Strawberry Moon over Bamburgh Castle

Northern Lights Over Northumberland

There have been spectacular displays of the Aurora Borealis - better known as the Northern Lights - across parts of the Northumberland overnight.

The colourful phenomenon was visible in across Northumberland, but was also spotted as far south as Anglesey and Oxfordshire.

Aurora Borealis occurs when electrically-charged particles from the Sun enter the Earth's atmosphere.

Many people took to social media to share photographs of the dramatic show, why not send us yours

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Northumberland Wins National Park of the Year Award

Northumberland National Park has won the prestigious accolade of National Park of The Year in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2015/16.

Northumberland National Park’s win follows its nomination by BBC presenter Ellie Harrison. Ellie’s nomination highlighted the National Park’s “meadows, moorland, peat bogs and ancient woodlands” and its “vivid history, solitude, dark skies and superb wildlife such as stoats, black grouse and red squirrels.”

Last year 1.69 million people visited the park and surrounding areas. The most popular reasons for visiting were a long walk (48%), and a short walk (45%). Next is eating out (27%), visiting a historic site (26%), visiting an attraction (21%), photography (15%), car touring (8%), and cycling/mountain biking (7%).

With fewer than 2,000 inhabitants, Northumberland National Park is the most sparsely populated UK National Park at 0.02 people per hectare. Open access land accounts for 72% of the Park and there are 1,140km of public rights of way, and a further 90km of permissive routes.

Our cottages in Bamburgh are the perfect b

ase to explore Northumberland National Park.

Bamburgh Christmas Lights

Bamburgh is twinkling its way towards Christmas following the switch on of the village’s lights on Saturday. Popular village postie Vince Knox was given the honour this year, assisted by local lad Ben Potts.

Bamburgh Named Best Village to Live IN UK

Bamburgh Village is named among the top 50 best places to live in the countryside, and proves it is a great place to rent one of our Bamburgh Holiday Cottages. Bamburgh made the list, which forms part of The Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide, published this weekend. The annual supplements combine data and statistics such as crime rates, house prices and school performance, with the local knowledge of writers to compile the definitive top 50 countryside locations. The beauty spots positive community spirit, good local shops and services, and access to attractive outdoor spaces were praised, while Bamburgh received the title of Britain’s best countryside place to live by the sea. The coastal village of Bamburgh is nestled below the historic and dramatic castle of the same name, and is designated an area of outstanding natural beauty. With only about 300 residents, the community swells during summer months as tourists arrive, hoping to make the most of miles of unspoilt white sandy beaches.

Boden Catalogue Uses Bamburgh Beach

Check out the new Boden catalogue, lots of wonderful images of Bamburgh beach. Our holiday cottages at Bamburgh are the perfect place to enjoy a holiday at Bamburgh. http://www.boden.co.uk

Stargazing on your Bamburgh Holiday

As the nights draw in, we light up. The Northumberland skies are deep with stars from now through to Spring. To make sure you get the best out of our heavenly nights, we have organised a galaxy of stargazing evenings and short breaks with trained star guides. Wheer better than to stay in one of our cosy Bamburgh holdiay cottages.

Stay at Bamburgh and see the most beautiful marathon in the country

Bamburgh holiday at its best Back for its 5th year, join us on the shores of Northumberland’s beautiful Kielder Water for a weekend of exciting events for all the family! Take on ‘Britain’s Most Beautiful’ marathon or one of the popular 10K and Run Bike Run events. Entries still open at kieldermarathon.com, don’t miss out!

What's on in Northumberland

KNIGHTS' TOURNAMENT Date: Sat 23, Sun 24 & Mon 25 Aug 2014 Property: Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens Time: 11:00 - 17:00 Suitable for: Everyone Marvel at our noble knights as they take on the ultimate medieval tournament. Swords will be wielded, archery skills tested and helmets battered as these skilled men are put to the test in each nail-biting round. Who will reign supreme and become champion? Who will you support? Soak up the sights and sounds of medieval encampments as food is cooked on open fires and the past is brought to life as medieval folk go about their daily lives. Try your hand at archery and laugh at our silly jester. And let your little knights feel the weight of real armour and burn off energy in battle drills.

