Spring in Northumberland
There is a moment, somewhere between the last days of February and the first weeks of June, when Northumberland transforms. The long, brooding winter lifts, the light stretches across the hills, the coast comes alive and this extraordinary county reveals itself in full colour. For those driving the Northumberland 250, spring is quite simply the finest time of year to be on the road. Here's what's waiting for you this Spring in Northumberland.
Late February – Mid March: Crocus Lawn at Wallington Hall
Spring's opening act belongs to Wallington Hall. As the rest of the county is still shaking off winter, the famous Crocus Lawn bursts into a sea of purple, one of the most quietly spectacular sights in Northumberland. It's fleeting, it's beautiful, and a reason to start your spring journey early.
Late March: The Puffins Return to the Farne Islands
One of the great seasonal events on the Northumberland coast — the puffins are back. Puffins begin arriving back at the Farne Islands from the end of March, with numbers building until they settle down for nesting in mid-April. Known locally as 'tommy noddies', these striking birds with their comical waddle are a sight to behold against the dark dolerite rock of the Farne Islands. Boat trips run from Seahouses harbour from April through to September, with landing trips to Inner Farne allowing visitors to walk amongst thousands of nesting seabirds. This is one of the finest wildlife experiences in Britain, and it sits right on the Northumberland 250 coastal route.
Late March – Early April: Daffodils at Warkworth Castle
At Warkworth Castle, golden daffodils surround the fortification above the cobbled village and the romantic River Coquet, one of the most impressive sights on the entire route. The castle is already one of the Northumberland 250's must-see stops, but in late March it takes on an extra magic as the daffodils come into bloom around its ancient walls.
Late March – Early April: Osprey Watch at Kielder
Deep in Kielder Forest, one of England's greatest wildlife stories unfolds every spring. After a long journey back from West Africa, the ospreys typically return to Kielder in late March or early April. Following an absence of almost 200 years, they have bred successfully here every season since 2009. Watching one of these magnificent birds diving into the water to seize a fish is one of the great wildlife spectacles of northern England. Osprey Watch runs every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday from early April through to mid-August at Tower Knowe Visitor Centre, where volunteers offer views through high-powered telescopes and live nest cameras.
Mid–Late April: Cherry Blossom at The Alnwick Garden
Just as the puffins are settling in on the Farne Islands, The Alnwick Garden puts on one of the most breathtaking floral displays in northern England. Over 300 Japanese Taihaku cherry trees come into spectacular bloom from the end of April to the beginning of May — a display that rivals anything you'd find in Tokyo. Pack a picnic, find a spot beneath the blossom, and take your time.
April – May: Bluebell Woods in Morpeth
Late spring is a particularly special time in Northumberland's ancient woodlands, as the forest floor comes alive with a carpet of bluebells. The woods around Morpeth are among the finest places to experience this. Thrunton Wood and Harbottle Wood are also worth seeking out for those venturing deeper into the county.
Late May – Early June: Rhododendrons at Cragside
Spring's grand finale belongs to Cragside. The rhododendron display at Cragside is legendary, sweeping banks of crimson, pink and purple cascading through one of the most remarkable Victorian estates in England. It is a sight that stops people in their tracks every single year, and the perfect note on which to bring your spring journey to a close.
Make the Most of Spring on the Northumberland 250
The Northumberland 250 in spring rewards those who slow down and look up. Keep your binoculars on the passenger seat, check the seasonal dates before you travel, and give yourself time to stop. Northumberland in spring is not something you rush. It's something you savour.