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This new, thoroughly updated second edition of Bradt's best-selling, comprehensive guide to Northumberland including Newcastle, Hadrian's Wall & the Coast remains the reliable source of information for discovering the far northeast of England, an area which is home to Europe's largest area of protected night sky – and England's first Dark Sky Park, a 572-square-mile expanse in Northumberland National Park.
Now including over 40 walks along beaches, over hills and through valleys, as well as dedicated chapters on Northumberland National Park, Hadrian's Wall, the coast and Newcastle, among others, Bradt's Northumberland including Newcastle, Hadrian's Wall & the Coast is the ideal companion for a successful visit.
Northumberland is well-known for its beaches, castles, wildlife, islands and desolate upland scenery, but despite all the attention and accolades ('most tranquil county', 'darkest night skies in England', 'Best UK County/Region [Silver Award']), Northumberland remains for the most part wonderfully crowd-free. It is the ultimate place in England to get away from it all, where you can walk all afternoon over moorland and not meet anyone, skinny-dip in lakes, or picnic on pristine sands with no one else around. Northumberland is also home to Hadrian's Wall, 'the most important Roman monument in Britain' (English Heritage), while heritage enthusiasts will find a number of world firsts and unique museums such as Tanfield Railway, where you can marvel at 19th-century steam engines in the oldest engine shed in the world.
Bradt's Northumberland encourages visitors to slow down and explore the green lanes, footpaths, rivers and cycle trails that link Northumberland's 'Castle Coast' with the heather-topped hills, Roman fortresses and villages of the interior. A guide to Newcastle is found in the chapter on Tyne & Wear. Local knowledge of historic towns, heritage sites, wildlife-watching spots and countryside walks, and words and tips from local heritage experts make this an authoritative guide – and as much an entertaining armchair read as a practical guide, perfect for walkers, birdwatchers, cyclists, families, and those interested in Roman archaeology, industrial heritage and medieval castles.
GOING SLOW IN NORTHUMBERLAND
Northumberland, How this book is arranged
Chapter 1 NEWCASTLE, GATESHEAD & THE NORTH TYNESIDE COAST
Getting around, Newcastle, Gateshead, The Coast: North Shields to Whitley Bay
Chapter 2 THE NORTHUMBERLAND COAST
Getting around, The south Northumberland coast, Alnwick, The Heritage Coast
Chapter 3 THE TYNE VALLEY & NORTH PENNINE FRINGES
Getting around, Hexham, The Tyne Valley, Into the North Pennines
Chapter 4 HADRIAN'S WALL COUNTRY
Getting around, Hadrian's Wall & Roman forts
Chapter 5 MORPETH & CAPABILITY BROWN COUNTRY
Getting around, Morpeth, Capability Brown Country: Kirkwhelpington to Mitford, In & around Ponteland, Belsay & Matfen
Chapter 6 NORTHUMBERLAND NATIONAL PARK
Getting around, The Cheviot Hills & Wooler, Coquetdale & Rothbury, Kielder Forest, Redesdale, Bellingham & Otterburn
Chapter 7 BERWICK, THE TWEED & GLENDALE
Getting around, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Along the River Tweed, Glendale
Appendices
Accommodation
Index
Travel writer Gemma Hall grew up in Newcastle and spent many weekends and holidays in Northumberland in the family campervan, visiting relatives in the hills around Rothbury, cycling in Kielder Forest and enjoying long days on the beach at Newton-by-the-Sea. Coming from a family of outdoor enthusiasts, she has explored many of the remote upland and coastal landscapes she describes so intimately in this guide, and hiked many of the region's long-distance trails including Hadrian's Wall Way, St Cuthbert's Way and the Northumberland Coast path. She loves discovering new walking and cycling routes, birdwatching, going for pub lunches and spending time with her young family on Embleton Bay, where she lives for several months of the year.