Discover castles, houses and open spaces then lose yourself in the dunes of the Northumberland Coast. There's always something to inspire your day out in the North East.

Cragside Tallest Tree in the UK
This impressive Scots Pine is one of  an incredible seven million trees planted by Lord and Lady Armstrong in the late 19th century at Cragside. It's officially the tallest of its type in the UK at an impressive 40 metres - that's the equivalent of a stack of ten double decker buses

Seaton Delaval's 300 year old Weeping Ash
t nearly 300 years old the hall’s spectacular weeping ash has remained standing through numerous calamities, including the fire which destroyed much of the hall in 1822. Now in its dotage, its limbs have had to be propped up and it prefers a ‘hug’ rather than being swung on.

Hollywood Star at Hadrian's Wall
Do you recognise this lone sycamore at Hadrian's Wall? If you do, it might be from its starring turn on the big screen, in 1991 blockbuster Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. 

Wallington's Climbing Tree
The 45ft high Nootka Cypress evergreen’s trunk height and branches have made it an ideal tree for climbing for generations of children. Last year our kids council voted it the country's best tree to climb.

Easter in the Alnwick Garden

This Easter, hop into action and enjoy some magical family moments with the Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt. Make this your Hoppy-est Easter ever! The Lindt Gold Bunny has escaped for a hoppy adventure in the The Alnwick Garden . Come and collect your activity pack and explore the gardens to discover where the Gold Bunny is hiding. Follow clues and learn about the other inhabitants of the gardens along the way. At the end of the hunt, hand in your completed clue sheet and receive a delicious Lindt Gold Bunny reward for a truly magical moment.

Castles, Kings, Ghosts and Wizards

Northumberland has more castles than any other county in England. A legacy of its turbulent past, including the infamous Border wars which raged from the 14th to 16th centuries, Northumberland boasts over 70 castle sites. Many have long since disappeared, some, like Dunstanburgh Castle, are romantic ruins. See others in their fully restored glory - like Bamburgh Castle, as seen on Robson Green's Tales from Northumberland. Towering 150 foot above the sea, Bamburgh Castle looks every inch the mighty citadel it once was. The very foundation stone of England, Bamburgh was a royal city during the 8th century and the castle the royal seat of the Kings of Northumbria. In 1464 Bamburgh became the first castle in England to fall to gunpowder during the War of the Roses. Fallen masonry from this onslaught can still be seen on the village green beneath. Falling into disrepair afterwards, Bamburgh was later bought and restored by the innovative Victorian inventor and genius Lord William Armstrong into the mighty castle you see today. Head inland to Alnwick Castle, the second largest inhabited castle in England after Windsor Castle, which stands guard over the River Aln. Home to the Duke of Northumberland, Alnwick has been the Percy family’s home since the Norman invasion over 700 years ago. Alnwick boasts two famous Harrys – the impetuous knight Henry ‘Harry’ Percy, born here in 1364 and nicknamed ‘Hotspur’ because of his readiness to do battle. The other being none other than the boy wizard Harry Potter, a scholar at Alnwick, which doubled as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. If you are planning a fun family day out in Northumberland then look no further than Warkworth Castle with its magnificent cross-shaped keep crowning a hilltop above the River Coquet. For chilly tales of torture chambers and ghosts go to Chillingham Castle, reputedly one of the most haunted castles in England.

Early Return of Puffins to the Farne Islands

The mild weather is thought to be behind an unusually early return of Puffins to the Farne Islands Puffins have been spotted on the Farne Islands this week in what is possibly the earliest ever sighting of the birds in the region. It is believed they have arrived at their Northumberland coast habitat weeks before they are normally seen because of the mild weather the region has been enjoying. Already there have been sightings of over 500 puffins on the Farne Islands It marks an amazing turnaround in fortunes for the birds on the Farne Islands. Last year was a horror story, as hundreds of dead birds washed ashore along the east coast from Northumberland up to Aberdeenshire in Scotland. Scientists feared thousands of puffins may have died of starvation, due to severe weather conditions in the North Sea. It is thought the birds were unable to feed due to storms at sea. The death of such large numbers of seabirds in a single incident is known as a “wreck”. Experts at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology said it was more than 60 years since such a large puffin wreck was recorded. It is hoped this mild spell of weather will be a sign of things to come and the Puffins and other seabirds of the Farne islands - which are open to the public from April 1 - have a successful year. The islands are home to 40,000 pairs of Puffins during spring and summer

