The Northumberland National Park – the least visited of all the English National Parks

The Northumberland National Park covers some 1,000 km2 of wilderness across the very north of Northumberland. It runs from the Cheviot Hills in the north down to the south and west to encompass the wilderness area around Redesdale and the majority of Hadrian’s Wall. It is the least visited of all the English National Parks and here you will find peace and tranquillity. The main attractions are as follows:

Photo by Mike Sowden

Walking. There are quite a few long distance paths which cross the country up here. The main one being the Pennine way.  It runs for some 400 kms from North Derbyshire, into Northumberland and along the Border Line of the Cheviot Hills to end in Kirk Yetholm just into Scotland.

In addition to this you have Hadrian’s Wall footpath which is very popular with charity raising events. At just over kms long the walk is traditionally done east to west. Starting at Newcastle the Wall follows the valley of the River Tyne but generally keeping to the higher ground of the Whin Sill. The Wall has recently found itself being used in popular films such as King Arthur and the Eagle of the Ninth. St Cuthberts Way which has a strongly religious basis runs from Melrose across the Cheviot Hills to end at the Tidal Island of Lindisfarne.

The Cheviot Hills. Based around the core of a long extinct volcano the gently rounded slopes of the Cheviot offer days of walking and wonderful views. Arguably the best parts are within the College Valley. Here you have over 12,000 acres of private wilderness. With vehicle restrictions in place you know that you won’t have some of the traffic problems which plague places like the English Lake District.

Redesdale. The Valley of the North Tyne runs down from Scotland into the heart of Northumberland. Down this valley came the Scottish raiders during the days of the Border Reivers. Here walked William Wallace and his army followed behind. Here you will find fortified farm houses now called Bastle houses. The northern part of the Valley was requisitioned by Sir William Churchill as a military testing range some eighty years ago. This has naturally restricted development and the whole area looks unchanged for at least one hundred years.

Hadrian’s Wall. Some 80 kms the Wall ran from coast to coast and was built in 122 AD by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. It is now a Unesco world heritage site and very popular with walkers. Some of the exposed sections are very dramatic and the archaeological sites and museums can offer a great day out. The main attractions are found at Vindolanda and Housesteads.

Travelling around the National Park

Most of the National Park is only really accessible by car. However there are sections, particularly around Hadrian’s Wall where a combination of train (Newcastle to Carlisle line) and the Hadrian’s Wall 122 bus can get you around quite well. For the more adventurous there is also good cycling up here. Whether you chose to take a mountain bike across the many miles of paths on the Cheviot Hills or maybe a touring bike along the quiet green lanes you can be sure of a lovely holiday.

Article written by Colin Corlett for Northumbria-byways who have been welcoming visitors to Northumberland for over 15 years.

Tags: border line, border reivers, eagle of the ninth, extinct volcano, farm houses, king arthur, long distance paths, north derbyshire, north tyne, northumberland national park, pennine way, religious basis, sowden, st cuthberts way, tidal island, vehicle restrictions, wilderness area, william wallace

Category: National Parks, National Parks