The Smaller Explorer
  • Adventure
    • Activity
      • Camping
      • Climbing
      • Cycling
      • Expedition
      • Festivals
      • Running
      • Walking
    • Environment
      • Beach
      • Mountains
      • Nature
      • Snow
      • Water
      • Woodland
  • Explore
    • Farms
    • Garden centres
    • Galleries
    • Museums
    • National Trust
    • Parks
  • Travel
    • Responsible travel
    • Overseas
    • UK
  • Seasons
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
    • Winter
  • Age ranges
    • Teeny
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Going solo
  • What’s on
  • Reviews
  • About

The Smaller Explorer

family travel and adventure

  • Adventure
    • Activity
      • Camping
      • Climbing
      • Cycling
      • Expedition
      • Festivals
      • Running
      • Walking
    • Environment
      • Beach
      • Mountains
      • Nature
      • Snow
      • Water
      • Woodland
  • Explore
    • Farms
    • Garden centres
    • Galleries
    • Museums
    • National Trust
    • Parks
  • Travel
    • Responsible travel
    • Overseas
    • UK
  • Seasons
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
    • Winter
  • Age ranges
    • Teeny
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Going solo
  • What’s on
  • Reviews
  • About
ActivityAdventureNorthumberlandTravelUKWalking

Wild and wonderful family walking in Northumberland

written by smallerexplorer October 29, 2018
Wild and wonderful family walking in Northumberland

There are obviously many other amazing things to see and do in this friendly but wild area of England but digging out your hiking boots and going walking in Northumberland should be your number one activity if you are lucky enough to come up here. Ancient Hadrian’s Wall, dramatic moorland and craggy hills, wild and wonderful quiet beaches, there’s nowhere else quite like walking in Northumberland.

I’ve just spent half term up near Rothbury, on the border of the Northumberland National Park, and managed to do a fair bit of walking in Northumberland with the kids too. I’m not going to claim I’m the leading expert on walking in Northumberland, as I was only in the county for a week, but I did a fair bit of research and have narrowed down the top spots to go walking with the family up here. Northumberland is so blessed with top walking trails that you’re likely to have a great ramble out wherever you are based to be honest!

Where we stayed – The Simonside Hills

We stayed in one of the best AirBnBs I’ve ever stayed in in Bickerton, just outside Rothbury and at the bottom of the Simonside Hills. We managed three walks out here – two in the hills and one around a nearby lake, plus two walks in nearby National Trust properties. The Simonside Hills are a set of distinctive and ancient craggy ridges filled with wildlife and epic 360 views of the surrounding National Park. Expect to see grouse and maybe even red squirrels, plus lots of heather moorland and spruce woodland low down on the hills. We didn’t do this walk, but it’s a good walk for families from Visit Northumberland. The Simonside Hills are great for kids of all ages, as they are challenging but achievable and the terrain changes quite a bit, so should hold interest.

I’ll be honest, my 2 year old found the walks a little chilly, even though he was wrapped up warm, as he is currently going through a phase of wanting to be carried everywhere. I was banking on him wearing himself out and sleeping well, but alas! However, my nearly 5 year old absolutely loved it. I was so proud of him too. I think there is something about clambering up hills that kids seem to enjoy. They don’t seem to be that taken with stunning views or scenery. They was adventure and mini challenges.

Walking in Northumberland

A little chilly on the Simonside Hills

Walking in Northumberland

Half way up the Simonside Hills

Sycamore Gap and Hadrian’s Wall

I also managed this walk solo (yippee!) along some of the best bits of Hadrian’s Wall to the ‘most photographed tree in the UK’ – Sycamore Gap (remember Robin Hood?), though Visit Northumberland does suggest it’s suitable for families. I actually think it wouldn’t be suitable for really young kids as there are a couple of spots with steep drops, but older children would be fine. It’s a fabulous walk though, with great views, wind whipping across your face, and history everywhere.

Walking in Northumberland

Sycamore Gap on a windy autumnal day

National Trust in Northumberland

Tamer, though no less stunning, are walks through National Trust estates. Cragside and Wallington both have miles of trail walking suitable for all. Cragside is huge (there’s a six mile carriage drive) with many many walking options to choose from. We spent two full days in each estate and felt we could have visited another day and still explored new areas.

Cragside is more challenging (clue’s in the name) though there are a few shorter, less rocky trails available. Wallington has two main wooded areas with walks leading off both, plus big lakes to wander round.

Walking in Northumberland

Cragside, near Rothbury

Other family walks in Northumberland

Visit Northumberland recommend a walk along the River Breamish, if you based that way. I’d love to do this puffin-spotting walk on the Farne Islands next time we come up (who doesn’t love these comical birds?!). North East Family Fun has many different pushchair walks listed on her blog which all look awesome. For coastline, you can’t beat this walk from Craster down to Low Newton, past the crumbling ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle and sandy Embleton Bay. Kielder Water is another obvious family-friendly walking spot.

