As many of us have made New Year resolutions to get outdoors in 2023 and explore new places, we thought we’d share some of the top places to see and do in Northumberland, within close proximity of Newcastle upon Tyne.
1. Alnwick
The market town of Alnwick has a lot to offer, from unique, independent businesses to the historic castle and gardens. Alnwick Castle is definitely something spectacular, and you may recognise it from its starring role in Harry Potter. A magical, action packed day out for the children, or alternatively, enjoy a quieter visit to Alnwick with a visit to Barter Books. Barter Books is one of the largest second hand book shops in the UK, situated in an old railway station. With many cosy nooks and a large selection of genres to choose from, it is the perfect place to get lost in.
2. Cragside at Rothbury
Cragside is a Victorian house located just outside the town of Rothbury. With vast, beautiful grounds to walk around, as well as a home packed with artefacts and rooms to explore. Cragside also has a unique history, being the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity. It is the perfect place to spend the day with multiple play parks, and coffee stops around the grounds and different gardens to see.
3. Northumberland National Park
Northumberland National Park is home to some of the darkest skies and protected land, bordered by Hadrian’s Wall. One of the main attractions within the National Park is Kielder Observatory. Kielder Observatory is home to the largest area of protected dark sky in Europe! Many celestial spectaculars have been spotted here, such as the Northern Lights and the Milky Way. Enjoy water sports and long woodland walks during the day before heading up to the observatory in the evening.
4. Northumberlandia
Northumberlandia is a large sculpture, built into the landscape, of a female figure. It can be found just outside Cramlington. Take a stroll around the sculpture and
enjoy the views from the top. Made from 1.5 million tones of earth from its neighbouring Shotton Surface Mine, the American artist Charles Jencks was inspired by organic shapes and post modern theories.
5. Amble
The fishing town of Amble is located at the mouth of the Coquet river, just a mile from Warkworth. It’s famous for its fishing harbour and is the perfect place to spend a day with the family. With many local businesses operating from beach huts, surrounding the harbour, as well as a multitude of independent eateries, there is something for everyone.
We hope that this blog has provided you with some ideas of new places to visit this weekend!
