Northumberland is a stunning and (very cold!) county that is where you would set sail for Sweden. With the lowest population, it has stunning wildlife (due to preserving pine forests – the reason red squirrels are declining, grey squirrels are not to blame) and also wide sandy beaches overlooked by castles. Bordering Scotland, the town of Berwick even has its own tartan. The night skies here are the best in the land.
The name ‘Northumberland’ means ‘the land of the people living north of River Humber’ and today it remains England’s least-populated country. It has many castles and a strong history of Christianity, with monks arriving from the Scottish Highlands to live on the tidal island of Lindisfarne. St Cuthbert lived here (there’s a coffee named after him!) and he is buried in nearby Durham Cathedral. As well as performing healing miracles and turning water into wine (just like Jesus Christ), he witness a soul being carried into Heaven, before returning before his death to his hermitage on the Farne Islands.
The main wildlife attraction here is the Farne Island (the favourite wildlife-watching spot of Sir David Attenborough). Located just across the water from the tourist town of Seahouses, here you can find puffins, seals and seabirds. Find more ways to help your local wildlife rescue and animal shelter.
Alnmouth (Linda Vine) is known for its beautiful pastel houses, quiet beach and stunning wildlife, and a perfect base to explore this beautiful county. It also houses The Ferryman’s Hut (the smallest museum in the county).
Bamburgh Castle (Lucy Pittaway) is one of England’s favourite beach scenes, and has an interesting history. Rated as one of the top Anglo-Saxon sites in the world, it has 14 rooms to explore and a museusm, and in the grounds is a picnic area and even a windmill (it’s hard to spot as it looks like a cylindrical building, as it has no sails). Home to England’s first lifeboat station, it’s also home to a few ghosts including the tragic pink lady, who returns every 7 years to walk from the castle to the beach.
Further up the coast is Berwick-Upon-Tweed, England’s most northerly town, which has frequently changed hands between England and Scotland over the years (it even has its own tweed). Although like all of Northumberland it’s freezing cold in winter, it’s nice here in summer if you don’t like the heat – because it’s still pretty cool, it never tends to get summery ever!
Dunstanburgh Castle (Charlotte Thompson) is not as well known as Bamburgh Castle, but just as stunning. It’s a beautiful walk from the village of Craster near the rugged coast that crosses working farmland. So follow the countryside code and follow safe dog walking tips to keep them safe near coasts and livestock.
Northumberland Sketch Book (Kate Pettitt) makes a lovely unique gift, featuring 20 pages of A5 landscape sketches of the Northumberland coast between Beadnell Bay and Dunstanburgh Castle. Also as Northumberland Sketch Book 2.
