Northumberland - 285 places to stay
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Principal towns: Alnwick Berwick-upon-Tweed Hexham Morpeth
Northumberland is a county in North East England with nearly eighty miles of coastline and a largely undeveloped landscape of high moorland, making it a favourite amongst painters and artists as well as walkers, backpackers and lovers of the great outdoors. The county borders at one time included the former county town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tynemouth and other settlements north of the Tyne but changes in local government acts during the 1970’s reduced the size of the county, excluding Tyneside and today, both of the towns Morpeth and Alnwick claim the title of county town.
Originally the Anglian kingdom of Northumbria, it was formed at the beginning of the 7th century in Anglo-Saxon times when Athelfrith, a king of Bernicia in the north who conquered Deira (now Yorkshire) in 604AD, unified the two independent kingdoms. When Athelfrith was defeated and killed in 616, Edwin, son of Aella, a former king of Deira, was installed as king. Edwin accepted Christianity in 627 and went on to become the most powerful king in England, creating one large kingdom which stretched from the river Humber to the river Forth and across to the river Mersey, with some evidence that it may have been even larger. After Edwin’s death, Oswald became king, expanding the territory further incorporating much of Cumbria and south-east Scotland and re-introduced Christianity.
After many subsequent battles, during the Viking invasion the southern part (Diera) was lost to Danelaw and whilst the northern kingdom (Bernicia) at first retained its status as a kingdom, it then was reduced to an earldom, a status retained when England was later reunited after the re-conquest of Danelaw.. Scottish invasions reduced the size of the territory further so that this earldom stretched from the River Tweed in the north to the river Tees in the south and was still heavily debated between England and Scotland, but was eventually recognized as part of England by the Anglo-Scottish Treaty of York in 1237.
When St.Aidan was sent from Iona by king Oswald to convert the English, it was on Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island, that a monastery was established and Celtic Christianity introduced, the area becoming known as the ‘Cradle of Cristianity’ in England, later becoming a centre for Catholicism and then Jacobite after the Restoration. Due to being largely rural and unpopulated, it became a wild county where outlaws could hide but after the union of Scotland and England under James VI the lawlessness largely subsided.
Once part of the Roman Empire, its location on the borders with Scotland the region has seen many historical battles and meant the Lords of Northumberland wielded great power, charged with protecting England from the Scots and so has a history of revolt and rebellion against the government, usually led by the then Dukes of Northumberland, the Percy family of whom Harry Hotspur is mentioned by Shakespeare . A number of historic castles can be found throughout the area such as the ‘royal’ castle of Bamburgh , from before the unification under one monarch. Alnwick, Warkworth and Dunstanburgh are others with historic significance.
The region saw development of the first railways during the industrial revolution, due to the coalmines being widespread and the need to transport the coals to Newcastle and to the Tyne in order to fuel the demand elsewhere in the country.
Today, still largely rural, it is the least populated county in England, commanding far less power than in the past. Much of the county is protected as the Northumberland National Park, an area of outstanding landscapes stretching from the Scottish Borders and including Hadrian’s Wall, which has helped the county to enjoy considerable growth in tourism due to its historic significance and scenic beauty.
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Destinations
- Pennine Way Northumberland
- Hadrian's Wall Path Northumberland
- The Rugged Northumberland Coast
- Hadrians Wall
- The Great North Road
Recommended Hotels See Map
- Doxford Hall Hotel & Spa Alnwick *featured*
Licensed, Restaurant - The Beadnell Towers Hotel Beadnell *featured*
Licensed, Restaurant - Waren House Hotel Belford *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Queen's Head Hotel Berwick-upon-Tweed *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - Lord Crewe Arms Hotel Blanchland *featured*
Licensed, Restaurant - Langley Castle Hotel Hexham *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Clennell Hall Hotel Morpeth *featured*
Licensed, Restaurant - Longhirst Hall Morpeth *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - Otterburn Hall Hotel Otterburn *featured*
Licensed, Restaurant - Otterburn Tower Otterburn *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Tankerville Arms Hotel Wooler *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities
Hotels bookable online See Map
- The Schooner Hotel & restaurant Alnmouth *book online*
Licensed, Restaurant - White Swan Hotel Alnwick *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Victoria Hotel Bamburgh *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Riverdale Hall Hotel Bellingham *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Pool, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Kings Arms Hotel Berwick-upon-Tweed *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Marshall Meadows Country House Hotel Berwick-upon-Tweed *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Derwent Manor Hotel Consett *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Best Western Beaumont Hotel Hexham *book online*
Licensed, Historic, Restaurant, Satellite TV - Slaley Hall Hotel Hexham *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Linden Hall Morpeth *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, TennisCourt, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Tavistock @ The Couquetvale Morpeth *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Percy Arms Hotel Otterburn *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - The Coquetvale Hotel Rothbury *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Sun Hotel Warkworth *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Ryecroft Hotel Wooler *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant
Bed and Breakfast See Map
