Natural England - Northumberland National Park

Northumberland National Park

The land of far horizons – Northumberland is England’s remotest National Park.

Hadrian's Wall mile castle (Graeme Peacock)

Hadrian's Wall mile castle
© Graeme Peacock

Perhaps best known by its association with Hadrian’s Wall, this beautiful landscape conveys a real sense of openness to those who come to enjoy it.

England meets Scotland on the north-western border of this remote National Park, where the moors and grassland of the Cheviot Hills are divided by deep burn valleys.  In the east lies the Upper Coquet Valley and Simonside Hills with the valleys of the North Tyne and Redesdale to the west.  To the south runs part of Hadrian’s Wall, a World Heritage Site, riding along the imposing ridge of the Whin Sill.  Forests now cover once open moorland above them.

The underlying geology retains a defining role in shaping the distinctiveness of the Northumberland National Park landscape.  Five areas have been notified as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on account of their nationally significant geological resources including the volcanic and glacial features of the Cheviots to the north and the Whin Sill intrusion and escarpments to the south.

The area boasts a wide range of species and habitats including curlew, red squirrel, upland rivers and burns, ancient woodland, upland hay meadows, blanket bog and heather moorland.  There are currently five habitat and twelve species Biodiversity Action Plans for the National Park.

The National Park is generally free from significant human intrusion and development which heightens the sense of openness and tranquillity.  Small settlements of representative character within the area include the villages on Alwinton, with stone houses scattered about a green, and Elsdon with its defensive pele tower.  Kirknewtown’s impressive church has important medieval sculpture, and at Ingram a large rectory overshadows the tiny church.  Some of the best preserved sections of Hadrian’s Wall are located within the Park boundary, including the impressive Housesteads Fort.  The area’s turbulent history has left the remains of a number of fortified towers and Iron Age forts, for instance Yeavering Bell above Kirknewtown within the landscape.

Farming remains the dominant land use within the National Park, with activities spanning approximately 80% of the land area.  The majority of the remaining area is forest, with much in state ownership and managed by the Forestry Commission.

The National Park offers significant leisure opportunities for those wishing to immerse themselves in the tranquillity of a British upland landscape with over 75% of the Park designated open access land; and 1,100 kilometres of public rights of way and long distance walking routes across the Park.  The gateway settlements of Bellingham, Haltwhistle, Rothbury and Wooler act as important service centres for the National Park, its communities and visitors.  Rights of way include the Pennine Way which runs the length of the Park, and for the keen walker the Cheviot and Simonside Hills offer fine views.  The new National Trail running alongside Hadrian’s Wall provides improved access to, and information on, routes near this landmark feature.  Rock climbing of all grades can be found, and there are facilities for canoeing and riding.

Contact

  • Northumberland National Park Authority, Eastburn, South Park, Hexham, Northumberland NE46 1BS
    Tel:  (01434) 605555
    Email: enquiries@nnpa.org.uk

Further information