Northumberland 250 Road Trip 📍🚗

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This 250-mile circular route takes you through Northumberland’s dramatic coastlines, quiet countryside, ancient ruins, and storybook villages. A perfect mix of castles, coast and culture.

Northumberland 250 Road Trip Itinerary Summary

📍 Berwick-upon-Tweed – Historic border town with Elizabethan walls 🏰🌉

📍 Ford & Etal – Quaint villages with a steam railway and heritage centre 🚂🏡

📍 Jedburgh – Scottish border abbey town with rich history 🏛️🦄

📍 Kielder – Forest, lake, and stargazing in the Northumberland Dark Sky Park 🌌🌲

📍 Bellingham – Gateway to walking trails and waterfalls 🥾💧

📍 Once Brewed – Stop for Hadrian’s Wall 🏺🧱

📍 Allenheads – Quiet moorland village with lead mining heritage ⛏️🌾

📍 Blanchland – Picturesque village built from an old abbey ⛪🪨

📍 Corbridge – Roman ruins and charming high street 🛍️🏛️

📍 Otterburn – Historic village in the Cheviot Hills 🌄🐑

📍 Rothbury – Market town near Cragside Estate 🏡🌳

📍 Alnwick – Famous for Alnwick Castle and the Poison Garden 🧙‍♂️🌿

📍 Warkworth – Riverside village with a striking castle 🏰🌊

📍 Craster – Fishing village known for smoked kippers and walks to Dunstanburgh Castle 🎣🐟

📍 Seahouses – Harbour town with boat trips to the Farne Islands 🛥️🐦

📍 Bamburgh – Stunning beach and dramatic Bamburgh Castle 🏖️🏰

📍 Holy Island of Lindisfarne – Tidal island with a priory and castle (check causeway times!) ⛪🌅

Total Distance: 🚗 Approx. 250 miles
Recommended Time: ⌛ 4–6 days

📸 Photos & Info are located further down. Keep scrolling to see all these places. ⬇️

The Northumberland 250 is perfect for anyone looking to explore castles, coasts, wild moorland, and dark sky delights in one unforgettable road trip. 🗺️✨

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Additional Information and Highlights

📍 Berwick-upon-Tweed

📍 Ford & Etal

📍 Jedburgh

📍 Kielder

📍 Hadrian’s Wall

📍 Blanchland

📍 Corbridge

📍 Cragside

📍 Alnwick Castle

Home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle is one of the most iconic castles in Britain and has a lot to offer to visitors.

🅿️ The castle has a dedicated car park (NE66 1YU). There is a £3.50 charge for the entire day.

🧙Harry Potter: Alnwick Castle was used as a filming location in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The most iconic scene took place in the outer bailey, when Harry and his friends learned to fly broomsticks.

🎟️ Tickets can be booked here. It also gives you access to a lot of activities inside.

⌛ Opening dates: The castle is open from the end of March to October.

💡 My Top Tip: While Alnwick Castle is not the cheapest, it is definitely the one that gives you access to the most activities. I highly recommend making the best of what you get. There are walking tours (including a filming location one), broomstick flying lessons, medieval soap making and plenty more.

❤️ I absolutely loved the variety of activities that was on offer, especially considering they were pretty much all included. You can easily spend the entire day in the castle if you want to. If you are a Harry Potter fan, make sure to take the broomstick flying lesson as you can recreate the scenes and take loads of photos!

🐶 Dogs are not allowed in the castle or the grounds.

📍 Warkworth

📍 Craster

📍 Dunstanburgh Castle

Located near Craster, Dunstanburgh Castle is set in an idyllic location with beautiful sea views.

🥾 How to get there: Walk from Craster along the coast. It’s a flat 1.3 mile walk which takes around 20-30 minutes.

🅿️ You can park at Craster Quarry Car Park or Craster Turn Field Car Park. Both are pay and display

🎟️ This is an English Heritage site which means it’s free for members. Alternatively, tickets can be booked here.

⌛Opening dates: The castle is open all year round but only on weekends in winter.

💡 My Top Tip: Make sure to go to the fishmonger in Craster as their kippers are delicious!
Also, the walk to the castle is by the sea which means it can be quite windy so make sure to wear a good windbreaker.

🐶 Dogs on leads are allowed.

📍 Seahouses

📍 Bamburgh Castle

Built 1,400 years ago, Bamburgh Castle is one of the most iconic and largest inhabited castles in Britain. It was the first castle in the world to fall to gunpowder (during the War of Roses) and now belongs to the Armstrong family.

🅿️ There is a dedicated car park by the entrance of the castle (£6/day charge). Alternatively, you can park in Bamburgh and walk up to the castle.

🎟️ Tickets can be booked on the official website or on-site.

⌛Opening dates: The castle is open all year round.

💡 My Top Tip: Check the event schedule as Bamburgh Castle often has special events on (especially for Christmas). 

❤️ The views from Bamburgh Castle are unbeatable! You can fully see how big Bamburgh beach is and can see as far as the Farne Islands. I also recommend going for a walk on the beach after visiting the castle as it will give you a completely different perspective.

🐶 Dogs are allowed in the castle ground but not inside. The café is dog-friendly too and set in the old stables which is quite nice.

📍 Holy Island of Lindisfarne