- Nether Grange Alnmouth *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Saddle Bed & Breakfast Alnmouth *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Disabled - Westlea Alnmouth *featured*
TV in rooms - Bondgate House Alnwick *featured*
TV in rooms - Castle Gate Guest House Alnwick *featured*
TV in rooms - Chatton Park House B & B Alnwick *featured*
TV in rooms - Percy Terrace Bed And Breakfast Alnwick *featured*
TV in rooms - Redfoot Lea Bed & Breakfast Alnwick *featured*
TV in rooms - Tate House Bed & Breakfast Alnwick *featured*
TV in rooms - Beach Court Beadnell *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected, Parking - Detchant Farm Belford *featured*
TV in rooms - Market Cross Guest House Belford *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected - Purdy Lodge Belford *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking, Disabled - The Farm House Guest House Belford *featured*
TV in rooms - Berwick Backpackers Berwick-upon-Tweed *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic - Castle Vale House Berwick-upon-Tweed *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - SlowSheep@theLazyFox Berwick-upon-Tweed *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - West Wing Chathill *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Chatton Park House B & B Chatton *featured*
TV in rooms - Eshott Hall Eshott *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic, Parking, Disabled - Wydon Farm B&B Haltwhistle *featured*
TV in rooms - Brandy Bank House Hexham *featured*
TV in rooms - Carraw Bed & Breakfast Hexham *featured*
TV in rooms - Fairshaw Rigg Hexham *featured*
TV in rooms - Old Repeater Station Hexham *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Parking, Disabled - Rye Hill Farm Hexham *featured*
TV in rooms - Thornley House Hexham *featured*
TV in rooms - Barnacre Morpeth *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Newminster Cottage B&B Morpeth *featured*
TV in rooms - Northumberland Cottage Morpeth *featured*
TV in rooms - Stepping Stones Bed & Breakfast Morpeth *featured*
TV in rooms - The Captains Lodge Newbiggin by the Sea *featured*
TV in rooms - Orchard House Rothbury *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Springfield Guest House Rothbury *featured*
TV in rooms - St Cuthberts House Seahouses *featured*
TV in rooms - The Links Hotel Seahouses *featured*
TV in rooms - The Olde School House Seahouses *featured*
TV in rooms - Wyndgrove House Seahouses *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Fairfield House Warkworth *featured*
TV in rooms - Roxbro House Warkworth *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Firwood Bed & Breakfast Wooler *featured*
TV in rooms - Hethpool House Wooler *featured*
TV in rooms - Rockliffe House Wooler *featured*
TV in rooms
Pubs & Inns
- Masons Arms Alnwick *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Black Diamond Inn Ashington *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Barrasford Arms Barrasford *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Craw Inn Berwick-upon-Tweed *featured*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Milecastle Inn Cawfields *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Percy Arms Hotel Chatton *featured*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Swan Choppington *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Manor House Inn Haltwhistle *featured*
Food, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Bay Horse Inn Hexham *featured*
Food, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Crown Inn Hexham *featured*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Station Inn Hexham *featured*
Food, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Village Inn Longframlington *featured*
Food, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Queens Head Hotel Morpeth *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Redesdale Arms Hotel Rochester *featured*
Food, Children Welcome, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Newcastle Hotel Rothbury *featured*
Food, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Queens Head Hotel Rothbury *featured*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Black Bull Hotel Wooler *featured*
Food, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards
Self-Catering See Map
- Stamford Farmhouse Alnwick *featured*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Village Farm Cottages Alnwick *featured*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Pets Allowed, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Inglenook Cottage Bamburgh *featured*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Braeburn at The Orchards Beadnell *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Macintosh at The Orchards Beadnell *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Pippin at The Orchards Beadnell *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Smithy Belford *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Shieling View Berwick upon Tweed *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Town House Berwick-upon-Tweed *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Bush Nook Cottage Gilsland *featured*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Stables Cottage Hexham *featured*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Brandies Barn Holy Island *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Lee Cottage at St Cuthbert's Square Holy Island *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Pets Allowed, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Ray Demesne Kirkwhelpington *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Bluebell at Dene House Farm Longframlington *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Cairn Rigg Cottage Morpeth *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Felmoor Park Morpeth *featured*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Morpeth Court Luxury Serviced Apartments Morpeth *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Beach Cottage Newton-by-the-Sea *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Old Barn Newton-by-the-Sea *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Stanners Stable Warkworth *featured*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Beeches Warkworth *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Pets Allowed, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards
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