Not so obvious Northumberland

From remote waterfalls and mighty caves to deserted islands and ancient standing stones…you’ll never be far away from something extraordinary on your Northumberland 250 adventure.

In this article, we give you a glimpse at some of the region’s rarely discovered locations.

These are some of Northumberland’s hidden gems that are well worth searching for.

Harthope Linn

Nestled away in the wild Harthope Valley is a magical, deeply hidden waterfall and plunge pool surrounded by an atmospheric wooded gorge.

Photograph by @charlottegetsaround

St Cuthbert’s Cave

A huge cave held up by an impossibly slim column of eroded sandstone. Monks carrying Cuthbert’s body are said to have rested here whilst fleeing from Viking invaders in 875.

Photograph by @adventure_cal

Emmanuel Head

Believed to be one of the first daymark beacons built on the shores of Britain, this pyramid has played a key role in the avoidance of many maritime disasters along Northumberland’s treacherous coast.

Photograph by @boscoppa

Brownsman Island

Lying just a few miles off the Northumberland Coastline, this rocky island is the former windswept home of National heroine Grace Darling.

Photo by @tyhurstey

Duddo Stone Circle

The best preserved ancient monument in Northumberland. An atmospheric circle of standing stones dating back over 4000 years.

Photograph by @adventure_cal

Black Middens Bastle House

A stark reminded of Northumberland’s violent past, bastille houses are littered across the Borderlands. Black Middens is one of the best examples of these fortified farmsteads and is found deep in an isolated corner of the International Dark Sky Reserve.

Photograph by @danmonk91

Ford

Ford is one of the UK’s most picturesque villages which has remained seemingly frozen in time for over a century.

Photograph by @johntanner

Silvas Capitalis

Observing the passing ocupation of the surrounding landscapes, this giant timber head keeps watch on the shores of Kielder Water.

Photograph by @samwalker.uk