The Ultimate Northumberland Bucket List

The Ultimate Northumberland Bucket List

Cast your mind back to 2020, a time when places like Uluru, Machu Picchu, and the Taj Mahal would have dominated bucket lists – that was, however, pre-pandemic. Following the boom of ‘staycations’, for many of us, our eyes have been turned inwards to the homegrown heroes found dotted across the country. And luckily, our stunning Northumberland has a fair few ‘must-see places and attractions’ too – here’s our pick of them.

As far as quintessential English counties go, Northumberland embraces a reputation as one of the finest. Its land – home to rolling hillsides, historic monuments, and stretches of the country’s finest coastlines – rarely fails to capture the hearts of those venturing to this quiet corner of England. With so many incredible things to see during your escape to Matfen Hall, you’ll leave this beautiful county with a treasure chest of wonderful memories and a burning desire to return.

Hadrian’s Wall

Along Hadrian’s Wall, ancient Roman temples, towers, and civilisation continue to come to life.

The awe-inspiring 73-mile-long sequence of walls, ditches, towers, and forts that connects the North and Irish Seas continues to fascinate guests from all corners of the globe. This year, close to 2,000 years after construction began, soldiers clad in Roman armour will once again patrol its length to commemorate its 1900th anniversary, making it the perfect time to plan your visit with us.

A busy calendar of events across the region will explore the role the wall has played throughout Northumbrian history while championing local communities to mark the iconic milestone. This includes archaeological excavations at Vindolanda fort and the lighting of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons on the 2^nd of June.

The famous landmark made headlines last summer when a new section of the wall was discovered beneath the streets of our neighbouring Newcastle upon Tyne – a reminder that modern life and our ancient roots remain closely connected. It later received an impressive accolade from National Geographic in late November, listing it on their ‘Best of the World’ list.

Northumberland National Park

Northumberland National Park is a scenic gem located just 15 minutes from our luxury Northumberland Hotel. Anchored by the Cheviot Hills and sweeping swaths of vast grasslands, dotted with traditional villages cut by picturesque valleys, the National Park is a must for your North East travel guide.

A playground for adventurers, cyclists, walkers, water-sports enthusiasts, and more, this beautiful area provides the perfect balance for those looking for a moment of tranquillity in nature, alongside the promise of having plenty of wildlife and discoveries to keep you busy.

Quaint Market Towns

Revel in the distinctive charm and unique histories of some of the country’s oldest villages, from our neighbouring town of Corbridge to the historic Hexham.

Seemingly unchanged for hundreds of years, the enchanting village of Corbridge has been known as a shopper’s paradise from as early as 1827. With welcoming locals, unique shops, and plenty of photo opportunities with its beautiful stone cottages and sweeping countryside setting, Corbridge is truly a wonderful place to pass an hour or two before returning to Needham to sample our new Bistro Menu.

Award-Winning Beaches

The sparsely populated stretch of the Northumberland coastline is a wilderness of wonder and mystery just waiting to be explored.

Stray from the South, and you’ll discover stretches of unspoilt beaches, equipped with quaint harbour towns and historical sites that give Brighton and Cornwall a run for their money. As for the weather — well, that might be a little more unpredictable, but thankfully, our luxury Northumberland spa, The Retreat, will be waiting to revive your windswept complexion.

Despite its rare natural beauty, going unnoticed appears quite a common theme in Northumberland, making it a peaceful sanctuary where you can revel in its natural beauty without fear of being interrupted by the noise of other visitors admiring the very same view.

There are about six miles of thistle-lined Coastal Path to take in from Low Newton to Seahouses, including the vast, crescent-shaped Embleton Bay that hides in plain sight behind the commanding Dunstanburgh Castle.