Beaches in Northumberland

From Hadrian's Wall to Harry Potter's school, England's northernmost county has it all. Stunning landscapes and a rich history.

Northumberland is England's most sparsely populated county, and you might find you have plenty of space to yourself along its 30 miles of sandy beaches.

The frigid North Sea waters are, however, popular with some hardy sportsmen. Beadnell Bay has an ardent surfing community and is well known for its grinding waves that can reach 15ft. Adrenaline junkies will enjoy coasteering, an activity that includes cliff jumping, swimming, and rock climbing.

Hadrian's Wall is arguably Northumberland's most famous tourist draw. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country's most iconic structures, the wall was built by the Romans at the northern frontier of their empire. Many sections remain intact and there are cycle and walking trails that allow you to taking in the spectacular scenery, along with visits to other Roman relics, including forts and temples.

Northumberland has more than its share of castles. Especially worthy of mention is Alnwick Castle, which played a starring role as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. Other castles well worth a visit include Bamburgh, which is next to a sandy beach, and the allegedly haunted Chillingham.

Northumberland National Park, with its moors, hills, and steep valleys, is a place where one can truly get away from it all. Since this is the UK's least visited national park, there will be plenty of opportunities for solitude and quiet contemplation of the area's stunning landscape.