £5 for 3 hours and the village has cosy pubs and shops to explore.
Day five - Etal to Kielder Forest
Ford & Etal
These picturesque villages are part of a working estate, set within the beautiful countryside close to the Scottish border where historically many battles were held. Today, these villages are the setting of peace and tranquillity where you feel like you’ve stepped onto a film set, everything is perfect. Make sure to stop by the horseshoe antique forge with a horseshoe-shaped door.
Hindhope Linn waterfall
A lesser known attraction in Northumberland, Hindhope Linn is a beautiful waterfall in Kielder Water and Forest Park. The walk to the waterfall is relatively short and easy with other walks around the area.
Kielder Forest drive
This will take you 12 miles through the heart of Kielder Forest along a gravel track and is not recommended for vehicles with low ground clearance. We drove in our van which has high clearance, took it slow and it was fine. It is a toll road and £3 is payable at the end closest to Kielder Water. There is a scenic stop at Blakehope Nick, an observatory sculpture at 457metres above sea level the highest point along the drive. The Forest drive is open late spring to Autumn.
Kielder Water and Forest Park
The biggest manmade lake in Northern Europe, Kielder Water is also known as one the best places in the UK for dark skies! Visit Kielder Observatory for an experience to see the stars close or make plans to get outside and see them for yourself. At certain times of year it is also possible to see the Northern lights. Kielder is home to the largest number of naturally colonising Ospreys and are best seen at dawn or dusk. Mountain biking is a popular way to explore the forest with many marked routes.
Day 6 - Kielder Forest to Hadrians Wall
Sycamore Gap
An iconic landscape scene where a tree sits within an undulating dip and is known as one of the most photographed trees in England. Sycamore Gap is a short walk from Steel Rigg car park where you can pay £5 for 3 hours. There is a circular route if you prefer, a total of 3 miles that follows Hadrian’s Wall and towers above Crag Lough. The footpath on the return route can get boggy in wet weather as it’s mostly through fields, however, it does give a different perspective of Sycamore Gap.
The Sill
A newly opened discovery centre with a scenic café overlooking Hadrian’s Wall and Sycamore Gap, there are also exhibitions, shops and toilets. There are impressive displays of artwork and photography across the centre showcasing the beauty of Northumberland. Next door, the Once Brewed pub is a cosy spot that serves delicious food.
Hadrian’s Wall
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Hadrian’s Wall was commissioned by Emperor Hadrian and the wall spans the length of 73 miles with numerous milecastles as watchtowers to control the passage of people from north and south. This was the extent of the Roman Empire in Britannia, built as a protection from the north and became the frontier. It took over 6 years to build this impressive structure that was constructed to a height of 4.5 meters and only 10% of the original wall is visible today. Hadrian’s Wall is commonly mistaken as the border between Scotland and England and this is simply not the case as this would make the majority of Northumbria and Cumbria in Scotland.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN NORTHUMBERLAND
Trees at Tughall
An idyllic, minimalist and modern cabin in the Northumbrian countryside, Trees at Tughall is the perfect, relaxing retreat from an exciting day of adventure. Each cabin is equipped with everything you would need for your stay; including a small kitchen, bathroom, large comfy bed, window seats, table and chairs and a wood burner for the ultimate cosy aesthetic.
Campsites
Hadrian's Wall Camping and Caravan Site
A great location to explore UNESCO World Heritage site Hadrians Wall, the most photographed tree in Sycamore Gap and The Sill. The Hadrian’s wall camping and caravan site cost £22 during off season for electrical hook up. Facilities include laundry, showers, toilets, water, washing up area, bins and chemical disposal.
Ord House Country Park
Ord House country park campsite was a real nice surprise on our trip. As a touring caravan park with mobile homes there is an area for motor homes and campervans close to facilities. The pitches have electrical hook up and the best thing about this campsite is the facilities. Located close to Berwick Upon Tweed this campsite has the best toilet and shower facilities we’ve ever seen - they’ve even won awards! There is also the option to have a bath in the family rooms which is a real treat. There is a bar and grill that serves hot food and drinks onsite. For families there is a soft play area with a childrens playground. It costs £14.50 including electrical hook up if you turn up on the day which is a bargain.
Derwent Reservoir
Northumbrian water have set up some of their car parks to allow overnight stays. It costs £10 to stay for the night and many of the spots are in a great location to see stars. We stayed at Derwent Reservoir in the upper car park which was a great starting point for many walks.
