Getting around Northumberland

We boast a huge range of things to do and places to see and there are plenty of ways to get about in Northumberland. Here is some useful travel information on getting around Northumberland on a range of transport.

The most relaxing and environmentally friendly way to travel around Hadrian's Wall is on the award-winning AD122 Hadrian's Wall Bus.

Running throughout the summer between Newcastle and Carlisle and stopping at visitor attractions, towns and villages along the way, the Hadrian's Wall Bus is the best way to explore the wonders of Hadrian's Wall Country.

The Coast and Castles link, 518 runs up the coast past some of the county’s most popular attractions. 

For more assistance in planning your bus trip, call Traveline on +44 (0)871 200 22 33

Download the Traveline Northumberland bus route map

Download the Kielder Water & Forest Park bus services timetable

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Northumberland is also a great county for driving. As well as a network of deserted country roads, there's a famous coastal route that runs right along the edge of the county taking in villages like Seahouses and Beadnell.
The route itself finishes just south of the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and you might be tempted to take your car over to the island to visit this jewel of the Northumberland coast.

If you do, remember, Holy Island is a tidal causeway and it is very important to check the safe crossing times before you set off. Go to www.northumberlandlife.org/holy-island.

Most of the country's most visited attractions are just a few minutes from main arterial roads like the A1 and the A69 and are also served by a host of rural bus services. Visit www.travelinenortheast.info for details of Northumberland's bus service.

Parking

Although Northumberland is a rural county and one of the most sparsely populated in the UK, our towns and attractions can become busy, especially in the summer months.  To save time consider buying a weekly tourist parking permit.  Available from Tourist Information Centres in Alnwick, Berwick, Craster, Hexham, Morpeth, Seahouses and Wooler, for £17, this permit gives unlimited parking in Northumberland County Council owned or managed pay and display car parks and on-street pay and display spaces.

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Cycling is a great way to appreciate the beauty of the Northumberland countryside.  The county is criss-crossed with long-distance cycleways including England’s longest ‘challenge’ cycle route the Pennine Cycleway which runs through Haltwhistle, Bellingham and Wooler.  The Hadrian’s Cycleway runs the length of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site passing roman forts and temples.  The Coast and Castles route showcases some of our best coastal attractions including Holy Island, Seahouses and Bamburgh Castle.

Northumberland now has two new cycle hubs, based in the towns or Haltwhistle and Wooler, which are ideal town cycling bases with cycle-friendly accommodation, bike shops, cycle hire and transport companies.  Each cycle hub features 7 routes of varying difficulty for you to explore.

Kielder Water & Forest Park also provides a great base for a cycling holiday with an extensive network of off-road tracks as well as the Lakeside Way, a 26 mile trail encircling the shoreline of Kielder Water.

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If the train is more your thing, we have Britain's first coast-to-coast railway line that runs through the county and into Cumbria roughly following the line of Hadrian's Wall.

The Tyne Valley Railway Line is a great way to see some of Northumberland's most special places. Attractions like the Wylam birthplace of George Stephenson, Prudhoe Castle and Hexham's Old Gaol are just a few minute’s walk from its stations.

Many of the stations served by train links are located in areas of the county perfect for cycling.  You can take your bike on Northern Rail trains for free, but be aware that cycle space is allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

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