Northumberland is a historic county in North East England known for its castles, Roman heritage, rugged coastline, and rich cultural links with Scotland, offering diverse landscapes and accessible transport options.
Dunstanburgh Castle is a historic 14th-century ruined medieval castle located on the Northumberland coast. Visitors can explore extensive castle ruins including the prominent Great Gatehouse, set within a designed medieval landscape with artificial lakes and coastal views. The site also features WWII defensive structures and is part of a protected natural area, owned by the National Trust and managed by English Heritage.
Housesteads Roman Fort, located on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, England, is a remarkably well-preserved Roman fort dating back to around 124 AD. Visitors can explore both extensive outdoor ruins and an indoor site museum showcasing Roman artefacts, providing insight into over 300 years of Roman military history in Britain.
Northumberland College Zoo is a zoo located on the Kirkley Hall College campus in Ponteland, Northumberland, home to over 200 animal species. It serves as both an educational facility for animal care students and a visitor attraction open on weekends and holidays.
Birdoswald Roman Fort is a well-preserved Roman fort on Hadrian's Wall in Cumbria, offering a combination of outdoor archaeological remains and indoor exhibitions at the visitor centre explaining Roman military history and life.
Cragside is a Victorian Tudor Revival country house in Northumberland, renowned as the first house powered by hydroelectricity. It features innovative hydraulic technology, distinctive historic interiors, and extensive gardens with woodland and rhododendrons. Visitors can explore both the house's indoor heritage and the surrounding outdoor grounds and estate.
Belsay Castle is a 14th-century medieval pele tower with attached manor house ruins, situated in Northumberland and managed by English Heritage, offering visitors a mix of historic architecture and garden party history.
8 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
An exhibition of artwork by Bridgewater Primary School pupils, inspired by nature and Belsay Hall. It features sunflower and tree-themed works, alongside photography and collage created with local artist Lindsey Robinson.
Seaton Delaval Hall is a Grade I listed English Baroque country house in Northumberland, designed by Sir John Vanbrugh in 1718. Visitors can explore its historic architecture, fire-damaged central block, extensive 18th-century gardens, and estate features like a stone mausoleum and orangery. The venue is owned and maintained by the National Trust and offers both indoor and outdoor experiences.
15 Oct (next Thursday)
Historian Rory Fraser discusses the life and character of architect John Vanbrugh, drawing on his research into Vanbrugh’s time in India. The approximately 45-minute talk is followed by a Q&A.
Prudhoe Castle is a ruined medieval castle on the south bank of the River Tyne in Northumberland, featuring historic stone structures including a 12th-century gatehouse, keep, and a 14th-century barbican, reflecting its Norman origins and historical significance under the Umfraville and Percy families. Open to the public under English Heritage care, it offers outdoor exploration of its ruins and grounds.
Prudhoe is a historic town in Northumberland featuring the well-preserved Prudhoe Castle, scenic river views along the Tyne, chalk hill landscapes, and a vibrant local culture with museums and recreational parks for walking and cycling.
Warkworth Castle is a ruined medieval motte and bailey castle in Northumberland, England, featuring a distinctive 14th-century keep and extensive curtain walls. Visitors can explore the outdoor medieval ruins including the gatehouse, towers, great hall, and remains of an unfinished collegiate church.
Wallington Hall is a Grade I listed Palladian country house with rococo interiors and historic murals set in 100 acres of parkland and gardens in Northumberland, featuring wildlife reintroductions and cultural heritage exhibits.
16 Oct (next Friday)
Join a guided tour and talk in Wallington House to learn how women who lived or spent time there influenced its history and appearance.
Berwick Barracks in Berwick-upon-Tweed is a former 18th-century military installation now maintained by English Heritage, featuring a museum on British infantry history and King's Own Scottish Borderers heritage within historic Grade I listed buildings.
Berwick-upon-Tweed is a historic border town in Northumberland, England, known for its unique heritage as a former contested territory between England and Scotland, with notable medieval town walls, a market town atmosphere, and a vibrant cultural identity blending English and Scottish influences.
Brinkburn Priory is a historic former Augustinian monastery dating from the 12th century, featuring a largely medieval church restored in the 19th century and a manor house built on the site of other monastic buildings. Visitors can explore the notable architectural blend of Norman and Gothic styles both indoors and outdoors within the scenic riverside setting in Northumberland.
Aydon Castle is a fortified manor house near Corbridge, Northumberland, dating back to 1296. It features historical medieval architecture and offers a mix of indoor historical exhibits and outdoor grounds. The site is managed by English Heritage and open to the public as a historic attraction.
Cherryburn is an 18th-century historic cottage and museum in Northumberland, birthplace of wood engraver Thomas Bewick, featuring period furnishings, original artworks, and printing demonstrations.
Jedburgh Abbey is a historic ruined Augustinian abbey founded in the 12th century, located in Jedburgh, Scottish Borders. Visitors can explore extensive abbey ruins showcasing Norman and early English architecture, part of a popular regional walking route.
Metrocentre in Gateshead is a vast indoor shopping and entertainment complex featuring over 200 shops, multiple restaurants, a cinema with IMAX, and family-friendly leisure activities including climbing walls, mini golf, and bowling.
Washington Old Hall is a historic 12th-century manor house in Washington, Tyne and Wear, England, notable as the ancestral home of George Washington's family. Preserved and managed by the National Trust, it offers an indoor historical experience focused on England's medieval and early modern heritage.
Gateshead in Tyne and Wear, England, is a historically rich market town known for its vibrant arts and cultural scene including the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and The Glasshouse International Centre for Music. It features a walkable town centre, excellent rail and public transport connections, and notable landmarks such as the Angel of the North and Gateshead Millennium Bridge.
Etal Castle is a medieval ruined castle in Northumberland, England, featuring a residential tower, gatehouse, and curtain walls. It played a role in the Anglo-Scottish Wars and is now managed by English Heritage and open to the public as a historic ruin.
Penshaw Monument is a Grade I listed Greek-style Doric temple folly on Penshaw Hill near Sunderland, England. It commemorates the Earl of Durham and features 18 columns, a spiral staircase leading to a parapeted walkway, and expansive views. Owned by the National Trust, it is a prominent North East England landmark with guided tours, cultural significance, and nighttime floodlighting.
Washington is a historic new town in Tyne and Wear, England, known for its ancestral links to George Washington and a variety of cultural, industrial, and natural attractions.
Lindisfarne Castle is a historic 16th-century castle on Holy Island in Northumberland, featuring architectural renovations by Edwin Lutyens and a renowned garden by Gertrude Jekyll. Visitors can explore both the fortified interiors and the scenic outdoor island setting, rich in history and coastal views.