Northumberland Walking Holidays 2025 | Explore Stunning Routes
- Brendon Hayward
- Aug 8
- 14 min read
Welcome to your definitive guide for planning unforgettable Northumberland walking holidays. This county, England's wild northern heart, offers a breathtaking tapestry of windswept coastlines, ancient Roman walls, and sprawling dark-sky parks. Navigating the sheer volume of information to find the perfect route, package, or basecamp can be overwhelming, turning exciting plans into a time-consuming chore. This guide solves that problem by curating the best online resources, from specialist tour operators to official regional sites, all in one place.
We've compiled a comprehensive roundup of the top platforms and providers that simplify the planning process. Whether you're a seasoned hiker seeking a multi-day trek along Hadrian's Wall or a family looking for gentle coastal rambles with cosy accommodation, you'll find a solution here. Each entry in our listicle details a specific website or service, complete with screenshots and direct links, to help you visualise and access their offerings instantly. We'll explore everything from self-guided holiday packages offered by Contours Walking Holidays to unique glamping experiences at Fell Farm Hideaway and official trail information from the Northumberland Coast AONB. Get ready to discover the ideal starting point for your next adventure.
1. Fell Farm Hideaway: A Premier Base for Authentic Northumberland Walking Holidays
Fell Farm Hideaway presents a compelling and authentic choice for those seeking a deeply restorative base for their Northumberland walking holidays. Rather than a package holiday provider, this family-run working farm offers an immersive, self-catering experience that places you directly in the heart of the region's celebrated landscapes. Its strategic location, combined with a profound commitment to sustainability and comfort, makes it a standout option for walkers who value independence, tranquillity, and a genuine connection to nature.
The platform's strength lies in its simplicity and directness. The website provides a clear, unmediated portal to booking one of three handcrafted luxury cabins: HoneyMug, Hope, or Hail Hill. Each cabin is thoughtfully designed to blend rustic charm with modern necessities, ensuring a comfortable retreat after a long day of exploring. This direct booking model is a significant advantage, guaranteeing the best price by eliminating third-party fees and allowing for personalised communication with the owners for tailored local advice.
Why Fell Farm Hideaway Excels for Walkers
For keen walkers, Fell Farm’s location is a significant asset. Situated just six miles from the iconic Hadrian’s Wall Path, it serves as an ideal launchpad for tackling one of Britain's most historic trails. The proximity to market towns like Corbridge and Hexham also provides easy access to supplies, local pubs, and further transport links.
The farm itself is a haven for nature lovers, with a strong environmental ethos that enhances the visitor experience. The owners actively manage the land for biodiversity, creating habitats for wildlife such as barn owls, red deer, and skylarks. This dedication to conservation means your stay directly supports the preservation of the very landscapes you've come to explore.
Key Insight: Fell Farm Hideaway is more than just accommodation; it's a basecamp that enriches your walking holiday by connecting you to the local ecosystem. The experience is designed for self-sufficient travellers who want to set their own pace and itinerary, from challenging treks along Hadrian's Wall to gentle ambles through the farm's own rewilding projects.
What to Expect and How to Book
Booking is exclusively handled through the Fell Farm Hideaway website, a process designed for ease and transparency. The site features detailed descriptions, high-quality imagery, and a straightforward availability calendar for each cabin.
Accommodation: Three distinct, self-catering cabins with private outdoor spaces, well-equipped kitchens, electricity, WiFi, and TV.
Best For: Solo travellers, couples, and small families seeking a peaceful, low-impact base for walking and exploration.
Key Advantage: Direct booking ensures no hidden fees, flexible arrangements, and access to the hosts' invaluable local knowledge.
Limitations: The focus on simplicity and nature means you won't find amenities like hot tubs or on-site restaurants. This is a deliberate choice to foster a quieter, more self-reliant stay.
Ultimately, Fell Farm Hideaway is the premier choice for walkers who desire autonomy and an authentic rural Northumberland experience. It provides the perfect, peaceful sanctuary to return to after a day spent conquering the fells and ancient footpaths of this magnificent county.
