North East England road trip
Northumberland 250 itinerary
The Northumberland 250 is a compact route with a big mix of landscapes: wide beaches, border castles, dark skies, Roman history and empty upland roads. Five days is enough to travel slowly and keep space for tide times, castle visits and detours into the National Park.
- Duration
- 5 days
- Distance
- 250 miles
- Start and finish
- Hexham or Alnwick circular route
- Best time
- April to June and September are ideal for quieter beaches and good walking conditions. Summer is busier on the coast, especially around Bamburgh and Seahouses.
Why drive the Northumberland 250?
A 5-day Northumberland 250 itinerary linking castles, coast, market towns, Kielder, Hadrian's Wall and the Cheviot Hills.
- Bamburgh Castle, Seahouses and Lindisfarne
- Alnwick, Cragside and Rothbury
- Kielder Water and the Dark Sky Park
- Hadrian's Wall and the Tyne Valley
5 days Northumberland 250 itinerary
Day 1
Hexham to Kielder
Start with Hadrian's Wall viewpoints, then head north through Bellingham to Kielder Water for forest roads, lakeside walks and dark skies.
Day 2
Kielder to Wooler
Cross the quiet uplands toward Otterburn and the Cheviots, using Wooler as a practical base for short walks and border-country drives.
Day 3
Wooler to Bamburgh
Plan Lindisfarne around the safe crossing times, then continue to Bamburgh, Seahouses or Beadnell for an overnight by the coast.
Day 4
Bamburgh to Alnwick
Follow the coastal road through Craster, Embleton and Alnmouth, with time for Dunstanburgh Castle or a boat trip from Seahouses.
Day 5
Alnwick to Hexham
Loop inland via Rothbury, Cragside and the Coquet Valley, then return toward Hexham through rolling Northumberland farmland.
Planning tips
Check Lindisfarne tides
Holy Island access depends on the causeway safe-crossing windows. Build your coast day around those times.
Keep fuel stops in mind
The interior is sparsely populated. Fill up before Kielder, the Cheviots and longer National Park sections.
Mix coast and inland nights
Staying only on the coast misses the best upland driving. Split nights between Kielder, Wooler and the coast.
Northumberland 250 FAQ
How long is the Northumberland 250?
The route is marketed as a 250-mile Northumberland road trip, though your final mileage will vary with detours and overnight bases.
How many days should I allow?
Three days works for a fast loop, but five days is much better for castles, beaches, Kielder and Hadrian's Wall.
Is the Northumberland 250 good for campervans?
Yes. The main roads are manageable, but choose campsites carefully and take extra care on narrow upland lanes.