Head to Northumberland and discover a land of grand castles and romantic ruins, epic coastlines and hidden-gem beaches, and untouched countryside with sprawling National Parks and dark skies that'll leave you starstruck.
Home to 62 miles of rugged coastline, England's biggest forest, and a sky so dark you might even spot the Andromeda Galaxy with the naked eye, there is no doubt about it, Northumberland is one of the most dramatic places in the UK. Throw in its rich history and reams of ancient sites and a walk in Northumberland will never be boring.
To get you off on the right foot, we've rounded up some of the best hikes in the country, from a stomp along Hardrian's Wall, the north-west frontier of the Roman empire for 300 years, to a beachside amble to see Bamburgh Castle and a short and sweet wander through the woods.
Ready to explore this stunning county on foot? Here’s our pick of the best walks in Northumberland…
Hadrian's Wall Chollerford to Steel Rigg
Best for: History buffs
Distance: 12 miles
Time: 4.5 hours
Difficulty rating: Moderate
Starts/ends: Chollerford/Steel Rigg
Parking: Chesters Roman Fort and Museum car park/Steel Rigg car park
Landmarks: Hadrian's Wall, Chesters Fort Roman Site, Housesteads, Vindolanda, Sycamore Gap
Built to guard the northwest frontier of the Roman Empire, Hadrian’s Wall is a must-see destination when you’re in the area. Along the way, you’ll enjoy glorious views of the rugged landscape and have the chance to explore the remains of the forts and towns that once kept a watchful eye over the wall.
The best way to see the wall is to walk a stretch of The Hadrian’s Wall Path, an 84-mile path that leads from coast to coast. Do the whole thing across a week or two or pick a section to tackle instead. A note before you set off, the trail can become incredibly muddy in wet weather, so wear the right gear and avoid it during the wettest months.
For a big reward, we like the Chollerford to Steel Rigg section, which many consider to be a highlight of the walk thanks to the sweeping views, well-preserved chunks of wall, and smattering of historical sites along the way.
Not long after leaving Chollerford, you'll arrive at the Chesters Fort Roman Site (you may want to start from the car park here), which is the most complete Roman cavalry fort in Britain, built just after the wall in 123 AD. From here the path begins to rise and the countryside gives way to moorland, offering you more and more views as you climb.
Soon, you'll arrive at Housesteads, the extensive remains of an auxiliary fort on the wall. Pop in for a deep dive into Roman military life, discover archaeological remains and spot some of the oldest toilets around. There is also a café here, perfect for a pick-me-up.
Continue on and spot Vindolanda to the south of the wall. If you want to explore you can sometimes see live archaeology in the summer months or book ahead and try it yourself. The upland route along Whin Sill from Housesteads is one of the most notable sections of the wall and home to the iconic Sycamore Gap. (The tree was sadly felled in 2023 in an act of vandalism, though the stump remains and it's hopeful the tree will eventually regrow).
Once you arrive in Steel Rigg, take a moment to enjoy the gorgeous views while you bask in the glory of having walked 12 miles. Afterwards, you could take a taxi into the nearby town of Hexham to refuel and enjoy stunning architecture and picturesque parks. Plus if the walk has whet your appetite for the historic, Hexham is a great spot to immerse yourself in stories about the Vikings.
Seahouses to Bamburgh Castle
Best for: Coastal lovers
Distance: 3.5 miles
Time: 1.5 hours
Difficulty rating: Easy
Starts/ends: Seahouses/Bamburgh Castle
Parking: Seahouses Beach Parking or Harbour car park
Landmarks: Bamburgh Beach, Bamburgh Castle
If you like dramatic places, look no further than this walk, which takes in one of Northumberland’s most famous landmarks: Bamburgh Castle. Perched above the drifting sand dunes of Bamburgh Beach, this coastal castle of truly epic proportions is home to 3,000 years of fascinating history.
The best way to get there (in our opinion) is a 3-mile coastal hike from Seahouses. Park up in one of a few car parks, either on the seafront or harbour, then take the Northumberland coastline to Bamburgh. Most of the journey can be done along the sand, making it the perfect choice for beach lovers and kids alike.
As you draw closer, you'll see Bamburgh Castle towering impressively above the beach below. Bamburgh itself is well worth a visit and a great spot to refuel after you walk. Try The Potted Lobster or pop into The Clock Tower Tea Rooms.
Afterwards, Bamburgh Castle - one of the best places to visit in Northumberland - is a must. Home to a long line of Kings from Henry VI to James 1, explore this epic fortress and find out why it was the first castle in the world to fall to gunpowder in the War of the Roses.
Beadnell Bay to Low Newton-by-the-Sea
Best for: Wildlife watching
Distance: 6 miles
Time: 4 hours
Difficulty rating: Moderate
Starts/ends: Beadnell Bay/Low Newton-by-the-Sea
Parking: Beadnell Bay Car Park
Landmarks: Long Nanny tern colony, Dunstanburgh Castle, the wreck of the SS Somali
Our next walk kicks off from the pretty seaside village of Beadnell. This walk is home to some incredible bird life, plus, as the only west-facing port on England’s east coast, it makes for a sheltered spot for swimming should you fancy a dip.
