Northumberland is the most northerly county in England, the west and north is a large rural area of great beauty and historical interest. The Northumberland National Park is the county's great scenic treasure. It covers almost 400 miles from Hadrian's Wall in the south, now a World Heritage site, to the Cheviot Hills, which form the border of Scotland. Situated in the heart of Northumbria, Castle Morpeth is the ideal base for exploring the ancient Kingdom of Northumbria and the Scottish borders; Northumbria's historic towns, magnificent castles and beautiful beaches are within easy reach.
Hadrian's wall, the most important monument built by the Romans in Britain is the best-known frontier in the entire Roman Empire and stands as a reminder of past glories. Morpeth, County town of Northumberland combines specialist-shopping facilities, plentiful accommodation and an excellent Wednesday market which celebrates its 800th anniversary in 1999. West of Morpeth is Wallington House, the elegant 17th century National Trust property set in 100 acres of woodland, lakes and magnificent walled gardens. One of the most remarkable estates in the Border Country is Belsay. Here you can visit a medieval castle, Jacobean Manor House and Georgian Hall with breathtaking gardens.
Alnwick is a medieval town situated in the Northumbrian countryside. Its recorded history began nearly 1000 years ago with the building of the Norman castle on the North bank of the River Aln. Alnwick's history is inseparable from the castle, whose function was to provide a permanent defence against the Scots. Much of Northumberland was a no-mans land where social order descended into chaos. Vikings, Celts and Saxons fought for supremacy here until the Normans came. These conflicts restricted Alnwick's development, but at the same time the castle guaranteed its safety. To appreciate Alnwick's buildings properly, look up above the shop facades and wander down the narrow streets and alleys which all echo Alnwick's varied history.
Newcastle, home to the Angel of the North, is a lively bustling city. The Eldon Shopping Centre is one the largest in Europe; the beautiful Edwardian arcade is not to be missed. There are numerous Bars, Nightclubs and Restaurants with a vibrant atmosphere. Newcastle also has an excellent underground system so getting around the city is not a hassle. Newcastle has a number of galleries and museums featuring the history of the city, fashion works and local artists. The City is also the second home to the Royal Shakespeare Company is the magnificent Theatre Royal a classically designed Victorian theatre.