2. Contours Walking Holidays
Contours Walking Holidays is a premier choice for independent-minded ramblers seeking a flexible and well-supported adventure. The platform specialises in self-guided Northumberland walking holidays, removing the logistical hassle so you can focus purely on the stunning scenery. This service is ideal for those who prefer to walk at their own pace, whether solo, as a couple, or with a furry friend in tow.
What truly sets Contours apart is its blend of freedom and comprehensive support. While you are in control of your daily schedule, the company meticulously organises your route, books your accommodation in friendly local B&Bs or inns, and arranges for your luggage to be transferred each day. This means you only need to carry a daypack, making the journey significantly more comfortable and enjoyable. Their detailed route notes and maps are exceptionally clear, ensuring navigation is straightforward even for less experienced walkers.

Key Features and Offerings
Contours offers several established routes through Northumberland, allowing you to tailor your holiday to your specific interests and fitness level.
Flagship Routes: Choose from iconic trails like the Northumberland Coast Path, St. Oswald's Way, and sections of Hadrian's Wall Path. Each tour can be customised in length, from short breaks of 3-4 days to more extensive explorations lasting over a week.
Dog-Friendly Options: A significant benefit for many is the availability of dog-friendly tours. Contours ensures that both you and your canine companion are welcomed at your overnight stops.
Complete Support Package: Every booking includes hand-picked accommodation, daily luggage transfers, detailed Ordnance Survey maps, comprehensive route notes, and a holiday pack with local information.
Pricing and Booking
Prices for a Contours holiday vary based on the route, duration, and time of year. For example, a 6-night Northumberland Coast Path tour starts from around £670 per person. While this may be more expensive than a DIY approach, the price reflects the convenience of having all logistics expertly handled for you. Booking is done directly through their website, where you can select your start date and any optional extras. If you're looking for other walking inspiration in the area, you can explore some fantastic Kielder Reservoir routes as well. You can find more information about unmissable Kielder Reservoir walks on local travel blogs.
3. Skyline Walking Holidays
Skyline Walking Holidays is an excellent choice for those who enjoy the camaraderie and structure of a guided group tour. This company specialises in creating immersive Northumberland walking holidays that are fully led by experienced local guides, making them perfect for walkers who want to delve deep into the region's history and landscape without worrying about navigation or planning. The all-inclusive nature of their packages caters to individuals, couples, and friends seeking a social and informative adventure.
What makes Skyline stand out is its focus on expertly curated, guided experiences. Unlike self-guided options, every walk is led by a knowledgeable guide who not only leads the way but also enriches the journey with insights into local folklore, history, and wildlife. This approach allows you to fully immerse yourself in the experience while all the practicalities, from hotel check-ins to daily transfers, are seamlessly handled for you. Their tours are designed to be both challenging and rewarding, combining spectacular coastal walks with cultural highlights.

Key Features and Offerings
Skyline's offerings are built around a single, comprehensive guided tour of the Northumberland coast, ensuring a high-quality, focused experience.
Guided Northumberland Coast Tour: Their flagship holiday is a guided exploration of the Northumberland Coast Path, including a memorable walk across the causeway to Lindisfarne (Holy Island) to visit the historic Priory.
All-Inclusive Package: The package is comprehensive, covering accommodation in hotels with en-suite facilities, breakfasts, packed lunches, and evening meals. It also includes all necessary transport during the holiday.
Expert Leadership: A key benefit is the presence of an experienced walking guide throughout the trip, providing navigation, safety, and fascinating local commentary. This is ideal for less confident walkers or those new to the area.
Social Group Setting: The group format provides a great opportunity to meet like-minded people and share the experience, which is a significant advantage for solo travellers.
Pricing and Booking
Skyline operates with a clear, all-inclusive pricing model. For example, their 5-night Northumberland Coast & Holy Island guided walking holiday is priced from around £799 per person. While this reflects a higher price point, it includes expert guiding, all meals, accommodation, and in-trip transport, offering exceptional value and convenience. Booking is straightforward via their website, where you can find set dates for the upcoming season. Given the fixed-date nature of these tours, it is advisable to book well in advance. For more inspiration on the wider area, explore this in-depth guide to Northumberland National Park and its many attractions.
