Family-Friendly Things To Do in Northumberland National Park

Home to Hadrian’s Wall, forests, lakes and dramatic moorland, castles and Roman remains, Northumberland National Park has no shortage of things to do with your family. If you've chosen to holiday here, you’ve made a great decision.

Our guide to family-friendly activities in the Northumberland National Park takes in everything from walking and wildlife watching to stargazing. Whether it’s learning about the park’s Roman history or visiting the home of Harry Potter, there’s plenty to keep children of all ages entertained.

Outdoor adventures

Hadrian’s Wall - Housesteads Roman Fort 

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and an icon of the national park, Hadrian’s Wall is a great place to give kids a taste of local history. There are plenty of places to visit along the wall's 84-mile length, but our suggestion for the best section for families to visit is the one at Housesteads Roman Fort, near Haydon Bridge. 

The best-preserved Roman fort in Britain, Housesteads is home to a museum with a film that gives an introduction to the fort’s history. You'll see Roman artefacts including jewellery, weapons and tools, and children have the chance to dress up as Roman soldiers. After a short (but steep) walk up the escarpment you can wander among the ruins of the original barracks, granaries and communal toilets, and there’s a section of the wall itself just a short walk away – plenty of places for kids to clamber and explore, with fabulous views across the surroundings too.

During school holidays friendly guides lead tours of the fort for children. In summer, look out for occasional events where costumed characters and a recreated Roman encampment bring the fort to life. Educational, energetic and fun. What more could you ask for? 

Kielder Water & Forest Park

Set within England’s largest forest, Kielder Water and Forest Park is a fascinating place for families to explore, with great opportunities for walking, cycling, wildlife spotting and picnics. 

With a Gruffalo Trail, a maze and lots of information about the park, the Kielder Castle Visitor Centre is a good place to begin your visit, and a starting point for walks and cycling in the forest. If you want to get out and explore, there are numerous mountain bike trails and walking routes to try. Wildlife enthusiasts can look out for ospreys, red squirrels, deer and otters, and of course there are plenty of places to stop for a family picnic. 

Kielder Water is Europe’s largest man-made lake, and the accessible, family-friendly Lakeside Way runs all the way around its perimeter, with more than 20 pieces of outdoor art to spot en route. Along the lake shore there are bike hire facilities and pleasure boats to rent, as well as ferry trips and a Bird of Prey Centre to visit.

Alnwick Castle

Although the handsome medieval Alnwick Castle (open daily from March to October) is just outside the eastern boundary of the park, your kids would never forgive you if we didn’t include it here. That is, of course, because it famously doubled as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the first two Harry Potter movies. There are lots of great spots for selfies, and families can take a 45-minute tour that points out all the castle’s key filming locations. Budding wizards can also book a broomstick training session that finishes with some unique photo opportunities.

The castle itself is well worth exploring in its own right, and hosts numerous events in summer, ranging from costumed reenactments to longbow demonstrations, falconry and cannon firing. The beautiful adjoining Alnwick Garden (free for children) is home to a labyrinth, a huge treehouse, rope bridges to play on and a ‘dancing’ fountain.

The castle’s popularity is no secret, so we’d recommend booking your trip in advance. 

Educational attractions

The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre

The free state-of-the-art visitor centre at The Sill, close to Sycamore Gap and Hadrian’s Wall, celebrates the landscapes and heritage of the national park. Visit to discover geological and historical exhibits, interactive audio-visual stories of life in the park and seasonal art exhibitions inspired by the local landscape. A year-round programme of family-friendly events and activities includes guided walks, art and crafts workshops and ranger-led talks.

There’s a natural outdoor play area for children, and the on-site café serves coffee, locally sourced food and afternoon teas. From the centre’s rooftop there are great views of the national park and the wall, which is one of several local landmarks within easy reach, with maps and guides available to help you find your way.

Walltown Country Park

The easily accessible Walltown Country Park is right next to a section of Hadrian’s Wall, with a car park and a visitor centre on site, a ‘Peace Labyrinth’ created from 1000 willow trees, and a Roman Army Museum very close by. It’s set around a former quarry that's now been filled in and thoughtfully landscaped, providing a haven for local wildlife.

You could start your day out with a visit to the museum – which gives the location some context through an introduction by a holographic ‘teacher’ that explores life as a Roman soldier on the wall and an award-winning film – before exploring the adjacent Magna Roman Fort (which offers free guided tours).

The park itself has several easy walks and nature trails, from a pushchair-friendly circular route to the Hadrian’s Wall Path. If you’d like to learn more about the local wildlife and environment, the Walltown Wildlife Rangers host informative, hour-long expeditions during the summer. Otherwise, you can just meander around the site, stop for a picnic and enjoy the views.

Fun-filled events and activities

Northumberland Dark Sky Park (NDSP)

Thanks to its lack of light pollution, easy access and great sightlines of the night sky, in 2013 Northumberland National Park was awarded Gold Tier status by Dark Sky International. It’s now Europe’s largest area of protected night sky, and one of the best places in the UK for a family stargazing session.

If you’d like to do this under your own steam, there are numerous Dark Sky Discovery Sites throughout the park, including those at Cawfields Quarry, Stonehaugh Pavilion and Harbottle.

For guided sessions and the chance to use high-powered telescopes, head to the fabulous Kielder Observatory, which hosts more than 700 events every year at its site in Kielder Forest. 

For more details about all the astronomy opportunities in the park and useful tips on how to make the most of the experience, check out Pitchup’s guide to stargazing in Northumberland National Park. 

Ranger-led activities

During the summer, Northumberland National Park offers a number of activities led by knowledgeable rangers, including nature walks, wildlife-spotting sessions, educational talks and hands-on activities. 

Designed for children aged 11-14, the Ranger School (based at the Sill National Landscape and Discovery Centre) provides the chance to join the park’s rangers for four days to take part in conservation activities, learn about maps and navigation, and discover their crucial role in preserving the park’s landscape.

Rangers and staff at The Sill and Walltown visitor centres (see above) also host shorter events and workshops, including nature walks and pond-dipping sessions – check out their websites for details.

Family-friendly walks

Unsurprisingly, there are lots of family-friendly walks in Northumberland National Park. We've picked two of our favourites to get you started.

Walltown Crags

English Heritage suggests three different walks around Walltown Crags, all with well-maintained paths suitable for families with children and pushchairs. Ranging from 2.5 miles to 3.7 miles in length, they all offer dramatic views of the surrounding countryside, the chance to visit Roman forts and milecastles along Hadrian’s Wall and, of course, plenty of great places to stop for a picnic.

Details and directions for all three can be found on the English Heritage website.

Reaveley Farm Family Stroll

Start point: Ingram National Park Visitor Centre

Distance: 2.7 miles

Time: approx 2 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Recommended by the National Park Authority, this easy 2-hour circular walk follows quiet roads along the River Breamish and is suitable for families with pushchairs, dogs (please keep them on leads if you encounter livestock) and mobility-impaired users. It takes in tranquil woodlands and views of the impressive earthworks at Heddon Hill, with the opportunity to spot wildlife including kestrels, red kites, herons and otters en route.

The national park website has a downloadable map and description of the walk which includes details of how to get to the car park.

With a wealth of family-friendly activities from spotting astral phenomena to dressing up as a Roman soldier or learning to fly a broomstick, Northumberland National Park is one of the best places in the UK for a family holiday. What will you do first?

If you'd like to add the adventure of camping to your Northumberland family break, check out Pitchup’s list of the best campsites in Northumberland National Park.