County · England
Where to stay in Northumberland
Castles, empty coast and the darkest skies in England.
Northumberland is England's last great secret: a county of castle-studded beaches, Roman walls and skies dark enough for proper stargazing. The coast around Bamburgh and the Farne Islands is as good as any in Britain, and far less crowded.
Stays here are about the touring base: a comfortable country house or spa within reach of the castles, the wall and the wide, empty sands.
Best areas to stay in Northumberland
Bamburgh & the coast. The great castle, miles of empty beach and boat trips to the Farnes.
Alnwick. Castle, garden and a famous bookshop, a good inland base.
Hadrian's Wall country. Roman history and dark skies, for walkers and stargazers.
Getting there & around
Train. The East Coast main line stops at Alnmouth and Berwick-upon-Tweed; around 3.5 hours from London.
Car & transport. A car is the most practical way to link the coast and the wall.
Car-free. Alnmouth and Berwick give rail-served bases, with local buses and taxis to the castles and beaches.
Frequently asked questions
Is Northumberland good for a coastal holiday?
Very. The beaches around Bamburgh are among the finest and least crowded in England, backed by dramatic castles.
What is Northumberland known for?
Castles, the Northumberland coast, Hadrian's Wall and an International Dark Sky Park for stargazing.
How do you get there by train?
The East Coast main line stops at Alnmouth and Berwick-upon-Tweed, both good bases with onward buses and taxis.