| Newcastle is a
city surrounded by natural charm, with costal getaways
to the east and Northumberland’s unspoilt beauty
to the west; but if you want a retreat away from the city, Northumberland National Park [map] could be the perfect place.
Northumberland is home to England’s northernmost
national park. It reaches as far south as Hadrian’s
Wall and almost as far north as the Scottish Border, spanning
400 square miles of land.
The park has been described as 'The Land of the Far Horizons'
and features heather moorland, forests, river valleys
and the Cheviot Hills to the north. This combination of
landscapes not only makes for some stunning views, but
also sustains much of the local communities who work on
the land for a living.
At the southern end of the park is the Hadrian’s
Wall, which has been designated as a world heritage
site. Built around 120AD the wall marks the boundary of
Roman Britain. However this is not the only history you’re
like to experience if you venture into the park. The Cheviot
Hills [map] at the northern end of the park were once volcanoes, and
medieval strip farms can still be seen. In addition, over
the years the area has been the site of many conflicts
and so you can imagine where the Iron Age Hill Forts stood,
and see the remnants of castles, look out points known
as Peel Towers and fortified farmhouses called Bastles.
Northumberland National Park is also a haven for many
animals, and on your journey through the park you may
see rare black grouse, curlews and red squirrels, while
salmon and merlin thrive in the rivers.
Part of the park is owned by the Ministry of Defence,
which they use for military training. This means that
some areas are not for use by the public, and these are
mainly located close to Otterburn.
But there are a number of ways you can enjoy Northumberland
National Park, and one of the most enjoyable is to use
the national trails that run through it, namely the Hadrian’s
Wall Path and the Pennine Way. These trails
take days to walk in full but you don’t have to
walk the whole way to enjoy the park. You could also picnic
in the Beamish Valley or go fishing in the Coquet
Valley.
There are many places to begin your exploration of Northumberland
National Park however Bellingham, Rothbury and Wooler further north may offer the best start.
For more information contact tourist information or go
to Northumberland
National Park’s official website.
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