The region
The Region
Whether you’re a fond of family picnics in scenic locations, looking for rugged trails to cycle or longing for relaxing walks along remote sandy shores… the region of Northumberland has it all.
Below are a few of the attractions that are within driving distance of our cottages in Northumberland. There is definitely something for everyone.
Great Days Out
Within an hours drive (less than 40 miles)
Cragside House and Gardens, Rothbury
A beautiful Victorian country house near the town of Rothbury, Cragside was the home of William Armstrong an industrial magnate, scientist, philanthropist and inventor of the hydraulic crane. Cragside was also the first house in the world to be lit using hydroelectric power.
Distance: 6 miles from Swallows End / 16 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info : https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside
The Alnwick Garden, Alnwick
One of the world’s most contemporary gardens, The Alnwick Garden offers adventure and intrigue in the heart of Northumberland.
Distance: 12 miles from Swallows End / 4 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: https://www.alnwickgarden.com/
Warkworth Beach near Warkworth
Less than a mile away from the historic village, Warkworth Beach is an often overlooked expanse of pristine, golden sand stretching north from Amble breakwater towards Alnmouth. Depending upon the weather the beach is ideal for a family picnic, sunbathing and beach games or a long bracing walk with magnificent views.
Distance: 13 miles from Swallows End / 7 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/north-east-england/northumberland/warkworth.htm
Woodhorn Museum, Ashington
Discover the region’s proud mining heritage at Woodhorn Museum and delve into 800 years of history in the Northumberland Archives.
Distance: 16 miles from Swallows End / 21 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: http://www.experiencewoodhorn.com/
Embleton Bay
Sited between Newton-by-the-Sea to the north and Craster to the south Embleton Bay is another fabulous picture postcard pretty curving beach with golden sands overlooked by the spectacular ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. Winner of the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2017 Beach of the Year.
Distance: 17 miles from Swallows End / 6 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: http://www.yournorthumberland.co.uk/area-guides/embleton
Beadnell Bay Beach, Beadnell
A wide, sandy beach in a horseshoe shaped bay just south of the village, the glorious golden sands of Beadnell Beach curve around the bay forming a natural harbour. The beach is a popular spot for swimming, surfing, sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing with plenty of shops and amenities in the nearby village of Beadnell.
Distance: 24 miles from Swallows End / 11 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: http://www.yournorthumberland.co.uk/area-guides/beadnell
Farne Islands
Just a few miles off the coast between Seahouses and Bamburgh lie the Farne Islands, a group of over 15 islands that support an amazing variety of wildlife ranging from puffins to seals.
Distance: 26 miles from Swallows End / 13 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/farne-islands
Grace Darling Museum, Bamburgh
The RNLI Grace Darling Museum commemorates the life of Victorian Britain’s greatest heroine, who risked her life to rescue nine survivors from the wrecked SS Forfarshire on 7 September 1838.
Distance: 27 miles from Swallows End / 16 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/museums/grace-darling-museum
The Elizabethan Walls, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick’s Elizabethan Walls are the only example of bastioned town walls in Britain. The walls completely surround the town and were designed and built in the 16th century to keep out the marauding Scots who regularly laid claim to Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Distance: 31 miles from Swallows End / 22 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: https://www.visitnorthumberland.com/historic-sites/berwick-elizabethan-town-walls
Chesters Roman Fort near Hexham
Visit the most complete Roman cavalry fort in Britain. Chesters Roman Fort lies on the banks of the North Tyne and with it’s spectacular Bathhouse is a place to relax for both Roman and modern visitors! There is a fantastic museum on the site displaying fascinating Roman artefacts and a tearoom serving hot and cold light food and refreshments.
Distance: 32 miles from Swallows End / 49 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/chesters-roman-fort-and-museum-hadrians-wall/
Alnwick Castle, Alnwick
A family day out to fire the imagination. The seat of the Duke of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle must be one of Britain’s most iconic castles after being featured in many films and TV series.
Distance: 12 miles from Swallows End / 4 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: https://www.alnwickcastle.com/
Warkworth Castle & Hermitage, Warkworth
With its magnificent cross-shaped keep crowning a hilltop above the River Coquet, Warkworth Castle was the favoured residence of the powerful Percy family from the 14th to the 17th centuries. Nearby, on the banks of the river and only accessible by boat, are the remains of a chapel known as the hermitage.
Distance: 13 miles from Swallows End / 7 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/warkworth-castle-and-hermitage/history/
Druridge Bay Country Park near Amble
A stunning seven mile stretch of pristine sand beach running from Amble to Cresswell, Druridge Bay is a popular place to ride, cycle walk, paddle and surf. Druridge Bay Country Park sits just off the beach with a Visitor Centre next to a central lake surrounded by meadows and woods. The park is an ideal destination for walks and picnics.