4. Visit Northumberland
Visit Northumberland is the official tourism website for the county and serves as an indispensable free resource for anyone planning their own Northumberland walking holidays. Rather than a booking platform, it functions as a comprehensive information hub, offering reliable, expert-curated content directly from the source. This makes it the perfect starting point for DIY adventurers who want to build a personalised itinerary from scratch, grounded in official and up-to-date details.
The website's primary strength lies in its authority and breadth of information. You can trust the route descriptions, difficulty ratings, and local advice, as it's all managed by the official tourism body. It's an excellent tool for researching different trails, finding inspiration for places to stay, and discovering local events or attractions that can be woven into your walking trip. The user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate through the extensive walking and hiking section to find what you need.

Key Features and Offerings
While Visit Northumberland doesn't sell packages, it provides all the building blocks you need to create your own perfect walking holiday.
Detailed Route Guides: The site features extensive guides on major trails like Hadrian's Wall Path, St. Cuthbert's Way, and the Northumberland Coast Path, as well as lesser-known local walks. These guides include distance, difficulty, and points of interest.
Accommodation and Amenity Listings: Find detailed information on a wide range of accommodation providers, from cosy B&Bs to luxury hotels, often with links to their direct booking sites. You can also find details on pubs and cafes along your route.
Official and Reliable Information: As the official tourism site, all information is regularly updated and verified, ensuring you have the most current details on trail conditions, access, and local services.
Pricing and Booking
Access to all the information on the Visit Northumberland website is completely free. It is a non-commercial resource designed purely to promote tourism in the region. You cannot book holidays directly through the site; instead, it acts as a directory, providing you with the necessary details to contact accommodation and service providers independently. While this requires more planning, it offers maximum flexibility and control over your budget. You can find out more about the region's fantastic culinary scene with this guide on local food and drink in Northumberland.
5. Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
For the DIY enthusiast and the walker dedicated to in-depth planning, the official Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) website is an indispensable resource. Unlike commercial operators, this platform is not about selling packages but providing pure, authoritative information. It is the perfect starting point for anyone planning their own Northumberland walking holidays, particularly those focused on the magnificent coastline, offering a wealth of free resources to help you craft your perfect trip.
This website is all about empowering the independent walker. It provides detailed, stage-by-stage descriptions of the Northumberland Coast Path, from Cresswell to Berwick-upon-Tweed. The information is meticulously curated by the very organisation tasked with protecting this precious landscape, giving you insights into the area's unique geology, wildlife, and heritage that you won't find on booking sites. It's an essential tool for those who value understanding the environment they are exploring.

Key Features and Offerings
The AONB website is a hub of practical and educational information, designed to enhance your coastal walking experience while promoting responsible tourism.
Detailed Route Guides: Access comprehensive descriptions for all six stages of the Northumberland Coast Path. Each guide includes distance, terrain details, and points of interest.
Free Downloadable Resources: The site offers free downloadable maps and leaflets, which are invaluable for on-the-go navigation and planning your route offline.
Environmental and Safety Guidance: A key focus is on responsible tourism. Find crucial advice on the Countryside Code, walking with dogs, and understanding tide times, which is vital for a safe coastal walk.
Wildlife and Conservation Information: Learn about the diverse habitats and species you'll encounter, from dune systems to the thousands of seabirds on the Farne Islands, and how you can help protect them.
Planning and Access
The Northumberland Coast AONB website is completely free to use. As an informational platform, it does not handle any bookings for accommodation or luggage transfers. This makes it the ideal partner for a self-planned holiday, where you use its expert guidance to structure your walk and then book your B&Bs and other logistics separately. Its singular focus on the coastal route means you get unparalleled depth on that specific trail. If you are looking for more trail ideas, you can explore some of the other unforgettable Northumberland walking routes available in the wider region.
