Discover a range of holiday cottages, farmhouses, barn conversions, and glamping pods, set on working farms in Northumberland. These hand-picked, self-catering farm stays are located in some of Northumberland’s most popular rural destinations including Alnwick, Alnmouth, Bamburgh, Seahouses, and Hexham, ideal for families, groups of friends, or couples looking for an unforgettable getaway.
With its rich industrial heritage, ancient history, important religious sites, and a landscape dotted with more castles than any other English county, Northumberland is a rewarding destination at any time of year, and a farm holiday is a wonderful way to experience its authenticity.
Northumberland National Park, home to England’s cleanest rivers, clearest air, and darkest skies. Explore the Cheviots, a range of rolling hills straddling the Anglo-Scottish border, where you’ll discover beautiful waterfalls, Iron Age hillforts, and rewarding hikes to the park’s highest peak. After dark, head to Kielder Observatory for unforgettable stargazing, as the minimal light pollution allows views of distant galaxies and nebulae, shooting stars, and the surface of the moon. The park also contains a significant stretch of Hadrian’s Wall, the iconic monument of Roman Britain, with the remains of forts, watchtowers, barracks, bathhouses, and farm buildings to explore.
With a wealth of historic buildings and monuments to discover on memorable days out, a family holiday on a Northumberland working farm is an excellent choice. Highlights include Alnwick Castle, owned by the Percy family since 1309 and renowned for its magnificent medieval architecture and lavish state rooms; the National Trust’s Cragside, described as Britain’s original smart home, illuminated by hydro-electricity and powered by hydraulic systems, set within a dramatic fantasy garden; and Hexham Abbey, a Grade I listed 12th-century church with an interactive exhibition, café and shop. After a day exploring, children will delight in returning to the farm to greet the animals and with many farm stays offering hot tubs, barbecues, and play areas, families will find plenty to do in the evenings.
Beach lovers are equally well catered for along Northumberland’s unspoilt coastline, and a farm stay by the sea gives you easy access with some just moments from the shoreline, offering direct routes to the Northumberland Coast Path. The wide sandy beach and rockpools at Cresswell are perfect for families, while surfers can catch waves at Bamburgh beneath its spectacular castle backdrop. For bracing walks and near-guaranteed solitude, Goswick Sands is ideal. Many of Northumberland’s beaches are dog friendly all year round, and we have a large collection of farm stays that welcome dogs with enclosed gardens and acres of countryside to explore.
Just off the Northumberland coast lie the Farne Islands, a remote archipelago famed for its extraordinary wildlife. Thousands of seabirds can be spotted here, including puffins, terns, guillemots, razorbills, shags, and eider ducks, alongside a large colony of grey seals. The islands are accessible by boat from Seahouses, and trips include sights such as St Cuthbert’s Chapel and Longstone Lighthouse, once home to local heroine Grace Darling.
Food lovers will enjoy hearty local dishes, from pan haggerty to singing hinnies, served in cosy country pubs and stylish modern restaurants, while staying on a farm gives you easy access to fresh, seasonal produce.
Whether you’re looking for a cosy cottage by the coast or a traditional barn conversion with space for the whole family, a farm stay in Northumberland is the perfect destination for your next break at any time of year.
