Visiting, Eating and Enjoying near the Northumberland National Park

Here’s what to do in this part of Northumberland.

Where to visit

There are numerous opportunities to explore the National Park from picnics and wild swimming at Linhope Spout Waterfall and walking in The Cheviot Hills to stargazing on Wooler Common.

Chillingham Castle, just south of Rosebud, is a quirky place of ghost tours, curses, curious weapons and a torture chamber. It’s not all gruesome – there are woodland and lake walks and the chance to get up close with the only wild cattle in the world.

At just 20 minutes drive from Bamburgh, the coast is easily accessible along with major attractions such as Bamburgh Castle and Holy Island.

What to enjoy

Walk in the footsteps of St Cuthbert in the final stretch of St Cuthbert’s Way (a 100km route from Scotland to England) from Wooler to Lindisfarne. This inspiring route celebrates the religious life of this Saint whose final resting place is at Holy Island. You’ll get to see St Cuthbert’s Cave – where his coffin was rested en route to Alnwick- and walk the Holy Island causeway, which is only possible at low tide. This walk takes about seven hours so you may want to do this in stages.

Enjoy a horse ride through the countryside or in The Cheviot Hills with Kimmerston Riding Centre or Clay Pigeon Shooting at Fowberry Moor Farm.

Where to eat

With rave reviews and locally sourced seasonal produce, The Percy Arms is a gastropub in the village of Chatton. With 15% off for Coastal Retreats guests – it is well worth a visit.

Sunnyhills of Belford is a farm shop and bistro which is open for breakfast, lunch, and on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. It also has an Ice Cream Parlour called ‘The Shack’ for those wanting something lighter.

Doddington Dairy Milk Bar is a great place for an icecream and a coffee in Wooler. Serving icecream made at its dairy just a short drive away, you can also buy its cheese and yoghurt to take away.