Make it count
Our stunning county offers a great opportunity for family days out to enjoy incredible historic landmarks, insightful museums and colourful art galleries over the bank holiday. We have beautiful, sweeping sands on our beaches and bounds of wildlife in the countryside, not to mention our eclectic events to fill your long weekend break or see you through the school holidays.
Cross the causeway to Holy Island, explore a picturesque fishing village, sail to The Farne Islands, or walk our staggering open countryside such as The Cheviot Hills in Northumberland National Park or Kielder Water & Forest Park. Wander along Hadrian's Wall and get some insight into life as a Roman, or simply kick back and relax in your beautiful holiday cottage or B&B.
So book your family bank holiday weekend break in Northumberland, the perfect location for fantastic attractions, beautiful countryside and the astounding Northumberland coast.
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Where to go during a bank holiday
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Family Attraction
Ford and Etal Estate
Heatherslaw Light Railway
Travel on our 15 inch gauge railway at Ford & Etal Estates between Heatherslaw and Etal Castle on a return journey.
Historic sites
Bardon Mill
Vindolanda (Chesterholm) Hadrian's Wall
Visit Roman Vindolanda today and you will find one of the North East’s most famous and not to be missed tourist attractions lying in the beautiful landscape of Hadrian's Wall Country.
Great Outdoors
Kielder
Kielder Water & Forest Park
Kielder Water & Forest Park brings you nature on a grand scale – stunning views, many activities or just chill. You're welcome.
Historic sites
Chollerford
Chesters Roman Fort
Come and see what life was like at one the Roman Empire's most northern outposts.
Family Attraction
Alnwick
Lilidorei at The Alnwick Garden
Lilidorei is a magical, mysterious village full of play and home to 9 clans who worship Christmas.
Historic sites
Bamburgh
Bamburgh Castle
Experience a different level of Northumberland at England's finest fortress Bamburgh Castle, home of the real Last Kingdom of Bebbanburg.
Garden
Alnwick
The Alnwick Garden
One of the world's most extraordinary contemporary gardens.
Historic sites
Haydon Bridge
Housesteads Roman Fort
Set high on a dramatic escarpment on Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site, Housesteads Roman Fort takes you back to the Roman Empire.
Historic sites
Warkworth
Warkworth Castle
Set in a quaint Northumberland village, this hill-top fortress and hermitage offers a fantastic family day out.
Historic sites
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Lindisfarne Priory
Experience the serenity of Lindisfarne Priory, cross the dramatic causeway to reach the island of Lindisfarne, on a journey that will stay in your memory forever.
Historic sites
Alnwick
Alnwick Castle
The second largest inhabited castle in the UK, home to the Percy family for 700 years and filming location.
Historic sites
Corbridge
Corbridge Roman Town (Hadrian's Wall)
Visitors to Corbridge Roman Town can walk along the main street of this Roman garrison town, flanked by the remains of granaries, a fountain house, markets, workshops and temples.
Family Attraction
Ford and Etal Estate
Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre
Hay Farm is home to the largest herd of rare breed Clydesdale Heavy Horses within the North of England.
Family Attraction
Morpeth
Whitehouse Farm Centre
Whitehouse Farm is the all-weather fun attraction with soft play, restaurant, outdoor play areas, tractor-trailer rides and lots of animals to feed, hold and stroke.
Nature and Wildlife
Farne Islands
Farne Islands
The Farne Islands are possibly the most exciting seabird colony in England with unrivalled views of 23 species, including around 37,000 pairs of puffin.
Museums
Bamburgh
RNLI Grace Darling Museum
A museum dedicated to Grace Darling, the fearless young woman who became a reluctant celebrity in 1838..
Museums
Hexham
Hexham Old Gaol
Step into Northumberland's past with a visit to Hexham Old Gaol, England's oldest Gaol.
Great Outdoors
Druridge Bay
Druridge Bay Country Park
Druridge Bay Country Park includes three miles of beautiful beach and sand dunes, as well as a 100 acre lake surrounded by woods and meadows. The variety in the landscape and pleasant coastal environment ensures you of an enjoyable visit.
Historic sites
Chillingham
Chillingham Castle
A medieval castle with stunning views of formal gardens and the Cheviot Hills. Perfect for architectural and naturalist/historical enthusiasts.
Historic sites
Rothbury
Cragside
Illuminated with hydro-electricity and powered by hydraulics, discover Britain's original smart home.
Family Attraction
Ponteland
Northumberland College Zoo
Visit Northumberland College Zoo, we have over 150 species of animals including meerkats, coatis, wallaby and many more.
Sightseeing and Leisure
Otterburn
Otterburn Mill
Former textile mill, Otterburn Mill, sells outdoor and lifestyle clothing, delicious food and has a children's play area.
Museums
Ashington
Woodhorn Museum
Woodhorn brings to life Northumberland’s proud mining heritage. Explore the historic buildings, interactive displays and contemporary exhibition programme.