If you’re up for a true adventure and have always wanted to explore Northumberland, then the Northumberland 250 will be right up your street. Not for the faint hearted, the 250 mile round trip will ensure you explore all parts of the wonderful county, travelling from the very bottom at Allenheads to Berwick Upon Tweed. This round trip will take you through gorgeous coastlines, rolling hills as well as dark skies areas.
Below we have included the breakdown of locations that you can expect to see on the Northumberland 250. The official site splits the journey into four parts with drives between the coast, borderlines, dark skies and country. So if you’re looking to make a trip of it, why not split up the travel and stay at a few of our Wooden Star Cottages. Staying in places that feel like a home away from home is more important than ever so you can feel well rested on the road.
Many of our properties are based in the Dark Skies and Country parts of your drive. However, we are but a drive away from the other locations too. See below the breakdown of the Northumberland 250 and the Wooden Star Cottages which are closest to the trail.
Dark Skies
Northumberland is blessed to have the darkest skies in the whole of Europe. This section of your drive also is heavily populated with many of our properties. This stretch takes you Kielder to Derwent Reservoir which is 102 miles. On this part of your journey you could stay at these following properties: Charlton Gate, The Byres 1 & 2, Bed at the Dene, Bed at the Beck, The Bankhouse Mews and Apartment, Fieldhead, and The Steadings. Rest up underneath the beautiful stars and prepare for the final leg of the trip.
This drive takes you through these key locations:
- Allen Banks & Staward Gorge
- Allenheads
- Black Middens Bastille House
- Blanchland
- Derwent Reservoir
- Hadrian’s Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Hareshaw Linn Waterfall
- Housesteads Roman Fort
- Kielder Castle
- Kielder Observatory
- Kielder Water & Forest Park
- Lambley Viaduct
- The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre
- Sycamore Gap
Country
Taking you through scenic towns and open countryside, this 48 mile journey will have an abundance of stunning views. Learn about past hauntings at Chillingham, walk the breathtaking Simonside Hills, and do a spot of shopping in Corbridge. This drive also has a few of our properties dotted around including Shellbraes Farmhouse and Studio, Roses Bower, Farriers Cottage, Seal Cottage, Hexham House Apartments and Hollin House. These properties are ideal if you’re exploring in a group or if it’s just the two of you.
This drive takes you through these locations:
- Chillingham
- Corbridge
- Cragside
- Drake Stone
- Otterburn
- Linhope Spout
- Rothbury
- Simonside Hills
- Thrunton Wood
- Winter’s Gibbet
Coast
The stretch covers Alnwick to Holy Island which is 36 miles. The drive was named as one of Lonely Planet’s epic drives which was ranked highly among other breathtaking roads around the world. During your coast travels you will find famous landmarks, stunning beaches, mediaeval castles as well as true Northumberland fishing villages.
This drive takes you through these key locations:
- Alnwick Castle & Gardens
- Bamburgh
- Barter Books
- The Bathing House
- Craster
- Dunstanburgh Castle
- Farne Islands National Nature Reserve
- The Holy Island of Lindisfarne
- Grace Darling Museum
- Low Newton-by-the-Sea
- Lindisfarne Castle
- Seahouses
- St Cuthbert’s Cave
Borderlines
Heading along the Scottish and English border now, this stretch is 68 miles long and takes you from Berwick upon Tweed to Carter Bar. Learn about the rich history of the area including the many conflicts between these two great nations. Explore expansive wilderness, beautiful towns and new attractions including Ad Gefrins new whiskey distillery.
This drive takes you through these key locations:
- Berwick-upon-Tweed
- Carter Bar
- The Cheviot
- College Valley
- Duddo 5 Stones
- Etal
- Ford
- Kirknewton
- Norham Castle
- Ad Gefrin
- Royal Border Bridge
- Union Chain Bridge
- Yeavering Bell
