Free things to Do in Northumberland
Northumberland has a wide range of free things to do no matter if you are
staying a day, taking a short break or enjoying a longer holiday. If you're on a
budget -no matter what time of year - a visit to Northumberland in North East
England may be just what you're looking for.
Walk the Berwick Walls
Berwick has two sets of protecting
walls and the remains of the later ones give visitors their most interesting
circuit of the town. The first walls were completed in the reign of Edward II
and little is left of them. The town was then fortified by Elizabeth I, starting
in 1558, on the new Italian design with great emphasis on effective use of
artillery. The walls cost a staggering �128,648.00 and were the most expensive
undertaking of the Elizabethan period. The Berwick walls are the only example of
this style in Britain and among the earliest of their type in Europe. Three of
the projecting bastions, shaped like flat arrowheads, remain. Cowport is the
only surviving original gate. The high ramparts of earth and stone include Meg's
Mount with its superb view of the town, the river and the sea.www.berwick.org.uk
The Northumberland National Park and Great Outdoors
This
great outdoors of open spaces and beautiful scenery stretches 60 miles from the
Cheviot Hills bordering Scotland in the north to Hadrian's Wall Country in the
south, with pretty towns and villages to explore in between, while the beautiful
cycling trails through Rothbury and Coquetdale and the long distance routes of
the Pennine Cycleway and Reivers Cycle Route provide cycling experiences for
all. www.northumberland-national-park.org.uk
The Holy Island Lindisfarne
A trip to Holy Island via the
causeway is a must. CHECK TIMETABLE as many tourists and visitors are caught by
the incoming tide - often needing helicopter and lifeboat rescue!! Try to time
it so you are just coming off the island as the tide comes in. It's great
watching the tide turn, remember to take your camera! www.lindisfarne.org.uk
Battle of Flodden
The Battle of Flodden Field, was
undoubtedly the most famous battle ever fought on Northumbrian soil. It took
place eight miles north west of Wooler near the village of Branxton on the 9th
September 1513 during the reign of Henry VIII. www.northeastengland.talktalk.net
Cycling and Mountain Biking
If you have a bike, enjoy
Northumberland on two wheels. It is fast becoming one of Europe's most popular
cycling destinations, with the cleanest air and the lowest population density in
England, and Northumberland boasts a large number of safe, signed routes through
truly beautiful landscapes. www.visitnorthumberland.com
Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland
If Durham's claims to have
the best Cathedral on Planet Earth, then Bamburgh may well have the best beach.
Walk down through the picturesque village, past the historic Castle that looks
out over the North Sea and enjoy the miles of golden sands that sprawl out in
front of you. For more information go to www.ukattraction.com
North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
The
North Pennines offer a variety of walking experiences in a nationally-designated
landscape full of character and features to enrich your journey. From the
challenges of the open moor land landscape of the fells to the more intimate
feel of the dales, if you're into walking you can't afford to miss it. For more
information go to www.northpennines.org.uk
Northumberland Coast Villages
Visit some of the fantastic
villages on the coast such as Bamburgh, Seahouses, Craster and Alnmouth. These
ancient, unspoilt villages are fantastic tourist attractions with local shops,
restaurants and pubs to tempt you as you visit.
Coastal Route
Northumberland Coastal Route is one of the
most stunning drives or cycle rides in the County, taking in some of the finest
views. From quiet villages such as Craster with its smoke houses producing
kippers the old fashioned way to the busier ,favourite holiday locations at
Seahouses and Bamburgh, there is something for everyone whatever your age or interests
coastal routes Northumberland.
Hadrian's Walls
Standing high on Northumberland's hills
is the eastern stretch of Hadrian's Wall. The remains of this ancient frontier
of the Roman Empire include forts, mile-castle garrisons and temples. Visitor
centres, museums and reconstructions bring the frontier to life and the route of
the wall can be walked or cycled; the Hadrian's Wall National Trail is an
unbroken 84-mile signposted path stretching from coast to coast, and the
Hadrian's Cycleway is a 160-mile cycle route. hadrians-wall.org
Edinburgh Festivals
Edinburgh is Scotland's beautiful
capital, known the world over as the Festival City. Visitors flock to Edinburgh
in August to experience a feast of summer festivals offering a diverse variety
of artists and events. There is something for everyone eif.co.uk
Kielder Water
Is the largest man made lake in the United
kingdom and serves as a reservoir for a large area in the North East of England.
The banks of the lake are surrounded by a lush grove of trees known as the
Kielder Forest, the largest man made forest in Europe. The main focus of the
lake and forest is now tourism where you can enjoy sailing, fishing, walking,
cycling, artworks, history and geography and culture - all in one unique
location.
Woodhorn Museum, Northumberland
Woodhorn's fantastic
entrance has to be seen to be believed. The re-developed museum tells the story
of Northumberland and its coal-mining heritage. As well as re-living life down
the pit, there's also the chance to dress up in the unique 'shoe lounge'. For
more information go to experiencewoodhorn.com
Red Kites, Newcastle
Follow the track of the old Derwent
Valley Railway and you may see these spectacular birds of prey that have been
reintroduced to the area. With a six-foot wingspan they are easy to see as they
soar overhead performing aerobatic displays. For more information go to
dvlr.org.uk
National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of
Scotland, is a landmark building in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. It cover
life, the universe and everything in it. Some exhibits are millions of years
old, others less than a decade. For information on nms.ac.uk
Metro Centre,, Gateshead
While only the window shopping
is free of charge, with over 300 shops and stores, the Metro Centre is
officially the largest shopping and leisure centre in Europe, and you are
guaranteed to find a bargain. There are plenty of events throughout the summer
to keep the kids entertained. Find out more at metrocentre-gateshead.co.uk
Discovery Museum, Newcastle
Discover all about life in
Newcastle and Tyneside, from the area's renowned maritime history and
world-changing science and technology to fashion through the era's and military
history. The museum is bursting with interactive displays, which makes it the
perfect place to learn and have fun. Find out more at twmuseums.org.uk
Angel of the North, Newcastle
One of the most visible
symbols of North East pride, the celebrated 'Angel', built from 200 tonnes of
steel, was created by Antony Gormley OBE. It stands 20 metres high, which is
taller than four double-decker buses, and is seen by 33 million people every
year. This magnificent icon was named as one of the Seven Wonders of Britain by
the Sunday Times. For more information go to gateshead.gov.uk
BALTIC Centre, SAGE Concert Hall & Millennium Bridge -
Newcastle/Gateshead
Possibly the most endearing symbols of past times and
present endeavours are found on the Quayside, combined in these three icons. The
old flour mill is now the Baltic Arts Centre whilst the newly created Sage
Concert Hall heralds entertainment excellence. Keeping a watchful"eye" on both
is the Millennium Bridge, the newest spanning of the Tyne, constructed as a
walkway between the two towns and a truly spectacular sight as the bridge
cantilevers (like a blinking eye) to open and allow shipping to travel the
mighty river.
The Pennine Way
The Pennine Way is a 270-mile pathway
through some of the UK's most iconic landscapes - from the Peak District,
through the Yorkshire Dales, into Northumberland, over the Cheviot Hills and
finally to the Scottish Borders. There are many stopping off places along the
route, with breathtaking scenery and historic landmarks to see along the way.
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