Honestly, words can’t do this part of the country justice – it’s just wild and beautiful, and the weather will certainly blow the cobwebs away. I came back from our half term holiday feeling really refreshed, even though I’d done the most exercise I’ve done in a long time!

Walking in Northumberland

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
northumberland
4 comments
0
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
smallerexplorer

previous post
Spooky Halloween activities for kids
next post
Fun things to do in Northumberland with kids

You may also like

30 Days Wild Day 5: Exploring Headley Heath...

June 6, 2019

The top family-friendly festivals

April 11, 2018

Mini adventure: Go wild food foraging

October 7, 2018

50 thing to do before you’re 11 3/4

February 5, 2018

Family day trip to France itinerary: where to...

August 29, 2018

Wild and remote places in the UK to...

January 4, 2019

Climbing with kids at Clip n’ Climb

May 1, 2018

Book review: Amazing Family Adventures by Jen and...

March 12, 2018

Travel plans for 2019

December 3, 2018

30 Days Wild Day 28: WoWo Camping

June 30, 2019

4 comments

David - Potty Adventures October 31, 2018 - 10:04 am

I don’t think we’ve ever explored Northumberland properly. I’d love to visit Sycamore Gap and spend d a few days in the area maybe next spring. Great photos and tips. Thanks for joining us on #adventurecalling. We’ll back open for new posts tomorrow morning.

Reply
Lauren The Helpful Hiker November 13, 2018 - 1:18 pm

This is great. Northumberland is top of my UK wishlist, it looks amazing and I would love to go walking there-but obviously we need some family friendly routes these days. I will be saving this post for future reference. Thanks so much for sharing #AdventureCalling

Reply
Fun things to do in Northumberland with kids - The Smaller Explorer December 13, 2018 - 3:10 pm

[…] made our own route up too, through some farmland and up into the heights of the hills. We all loved hiking in Northumberland, and I can only see this getting better as the kids get older (I […]

Reply
Some new family adventures for 2019 - The Smaller Explorer May 7, 2019 - 7:48 pm

[…] spending a week in the wilds of Northumberland […]

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

About

About

for families who like to explore

The Smaller Explorer is a blog for adventurous families. I search out the best of what's out there that's fun for kids AND adults (and maybe a bit of a break from the norm), plus provide lots of achievable ideas for exploring and having adventures in the UK and overseas.

What’s on

Events in June 2022

MMonday TTuesday WWednesday TThursday FFriday SSaturday SSunday
30May 30, 2022 31May 31, 2022 1June 1, 2022 2June 2, 2022 3June 3, 2022 4June 4, 2022 5June 5, 2022
6June 6, 2022 7June 7, 2022 8June 8, 2022 9June 9, 2022 10June 10, 2022 11June 11, 2022 12June 12, 2022
13June 13, 2022 14June 14, 2022 15June 15, 2022 16June 16, 2022 17June 17, 2022 18June 18, 2022 19June 19, 2022
20June 20, 2022 21June 21, 2022 22June 22, 2022 23June 23, 2022 24June 24, 2022 25June 25, 2022 26June 26, 2022
27June 27, 2022 28June 28, 2022 29June 29, 2022 30June 30, 2022 1July 1, 2022 2July 2, 2022 3July 3, 2022

Recent Posts

  • 15 simple ways I’ve reduced my carbon footprint (plus how to get involved in climate action)
  • What we did on the 30 Days Wild Challenge week 4
  • 30 Days Wild Day 30: River paddling
  • 30 Days Wild Day 29: A run in the countryside
  • 30 Days Wild Day 28: WoWo Camping

Instagram

  • I dont post photos of myself very much but Ihellip
  • I think all kids collect stuff dont they? This littlehellip
  • This week has run away from me Been super sociablehellip
  • Sycamore Gap the most photographed tree in Britian
  • Oof feeling a bit low today B is not sleepinghellip
  • happyhumpday We are half way through the week and myhellip
  • Ive just uttered the words dont throw that coconut inhellip
  • Can we go back to Northumberland please? I forgot howhellip
  • This is as good as it gets for the Lewishellip

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Instagram Email

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss a blog post

Trips100 - Travel Blogs
Trips100
BritMums
Lonely Planet Pathfinders badge image

About us

the smaller explorer is an online magazine for adventurous parents. We search out the best of what's out there that's fun for kids AND adults, plus provide lots of achievable ideas for exploring and having adventures in the UK and overseas.

Popular Posts

  • 1

    The best walks in London

    February 10, 2019
  • 2

    Family-friendly mountain climb at Pen y Fan, Wales

    May 30, 2018
  • 3

    Wild and remote places in the UK to explore with and without your family

    January 4, 2019

Archives

  • August 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube
  • Email
  • Bloglovin

@2017 - PenciDesign. All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign


Back To Top
Posting....