Hadrian's Wall at sunset

Hadrian’s Wall & Northumberland

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Overview

Suggested Itinerary

What's Included?

Accommodation & Prices

Car Hire

Overview

Self-Drive Holidays

6 Nights

Fully customisable itinerary
Prices from: £940 per person
Best time to go: April - October
Transport: Rental car included (optional)

Highlights

Hadrian’s Wall

Discover the rich Roman history and rolling landscapes of Hadrian’s Wall stretching 73 miles from the Solway Firth to the North Sea. This majestic UNESCO World Heritage Site offers ample opportunities for picturesque walks, and to visit countless museums, forts and ruins.

Stargazing in dark skies

Experience the unspoilt beauty and seclusion of the largest expanse of Dark Sky in Europe and gaze at the Milky Way, shooting stars and comets.

Historic castles

Northumberland has more castles than any other county in England, highlighting the bloody and violent history between Scotland and England. Don’t miss magnificent Bamburgh Castle which has stood guard above a spectacular stretch of Northumberland coastline for over 1,400 years.

Holy Island

Explore the wild and peaceful Lindisfarne including the ruins of an expansive medieval monastery with ornately sculpted Celtic carvings – as well as the 16th-century Lindisfarne Castle. Cut off from the mainland twice daily by racing tides, the island offers a place for tranquility.

Breathtaking coastline

Experience the dazzling scenery of the Northumberland Coast with picturesque fishing towns and beautiful silver beaches. Adventure by boat to the Farne Islands, the most famous bird sanctuary in the British Isles, or the secluded medieval chapel – Warkworth Hermitage.

Cheviot Hills

The remote Cheviot Hills are bursting at the seams with thrilling and evocative history from Bronze Age standing stones, to the bloody Flodden Battlefield. Encounter the untamed and unforgettable Wild Chillingham cattle before visiting Chillingham Castle itself.

A Self-Drive Adventure in Historic Northern England

Famous for its unspoilt beauty, this tour of Northumberland begins in the Roman town of Hexham and goes on to explore one of the most secluded National Parks in England.

After discovering the park’s history, archaeology, nature and wildlife, it goes on to roam the finest beaches and castles of an unspoilt coastline where you will find an abundance of diverse wildlife and nature.

Begin your adventure discovering the ancient market town of Hexham, the perfect base for exploring Hadrian’s Wall and Kielder Forest. Stretching 84 miles from coast to coast, Hadrian’s Wall is the largest ancient monument in northern Europe. Step back in time and visit forts and museums that bring the past to life.

From Hexham, take a day trip to Kielder Forest and Water park and enjoy abundant wildlife and nature, a charming network of forest paths and the darkest, clearest skies in the country.

Continue your journey to the glittering Northumbrian coastline and enjoy the luxurious interiors and elegant, lush gardens of the iconic Alnwick Castle. The Northumberland coast is famous for its wild, unspoilt beauty. Visit picturesque old coastal villages hardly changed by time and the romantic ruins of Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh castles. There is the option to visit Holy Island, which is accessible at low tide across the causeway and where the monastery became a centre for Christianity. You could also travel by boat to National Nature Reserves, home to charismatic pairs of puffins, and sprawling grey seal pups.

Finally, head inland to the heart of the Cheviot Hills to learn about the unique white cattle which are rarer than Giant Pandas, and experience the living history and culture that hides in every inch of the ancient battleground between England and Scotland.

Suggested Itinerary

The holiday ideas on our website are just examples of the amazing trips we offer. Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists.

We love the opportunity to use our first-hand knowledge and experience to design and deliver the perfect, bespoke holiday experience for you.