Distance: 14 miles from Swallows End / 12 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: https://www.visitnorthumberland.com/great-outdoors/druridge-bay-country-park
Dunstanburgh Castle near Craster
A magnificent ruin, Dunstanburgh Castle stands on a remote windswept headland north of the fishing village of Craster.
Distance: 17 miles from Swallows End / 5 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dunstanburgh-castle/
Low Newton by the Sea
Considered by many to be one of the most attractive villages on the Northumberland Coast, Low Newton (as locals refer to it) is an open ended square of beautiful cream-washed cottages looking out onto a sheltered bay with a vast but glorious sandy beach. The walk from Low Newton to the village of Craster that takes in Dunstanburgh Castle has featured in the Guardian Newspaper’s top ten walks in the UK.
Distance: 19 miles from Swallows End / 8 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: http://www.yournorthumberland.co.uk/area-guides/low-newton
Seahouses
A large former fishing village within the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which is probably best known for its harbour and access to the amazing Farne Islands.
Distance: 26 miles from Swallows End / 13 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: http://www.seahouses.org/
Bamburgh
A charming coastal town just to the North of Seahouses with a variety of locally run shops, pubs and restaurants with the breathtaking Bamburgh Castle dominating the skyline. Just beyond the castle is a beautiful and pristine long sandy beach backed by dunes.
Distance: 27 miles from Swallows End / 16 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: http://www.bamburgh.org.uk/
Paxton House, Berwick-upon-Tweed
One of the best house tours in the UK, Paxton House has extensive grounds, a play park, tearoom, gift shop, boat trips and much more…
Distance: 31 miles from Swallows End / 22 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: http://paxtonhouse.co.uk/
Birds of Prey Centre near Berwick-upon-Tweed
Andy Howeys Birds of Prey Centre is located in the grounds of Berwick’s Haggerston Castle, this centre allows visitors to interact with some amazing birds, ranging from Luna the Barn Owl to Mitchell the Harris Hawk.
Distance: 31 miles from Swallows End / 22 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: https://www.facebook.com/Andy-Howeys-Birds-of-Prey-267673956927050/?ref=page_internal
Lindisfarne Priory, Holy Island
Cut off from the mainland twice a day is Lindisfarne Priory on beautiful Holy Island. Take in panoramic views of the Northumbrian coast, explore the priory grounds, wander the richly-decorated, extensive ruins and learn about the fascinating history of Lindisfarne in the informative visitor centre.
Distance: 37 miles from Swallows End / 27 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/lindisfarne-priory/
A couple of hours drive (40 miles or more)
Housesteads Fort and Museum
Set high on a dramatic escarpment within the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site, Housesteads Roman Fort is a glimpse back to the days of the Roman Empire. As well being able to explore this ancient fortress and admire the stunning views there is also a museum on site which features a fascinating collection of Roman finds to give you a vivid snapshot of what life was like in the fort 2,000 years ago.
Distance: 40 miles from Swallows End / 54 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/housesteads-roman-fort-hadrians-wall/
Falconry Days, Hexham
A professional falconry business that trains and flies around 70 birds of prey. Their visitor attraction in Hexham provides a range of different experiences with these majestic hunters that will suit everyone.
Distance: 49 miles from Swallows End / 55 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: https://www.falconrydays.com/
Vindolanda near Hexham
Lying in the beautiful landscape of Hadrian’s Wall Country, just south of the wall itself is the former Roman auxiliary fort of Vindolanda, one of the most famous and not to be missed tourist attractions in the North-East.
Distance: 49 miles from Swallows End / 55 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: http://www.vindolanda.com/roman-vindolanda
Roman Army Museum near Hexham
A fantastic family-friendly gallery set in magnificent countryside next to a sweeping section of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman Army Museum is an authentic and dramatic tribute to Rome’s extraordinary military legacy.
Distance: 63 miles from Swallows End / 75 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: http://hadrianswallcountry.co.uk/visit/roman-army-museum
Hexham Abbey, Hexham
Built during the 12th Century Hexham Abbey is a leading historical attraction standing in the very centre of the thriving market town of Hexham.
https://www.hexhamabbey.org.uk/Distance: 44 miles from Swallows End / 55 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: https://www.hexhamabbey.org.uk/
Kielder Observatory, Kielder Forest
A public astronomical observatory situated high upon Black Fell overlooking Kielder reservoir near the Scottish border under some of the darkest skies in the world.
Distance: 48 miles from Swallows End / 54 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: https://kielderobservatory.org/
Walltown Crags near Hexham
One of the finest places to see Hadrian’s Wall as it snakes and dives through the dramatic Northumberland countryside along the crags of the Whin Sill.
Distance: 63 miles from Swallows End / 75 miles from Coast Cottage
More Info: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/walltown-crags-hadrians-wall/
Trip advisor is also a good source of what is popular in the region. Follow the link for a current top ten of things to do…
