The North Pennines

The North Pennines is one of Northumberland's two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Britain's first UNESCO European and Global Geopark. A landscape of tumbling waterfalls, sweeping moorlands, dramatic dales and rugged drama has been shaped by millions of years of geological history. Indeed, the worldwide significance of the spectacular geology here is marked every year by the Northern Rocks Festival, which celebrates the impressive shapes and forms of the landscape with guided walks, exhibitions, underground tours and other unique events.

The North Pennines contains much of the UK's upland hay meadows and heathland and large parts of its blanket bog - distinctive habitats that provide a haven for abundant wildlife as well as rare alpine plants and ferns. Animal species that are scarce in the rest of England thrive here, including red squirrels, otters, black grouse and 22,000 pairs of breeding wading birds.

Cycling, walking and horse riding are made easy via hundreds of miles of trails, from scenic bridleways over beautiful moorland to quiet country roads and long distance trails including the iconic Pennine Way National Trail. Outstanding trout fishing can be enjoyed in the River South Tyne, the charming stone-built villages which scatter the landscape making ideal bases for exploring the great outdoors. The Derwent Valley, on the border with County Durham, is a fantastic location for sailing and watersports, with the historic watering hole of The Lord Crewe Arms Hotel, one of England's oldest pubs, just around the corner at Blanchland.

To visit the North Pennines AONB website, click here

Other Useful Links

The Pennine Way National Trail