It's a rewarding location for nature lovers and even attracts ornithologists who visit to watch the Long Nanny tern colony that calls these parts home. As you journey onward, keep your eyes peeled for other seabirds, dolphins, and grazing ponies.
You'll start off in the village, then head for the harbour. Built in the 1790s, it was once home to herring fishermen and smugglers, but you'll be relieved to hear that today just the fishermen remain. Before you head onward, check out the lime kilns at the north end, once used to cure the catch of the day.
You'll dip down onto the beach for 2 miles where you’ll stroll along pristine sands, enjoying the views across Embleton Bay to Dunstanburgh Castle as you go. At the end of the beach, it's onto the Northumberland Coast Path, which you'll follow south before you arrive in Low Newton-by-the-Sea. Spend some time exploring this sweet fishing village and be sure to check out the Newton Pool Bird Reserve, which boasts two hides.
Back in Beadnell, you could choose to do a spot of swimming or go out in a local dive. There are several popular sites nearby, perhaps the most famous of all is the wreck of the SS Somali. The ship was bombed in 1941 and you can now explore it 29 meters down, just out of Beadnell.
Sidwood trail at Kielder Forest
Best for: Families and astronomers
Distance: 1 mile
Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty rating: Easy
Starts/ends: Sidwood trail Kielder Forest
Parking: Various at Kielder Forest
Landmarks: Kielder Observatory, the largest man-made lake in northern Europe
Kielder Forest is home to England’s biggest forest, but also the largest man-made lake in northern Europe too. It’s a fantastic place to visit for a walk and there are plenty of exciting signed trails to choose from.
We like the Sidwood trail, which is located in the heart of the forest, as it’s just a mile long and a great option for those with little legs. The trail heads off southeast from the picnic area, past the attractive Tarset burn, once home to Sidwood House. You’ll then take the tarmac forest road past the thinned-out conifers and continue to the open grassland on the forest’s perimeter.
Keep your eyes peeled as this forest is home to 50% of England’s native red squirrel population and, back in 2009, three osprey chicks were hatched, the first successfully reared in the wild for two centuries! The forest is home to six breeding pairs, as well as innumerable other species including the water vole, pipistrelle bat, roe deer and salmon otter.
Continue on the road and you’ll end up back where you started, which is just 2 miles out from the village of Greenhaugh. Once part of an old estate, you can still see some of the ancient trees and ornamental varieties that were planted in this era. The surrounding area is one of the best places in the country for preserved peles and bastles, a type of medieval fortified farmhouse. If you’d like to see more of them, take the Tarset Bastle Trail.
The area also forms part of the dark sky zone, making it the second largest area of protected night sky in Europe. The skies here can be so dark you can see the Milky Way and the planet Jupiter can even cast shadows. Experience it for yourself at the Kielder Observatory, a public outreach astronomical facility.
Cuthbert’s Cave Walk
Best for: Spiritual seekers
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty rating: Moderate
Starts/ends: Holburn village
Parking: Car park at Holburn Grange
Landmarks: Cuthbert’s Cave
Known locally as Cuddy's Cave, St Cuthbert's Cave is a large overhanging outcrop of rock, supported by one lone pillar. It's long been associated with Saint Cuthbert, a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon monk, bishop, and hermit.
Legend goes that as the Danes ravaged Lindisfarne (Holy Island) and consequently destroyed all the monasteries, this, and other similar caves were said to have provided shelter. One myth posits that Cuthbert even lived here as a hermit, before moving to Farne Islands.
What is fact and what is fiction is not precisely clear, but the caves are well worth a visit nonetheless. This short and sweet circular is a great way to see the cave and soak up some of the beautiful surrounding scenery.
Head to Holburn village, then take the two-wheel track until you find the footpath that leads uphill alongside a stone wall. Up here you'll peek at Holburn Lake and Moss, a wetland known for its summer seabirds and wintering wildflowers.
You'll continue on up the track to Greensheen Hill to a trig point. On a clear day the views here are staggering and you can see as far as Bamburgh to the east and Cheviot Hills to the west, which straddle the Anglo-Scottish border. It's further down this ridge that you'll find St Cuthbert's Cave. Once you're done soaking up the ancient atmosphere, you can continue on the bridleway back to the car park.
If you like to try regional foods on holiday, you might like to refuel with some Singin’ Hinnies. You can take a short drive out to Etal, an estate village and home to Lavender Tea Rooms, which serve up this Northumberland treat. A cross between a scone and a Welsh cake, they’re named after the noise they make when cooked.
Ready to pack your walking boots for your next Northumbrian adventure? Take a look at our collection of holiday cottages in Northumberland and start dreaming of your next getaway.
