Northumbria is an undiscovered holiday paradise, where the scenery is wild and beautiful, the beaches golden and unspoiled and the natives friendly. The region is edged by the North Sea, four national parks and the vast Border Forest Park.

Its Eastern sea boundary makes a stunning coastline, stretching 100 miles from Staithes on the Cleveland boundary, to Berwick-on-Tweed, England’s most northerly town, frequently fought over and with the finest preserved example of Elizabethan town walls in the country. In between you’ll find as many holiday opportunities as changes of scenery.

Inland there’s Hadrian’s Wall, the National Park, hills, forests, waterfalls, castles, splendid churches and quaint towns. Visitors can trace man’s occupation of the region from prehistoric times: rock carvings, ancient hill forts, Saxon churches, Norman priories, medieval castles, through a wealth of industrial archaeology.

The region has a rich maritime heritage too. Ruins like Dunstanburgh or fairy-tale Lindisfarne are relics of a turbulent era. You can take a trip from Seahouses to the Farne Islands - a marvellous bird sanctuary and breeding ground of the Atlantic Grey Seal.

Agriculture is one of the region’s most important industries. Heatherslaw Mill near Ford, (a delightful model village) has a restored waterdriven corn mill and agricultural museum. Fans of One Man and His Dog can see the skills of shepherd and dog at numerous sheepdog trails and county shows in the summer.

ATTRACTIONS IN NORTHUMBERLAND

Why not make the most of your stay at a Signpost hotel by visiting some of the attractions in the area.

> Attractions in Northumberland

HOTELS IN NORTHUMBERLAND BY FACILITY