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Northumberland: Wall to the Coast – Route Guide

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Lindisfarne Castle Holy Island — Northumberland: Wall to the Coast
Photo: Michael D Beckwith · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

England's emptiest coast, guarded by its densest run of castles. Start on Hadrian's Wall, then follow the dunes north past Alnwick's gardens and Bamburgh's fortress filling the horizon, to the tidal causeway of Lindisfarne. Boat out to the Farnes and puffins whirr around you by the thousand.

Northumberland: Wall to the Coast is a 170 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as 3–5 days; the plan below is the 4-day version for June, built from 192 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

3–5
days
170km
distance
5
Stops
192
curated stops

Plan your own version → 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go

The route

Newcastle→ 40 kmHexham & Hadrian's Wall→ 75 kmAlnwick→ 25 kmBamburgh→ 30 kmBerwick-upon-Tweed

What you'll see

Wallsend
Stand at Mile Zero of Hadrian's Wall and explore the Roman fort.
Newcastle
Chesters Roman Fort
Discover a Roman fort guarding the River North Tyne crossing.
Hexham & Hadrian's Wall
Alnwick Castle
Explore plush Victorian interiors in a grand, re-medievalised castle.
Alnwick
Bamburgh Castle
Witness a dramatic castle perched on a dolerite outcrop.
Bamburgh
Norham Castle
View the scenic ruins of a substantial medieval castle.
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Newcastle Castle
Explore the ancient earth mound and wooden fort remnants.
Newcastle
Hexham Old Gaol
Visit England's first purpose-built prison, now a museum.
Hexham & Hadrian's Wall
Dunstanburgh Castle
Take in the dramatic views from a 14th-century cliffside ruin.
Alnwick

Choose your length

3-day plan18 stops · 8.5 h transit6 stops/day · 2.8 h transit/daySee the full plan →4-day plan24 stops · 9.5 h transit6 stops/day · 2.4 h transit/daySee the full plan →5-day plan30 stops · 9.2 h transit6 stops/day · 1.8 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: May, June, July, August, September

Puffin season on the Farne Islands and safe causeway crossings to Lindisfarne at low tide — check the tide tables before driving out, every year cars are caught.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

Plan your own version →