Northumberland: Coastal Paths, Castles and Roman History

The entire Northumberland National Park and most of Kielder Water & Forest Park became England’s first International Dark Sky Park in 2013. This gives the night sky in these areas its own place alongside coastal paths and historic attractions. Northumberland National Park covers more than 400 square miles of landscape; this gives a sense of the park’s vast scale. Northumberland can also be explored through different travel interests: coastal walks, castles and Roman history, cycling routes or regional food culture. If you are looking for a hotel in Northumberland, it helps to first decide which of these themes you want to shape your stay.

Coastal Paths and Dunstanburgh Castle

The Northumberland Coast Path is 62 miles, or 100 kilometres, long and runs from Cresswell in the south to Berwick-upon-Tweed in the north. Its length is a clear reference point if you want to include a longer coastal route in your plans; its endpoints show the route from south to north. From Craster, a 1.3-mile footpath along the Northumberland Coast leads to Dunstanburgh Castle. The ruins guard a headland on Northumberland’s rugged coast, and the path crosses working farmland. Path conditions may vary. This puts a long coastal route and a specific walk to an attraction side by side as different planning options.

Castles, Roman History and Architecture

Construction of Dunstanburgh began in 1313, when Earl Thomas of Lancaster started building the castle. This date adds a specific historical reference to its setting on the coastal headland. Those interested in castles can take in both the ruins and their origins in the early 14th century.

Warkworth Castle was once the home of the powerful Percy family. An audio tour takes visitors through the Great Tower. The former family residence and the tour of this specific part of the castle offer two different ways to explore its history.

Housesteads Roman Fort is the most complete Roman fort in Britain. The five-acre site preserves gates, a towered wall, the commandant’s house, a hospital and communal toilets. Its remains therefore range from fortifications to buildings and shared facilities within the fort. An interactive museum of Roman history adds another perspective. Those interested in Roman history will find different points of connection here: the architectural remains and the museum as a place to learn about the past.

Hexham Abbey also offers a tangible connection to architectural history: it was built as a monastery in AD 674, and the crypt of the original building has survived to this day. Its founding date and the crypt provide two tangible points of reference for its history—a very early date and a surviving part of the original building.

Cycling Routes of Different Lengths

The Kielder Lakeside Way is 26 miles long; shorter sections can be explored separately. This lets you choose between the full route and shorter sections when planning. Two other routes can be compared by their total length and the sections that lie in Northumberland: the Coast and Castles Cycle Route runs for 192 miles from Newcastle to Edinburgh, with 85 miles in Northumberland. Hadrian’s Cycleway runs for 174 miles through England, with 33 miles in Northumberland. The figures to compare for the sections in Northumberland are therefore 85 and 33 miles, while the total lengths describe the wider routes.

Fishing Harbours and Regional Cuisine

Herring is still smoked in Craster—a tradition that has continued there for 150 years. Kippers are served at breakfast; check with individual establishments in advance to confirm their current offerings. Amble combines an active fishing harbour atmosphere with seafood shacks and a food market focused on artisan producers. For market dates and offerings, check the latest information before your visit. Craster is known for its smoking tradition, while Amble’s fishing harbour and food offering take centre stage.

Discover more destinations: Powburn, Lowick, Haltwhistle, Hepple, Glanton, Elsdon, Ellington, Craster, Corbridge, Chillingham, Amble, Kirkwhelpington, Haydon Bridge, Greenhead, Holburn Village, Widdrington, Edlingham, Mickley, Lesbury, Swinhoe, Mindrum, Longwitton, Callaly, Wooperton, Newton-on-the-Moor, Cresswell, Coanwood, Guyzance, Wall, Shilbottle, Longframlington, Brampton, Ilderton, Slaggyford, Chathill, Bothal, Boulmer, Stocksfield, Blanchland, Heddon On The Wall, Wandylaw, Alwinton, Blyth, Prudhoe, Bamburgh, Ashington, Alnwick, Newham, Eshott, Belford, Alnmouth, North Sunderland, Carham, Eglingham, Chatton, Allendale Town, Cornhill-On-Tweed, Kirknewton, Wark, Warkworth, Embleton, Bellingham, Newbiggin-By-The-Sea, Longhorsley, Hexham, Fourstones, Duddo, Chollerford, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Matfen, Morpeth, Wooler, Slaley, Rothbury, Ponteland, Seaton Delaval, West Woodburn, Bardon Mill, Seahouses, Sharperton, Wylam, Greenhaugh, Felton, Berwick Hill, Spittal, Gilsland, Cramlington.

For the wider travel overview: North East England.