Hollywood Stars Film Macbeth at Bamburgh

Oscar-nominated Michael Fassbender and actress Marion Cotillard are filming new film Macbeth at Bamburgh Castle Oscar-nominated film star Michael Fassbender is in Bamburgh as filming gets underway for the big screen adaptation of Shakespearean tragedy Macbeth. Taking the title role, Fassbender, recently watched by millions in the widely acclaimed 12 Years A Slave, has been taking in the sights of Northumberland’s impressive coastline. Joining the movie’s cast, alongside French actress Marion Cotillard as Lady Macbeth, is Bamburgh Castle providing the backdrop to scenes as Macbeth’s home. Welcoming the superstars, fellow actors and a crew of almost 200, Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland has been turned into it’s very own shanty town as trailers and marquees have gone up in preparation for this week’s two-day filming. The grounds of the historic venue will feature in the film adaptation of the Shakespearean tragedy which also stars Paddy Considine and David Thewlis.

Dark-sky status awarded to Northumberland Park area

A patch of Northumberland's night sky has become the largest area of protected sky in Europe. Northumberland National Park and Kielder Water and Forest Park have been granted dark-sky status by The International Dark Skies Association. The status means the night sky is protected and lighting controls are in place to prevent light pollution. In honour of the award the area will be renamed Northumberland Dark Sky Park later on Monday.

Star spotting in Northumberland

Star spotting in Northumberland is a regular occurrence. While Northumberland has many a red-carpet fan, it’s the star-studded galaxies above we’re talking about. According to the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), the vast skies above Kielder Water and Forest Park and Northumberland National Park are the darkest in England. Here, black-velvet skies crackle with billions of stars. The skies in Northumberland are so deep and so dark that Northumberland National Park along with Kielder Water & Forest Park and Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society are bidding to become Europe’s largest Dark Sky Park, awarded by the International Dark Skies Association, the leading international organisation combating light pollution worldwide. The kudos of becoming a Dark Sky Park will help ensure the area is kept free from light pollution and will stimulate more opportunities for people to enjoy the night sky. Billions of shimmering stars making up our Milky Way, a plethora of planets, dazzling meteor showers and the glow of galaxies like Andromeda - the dark skies of Northumberland as seen on Robson Green's Tales from Northumberland are home to star gazing opportunities that are out of this world. Around 85% of the UK population has never seen a truly dark sky. So for an astronomic experience that won’t cost the universe head to Northumberland for unrivalled stargazing. The best time for stargazing is during the autumn and winter months, when the nights draw in. You don’t need an expensive telescope. Just pack up a pair of binoculars, a deckchair, take a hot drink and bite to eat and head for rural Northumberland for a star-studded show. The Northumberland coast has played a starring role in TV programmes like BBC’s Stargazing Live who featured recent sightings of the Northern Lights here. One of Northumberland’s favourite tourism attractions Kielder Observatory at the award-winning Kielder Water & Forest Park has an exciting programme of astronomical events throughout the year. Northumberland National Park has lots of good sites from which to spot the stars. Officially recognised as a Dark Sky Discovery Site, Cawfields Quarry Picnic Site is in the central section of Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site near Haltwhistle. Part of a nationwide network of accessible dark sky discovery sites, look out for stargazing events during the year. A 24-hour webcam is on site too, showing weather conditions to help plan your journey in advance. For more information, go to www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk and www.visitkielder.com.

