Must Visit Towns and Villages

Must-Visit Towns and Villages in Northumberland: Your Guide to the Best Local Gems 

When visiting Northumberland, it’s easy to get swept away by its vast beaches and ancient castles — but don’t overlook the charm of its local villages and market towns. From traditional stone cottages and cosy tearooms to Roman ruins and artisan shops, the villages in Northumberland are full of character and worth adding to your itinerary. Whether you're based near Newcastle or staying with us at Herding Hill Farm, these are the must-visit towns and villages that bring Northumberland’s warm hospitality and history to life.

Why Herding Hill Farm?

• Located just 1.5 miles from the town of Haltwhistle, Northumberland which is known as the Centre of Britain
• Great bus and train links from Haltwhistle along the Tyne valley to towns near Newcastle like Corbridge and Hexham
• Close to the Northumberland/Cumbria border, making it an ideal place to stay if you are looking to explore the amazing rural landscape down the Tyne Valley from the city of Newcastle to Carlisle and beyond
• Award-winning campsite with a range of child friendly facilities and hot tub accommodation

Why Explore the Villages of Northumberland? 

Whether you’re looking for towns near Newcastle for a weekend trip or exploring villages near me to visit during your stay at Herding Hill Farm, these locations offer: 

• Rich local history 
• Quaint cafés and pubs
• Easy access to walks, castles, and coast 
• Scenic drives and easy day trips 

So which local villages do we recommend? 

1. Haltwhistle, Northumberland 

• Centre of Britain: Haltwhistle proudly proclaims itself to be the geographical centre of Great Britain as it is mid-way along the mainland’s longest line of longitude. The Haltwhistle as the “centre of Britain”  or “centre of uk” titles are heavily prominent about the town, with a Centre of Britain launderette, a Centre of Britain gallery and a centuries old sandstone-coloured Centre of Britain Hotel built as a pele tower in the late 15th century. The name Haltwhistle comes from the Old English Haltwezell, meaning 'high place', or, alternatively, 'a hilltop with two streams'
• Public transport links: Haltwhistle is an excellent base from which to explore with excellent transport links to the cities of Newcastle and Carlisle. There is also an excellent and scenic bus connecting the two cities.  The AD122 Hadrian's Wall bus also runs between Hexham and Halthwhistle and stops at the entrance to our Haltwhistle campsite
• Hadrian’s Wall and the Northumberland National Park: Haltwhistle is one of the closest towns near Newcastle to the most spectacular sections of Hadrian’s Wall. Cawfields Quarry can be reached on foot from the town by a walk up the beautiful Haltwhistle Burn which illustrates Haltwhistle’s rich industrial heritage of brickworks and limekilns, as well as giving you the opportunity to spot birds and wildlife
• Local amenities: A small high street with a number of pubs, takeaways cafes and small stores, as well as a Co-Op and a Sainsburys. Many of the takeaways deliver to Herding Hill Farm. Haltwhistle Leisure Centre has outdoor pools and slides, open during the Summer months
• Haltwhistle castles: Featherstone Castle, Blenkinsopp Castle, Thirlwall Castle and Bellister Castle. Wonderful walks nearby allowing excellent views of the fortresses
  

2. Gilsland, Northumberland 

The small village of Gilsland straddles the counties of both Northumberland and Cumbria and is an excellent base for exploring Hadrian's Wall. 

• Closest Northumberland village to Birdoswald Roman Fort which has a visitor centre and cafe. Gorgeous walk to Willowford bridge and up to the fort from the village; free car parking next to the school
• There are a small number of amenities including an excellent café House of Meg and a community-owned pub The Samson Inn
• Gilsland Spa walks: Excellent local walks in the dramatic wooded Irthing gorge behind the old hotel.  Gilsland Spa was established in 1901 as a convalescent home for Co-Operative Wholesale Society members in the North of England. It was named after a nearby sulphurous spring in a cliff below the hotel. Gilsland is famously known as the place where Sir Walter Scott proposed to his future wife Margaret Charlotte Charpentier in 1797
• Hadrian's Wall walks: Poltross Burn milecastle is an excellent example of a Hadrian’s Wall historic site, is free to visit and is a short walk from the centre of this Northumberland village. For those wanting a longer walk the Crammel Linn waterfall is a favourite spot in the Summer.  

Whilst Gilsland sits on the railway line between Newcastle and Carlisle it’s station is currently derelict.

3. Hexham, Northumberland 

Hexham is a beautiful and ancient market town near Newcastle with lots for visitors:

• Shopping: a great Saturday market with artisan food stall in the bustling market square and around Hexham Abbey, as well as plenty of independent shops
• Historic buildings: the town is dominated by Hexham Abbey but there are also other buildings worth a visit including the Old Gaol
• Riverside walking trails: Tyne Country Park
  

If you would like to know more about What to do in Hexham why not read our blog?  

4. Corbridge, Northumberland 

Corbridge is a lovely village near me to visit:

• Wide range of independent stores, galleries and cafes: Excellent bakery, greengrocer and delicatessen, a wide range of local gift and craft shops and the excellent Forum Books, located in the old Methodist Chapel complete with preserved pulpit. The amazing Re is a vintage and lifestyle emporium, we dare anyone not to make a purchase whilst shopping there. 
• Number of historic pubs serving excellent food. The Pele Tower is now an excellent gin and wine bar
• Beautiful church – St. Andrews Church Corbridge
• Corbridge Roman Town, an excellently preserved community. Here you can wander the streets and get a true idea what it was like to live as a Roman soldier, as well as viewing one of the most comprehensive Roman collections in the UK
• Excellent riverside walks along the Tyne
• Aydon Castle is a short walk from the village centre and can be visited. Almost completely intact, it is one of the finest examples of a 13th century English manor house. The fields around Aydon Castle are covered by poppies in Summer

5. Blanchland

Atmospheric village near Newcastle made entirely of stone buildings is tucked into the Derwent Valley on the Northumberland/Durham border. It's one of the best-preserved historic villages in Northumberland, with connections to a 12th-century monastery. Highlights include:

• Lord Crewe Arms pub (great food) 
• Riverside and woodland walks 
• Timeless stone village square

6. Bellingham 

One of the gateway villages near Northumberland National Park, Bellingham is quiet, authentic, and surrounded by forest and hill walks. Highlights include: 

• Hareshaw Linn waterfall walk 
• Kielder Water & Forest Park
• Kielder Observatory
• Friendly village pubs and shops

For more details on the train times of the Newcastle/Carlisle trains CLICK HERE. For those who prefer to travel by bus the 685 also links these must-visit towns and villages in Northumberland and you can access a timetable HERE.