Day 1: Arrive in Hadrian's Wall Country

Travel through picturesque Northumberland countryside to historic Hadrian’s Wall country. You could visit Hexham Abbey and its Roman crypt, the oldest purpose-built prison in England, and experience the town’s vibrant cultural and arts scene.
Overnight – Hadrian’s Wall Country

Day 2: Explore Hadrian’s Wall

A full day to discover an array of Roman history and explore countless historic sites. Visit Housesteads Roman Fort at Bardon Mill, watch live excavations at the Vindolanda archaeology site, and relive ancient battles at the Roman Army Museum.
Overnight – Hadrian’s Wall Country

Day 3: Discover Kielder Forest & Water Park

Drive north to the remote Kielder Water and Forest Park where you can enjoy breathtaking scenery, meander through charming woods to secluded picnic spots, follow the outdoor Sculpture Trail and learn about diverse wildlife. End the day soaking up the wonders of the night sky in the Kielder Observatory.
Overnight – Hadrian’s Wall Country

Day 4: Hadrian's Wall Country to the Northumberland Coast

Travel north from Hadrian’s Wall to the golden beaches of the Northumberland Coast. En route, you could visit the ancient village and Hermitage of Warkworth and Alnwick Castle & Gardens which features in Harry Potter.
Overnight – Northumberland Coast

Day 5: Northumberland Coast Sightseeing

A full day’s adventure on the idyllic Northumberland Coast could feature a visit to the striking Bamburgh Castle, a boat trip to visit the wildlife of the Farne Islands, or skimming over the sand causeway to the incredible Holy Island of Lindisfarne.
Overnight – Northumberland Coast

Day 6: Explore the Cheviot Hills

Venture into unexplored territory in the secluded Cheviot Hills and take the opportunity to learn about Northumberland’s haunting history. Walk through hidden hillforts to wild waterfalls, encounter the untamed and unforgettable Wild Chillingham cattle before visiting ‘England’s most haunted castle’.
Overnight – Northumberland Coast

Day 7: Depart the Northumberland Coast

After breakfast, it is time to end your memorable journey through northern England and begin your onward travel.

What's Included?

Your holiday includes:

Carefully selected en-suite accommodation for 6 nights including traditional English breakfast
Comprehensive information pack
Personalised itinerary with our recommendations for the best places to eat and drink and sightseeing suggestions
Map of England with our recommended driving route
7 days rental of an Economy car (other vehicle categories available) including comprehensive insurance
24-hour emergency contact number
Full financial protection

Your holiday doesn't include:

Travel insurance
Flights
Lunches and evening meals

Accommodation & Prices

Special Places to Stay

Premium

Standard

We know that after a busy day of sightseeing an exceptional place to stay makes all the difference. That’s why all of the accommodation we select is hand-picked using our first-hand knowledge of the best places to stay.

Our discerning team has a wealth of experience, and we extensively research and regularly review all of the accommodation we select for our clients.

Please choose from one of our accommodation categories below. If you wish to combine these categories or perhaps upgrade for a special occasion let us know in your enquiry.

Car Hire

Our packages include car rental and comprehensive insurance for the duration of your holiday. Absolute Escapes has an excellent relationship with a number of car hire operators and we are able to offer quality vehicles and great value for money.

If you plan to bring your own vehicle, we are also able to offer this itinerary without a rental car.

All our packages include:

Collision Damage Waiver
Super Damage Excess Waiver
Third Party Insurance
Theft Waiver
Tax

Economy

Vauxhall Corsa or similar

Good for 2 people
Maximum of 4 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Compact

Ford Focus or similar

Good for 2 – 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Intermediate

Volkswagen Passat or similar

Good for up to 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
3 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Fullsize

VW Sharan or similar

Good for 5 people
Maximum of 7 passengers
3 – 4 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

How do our Self-Drive Holidays Work?

Since 2004, we've led the way in planning remarkable road trips in the UK. Like a perfectly tailored suit, each itinerary is crafted around you. Learn more about us and our self-drive holidays in our new guide. Read more

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Discover the historic castles, spectacular coastline and dramatic landscapes of Northumberland. We've complied a list of our favourite places to visit to help you discover the fascinating history of this Northern county. Read more