Camping Road Trip Idea – Northumberland Land, Sea and Sky

• 15th Mar 2018

Northumberland is one of the best places in England to enjoy the natural delights of land, sea and sky. A camping road trip around this corner of England is a must for all nature lovers. There is plenty to see and do in this part of the country but this road trip will focus on the natural attractions.

You will begin your Northumberland road trip in the Kielder Forest Park. This working forest area is perfect for outward bound adventure, whether it is on two legs or two wheels. This place is the largest working forest in England and also boasts the largest man-made lake in Northern Europe. Here, nature is on a grand scale. As well as all the adventure sport and outward bound options, this place is also known for its dark skies. You can visit the observatory here to see the stars free from the light pollution of city lights.

Adjoining Kielder Water and the Forest Park you will next be able to discover the delights of the wild and rugged Northumberland National Park. Take some time to explore the forest and the Cheviot Hills on foot or by bicycle before you continue north east, skirting just south of the border, towards Berwick-upon-Tweed. Berwick-upon-Tweed is the most northerly town in England, and has fluctuated between being Scottish and being English a number of times over its long and interesting history. By sure to visit the castle here, and make time to take a stroll along the Renaissance fortifications that ring the historic town, which give excellent views out over the River Tweed and its North Sea estuary.

Moving south, you should next visit the spiritual island of Lindisfarne. This Holy island was an important centre for early English Christianity. St Aiden founded a monastery here in 635 and it became an religious centre. After the Viking invasions and the Norman Conquest, a priory was re-established on the site. Later, in 1550, a small castle was also built here using stones from the priory which was out of use by that time.

Moving southwards along Northumberland's North Sea Coast you will find yourself in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which also has a number of man-made attractions to explore – including, of course, the many castles for which Northumberland is well known. But the sandy beaches here are the main attraction, especially for families, and offer something truly special. Check out Bamburgh Castle Beach, Seahouses Beach and, further south, Warkworth Beach, all of which are counted amongst the best beaches in the area.

Cutting inland again from the coast, you could conclude your adventure, or you could continue on to the south west, to see the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Yorkshire attractions that lie beyond...

By now you should definitely have a taste of what Northumberland has to offer. If you take the time to explore, your explorations will be richly rewarded with the wonders of land, sea and sky. So why not check out our campsite listings for the area and make a plan to visit as soon as you can?