About Northumberland

An ancient land ...

Northumberland occupies a unique and important ‘place’ in so many ways:

•          it’s the epicentre of a turbulent European history, with castles (there are more here than any other English county!) and iconic landmarks, and the most northerly outpost of the Roman Empire, Hadrian’s Wall - which is also England’s largest World Heritage Site;
•          it’s the birthplace of Christianity in England, with amazing characters and stories of faith, rooted in iconic places you can feel and touch;
•          it’s home to two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and has mile after mile of golden sandy beaches and stunning countryside, which you can almost have to yourself;
•          it has the quietest and most unspoilt of England’s National Parks;
•          it has some of the most important birdwatching and bird migration sites in Europe;
•          it has some of the most-photographed sites and landscapes in the UK;
•          it has is the largest man-made lake in Western Europe (Kielder), set in the country's largest forest;
•          it’s the best place in England for stargazing, with amazing night skies;
in short,
•          it’s a county brimming with places to see and things to do, amongst the most spectacular of landscapes!

And – it’s officially ‘the most tranquil county in England’, according to research commissioned by the Campaign to Protect Rural England. So even if it didn’t have all these other great qualifications, it would still be the most perfect getaway for rest and relaxation. Come and experience it for yourself.

St Cuthbert's House is in a quiet hamlet, on the edge of Seahouses, which is the major centre of activity on the Northumberland coast. We’re a short way out of the village on a quiet road, so even on a busy Bank Holiday weekend, it’s quiet here. Seahouses has a bustling harbour, boat trips, and of course the world’s most famous fish ‘n chips!

You can walk to the village along the ‘old railway track’ in about ten minutes, depending on how often you pause along the way, or you can follow the ‘grassy path’ for a few minutes, and arrive on one of the most stunning beaches imaginable. You’re looking across to the place where St. Cuthbert lived and died, and the setting, in more recent times, for the famous Grace Darling rescue.

The Farnes are an internationally renowned bird-watchers paradise, and from the harbour in the village, a boat trip to the Farnes is a great way to pass a day - especially when the puffins are here. A gentle stroll along the beach brings you to Bamburgh Castle, one of the most iconic Northumbrian images.

If you jump in the car, you’re a short hop from all kinds of exciting days out - fancy a garden, a beach, a bustling shopping trip into historic towns, some history, culture, some wilderness, or a castle? (Alnwick castle was the setting for Harry Potter’s school, Hogwarts. And the new Alnwick Garden in the castle is stunning.) It’s all yours, and lots more besides.

Explore the ‘Useful stuff ’ page for links to more of Northumberland and its secrets.