What is the Northumberland 250?
The Northumberland 250 is a scenic 250-mile road trip in the far North East of England.
Also known as the Nland 250, the route takes in the county’s rugged heritage coastline, historic castles, sparsely populated National Park and some of the darkest skies in Europe. And at one point you’ll cross the border into Scotland.
There’s the chance to see puffins and Arctic terns on the Farne Islands and red squirrels in Kielder Forest. Not to mention some epic spots to camp off-grid, surrounded by nature.
How long does it take to drive the Northumberland 250?
You could explore the Nland 250 in a long weekend, but we’d recommend setting aside at least five days to really discover this underrated region.
If you’re lucky enough to have more than a week to explore, it’s a great route to combine with a trip into Scotland or the Lake District.
Free or paid for route maps are available through the official Northumberland 250 website. And you can rent our 4x4 Wild Camper Trucks from both Edinburgh and Kendal.
What are the highlights of the route?
Now you’re asking. It’s hard to narrow down the sights to just a few. But some of our must-see highlights are:
Alnwick Castle
Dating back to the Norman period, you might recognise this impressive castle from the first Harry Potter films where it had a starring role as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Bamburgh Castle
An ancient fortress, built on a rocky plateau, Bamburgh Castle overlooks the wild Northumberland coastline. A castle has stood in this spot for more than 1,400 years when Northumbria was the largest and most powerful of England’s seven Anglo Saxon kingdoms.
The Farne Islands
Accessible by boat from the village of Seahouses, these rocky islands are a sanctuary for wildlife including puffins, grey seals and Arctic terns.
The Holy Island of Lindisfarne
The tides render this ancient holy site inaccessible at certain times of the day. But if you plan it right, you can drive across the causeway to explore the castle and medieval priory ruins.
Hadrian’s Wall
Spanning 73 miles from coast to coast, Hadrian’s Wall was built by the Romans to guard the north-west boundary of the Roman Empire. It’s scattered with the remains of the towns and forts that once kept watch.
Duddo Five Stones
This mysterious Bronze Age stone circle sits atop a hillside near a rural village. It’s accessed by farm tracks and the stones, which stand between five and 10-feet tall, date back to around 2000 BC.
Northumberland National Park
With more than 400 square miles of moorland, valleys, hills and ancient hill forts to explore, this is perfect hiking and mountain biking country.
An International Dark Sky Park, the park has some of Europe’s darkest skies, perfect for stargazing. And it’s also home to the Cheviot Hills, which straddle Northumberland and the Scottish Borders.
Kielder Water and Forest Park
The UK’s largest manmade reservoir, Kielder Water is surrounded by England’s largest forest. There are miles of cycling and walking trails to explore or you can take to the water for sealing and water skiing. The area is also home to red squirrels, ospreys and water voles.
Kielder Observatory
Take part in guided star-gazing sessions at this fell-top observatory in a remote area of Kielder Forest. Accessed by a two-mile forest track, booking is essential.
Northumberland 250 campsites: legally wild camping in Northumberland
While wild camping isn’t allowed in Northumberland without the landowners permission, there are plenty of places you can stay deeper off grid in your camper truck or campervan and enjoy wild, remote 4x4 awesomeness.
Our friends at Off Grid Camp have compiled some incredible Nland 250 wild camping spots for off-grid adventures, all with full landowner permission.
£25 Off Grid Camp membership is discounted for our hire customers, and free to those who buy a demountable camper.
Hexham
Journey along off-road trails to your remote camping spot in Northumberland’s largest ancient forest. Ideal for birdwatching the area is home to curlews, lapwings, and barn owls.
Near Berwick on Tweed
Just half a mile off the Northumberland 250 route, camp in a former sand quarry with views over the Cheviot Hills. Or put your 4x4 camper truck to the test driving rough farm tracks to camp on ‘the hill’.
Jedburgh
A picturesque location with two lochs, this spot in the Scottish Borders is perfect for exploring the Cheviot and Eildon hills.