Northumberland England

Northumberland England, in the north-east, is famous for endless sandy beaches, stunning mountain scenery and more castles and romantic ruins than any other English county. And with several large and uncounted smaller roads criss-crossing the area, the county lends itself ideally to a touring holiday.

For much of its long history, Northumberland was border country. On its soil Scandinavia met Anglo-Saxon England, Normans fought Vikings, and Scots did battle with Romans, Normans and English in turn. Fortifications were a way to keep families and possessions safe and Northumberland has a stunning array of intact and ruined castles, bastles and pele towers.

Where to Start and What to Bring

If you base yourself at Alnwick, the former capital of Northumberland, you will be ideally placed to explore the Northumberland coast's eventful past. Alnwick is a delightful old town, with wonderful crooked houses, cheerful pubs and many unusual shops.

Rent a cottage or stay in a Bed & Breakfast - there's a very good selection to suit all tastes and budgets. If you want the castle sites almost to yourself, then avoid the school holidays and the height of the summer.

May and early June are good times to explore, as is September. As with the rest of England, the weather can be a little chancy at times. So even if you come in the middle of summer bring a light rain jacket. And if you plan to explore the miles of empty beaches and stunning coastline, then a sturdy pair of walking shoes is a must. And - by the way - you'll need at least a week!

The First Castle: Alnwick

Begin your tour at Alnwick Castle - now famous for being Harry Potter's school, Hogwarts. The original castle - once the strongest fortress in northern England - was built by the Normans just after their conquest in 1066.

In 1309, the castle became the property of the powerful Percy family, who ruled the North as Dukes of Northumberland. The current Duke still calls Alnwick Castle his home and the gardens, lovingly restored and extended by the Duchess, are famous the world over. You will need a whole day to explore the castle and the gardens - but there is much to see and even more to do.

If you found this article helpful please visit Essentially-England.Com for even more information that can make your Vacation Rank Five Stars.