Northumberland National Park

Sycamore Gap, Northumberland

Northumberland National Park

Where is it – England, North East England

Who looks after it –  National Park 

What is it –  Countryside, Free access, National Park, Walk, Wildlife 

When is it from – All or N/A

Northumberland National Park is one of Britain’s 15 National Parks and is under an hour’s drive from Newcastle-upon-Tyne.  The Park was established in 1956 and covers an area of over 400 square miles at the most northerly tip of England.  Hadrian’s Wall runs through the southern part.  Further north is Kielder Forest (which is administered separately from the National Park), reputedly the largest man-made forest in England, and Kielder Water, Europe’s largest artificial lake.  Straddling the border between England and Scotland are the Cheviots, a range of hills that rise to 2674 feet (815 metres) at the Cheviot, the highest hill, and parts of which are bleak and remote.

Northumberland National Park is famous for its lack of light pollution – it contains the largest area of protected night sky in Europe.

Principal settlements in Northumberland National Park are Hexham, Haltwhistle, Bellingham, Rothbury and Wooler.

Pictured is the famous Sycamore Gap, which featured in the 1991 film Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner. Sadly the sycamore tree was felled by a vandal in 2023.

Photo via Pixabay.

 


Address

Northumberland National Park Authority, Eastburn, South Park, Hexham, Northumberland NE46 1BS 

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