Northumberland National Park

Northumberland National Parkis the most northerly park in England and covers 1030 km². It is entirely within the county of Northumberland.

The Schil, next to Cheviot Hill, access from the College Valley.

Understand

There are two main geographical areas within the park. The Cheviot hills to the north and Kielder Forest to the South West. The park is generally very quiet, it gets very few visitors compared to some of its more famous neighbours like the Lake District National Park.

History

The park was designated in 1956 and since then has steadily become more and more user friendly with visitor centres and programs to involve and educate visitors.

Landscape

The landscape is typically moorland, heather and conifer plantations. The Kielder reservoir is the largest body of water. Just over 70% of the area is open moorland. Heather is very common and approximately 20% of the park is heather moorland which gives beautiful autumn displays. This heather moorland is largely unique to the United Kingdom. There has been considerable habitat improvement with grouse moor management schemes.

Flora and fauna

The lynx effect There is an ongoing campaign by a group of scientists and conservationists to reintroduce Eurasian lynx to nearby Kielder Forest, an animal which became extinct in Britain in the Middle Ages. The controversial proposal has received mixed reactions locally: supporters argue the labrador-sized wild cat would bring many environmental benefits such as deer population control and a rebalanced ecosystem, while detractors fear that farmed sheep would prove an easier meal than the lynx's traditional diet of roe deer. One thing's for sure, the presence of a charismatic predator would certainly bring in the tourists.

The park has red and roe deer, foxes, and badgers, while small mammals are very common. However the bird population is truly amazing. The open habitats host many different species including black grouse, curlew, merlin, and red grouse. Along the valleys are heron and kingfisher.

Climate

Generally wet and windy. The north easterly gales sweeping in off the Atlantic are a common feature of the area.

Visitor information

• Northumberland National Park website

Get in

From the north. A1 from Edinburgh. From the south. Either the A68 from Corbridge or the A1 trunk road From the east. Many small roads providing access into the park. From the west. A69 through to Corbridge and then the A68 north. By plane into Newcastle airport. By train, north east line to Newcastle and stations north.

Fees and permits

None

Get around

Large areas of Northumberland National Park are accessible to the public - you can walk feely on designated ‘Access Land’ without having to stay on rights-of-way.

There are also visitor centres at Ingram, Once Brewed, Alnwick, Bellingham, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Brampton, Carlisle, Newcastle, Hexham, Morpeth, Wooler.

See

• Hadrian's Wall, UNESCO site from Roman times.
• Cheviot Hills and surrounding area with Hill forts and wide open moorland.
• Redesdale Valley and Border reiver history.
• Visit the many medieval castles.

Do

• Walking
• Riding
• Visit markets and fairs
• Bird watching
• Shooting and hunting
• Cycling

Buy

There are many craft shops and some woolen mills converted to sell clothing and related items.

Eat

Local food as expected centres around the rich landscape and game. So you get meat and fish dishes.

Drink

Northumberland brewery provides local ale.

Sleep

The area has plenty of B&B and self-catering accommodation. There are hostels and camping barns There are local businesses offering green accommodation and self-catering accommodation throughout Northumberland.

Connect

The official national park details are here .