Tales from Northumberland with Robson Green

Starting on Monday 28th October at 8pm on ITV, Tales from Northumberland with Robson Green will be aired to the nation. Over eight episodes, Robson travels the length and breadth of our magical landscape by land, sea and air to see things he’s never seen before and discover a side of Northumberland that he never knew. Everything from The Farnes to Flodden, Berwick Rangers to Barter Books, dark skies to dialect poetry, shepherdesses to Seahouses all tell Northumberland’s story. How can you be involved? We want as many of you out there as possible to use your social media feeds and get people watching. There’s some great content available via official feeds on Facebook and Twitter ready for you to share. Let’s amplify the message! We have scheduled a tweet to go out on Monday 28th October at 20:00 stating: “Starting now on ITV @talesfromnorth with @Extreme_fishing spending an unforgettable night on Inner Farne. #BestNland #northumberland”. By using one message, one date and shared #tags we’ll make a lot more noise online. You can use our suggested tweet or prepare your own. Share your post at 20:00 and let’s get Northumberland trending!

50 Things To Do Before You're 11 ¾

Join the hunt for crabs, sea urchins, lobster and maybe even a small fish or two! Bring the family to join one of our coastal rangers as we go rock pooling near Lindisfarne Castle on the beautiful Holy Island. More Information: Lindisfarne Castle Office, 01289 389244,

Roman Soldiers and Jane Austen

This summer, step into England’s story as English Heritage brings to life Northumberland’s finest historic visitor attractions. Castle clashes, dressing up as highwaymen and pirates, gruesome Vikings and a day in the life of a Roman Soldier are just a few things families can enjoy in the North East and on Hadrian’s Wall. Or you might prefer to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of Jane Austen, with a TV and film costumes display on show at Belsay Hall. Take your little Roman soldier to…. Children’s Roman Soldier School at Birdoswald Roman Fort Sat 20 Jul – Mon 26 Aug Find out how you can join our Centurion for some hands on fun, crafts and dressing up throughout the school holidays. A Soldier’s Life at Housesteads Roman Fort – various dates Find out what it was really like to live at the iconic Fort 2000 years ago. Dramatic presentations showing Roman life will costumed actors will make this event a must-see this summer. Archaeology Detectives at Chesters Roman Fort – various dates Unveil Roman secrets and get stuck into history this weekend. Gladiators at Chesters Roman For – Sat 27 & Sun 28 Jul Come along to a spectacular weekend of Gladiatorial combat and cheer your champion as fully armoured Gladiators take on their opponents in this ancient sport. Calling all Jane Austen Fans…. ‘Costumes from Austen’ at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens until 26 Aug To mark the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, visitors to Belsay can re-live the joy they experienced whilst watching the film by coming face-to-face with the famous white shirt worn by Colin Firth amongst other hugely well-known outfits. Fans of the Regency era will also be doubly-delighted by the huge range of events being held during the summer months. The sights and smells of Belsay’s Gardens are a must-do this summer. Bring your dog, a picnic and enjoy exploring the wonderful Quarry Gardens, Medieval Castle and Jacobean Mansion

Bamburgh Castle tops list of best places in the UK to eat lunch

Bamburgh Castle is the best spot in Britain to have lunch, survey by VisitEngland has found in a campaign to encourage people to eat outside more often.

By Hayley Dixon - Daily Telegraph

6:58PM BST 27 May 2013

Once home to ancient kings, the castle which looks out over the over the Northumbrian coastline is joined in the top ten by beaches in Wales, picturesque villages in the Cotswolds and rocky outcrops in Yorkshire.

The most popular places to enjoy al fresco dining whilst taking in our green and pleasant land were chosen after research found that where people ate their lunch has an impact on their productivity and general happiness.

Whilst eating at your office desk makes people depressed and has an impact on morale, the nation voted that picnicking in rural or coastal areas made them happiest.

Of the top ten UK lunching destinations, seven are close to or have a view over water, including the Elan Valley Reservoir, Mid-Wales and the Coast Road, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria. Only one, the Belfast City Hall, was in a built up area.

After months of nominations, short listing and voting, VisitEngland and Visit Wales, in partnership with Kingsmill, announced the Top Ten Lunch Spots in the UK as part of its campaign to encourage more people to eat outdoors.