6. Active England Tours
For those who enjoy the camaraderie and expert knowledge of a guided experience, Active England Tours offers a fantastic option. This operator specialises in small-group guided Northumberland walking holidays, creating an inclusive and sociable atmosphere perfect for solo travellers, couples, or friends. Their approach is ideal for walkers who want to fully immerse themselves in the landscape and history without worrying about navigation or logistics, as everything is expertly arranged for you.
What makes Active England Tours stand out is the quality of its local guides. These knowledgeable leaders bring the region to life with insightful commentary on Northumberland’s rich history, unique geology, and diverse wildlife. This transforms a simple walk into a storytelling journey. The all-inclusive nature of their packages, which often cover accommodation, some meals, and transport during the tour, provides a seamless and stress-free holiday from start to finish.

Key Features and Offerings
Active England Tours curates itineraries that showcase the best of Northumberland’s coastal and inland scenery, with a focus on creating a memorable group dynamic.
Guided Itineraries: Their tours typically cover highlights like Hadrian's Wall and the Northumberland Coast. The trips are led by professional guides who manage the pace and provide fascinating local insights along the way.
Small Group Experience: With a focus on small groups, you are guaranteed a more personal and engaging experience. This format allows for better interaction with the guide and fellow walkers.
All-Inclusive Packages: Most tours include comfortable accommodation, some meals (often breakfast and lunch), and all transport required during the walk, simplifying your travel plans significantly.
Pricing and Booking
As guided tours, prices are higher than self-guided alternatives, reflecting the comprehensive service. A typical 5-day guided tour of Hadrian's Wall could cost upwards of £995 per person. This price point is justified by the inclusion of expert guides, pre-booked accommodation, some meals, and the benefit of a shared social experience. While the itineraries are fixed, they offer a high-quality, stress-free way to explore the region. You can find details and book directly via the Active England Tours website.
7. The Camping and Caravanning Club
For walkers who relish the freedom of the great outdoors and prefer a more hands-on approach, The Camping and Caravanning Club offers a fantastic alternative to traditional package deals. This platform is the go-to resource for anyone planning Northumberland walking holidays centred around camping or caravanning. It provides an affordable and flexible way to explore the region, allowing you to wake up right on the doorstep of some of the most spectacular trails.
The Club’s website is designed for outdoor enthusiasts who want to craft their own itinerary from the ground up. It provides detailed listings of club-owned and certified campsites strategically located near key walking routes like Hadrian's Wall Path and the Northumberland Coast. This approach gives you complete control over your holiday, combining the thrill of walking with the rustic charm of camping under the stars, all while being part of a supportive community.

Key Features and Offerings
The Camping and Caravanning Club is more than just a booking site; it’s a hub of information and community for like-minded adventurers.
Extensive Campsite Network: Gain access to a wide array of campsites across Northumberland, from fully-serviced sites with modern facilities to more basic, tranquil spots. Popular sites include those near Hadrian’s Wall, such as the Bellingham and Haltwhistle sites, offering direct access to the path.
Detailed Site Information: Each listing provides comprehensive details on facilities, pitch types, local attractions, and walking route accessibility, making it easy to choose the perfect base for your trip.
Community and Advice: The platform features articles and advice sections with inspiration for local walks, route suggestions, and tips from fellow members. It fosters a sense of community among outdoor lovers.
Pricing and Booking
Membership to The Camping and Caravanning Club starts from around £53 per year, which provides access to discounted pitch fees and member-exclusive sites. Nightly pitch fees vary by location and season but offer a significantly more affordable option compared to B&Bs or hotels, especially for families or groups. This model is perfect for those who already own camping equipment and seek a budget-friendly way to enjoy Northumberland's landscapes. If you are travelling with family, you can discover more top outdoor family fun ideas in Northumberland to complement your walking holiday. Booking is easily done online through the club's website.
