Reasons to visit Northumberland
Whether you’re camping on the Northumberland coast or further inland, there are many reasons to choose England’s northernmost county for your holiday.
Enchanting castles
Northumberland has a rich history which you can discover at some of its fascinating sites. Adults and children alike will enjoy Alnwick Castle, which has been home to the same family for over 700 years and evolved from a Norman fortress to a palace before being opened to the public and starring in several films. There’s lots to engage kids, including broomstick training, medieval crafts and dressing up, while the State Rooms and exhibitions shed light on 19th century life in the castle.
The medieval Chillingham Castle claims to be one of the most haunted in Britain, and has a wide range of rooms to explore, from the armoury and dungeons to the room built for James I. There are also beautiful parklands and lakes where children can run about. If you’re feeling especially daring you can take a ghost tour in the evening, where you might encounter some of the spookier residents of the castle.
Stunning coasts
The Northumberland coast has some fabulous beaches and coastal walks that the whole family can enjoy. Choosing one of our campsites in Northumberland near the beach means you’ll be within easy reach of miles of golden sand that’s safe for the kids to play on. Spittal beach lies south of Berwick-upon-Tweed and is a lovely sandy shoreline with gentle surf, backed by a promenade and play park. You’ll find crabs and starfish in the rock pools and if you’re lucky you might spot a seal bobbing about in the waves offshore.
You can walk the nearby Berwick Coastal Path, which follows the cliffs across the border and into Scotland. Bird lovers shouldn’t miss St Abb’s Head, where puffins, oystercatchers and kittiwakes can be seen. Further south, the walk from Craster to Beadnell takes in Dunstanburgh Castle, the stunning Embleton Bay with its towering sand dunes and the quaint village of Low Newton.
The Holy Island of Lindisfarne off the coast of Bamburgh is also well worth a visit. It’s reached by a three-mile causeway and boasts a castle and priory as well as a quiet, sandy beach at Coves Haven that’s sheltered from the wind by steep cliffs and sand banks.
Star gazing
The Northumberland National Park is home to Europe’s largest area of protected night sky, making it ideal for a spot of star gazing. Whatever your age, it’s fascinating to wrap up with a cup of hot chocolate and discover planets, constellations and even our neighbouring galaxy, Andromeda. The Milky Way stretches like a river over the sky – a sight few of us in the UK get to see.
If you’d like to learn more about our galaxy, you can attend an event at Kielder Observatory. There are interactive sessions especially for families with talks, demonstrations and tours, as well as introductions to the night sky for beginners. Make sure you book in advance – the places fill up quickly!
Why choose Experience Freedom?
Experience Freedom gives you access to some of the best campsites in Northumberland for a range of family activities. Whether you want to relax on the beach, take long, scenic walks or immerse yourself in the region’s history, there’s something for you. Our sites have good transport links from nearby villages too, meaning you can reach local attractions easily. Click on a campsite for more details on their facilities or use our booking tool to view availability for your chosen dates.