Dog-friendly things to do in Northumberland
With the largest forest in England and biggest man-made lake in Northern Europe, plus Hadrian’s Wall and picturesque sections of the Pennine Way running through it, Northumberland is one of the most scenic spots in the UK.
There are many dog-friendly things to do in Northumberland within a short drive of our Berwick or Haggerston Castle holiday parks, and lots of canine compatible sights to explore too.
Below we present some of the most fun places to take your pooch for a visit or walk. Pack a raincoat and sunglasses (this is England, after all) and explore!
Hadrian’s Wall Path
The 73 miles of Hadrian’s Wall are a sight to behold, and the path is a scenic marvel. With remains of forts, and some extraordinary views from the top of the wall, it’s a wonderful place to visit. Dogs can be walked on an extended lead all along the path.
Head to the Housesteads Roman Fort near Bardon Mill, where there’s a visitor centre and car park, and follow the path up to Housesteads, past the National Trust owned farm of the same name. You can walk for miles in either direction and try to imagine yourself as a Roman legionnaire looking out for invading Picts.
Berwick Lighthouse and Pier
If there’s one thing dogs love it’s a harbour, with its fishy smells, seaweed, and old fishing boats. Take a stroll up the beachfront, then along the harbour wall, to admire the lighthouse at its far end.
The town is very dog-friendly, with dogs allowed on the sand all-year-round and plenty of pooch-friendly eateries.
Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle walk
One of the prettiest sections of the Northumberland east coast is this stretch between the quaint village of Craster and the impressive ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. The walk there and back is a little under three miles and you’ll see impressive vistas of the castle on its rocky promontory as you approach from the south.
Dogs are welcome to join their humans in an exploration of the 14th-century castle ruins but should be kept on the lead. If you’d like to walk a little further, the coastal path runs south past hidden coves and beaches.
Bamburgh Castle and Beach
If you’d like to visit a castle that’s in better shape than a picturesque ruin, Bamburgh is one of England’s most spectacular, and dogs are welcomed (on the lead). There have been ancient dwellings at Bamburgh for millennia, with the first mention of a castle in 547AD.
Once the seat of Norman kings, the Castle stands above sand dunes and a mile-long sandy beach that’s perfect for exercising your dog. The beach is popular with wild swimmers too, so pack your swimwear if you’re feeling brave.
Leaplish and Bull Crag Peninsula
With 27 miles of shoreline, and 250 square miles of picturesque forest, Kielder Forest Park and Kielder Water are a must-see and dogs can roam free throughout.
An accessible highlight is the five mile circular trail from the Leaplish Waterside Centre, which includes the Bull Crag Peninsula, and sculptural features like Freya’s Cabin and the Kielder Keepsake. Lakeside views are spectacular throughout this route, and you may spot falcons or ospreys as there’s a Bird of Prey Centre by the lake.
Leaplish also has toilet facilities and the Forest Bar and Kitchen for refreshments.
Holy Island of Lindisfarne
The approach to Holy Island, via a causeway at low tide, adds to the mystique of this enchanted place, one of the earliest seats of British Christianity, with a monastery established as early as 635AD.
You’ll be charmed by the impressive sight of 16th-century Lindisfarne Castle, which stands on a volcanic plug looking out over the North Sea. There are plenty of coastal trails and dogs are welcome, including within the castle grounds.
Make time to see the lime kilns, the Gertrude Jekyll Garden, and the eastern shore, which offers some of the best photo opportunities.
Blanchland village
Situated on the border of County Durham and Northumberland, Blanchland is a perfectly preserved English village with stone houses, rolling hills, waterfalls, and a 12th-century Abbey.
There are riverside and forest walks, tearooms, and pubs, many of them with outside tables and lawns perfect for summery days and lazy dogs. The village has been used as a location for numerous productions including the film Jude and the detective series Vera.
It’s a longish drive, but not far from Hadrian’s Wall if you’re planning a visit.
Rothbury riverside walk and Cragside
Deep in the Northumberland National Park, this riverside walk is an easy wander alongside the gently rippling River Coquet and through the village of Rothbury.
If you tire of the village and riverside trails, then head east to neighbouring Cragside, where you can visit the home and gardens of an eccentric Victorian inventor, Lord Armstrong. There’s an arboretum and a rock garden, through which the river cascades.
The house is not accessible to dogs, but the sumptuous and surprising gardens are. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants in Rothbury, many with pet-friendly provision.
Start planning your Great British break
Related Posts
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Best walks in Northumberland
Castles in Northumberland: a guide
Important information
Brand new holiday homes from £34,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom ABI New Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 19 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Church Farm, Cala Gran, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Seashore, Seaview and Thornwick Bay.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
New holiday homes from £33,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom Willerby Ellerton Extra holiday and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
From 12 July 2024 the holiday home price is reduced from £37,995 to £33,995 and will remain at this price until all available stock is sold.
The holiday home price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024 this price is available at Berwick, Burnham-on-Sea, Devon Cliffs, Doniford Bay, Hafan y Mor, Kent Coast, Lakeland, Marton Mere, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Reighton Sands, Seton Sands and Weymouth Bay.
Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Combe Haven, Caister, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Golden Sands, Greenacres, Haggerston Castle, Skegness, The Orchards, Quay West and Wild Duck only until the stock has been sold. Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
New holiday homes from £29,995 – reduced from £33,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom Willerby Ellerton Extra holiday and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
From 12 July 2024 the holiday home price is reduced from £37,995 to £29,995 until 31 August 2024 at which point it will revert to £33,995. At Far Grange the holiday home price point is reduced from £33,995 and will revert to this price on 31 August 2024.
The holiday home price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024 this price is available at – Blue Dolphin, Caister-on-Sea, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Greenacres, Haggerston Castle, The Orchards, Quay West, and Wild Duck
Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £19,995
Holiday home price is based on a Bronze Grade pre-owned holiday home 6 years or older and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Cala Gran, Church Farm, Cardigan View, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Orchards, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Riviere Sands, Seashore, Seaview, Skegness and Thornwick Bay.
Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence.
Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
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Offer is applicable to new customer purchases made through Haven from 19 April 2024, completing by 31 December 2024.
Offer excludes part-exchanges or private sales. Available on new & pre-owned holiday homes at the following selected parks only: Kent Coast, Burnham-on-Sea, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Hopton, Orchards, Skegness and Wild Duck.
A credit equivalent to the value of your site fees due during the 2024 season will be applied to your account balance on completion of your purchase for use against your running costs e.g. utilities, after-sale add-ons e.g storage boxes or site fees. It cannot be applied to your purchase or refunded in cash.
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Offer cannot be combined with any other offer, discount, or promotion. Offer may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice. Full site fees will be payable for subsequent years.
Images are shown for representational purposes.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.