7-Option Northumberland Walking Holidays Comparison
Item | Implementation Complexity | Resource Requirements | Expected Outcomes | Ideal Use Cases | Key Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fell Farm Hideaway | Moderate (self-catering setup) | Comfortable cabins with modern amenities | Relaxing rural retreat with nature connection | Peaceful getaways, family stays, nature breaks | Scenic location, sustainability focus, privacy |
Contours Walking Holidays | Moderate (self-guided planning) | Route materials, accommodation bookings, luggage transfers | Flexible, self-paced walking holidays | Independent walkers wanting logistics support | Flexible dates, dog-friendly, comprehensive support |
Skyline Walking Holidays | Higher (guided group tours) | Guides, en-suite accommodations, meals | Structured, social walking experience | Walkers preferring guided group tours | Expert guides, inclusive logistics, social setting |
Visit Northumberland | Low (informational website) | Digital content only | Well-informed trip planning | Walkers needing free, reliable route info | Official, comprehensive, free resources |
Northumberland Coast AONB | Low (informational website) | Digital maps and guides | In-depth knowledge of coastal routes | Walkers focused on Northumberland Coast Path | Detailed route info, environmental focus, free downloads |
Active England Tours | Higher (guided tours) | Guides, accommodations, meals | Personalized guided walking tours | Small groups wanting local insights | Local guides, small groups, inclusive packages |
The Camping and Caravanning Club | Low to Moderate (self-arranged) | Camping gear, campsite bookings | Affordable and flexible walking + camping | Outdoor enthusiasts wanting camping + walking | Affordable, flexible itineraries, active community |
Lace Up Your Boots: Your Northumbrian Adventure Awaits
Northumberland’s raw, untamed beauty offers a walking experience unlike any other in the UK. From the dramatic cliffs of the coastline to the tranquil solitude of the Cheviot Hills, this is a landscape that rewards exploration. We have navigated the diverse options available, presenting a curated selection of tools, packages, and resources designed to help you craft your perfect Northumberland walking holidays. Whether you are an experienced long-distance trekker or a family seeking a gentle weekend ramble, the right support can transform a good walk into an unforgettable adventure.
This guide has showcased everything from bespoke tour operators like Contours and Skyline Walking Holidays, who meticulously handle logistics, to invaluable official resources such as Visit Northumberland and the Northumberland Coast AONB website, which provide the foundational knowledge for any trip. We've also considered different travel styles, highlighting the freedom offered by The Camping and Caravanning Club for those who love to be close to nature. Each tool serves a unique purpose in planning and enjoying your time in this historic county.
Choosing Your Path: Making the Right Decision
Selecting the best resource for your journey depends entirely on your personal needs and walking style. To make the best choice, consider these key factors:
For the Independent Planner: If you relish crafting your own itinerary and thrive on spontaneity, start with resources like the Visit Northumberland and Northumberland Coast AONB websites. These platforms provide maps, route suggestions, and crucial local information, giving you the building blocks to design a holiday that is uniquely yours.
For the Logistics-Averse Walker: If your priority is simply to walk without the hassle of planning accommodation and luggage transfers, a specialist provider is your best option. Contours Walking Holidays and Skyline Walking Holidays excel at this, offering structured, self-guided packages that let you focus purely on the trail ahead.
For the Social Explorer or Active Group: If you enjoy the camaraderie of a group and the insights of a local guide, Active England Tours provides expertly led, all-inclusive experiences. This is an ideal choice for solo travellers or those who want a more structured, social adventure.
Ultimately, the best Northumberland walking holidays are those that align with your vision of escape. Do you want the challenge of Hadrian’s Wall Path or the serene beauty of the coastal route? Do you prefer the comfort of a cosy B&B or the rustic charm of a campsite under the stars? By matching the tools in this guide to your personal preferences, you can ensure your Northumbrian journey is everything you hope for and more. This ancient kingdom, with its sweeping vistas and profound sense of history, is waiting. All that's left to do is take the first step.
Ready to find the perfect basecamp for your walking adventures? For a truly immersive experience that combines rustic luxury with direct access to stunning trails, explore what Fell Farm Hideaway has to offer. Situated in the heart of the landscape, it’s the ideal retreat after a day spent exploring the wild beauty of Northumberland. Fell Farm Hideaway.
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