Northumberland

Northumberland's coast and countryside offer very different holidays. Seahouses, Bamburgh and Beadnell sit close together on the shore, with beaches, castle views and boat trips to the Farne Islands, while Amble and Blyth add working harbours and a busier maritime feel. Alnwick, with its castle and gardens, makes a good base for exploring further inland or along the coast, and Morpeth offers a market town atmosphere with easy access to both.

Further west, Hexham and Haltwhistle sit near Hadrian's Wall, ideal for history and walking breaks, while Wylam's riverside setting suits quieter visits. Cramlington, Ashington and Blyth are more workaday towns, useful for practical stays or visiting family, with the wilder coast and countryside never far away.

Northumberland's hotels and B&Bs range from converted farmhouses to town-centre guesthouses, with clusters around Alnwick, Hexham and Haltwhistle that make good bases for exploring the castles, coastline and Hadrian's Wall. Places like Aln House and The Old School House suit those wanting a comfortable stay close to a market town, while farm and countryside options such as Wydon Farm Bed and Breakfast or The Barn Bellingham put you nearer open country and quieter roads.

Smaller, more individual stays are common here too, from The Snug at Corry Cottage to The Night Owl and EveAnna, often with just a room or two and a personal touch. Hexham and Haltwhistle work well if you're walking the Wall or the Pennine Way, while Alnwick suits those focused on the coast and castle. Given how spread out the county is, it's worth choosing a base near the sights you most want to see rather than trying to cover everything from one spot.

Northumberland's attractions span coast, castle country and the Border forests, so a day out here might mean walking a stretch of Hadrian's Wall and Fort near Hexham, watching birds of prey at Kielder Water, or heading to the sand at Bamburgh Beach, Newton Haven Beach or Embleton Bay. The county rewards a slower pace, with plenty of ground between the sites.

Around Alnwick and Morpeth, days out lean towards history and gardens, while Seahouses is the natural base for boat trips out to the Farne Islands. Further inland, Kielder and Falstone offer a different kind of outing entirely, from cycling at The Bike Place to wildlife watching in the forest, and Chillingham Wild Cattle Park makes for an unusual detour. Families in Ashington will find closer options too, such as Little Learners Playspace, alongside falconry days and other activities scattered across the county.

Northumberland's eating and drinking scene stretches from harbourside cafes to old coaching inns, with plenty in between. Belford makes a useful stopping point on the A1, while smaller villages across the county often centre on a single pub that doubles as the local meeting place. Along the coast, expect fresh seafood and cafes geared towards walkers; inland, market towns and valley villages tend towards traditional pubs and tea rooms.

Choosing where to eat often comes down to what you're doing that day. Somewhere like Housesteads Roman Fort Cafe suits a break from Hadrian's Wall, while a place such as The Forest Bar & Kitchen works better for an evening out. With so many options scattered through the county's towns and villages, it's worth picking one close to whatever you're visiting rather than travelling far out of your way.

Northumberland's wide skies and dark, quiet nights make it one of England's best counties for camping, and the choice runs from simple farm fields to well-appointed glamping pods. Around Haltwhistle and along Hadrian's Wall, sites like Reddis Farm Campsite and Valley View Camping put walkers and history-seekers within easy reach of the Wall path, while others sit further into the Northumberland countryside near working farms such as Gallowmoor Farm Campsite and North Bellshill Farm Campsite.

For something more sheltered, pods and cabins at places including GlamPods Northumberland, Bluebell Wood Glamping and Sycamore Cottage and Glamping Pods offer heating and proper beds without losing the outdoor feel. Elwick Campsite and Heckley Farm Camping suit those happy with a tent and a fire pit, and smaller spots like Huntlaw Hideaway are worth seeking out if you want fewer neighbours and a quieter pitch.

Northumberland's cottages range from converted farm buildings and cartsheds, like Grindon Cartshed, to stone-built houses in market towns and quiet coastal villages. Names such as Stable Cottage and Hall Yards Cottage point to their working farm origins, while others sit closer to the Cheviots or within reach of the Northumberland coast, so it's worth deciding whether you want hills, sea or a base near Hadrian's Wall before booking.

With 914 properties across the county, choice is rarely the problem - narrowing down location is. Riverside settings suit those wanting walks from the door, while houses like Bernicia House or Hotspur View work well for groups wanting space and a proper kitchen after a day outdoors. Many cottages are set apart from neighbours, so a car is useful for reaching pubs, shops and the coast.