A WEEK IN… NORTHUMBERLAND

Our guide to the perfect family camping holiday

The Northumberland coast is often referred to as England’s best kept secret, with 30 miles of spectacular beaches – huge expanses of golden sands without the crowds you’ll encounter in more popular parts of the country.

Even on the hottest days of the summer, visit one of the area’s vast sandy beaches and you’re unlikely to see more than a handful of fellow beachgoers.

Alnmouth Beach is one of our favourites in Britain. Pop the kids in wetsuits – this is the North Sea! – and let them enjoy the surf while you prepare a picnic – and maybe even a beach barbecue.

When the sea’s rough, head to the sheltered estuary beach, where the River

Aln meets the sea.

Northumberland has more castles than any other county in England and just inland from Alnmouth is Alnwick, home of the incredible castle featured in the Harry Potter films. It has amazing gardens, too, with a stunning cascading waterfall and a vast treehouse among the many attractions.

Northumberland’s award-winning

Heritage Coast is internationally renowned for its rare plants and wildlife. There are coastal paths running along much of the coastline, offering spectacular sea views and the opportunity to get closer to nature.

Pick up some world-famous kippers from Craster, before exploring the quaint seaside village of Seahouses. A little further along the coast is picturesque Bamburgh Castle (there’s a great beach here, too), and then the iconic Holy Island of Lindisfarne.

Head inland to the Northumberland National Park, which includes the photogenic Cheviot Hills and Kielder Water with its Forest Park. Walking, cycling, birdwatching and photography are all well-suited to this area, or stay until dark and enjoy the park’s Dark Skies status. Hadrian’s Wall is great for walking along and for visiting some of the historic sites, such as Housesteads Roman Fort, the most complete fort on the wall.

Berwick-upon-Tweed is just over two miles from the Scottish border and to the south of Northumberland are the great cities, Newcastle and Durham.